The coolest web page

Thursdays are big in the molecular biology world, because the major journals- Science, Nature, Cell- all come out on the web. These journals are hidden behind subscription walls, although Science and Nature send out email alerts which I believe are open to everyone.
(I should say that most journals allow access to older content without subscription).

Today I clicked over instead to the Public Library of Science, a journal in which scientists pay the cost of publication, so that published articles are availble to everyone. Today's link of choice is a cool article about the search for life outside earth. This search has really gained momentum with the discovery on earth of microbial life in what seem to be extremely inhospitable niches-- oil deposits, hot vents, antarctic permafrost. I think the state of the search is that "we'll know it when we see it," meaning knowing how to look is crucial. As a recovering Trekkie (actually, Star Wars- great hair, better explosions) with a philosophical bent, I feel like these searches could yield the ultimate Keats' telescope moment.

In any case, click on, link to, and promote the Public Library of Science!