[geek] 30-second science blogging - War of the Worlds, in reverse!

Earth bacteria could invade Mars How does one pass up a headline like that? But on to the content:

Earth-bugs might just be able to survive on Mars, according to new research, although the circumstances do have to be perfect. The research team from the University of Florida warns that at least one type of earthly bacteria could survive long enough to hitch a ride to the red planet, and leave a biological signature in the Martian soil. Any future missions hunting for life on Mars will need to take care to distinguish between Martian life, and any possible alien invaders, the researchers say.

Of course, this post in my RSS aggregator was followed almost immediately by Bird flu: we're all going to die... So maybe we won't get the chance to contaminate Mars after all. Gotta love the Reg for keeping things in perspective, with a commitment to calm, mature, rational discourse ;-)