I'm not sure if it's been mentioned here or not, but another of the seemingly endless series of journals to monitor is the International Journal of Astrobiology (IJA), which one will note is distinct from Astrobiology. To be sure, both journals are fairly pricey; however, in my opinion both have fairly interesting and informative papers.

For those who don't have access, I believe if you complete IJA's free registration you get complimentary access to an issue (which, I believe, changes after a period of time). In any event, all of the articles from the January 2005 issue of IJA are available here.

Biocosm, The New Scientific Theory of Evolution

James N. Gardner

02/09/2006

*************************

Why is the universe life-friendly?
Columbia physicist Brian Greene says
it's the deepest question in all of
science. Cosmologist Paul Davies
agrees, calling it the biggest of
the Big Questions.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/email/artRedirec...rtID=642&m=7610

Letter from Nobel Laureate Baruch Blumberg and SETI Institute CEO Thomas
Pierson Regarding Proposed Astrobiology Cuts

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=19644

"While it is true that the entire NASA science budget is under pressure, this
50% cut to astrobiology is much larger than the 15% across-the-board cuts
proposed for FY '07 in the other NASA research programs.

Although many of us consider astrobiology to be the primary science of the
President's Vision for Space Exploration, this is not reflected in the
budget proposal."

Darwin's warm pond theory tested

By Rebecca Morelle

BBC News science reporter

Life on Earth was unlikely to have emerged from volcanic springs or hydrothermal vents, according to a leading US researcher.

Experiments carried out in volcanic pools suggest they do not provide the right conditions to spawn life.

The findings are being discussed at an international two-day meeting to explore the latest thinking on the origin of life on Earth.

It is taking place at the Royal Society in London.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4702336.stm

Search for alien life challenges current concepts

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19057

"For scientists eying distant planets and solar systems for signs of alien
activity, University of Colorado at Boulder Professor Carol Cleland suggests
the first order of business is to keep an open mind.

It may be a mistake to try to define life, given such definitions are
based on a single example -- life on Earth, said Cleland, a philosophy professor
and fellow at the NASA-funded CU-Boulder Center for Astrobiology.

The best strategy is probably to develop a "general theory of living systems,"
she said."

Commentary: Destroying Astrobiology Would be a 'Disaster'

http://www.space.com/searchforlife/060309_seti_thursday.html

Only by funding the science and instrument programs will future principal
investigators be able to truly look for the "fingerprints of life."