444: Chapter 88: The Situation 444: Chapter 88: The Situation The female scholar nad Jessica was rather angry, “This is so unfair to Vigette.
That’s not the sa protein, it’s an enzy with a similar structure and the sa function!
They’re not even expressions of homologous genes!
If you study it closely, you can find differences in the sequences…”
Xinyu stiffened slightly.
She knew the na “Vigette.”
Not just knew, it seed like in the last monts before she was captured…
“Enzys with similar structure and function are indeed not few…” Xiang Shan sighed, “But the enzy in Ms.
Niyaguti’s paper contains a special amino acid.
That amino acid, after searching through the entire academic world, appears only in two papers.
You know what that ans, right?”
Amino acids are a general term for a class of substances.
As long as there is an amino group and a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom, and there are no ineffective bonds, that substance can be considered an amino acid.
Naturally occurring amino acids already number in the hundreds.
And artificially synthesized, who knows how many there can be.
However, the amino acids that make up the human body are only 21 α-amino acids.
But in bacteria, the types of amino acids are really nurous.
In true bacteria, many unknown amino acids to humans exist.
Not to ntion archaebacteria.
This is quite normal.
Finding an unknown amino acid in a rarely researched archaebacterial species is not surprising.
It’s not groundbreaking work.
And “aliens having amino acids” isn’t sothing particularly strange either.
Because carbon is a very stable substance with a relatively high elental abundance.
Nitrogen and oxygen are the sa.
Not to ntion hydrogen, almost the most abundant elent in the universe.
Thus, the amino group consisting of carbon and nitrogen, and the hydroxyl group made of hydrogen and oxygen, are very common.
And the conditions to combine these substances together are even more common in the universe.
In 1953, Federation chemists Harold Urey and Stanley Miller conducted the famous Miller-Urey experint.
They established a controlled sealed system, simulating the early Earth’s atmospheric environnt.
The two chemists introduced hydrogen, thane, and ammonia gas into the experintal apparatus, then released an electrical spark.
In that experint, they produced a large amount of organic compounds, of which 2% were amino acids.
Although more and more biologists believe that the initial energy to ignite “life” was not from sparks but hydrothermal vents, the Miller-Urey experint also suggests that the conditions for the origin of life may not be as complex as humans imagined.
And the properties of carbon atoms are definite.
It’s possible for aliens and Earth to have very similar amino acids.
This particular possibility depends on conditions like the spectral type of the alien life’s star system, planetary magnetic fields, and others.
Of course, the probability is quite low.
But now, in human society, there are only two projects that ntioned an identical amino acid.
This amino acid was also folded into two proteins with very similar structures and functions.
The heads of these two projects also have an inseparable and complicated relationship.
“Oh my God… you’re not unaware of Orunmila’s work process!” Jessica covered her forehead, exclaid.
“But even within our group, at least half of the scholars say ‘we can’t completely rule out that it cos from the sa source’—because everyone knows Orunmila’s work process.” Xiang Shan shrugged.
“That’s just an academic rhetoric!
The rigor of science.
At this ti…” Jessica nearly shouted, “At this ti everyone should clearly stand… clearly stand…”
“And a very troubling point is, there are already many people who dislike Mr.
Yawgmoth within the Federation.
So departnts of the Federation’s governnt have always seen him as a thorn in their side.
He also refuses to cooperate with people he dislikes.
You understand, right?”
“Those are their idiots!
Anyone who has worked with Vigette…” Jessica’s voice gradually faded.
“Would find out he’s a temperantal jerk?
Cynical and rather prickly?” Xiang Shan laughed.
“Okay, I admit, sotis Vigette doesn’t behave well,” Jessica looked at Xiang Shan, “but without a doubt he is an excellent scientist.
This project needs him.”
“I trust this judgnt.” Xiang Shan nodded, “And I also hate miscarriages of justice.
Whether it’s based on personal philosophy, job necessities, or friendship, I don’t want the worst scenario to happen.
But now, we just don’t have strong enough materials for negotiation.”
Jessica added, “For now.”
“For now,” Xiang Shan said, “but the problem is with ‘for now’.
We might not have much ti left.
At this ti…”
Xiang Shan shrugged.
Jessica patted her forehead, signaling she needed to get back to work.
“Alright, don’t overwork yourself.
Get a good sleep after exercise, and think about the rest tomorrow.” Xiang Shan said, “Right now, I’m actually looking forward to Yawgmoth’s ex-wife suddenly holding a press conference.
Rather, if she doesn’t hold a conference soon, she might be controlled under the pretext of ‘leaking secrets’.”
The situation arose because Zhu Xinyu leaked unpublished research materials from Yawgmoth.
This was a serious ti, as it might expose the fact that “aliens are in Southeast Asia,” subsequently triggering uncontrollable social effects.
At this ti, the official response was also “uncontrollable” or “unpredictable.”
The longer Ms.
Niyaguti held back, the more uneasy the mbers of the UN Security Council felt.
And if she were to push this matter as a case of “plagiarism,” then it would be easier to handle.
Perhaps more scholars would see the material, but then she herself would beco the person “who couldn’t discern that this material ca from aliens.” At that point, Xiang Shan and his colleagues would finally be able to have a dialogue.
Having a dialogue would also provide room for diation.
If Niyaguti and Yawgmoth were willing to jointly release so “clarifying news” to “reverse” the situation and mitigate the social impact, then it would be a win-win for everyone.
But what truly worried Xiang Shan was that there was a reason the FBI was watching Yawgmoth.
His past record was indeed quite unrestrained.
If his ex-wife turned out to be an extre character who would spill secrets at the slightest disagreent, then everything would be dood.
Another female scientist offered to take Zhu Xinyu back to the dormitory.
Zhu Xinyu expressed her desire to stay a bit longer.
Thus, the female scientist left due to other commitnts.
Xiang Shan thought it was a bit awkward to carry the electronic bracelet himself and wondered if he should find soone else to hand it over.
Xinyu was silent for a mont, then asked, “Is this my… my fault?”
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