NASA PR flacks have already denounced this release. Too many of the geologists and “earth” science types at JPL would be put out of a job if this news got corroborated.
For that matter, could Obama and company withstand the likely public pressure for a manned expedition to investigate life on Mars if it ever appeared that such a thing was likely? Even their Defense Dept. budget eviscerations would have to be put on hold in such an event.
With all the evidence that Mars was once covered with flowing water. Its very ignorant for any scientist to say there is no life on mars, there never was or ever will be.