I am not sure that this is really a test of string theory, from my reading. The article more properly discusses that this application is using the mathematics developed for string theory, and that the math seems to work for this limited case. Whether that is useful for validating string theory seems to be a bridge too far, but maybe it is a case of something like Quantum Chromodynamics, where it there is not really any definitive single way to “prove” or disprove it, but that many coordinated experiments picking out various parts have been useful.
Einstein developed a whole new branch of mathematical notation in order to handle the way he worked with general relativity, and Newton developed calculus. The accuracy and utility of those mathematical tools didn’t prove their respective theories of gravitation, but they have proven very useful to many other scientists over time. Some comments in these articles suggest that a similar “spin-off” of string theory may be what is going on here, rather than a fundamental breakthrough that argues FOR string theory itself.
Thanks for interpreting the article and your insights. I must admit, that I actually value the technical and scientific commentary on FR more than the political.