Diamonds as life’s birthstones and modifying the Drake Equation

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. You may notice that this and future entries are shorter than usual; career, family and book deal commitments have forced me to cut back some of my projects. Now, here's today's news:
g Abodes -A group of 150 astronomers, geologists and biologists has picked what it considers the three best places to look for life on Mars. See article.
g Life - Researchers have come up with a new model in which the first molecules of life formed on diamonds. See article.
g Message -Should we modify the Drake Equation to account for civilizations which actually engage in deliberate interstellar transmission? See article.
g Learning -News media representatives are invited to join hundreds of San Francisco Bay Area girls, their teachers and parents on a fun-filled interactive exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics on Saturday. See article.
g Imagining -Could silicon be the basis for alien life forms, just as carbon is on Earth? See article.
g Aftermath - Speaking of cosmic self-esteem: Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin Rees describes how for the first time humans as a species may start to change in observable ways within single lifetimes and under some loose control of our own influence. If this future plays out, the future itself becomes more difficult to forecast. See article.