Are we alone in the universe? That has been the age-old question to which contemporary science may be close to providing an answer. Not only are we probably not alone in the vastness of space, but there might even have been life forms within our solar system besides our own planet, namely Mars. Now imagine the possibilities in our own Milky Way and the countless galaxies out there.

The mind boggles. If the universe really is teeming with life, it makes us rather insignificant. In diminishing the self-importance of our species, we may be more inclined to cooperate for mutual benefit rather than fight each other. Why are the two superpowers, China and America, even fighting? Shouldn't they work together, beginning with space science, to build trust?

In recent decades, the advanced sensors aboard spacecraft orbiting Mars and the rovers roaming its surface from both nations have shown emerging evidence that it once had water before it lost its atmosphere, as well as carbon, the essential element for organic life.

Data collected by Nasa from Martian rocks is the latest strong evidence of a biological signature.

It may, however, disappoint science fiction fans to hear that rather than little green men, the findings suggest microbial life forms.

An article published in Nature offers an analysis of the data collected by Nasa's Perseverance rover in July last year from what is thought to be an ancient lake bed. The mineral deposits greatly resemble those on Earth produced from chemical reactions triggered by microbes.