Part 2/5:
Pons and Fleischmann were acutely aware of the pitfalls associated with jumping the gun on scientific announcements. In a rigorous field where peer review is the gold standard for validating research, their choice raised eyebrows. Skeptics wondered why these reputable scientists would risk their credibility by sidestepping established conventions. Apprehensions only heightened as people questioned the motivations behind their media blitz.