I'm not trying to be snarky, and while I largely agree with you, I feel like I'm missing something. Are you saying that the only time that it is 'fit to print' something about this topic is when we have arrived at the conclusion, and are ready to present objective facts?

Or, perhaps we shouldn't print speculation about interesting topics unless we have the answers to the questions being discussed?

Or, print should be reserved objective facts?

I agree that hyperbole like "scary" are confusing to many people. But in this case, I think the scientist is appealing to slang in an effort to communicate with non-scientists.