Crossword Genius

American science probing nothing - it’s just a front (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fascia

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'just a front' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'american science probing nothing' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'science' becomes 'sci' (eg in 'poli sci' for political science).
'probing' means one lot of letters goes inside another (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'nothing' becomes 'FA' (slang term - sweet Fanny Adams).
'a'+'sci'='asci'
'asci' going within 'fa' is 'FASCIA'.

'it's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fascia that I've seen before include "Detachable (mobile phone) front cover" , "panel" , "board above shop window" , "Shop sign" , "Signboard above a shop" .)

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