[dabigv13]

I'm no scientist and I don't have familiarity with the subject or contents of these papers.  My layman question is did the altered images give a false conclusion to the science?  In other words, if the images would not have been altered would the conclusions be the same?

In at least one case, yes. 

It's fine for MTL to continue to be a researcher and professor going forward even if he a) photoshopped b) told someone else to photoshop or c) didn't notice when other people photoshopped, several times. But not to be president of Stanford. He has to be a leader and a leader sets an example.

It would not be difficult for Stanford to find another excellent academician to be president whose name is not on falsified papers, who would do a fine job of being president. MTL is not irreplaceable.

[dabigv13]

I'm no scientist and I don't have familiarity with the subject or contents of these papers.  My layman question is did the altered images give a false conclusion to the science?  In other words, if the images would not have been altered would the conclusions be the same?

In at least one case, yes. 

It's fine for MTL to continue to be a researcher and professor going forward even if he a) photoshopped b) told someone else to photoshop or c) didn't notice when other people photoshopped, several times. But not to be president of Stanford. He has to be a leader and a leader sets an example.

It would not be difficult for Stanford to find another excellent academician to be president whose name is not on falsified papers, who would do a fine job of being president. MTL is not irreplaceable.