Checking for empty xml nodes in as3

Something thats puzzled me for a bit is how to check for empty xml nodes.

so something like....

<aidanmack></aidanmack>

ok so this script isn't all there but I reckon you should get the idea.

 I would of thought doing something like this....

if(aidanmack == null){

trace("its empty")

}

or

if(aidanmack == undefined){

trace("its empty")

}

or

if(aidanmack ==""){

trace("its empty")

}

... WOULD have worked but noooo. doesn't bite at all!

Instead I've found you have to check the length!

so..

if(aidanmack.length > 0){

trace("has something in it");

}else{

trace("its empty");

}