和恐龙对话的科学家们

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the groundbreaking research by paleontologists who have demonstrated that birds are descendants of small feathered theropod dinosaurs, challenging the long-held belief that dinosaurs are completely extinct [2][4][10]. Group 1: Award and Recognition - The 2025 Future Science Prize awarded the Life Science Prize to paleontologists Ji Qiang, Xu Xing, and Zhou Zhonghe for their work on the origin of birds from dinosaurs [2][7]. - The Future Science Prize, often referred to as "China's Nobel Prize," was established in 2016 to recognize outstanding scientific achievements in various fields [7]. Group 2: Research Findings - The research conducted by the awarded scientists has provided substantial evidence linking birds to theropod dinosaurs, transforming the hypothesis into a widely accepted scientific theory [10]. - The discovery of feathered dinosaur fossils in China has played a crucial role in establishing the connection between birds and dinosaurs, with significant findings reported since the 1990s [9][10]. Group 3: Personal Insights and Experiences - The awarded scientists expressed their passion for fieldwork, emphasizing the excitement of discovering fossils in natural settings, which they consider a vital aspect of paleontology [4][5]. - Zhou Zhonghe recounted his memorable experience of discovering bird fossils shortly after graduating, which significantly contributed to the understanding of early bird evolution [5][10].