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远古海洋比想象中更“透气”!新研究刷新对全球海洋钼循环认知
Ke Ji Ri Bao· 2025-11-20 06:05
Core Insights - A recent study by Chinese scientists reveals the critical role of deep-sea oxidative sediments in the global molybdenum cycle, enhancing the accuracy of geochemical indicators used to infer historical environmental changes on Earth [1][2] - The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, provides new scientific evidence for understanding the evolution of Earth's habitability and addressing future environmental changes [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study indicates that the δ⁹⁸Mo values in deep-sea sediments are significantly higher than those in typical iron-manganese crusts and nodules, suggesting a global universality of this phenomenon [2] - A vertical increase in molybdenum isotope composition with depth was observed, driven by the penetration of molybdenum from bottom seawater into sediments and a recycling process within sediment columns [2] - The research team recalculated the output flux and isotopic composition of molybdenum from global oxidative sediments, finding that the flux is over twice previous estimates, accounting for 45% of the total oceanic molybdenum output [2] Group 2: Implications for Earth's History - The updated model suggests that previous studies may have significantly overestimated the distribution of "sulfidic anoxic" basins in the global ocean during geological periods such as the Paleoproterozoic, Cambrian, Early Jurassic, and the Permian-Triassic boundary [2] - This implies that ancient oceans may have been more "breathable" than previously thought, creating a more favorable environment for the evolution and flourishing of early life [3] - The changes in Earth's oxygen levels directly influenced the evolution of life and major biological events, such as the Cambrian explosion, providing key insights into the origins of life [3]
深海沉积研究助力精准重建古海洋环境
Huan Qiu Wang Zi Xun· 2025-11-19 02:36
来源:央视新闻客户端 记者从中国科学院广州地球化学研究所获悉,该研究所科研团队联合中国地质调查局青岛海洋地质研究 所科研人员,对西太平洋两个深海沉积岩芯进行了系统研究。他们发现,岩芯中钼同位素组成随深度增 加呈现明显升高趋势,且这种变化规律与太平洋其他海域的观测结果相似,暗示其可能具有全球普遍 性。该研究成果北京时间11月18日在国际学术期刊《自然·通讯》发表。 地球大气和海洋中的氧气,从几乎为零逐步增长至接近现代水平,是地球宜居环境形成和生命演化的重 要基础。如何准确重建地质历史时期海洋与大气的氧气含量,是地球科学前沿课题之一。钼(Mo)作 为一种对氧化还原条件敏感的元素,其同位素组成被广泛用于追溯古海洋的氧化还原历史。然而,要准 确解读这一"地球化学密码",必须首先厘清现代海洋中钼的来源、去向及其同位素平衡机制。 长期以来,科学界普遍以铁锰结壳和结核代表整个海洋氧化沉积物的钼同位素特征。然而,这类沉积物 仅占海洋氧化沉积物总量的一小部分,更多、更广泛存在的是富含铁锰(氢)氧化物的深海沉积物。忽 略这一主体部分的同位素特征,使得全球钼同位素收支平衡存在显著偏差。 更新后的模型显示,以往研究可能显著高估了地质 ...
瞭望·瞭望访谈 | 让中国古生物学在国际拥有更高话语权——专访中国科学院院士徐星
Xin Hua She· 2025-11-18 03:06
发布会现场,颁奖人现场连线中国科学院院士、中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所所长、云南大学 古生物研究院学术院长徐星时,他正戴着大草帽在云南省楚雄彝族自治州元谋县山区野外考察。信号断 断续续,声音忽隐忽现,徐星不断挪步,尽量让镜头里的自己不晃动。 徐星持续多年深耕恐龙演化和古生物学,累计发表300余篇论文,他和同事命名的恐龙新物种超过80 个。其研究成果创造多项世界第一,将中国的恐龙研究推向新高度,他也因此被称为"恐龙院士"。 徐星在接受《瞭望》新闻周刊记者采访时说,中国是古生物资源大国,也是国际古生物学研究中心之 一,但还需更加努力。唯有不懈努力,构建自己的理论和学术体系,才能让中国古生物学在国际拥有更 高话语权。 把生命演化的拼图拼得更完整 我国古生物学在世界已经具备一定影响力。未来,我们有责任让国际通用的教科书出现更多的中国名 字、中国元素和中国贡献 通过古生物学研究,追溯地球数十亿年的演化轨迹,可以帮助解答生命起源、物种形成和生物演化、地 球环境变迁等核心问题,为理解当下生命世界、预测未来生态趋势提供关键证据 文 |《瞭望》新闻周刊记者 严勇 中国科学院院士徐星 今年8月,2025未来科学大奖揭晓,季 ...
【新华社】科研团队成功利用人工智能蛋白语言模型揭示生命演化奥秘
Xin Hua She· 2025-10-08 12:17
Core Insights - The research reveals the significant role of protein high-order features in functional adaptive convergent evolution, providing a new perspective on the mystery of life evolution [1][6] - The study utilizes an artificial intelligence-based protein language model to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind convergent evolution, moving beyond traditional methods that focus solely on single amino acid changes [2][4] Group 1: Research Methodology - The research team developed a computational analysis framework named "ACEP," which leverages pre-trained protein language models to capture complex contextual information and high-order features from protein sequences [2][4] - ACEP's analysis process involves calculating the real distance of homologous protein embedding vectors, simulating neutral evolution to construct background distance distributions, and statistically testing for significant high-order feature convergence signals [4][5] Group 2: Findings and Implications - The ACEP framework successfully identified significant high-order feature convergence signals in known cases, such as the Prestin protein in echolocating mammals and PEPC/PPCK proteins in Crassulacean acid metabolism plants [5] - The framework also identified hundreds of candidate genes with convergent signals in bats and toothed whales, with some genes significantly associated with sensory perception functions related to echolocation [5][6] - This research marks a paradigm shift in evolutionary biology by systematically revealing the importance of protein high-order feature convergence in adaptive evolution, showcasing the potential of AI technology in addressing complex biological questions [6]
9月译著联合书单|魑魅魍魉:我们的心魔和怪物的意义
Xin Lang Cai Jing· 2025-09-30 04:39
Group 1 - The book "The Islamic Empire: Fifteen Cities Defining a Civilization" explores the historical and cultural significance of key cities in the Islamic world from the 7th to the 21st century, highlighting their architecture, culture, and the dynasties or families associated with them [2] - The book "The Monsters We Fear: Our Inner Demons and the Meaning of Monsters" examines the complex relationship between humans and monsters, suggesting that monsters are projections of human fears, desires, and chaos, serving as metaphors for the eternal struggle between civilization and barbarism [4] - "The Life of the Wife of Bath: A Biography of a Remarkable Woman" discusses the character of Alison from Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," emphasizing her challenge to misogyny and the importance of women's self-expression in literature [6] Group 2 - "Dear Kin: A New Narrative of King Philip's War" reinterprets the historical narrative of King Philip's War, focusing on the perspectives of marginalized figures such as Indigenous women leaders and the complexities of cultural identity during the conflict [8] - "The Political Archaeology: Power Structures from the 17th Century to Present" presents a historical analysis of the concept of "politicality," arguing that political realities are shaped by historical transformations rather than being natural entities [10] - "Old Clothes, New Cuts" critiques modern materialism and social injustice through a philosophical lens, exploring the protagonist's journey from despair to spiritual awakening [12] Group 3 - "How Novels Think: The Limits of Individualism 1719-1900" discusses the relationship between the development of the novel and the formation of modern individual identity, highlighting the novel's role in shaping and revealing the contradictions of individualism [14] - "The Debate on Rights: Philosophical Explorations" investigates the nature of legal and moral rights, exploring fundamental questions about the essence and conditions of rights [16] - "The Tongzhi Restoration: The Last Resistance of Chinese Conservatism (1862-1874)" details the efforts of the Qing government during the Tongzhi Restoration, analyzing the historical conditions and mechanisms behind its near success and eventual failure [18] Group 4 - "The Nature of Happiness" critically evaluates various philosophical theories of happiness, exploring how modern conceptions differ from ancient views and questioning the moral implications of happiness [20] - "The Rubber Empire: The Struggle for Land and Power in Liberia" chronicles the establishment of a rubber empire by Firestone in Liberia, detailing the exploitation of land and labor under the guise of development [22] - "Classical Political Philosophy: Basic Principles" provides insights into Aristotle's political philosophy, addressing contemporary issues related to modernity and political thought [24] Group 5 - "The Things We Can Design: Beyond Human-Centered Worlds" critiques the anthropocentric approach in design, advocating for a more inclusive and relational design philosophy that addresses ecological concerns [26] - "A Brief History of Students" reflects on the evolving nature of student life and the core purpose of education in fostering independent thinking [28] - "The Brain: An Organ of Relationships" redefines the brain as a relational organ, emphasizing its role within the ecological network of life and its continuous transformation through interaction [30] Group 6 - "The British Industrial Revolution: Economic Transformation and the Establishment of Global Dominance" analyzes the factors that led to the Industrial Revolution in Britain and its profound impacts on various sectors [32] - "Caribbean on the Table: Food, Texts, and Culture" explores how diasporic writers use food to construct identity, examining the tensions between traditional and modern culinary practices [34] - "The Autumn Leaves Collection" is a compilation of essays reflecting on life, literature, and the influence of various literary figures on the author's thoughts [36] Group 7 - "The Reasons for Fear of Work" investigates the rising psychological issues related to work in Japan, providing insights into the workplace environment and suggesting constructive solutions [38] - "The Language of the Inuit: Semantics and Culture in the Arctic" studies the geographical distribution and dialectical differences of the Inuit language, examining its historical evolution and current status [40] - "High-Speed Trading: How Algorithms Transform Financial Markets" documents the rise of high-frequency trading and its implications for market efficiency and competition [42] Group 8 - "The Development of Translation Competence" focuses on the multidimensional construction of translation competence and emphasizes learner-centered teaching methods [44] - "A History of Greek Philosophy" provides a concise overview of ancient Greek philosophy, tracing the evolution of philosophical thought through key figures and schools [46] - "The Game of Cattle and Horses: How Silicon Valley Tames Engineers" reveals the hidden labor control mechanisms in tech companies, exploring how gamification affects engineers' work-life balance [48] Group 9 - "Weimar Culture: Outsiders in the Center" examines the cultural experiments of the Weimar Republic, highlighting the contributions of artists and intellectuals during a tumultuous period in German history [50] - "The Odes of John Keats" offers a detailed analysis of Keats' odes, situating them within the broader context of English poetry [52] - "Beyond Listening: Decoding Young Children's Voices in Early Education" critiques the practices of listening to young children in educational settings, proposing frameworks for better engagement [54] Group 10 - "On the Water's Edge: The Evolution of Life" explores macroevolution and the secrets of life through recent scientific discoveries and analyses [55] - "Living Like a Capybara: An Emotional Wellness Handbook for the Fragmented Age" provides practical methods for emotional health, emphasizing the importance of managing hostility for overall well-being [57] - "The Rainbow on the Plate: How Chemical Dyes Change Our Relationship with Food" narrates the history of synthetic dyes in food production, linking it to broader themes of safety and authenticity in the food industry [77]
【新华社】“老化石”里发现“新秘密”:新成果破解多项生命演化之谜
Xin Hua She· 2025-09-29 01:09
Core Insights - Recent studies by the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed new findings about human evolution and the evolutionary pathways of early mammals, utilizing advanced technologies to analyze ancient fossils [1][2][7]. Group 1: Human Evolution - The research on the Yuncheng Man skull, dated to approximately 1 million years ago, has clarified the human evolutionary lineage, indicating that multiple human groups had already diverged by that time [2][4]. - The study reconstructed the skull and identified features that suggest it belongs to an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage rather than Homo erectus, challenging previous classifications [2][4]. - The findings propose that the divergence of Homo sapiens, Dragon Man, and Neanderthals occurred earlier than previously recorded, thus reshaping the timeline of human evolution [2][4]. Group 2: Early Mammal Evolution - The research on the Sichuan Zizhong multi-toothed beast fossil, dating back 160 to 168 million years, has uncovered a unique jaw joint structure that indicates a significant evolutionary transition from reptiles to mammals [5][6]. - The study suggests that the multi-toothed beast's jaw joint adaptation was crucial for its burrowing lifestyle, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of jaw structures in early mammals [5][6]. - Another fossil, the Lufeng quadruped from the early Jurassic period, has been identified as a transitional form in jaw joint evolution, filling gaps in the understanding of vertebrate evolution [6]. Group 3: Technological Innovations - Advanced technologies such as high-precision CT scanning and 3D reconstruction have been employed to analyze and reconstruct ancient fossils, enhancing the understanding of their morphology and evolutionary significance [7]. - The application of new statistical methods and high-resolution imaging has allowed researchers to validate their findings and improve the accuracy of fossil reconstructions [7]. - The ongoing use of innovative techniques is expected to continue revealing insights from previously dormant fossils, further enriching the understanding of life's history [8].
远古发现|“老化石”里发现“新秘密”:新成果破解多项生命演化之谜
Xin Hua She· 2025-09-28 03:52
Core Insights - Recent studies by the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed new findings about human evolution and early mammal evolution through the analysis of ancient fossils using advanced technologies [1][2][3][6] Group 1: Human Evolution - The research on the Yuncheng Man skull, dated to approximately 1 million years ago, has redefined the human evolutionary timeline, indicating that multiple human groups had already diverged by that time [2] - The study found that the Yuncheng Man is not a representative of Homo erectus but rather an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage, suggesting earlier divergence of Homo sapiens, Dragon Man, and Neanderthals than previously recorded [2] - The findings challenge existing fossil records and provide a new evolutionary tree for the genus Homo, indicating a more complex evolutionary history [2] Group 2: Early Mammal Evolution - Research on the Chuan-nan Multicuspid Beast fossil, dating back 160 to 168 million years, has uncovered a unique jaw joint structure that indicates a significant evolutionary transition from reptiles to mammals [3][5] - The study suggests that the jaw joint of the Chuan-nan Multicuspid Beast allowed for greater chewing efficiency, marking a key difference between reptiles and mammals [3][5] - Another fossil, the Lufeng Quian Beast, dating back 201 to 184 million years, provides insights into the transitional forms of jaw joint evolution, filling gaps in the understanding of vertebrate evolution [5] Group 3: Technological Innovations - Advanced technologies such as high-precision CT scanning and 3D reconstruction have been employed to analyze and reconstruct ancient fossils, allowing researchers to gain new insights from previously studied specimens [6] - The application of these technologies has revitalized the study of ancient fossils, enabling a deeper understanding of evolutionary history [6] - The ongoing research aims to uncover more "sleeping" fossils, further enhancing knowledge of life's history [6]
不断探索生命的奇迹(院士新语)
Ren Min Ri Bao· 2025-08-31 22:32
Core Insights - The ongoing research in paleontology continues to provide clues for understanding the evolution of life, particularly the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, which has been debated since Darwin proposed the theory of evolution [1][2][3] Group 1: Evidence of Evolution - Key evidence supporting the hypothesis that birds evolved from dinosaurs includes the discovery of feathered dinosaur fossils in China, which confirmed that feathers were present before the evolution of birds [1][2] - The fossil of "Guanlong," discovered in 2003, showed limb structures similar to bird feathers, indicating a crucial stage in the evolution of flight [1] - The largest feathered dinosaur fossil, found in Inner Mongolia in 2005, further demonstrated the importance of feathers in the evolutionary process, challenging the previous notion that dinosaurs were solely covered in scales [1] Group 2: Structural Similarities - Studies comparing the skeletal structures of dinosaurs and early birds revealed significant similarities, such as the claw structure of "Velociraptor" and the feather arrangement of "Microraptor," which align closely with early birds like "Archaeopteryx" [2] - The continuity in skeletal structure supports the theory that birds are a lineage of theropod dinosaurs [2] Group 3: Technological Advancements - Advances in technology have enhanced paleontological research, allowing for the use of satellite navigation data, geological data, and computer models to better predict fossil distribution [2][3] - Techniques such as CT scanning and synchrotron radiation enable scientists to observe the internal structures of fossils, revealing details about the physiological changes during the evolution from dinosaurs to birds [3] Group 4: Multidisciplinary Approaches - The integration of paleontology with developmental biology and molecular biology has provided strong support for the evolutionary connection between birds and dinosaurs, particularly through the study of gene sequences related to feather development and flight capabilities [3] - Ongoing research continues to yield significant findings, enhancing the understanding of life's evolution and the mysteries of Earth's biological history [3]
于生命长河照见“我是谁”
Ren Min Ri Bao· 2025-05-22 22:02
Core Insights - The book "A Life of Its Own: Insights into Evolution" by Liu Chengguang explores the breakthroughs in life sciences, including synthetic biology, gene technology, and artificial intelligence, and their implications for understanding the evolution of life [2] - It presents a comprehensive narrative of life's evolution, from single-celled organisms to complex life forms, and addresses key scientific concepts such as the origin of life, species formation, and human evolution [2] Summary by Sections - **Scientific Knowledge**: The book discusses core theories of evolution, including the development of evolutionary theory, phenotypic and behavioral evolution, and genetic and chromosomal evolution, making complex scientific knowledge accessible through engaging examples [3] - **Human Impact**: It highlights the significant impact of human activities on biological evolution, noting that the current extinction rate of species is 1,000 times higher than before humans appeared, with projections indicating that over 25% of species may face extinction or be endangered by 2050 [4] - **Technological Advances**: The rapid development of biotechnology, including synthetic biology, gene editing, and cloning, raises ethical considerations, prompting discussions on the nature of life and the potential for creating life after resolving technical challenges [5] - **Philosophical Reflections**: The book elevates evolutionary theory from a historical footnote to a methodology for shaping the future, emphasizing that "survival of the fittest" is not only a biological instinct but also a crucial logic for the continuity of civilization [5]