讲座中，谭笑教授以地质学家的"时空望远镜"为引，带领观众走进远古世界，揭示"中华龙鸟""辽宁古 果"等珍稀化石在火山与湖泊交织的环境中，如何形成并保存至今。通过观察关键化石标本，观众得以 一窥从恐龙到鸟类羽毛演化的壮丽历程，理解早期花朵出现对生态系统演变的深远意义。谭教授还分享 了科学家如何借助现代实验分析技术，逐步破译岩石中封存的记忆，还原亿年前辽宁大地上湖泊星布、 龙鸟共舞的生态画卷。 整场讲座深入浅出、引人入胜，带领现场观众穿越时空，探寻生命演化的蛛丝马迹，感受古生物研究的 魅力与自然演变的伟力。 转自：沈阳日报 本报讯（沈阳日报、沈报全媒体记者谢飞燕）近日，辽宁美・探源1.2亿年前的生命奇观——"从沈阳， 一路'朝阳'"研学游活动第二期科普讲堂在沈阳博物馆精彩开讲。本期讲堂特邀辽西及邻区中生代古植 物学与孢粉学研究专家、沈阳师范大学古生物学院古生物教研室主任谭笑教授，为观众带来题为《封存 于石：辽宁中生代的生态图景》的专题讲座。 （来源：沈阳日报） ...

Core Insights - The article highlights significant breakthroughs in paleontology research in China, showcasing a series of discoveries that contribute to the understanding of evolutionary history and the origins of life on Earth [7][11]. Group 1: Avian Evolution - A new bird fossil named "Zhenghe Bamin Bird" was discovered in Zhenghe, Fujian, which pushes back the timeline for the emergence of modern bird body structures by nearly 20 million years, indicating that key evolutionary processes were already underway during the Jurassic period when dinosaurs dominated [8]. - A new specimen of Archaeopteryx, known as the "Chicago specimen," provides critical evidence for the evolution of skulls and flight adaptations during the transition from dinosaurs to birds, showcasing well-preserved bones, soft tissues, and feathers [8]. Group 2: Dinosaur Origins - The discovery of Wushi Wudinglong in Chuxiong, Yunnan, represents the oldest known sauropod dinosaur in East Asia, dating back approximately 200 million years to the early Jurassic period, thus extending the fossil record of Chinese dinosaurs [9]. - Research on two ancient fossils revealed new evidence regarding the evolution of jaw joints from reptiles to mammals, with the Chuan Nan Duozhi Beast displaying a unique jaw joint morphology, indicating that this evolutionary path was not singular [9]. Group 3: Human Ancestry - The successful capture and sequencing of over a hundred ancient human genomes from Yunnan clarified the genetic contribution of a mysterious group known as the "ghost ancestors" to the Tibetan Plateau population [10]. - Innovative methods in ancient protein and DNA analysis confirmed that a nearly complete human skull fossil found in Harbin, Heilongjiang, belongs to the Denisovans, providing a clearer depiction of this extinct human lineage [10]. - Research on the digital reconstruction of the skull of the "Yunxian Man" revealed that it is an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage, suggesting that the divergence of modern Homo sapiens from other human lineages occurred around 1 million years ago, significantly altering the timeline of human evolution [10].

Core Insights - The article highlights significant breakthroughs in paleontology within China, showcasing discoveries that reshape the understanding of evolutionary history, from ancient birds to human ancestors [5][9]. Group 1: Avian Evolution - A new bird fossil named "Zhenghe Bamin Bird" was discovered in Zhenghe, Fujian, pushing back the timeline for the emergence of modern bird body structures by nearly 20 million years, indicating that key evolutionary processes began during the Jurassic period [6]. - The "Chicago specimen" of Archaeopteryx, discovered through collaboration between Chinese and American researchers, provides critical evidence for the evolution of skulls and flight adaptations during the transition from dinosaurs to birds [6]. Group 2: Dinosaur Origins - The discovery of Wushi Wudinglong in Chuxiong, Yunnan, represents the oldest known sauropod dinosaur in East Asia, dating back approximately 200 million years, thus extending the fossil record of Chinese dinosaurs [7]. - Research on two ancient fossils revealed new evidence regarding the evolution of jaw joints, demonstrating that the transition from reptiles to mammals involved multiple evolutionary pathways [7]. Group 3: Human Ancestry - The successful capture and sequencing of ancient human genomes from Yunnan clarified the genetic contributions of a mysterious group referred to as "ghost ancestors" in the Tibetan Plateau population [8]. - Innovative methods in ancient protein and DNA analysis confirmed that a nearly complete skull found in Harbin belongs to the Denisovans, providing a clearer picture of this extinct human lineage [8]. - Research on the digital reconstruction of the skull of the "Yunxian Man" suggests it is an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage, significantly advancing the timeline for the divergence of modern humans and other hominins to around 1 million years ago [8].

Core Insights - The article highlights significant discoveries in paleontology from China, showcasing advancements in understanding the evolution of life on Earth, particularly the transition from dinosaurs to birds and the origins of early mammals and humans [1][6]. Group 1: Evolution of Birds - A new bird fossil named "Zhenghe Bamin Bird" was discovered in Fujian, which pushes back the timeline for the emergence of modern bird body structures by nearly 20 million years, indicating that key evolutionary processes began during the Jurassic period when dinosaurs were dominant [1][3]. - The "Chicago specimen" of Archaeopteryx, discovered through collaboration between Chinese and American researchers, provides critical evidence for the evolution of the skull and flight adaptations during the transition from dinosaurs to birds [3]. Group 2: Dinosaur Origins - The discovery of Wushi Wudinglong in Yunnan represents the oldest known sauropod dinosaur in East Asia, dating back approximately 200 million years, thus extending the fossil record of Chinese dinosaurs to an earlier period [4]. - Research on two ancient fossils revealed new evidence regarding the evolution of jaw joints from reptiles to mammals, indicating that this evolutionary path was not singular, as demonstrated by the unique jaw structure of Chuan Nan Duozhi Beast [4][6]. Group 3: Human Evolution - Significant findings in human evolution include the successful capture and sequencing of ancient human genomes from Yunnan, clarifying the genetic contributions of the so-called "ghost ancestors" to the Tibetan Plateau population [6]. - Innovative methods in ancient protein and DNA analysis confirmed that a nearly complete human skull found in Harbin belongs to the Denisovans, providing a clearer understanding of this extinct human lineage [6][8]. - Research on the digital reconstruction of the skull of Hubei Yunxian Man 2 revealed that it is an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage, suggesting that the divergence of modern humans, Dragon Man, and Neanderthals occurred around 1 million years ago, significantly altering the timeline of human evolution [6][8].

Core Insights - China's paleontology research has made significant breakthroughs in various fields, rewriting the history of evolution and contributing to global research on the origins of life [1][3][4] Group 1: Evolutionary Discoveries - A new bird fossil named "Zhenghe Bamin Bird" was discovered in Fujian, pushing back the timeline for the emergence of modern bird body structures by nearly 20 million years, indicating that key evolutionary processes for birds began during the Jurassic period [1] - The "Chicago Specimen" of Archaeopteryx, discovered through collaboration between Chinese and American researchers, provides critical evidence for the evolution of skulls and flight adaptations during the transition from dinosaurs to birds [2] Group 2: Dinosaur and Mammal Evolution - The discovery of Wushi Wudinglong in Yunnan represents the oldest known sauropod dinosaur in East Asia, dating back approximately 200 million years, thus extending the fossil record of Chinese dinosaurs [3] - Research on two ancient fossils revealed new evidence regarding the evolution of jaw joints from reptiles to mammals, demonstrating that this evolutionary path was not singular [3] Group 3: Human Ancestry Research - The successful capture and sequencing of over a hundred ancient human genomes in Yunnan clarified the genetic contribution of the "ghost ancestors" to the Tibetan Plateau population [4] - Innovative methods in ancient protein and DNA analysis confirmed that a nearly complete human skull found in Harbin belongs to the Denisovans, providing a clearer understanding of this extinct human group [4] - Digital reconstruction of the skull of Hubei Yuncheng Man 2 revealed that it is an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage, significantly advancing the timeline for the divergence of modern humans and other hominins to around 1 million years ago [4]

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]

Core Insights - The research team from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry and the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology has conducted a systematic study on deep-sea sediment cores from the western Pacific, revealing a significant upward trend in molybdenum isotope composition with increasing depth, suggesting a potential global universality of this pattern [1][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - Molybdenum (Mo) is a sensitive element to redox conditions and its isotopic composition is widely used to trace the redox history of ancient oceans, making it crucial for understanding the geological history of oceanic and atmospheric oxygen levels [1]. - The study indicates that previous assumptions about the sources and isotopic balance of molybdenum in modern oceans need reevaluation, as the focus has been primarily on iron-manganese nodules, which represent only a small fraction of oceanic sediments [1][4]. Group 2: Implications of the Study - The updated model suggests that previous research may have significantly overestimated the distribution of euxinic basins in ancient oceans, indicating that early marine environments were likely more oxygenated than previously thought, which could have facilitated the evolution and proliferation of early life [5]. - This research provides critical insights into the role of deep-sea oxidized sediments in the global molybdenum cycle and enhances the accuracy of reconstructing historical environmental changes based on geochemical indicators, contributing to a better understanding of Earth's habitability evolution and future environmental changes [5].

Core Insights - China's paleontology has gained significant international influence and aims to increase its presence in global scientific discourse through more contributions and recognition in textbooks [1][8]. Group 1: Achievements and Contributions - The 2025 Future Science Prize awarded to scientists for fossil evidence linking birds to dinosaurs highlights China's advancements in paleontology [2]. - Xu Xing, a prominent figure in the field, has published over 300 papers and named more than 80 new dinosaur species, elevating China's status in dinosaur research [2][3]. Group 2: Research Methodologies - The discovery of the earliest known flying dinosaur, the "Qiyulong," challenges traditional views on the evolution of flight, showcasing the importance of advanced imaging techniques like CT scans [3][4]. - The integration of artificial intelligence in paleontological research is becoming more prevalent, aiding in the processing of complex data [5]. Group 3: Future Directions - The future of paleontology is expected to involve a fusion of geological and biological data, enhancing the understanding of evolutionary processes [7][12]. - China's unique fossil resources from the Mesozoic era provide a significant opportunity for impactful research, particularly in reconstructing ancient ecosystems [9]. Group 4: Educational and Institutional Challenges - The field of paleontology faces challenges in talent cultivation due to its niche status and limited job prospects, although public interest is growing [10][11]. - Continuous investment in basic scientific research is essential for the long-term development of paleontology in China [11]. Group 5: Climate Change Insights - Paleontological studies offer critical insights into historical climate changes and their impacts on biodiversity, which can inform current ecological challenges [15][16]. - Understanding past mass extinction events can provide valuable lessons for addressing contemporary environmental crises [15][16].

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]

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]