Core Viewpoint - The year 2025 is anticipated to be transformative for Chinese universities, particularly in the context of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education and research, especially in fields like paleobiology [2][11]. Group 1: AI and Education - AI is increasingly being applied in various scientific fields, including paleobiology, for tasks such as rapid fossil identification and classification [11][12]. - The integration of AI into education is seen as a trend that can enhance the development of interdisciplinary talents, emphasizing the need for students to understand both AI technology and biological sciences [11][12]. Group 2: Importance of Knowledge Accumulation - Knowledge accumulation remains crucial in the AI era; without a solid foundation of direct and indirect knowledge, AI analyses may lack substance [21]. - The cultivation of scientific imagination is equally important, as it can lead to significant academic breakthroughs when combined with a strong knowledge base [15][21]. Group 3: Promoting Curiosity and Critical Thinking - Encouraging curiosity and critical questioning among students is essential for fostering innovation; students should feel empowered to express their ideas and challenge established views [9][10]. - The educational approach should focus on nurturing students' ability to combine their experiences with learned knowledge to develop their own ideas, even if those ideas are not fully correct [9][10]. Group 4: Contributions to Paleobiology - The work of paleontologist Shudegan has led to significant discoveries, including the "Three-Act Cambrian Explosion Hypothesis" and the identification of the earliest vertebrate, the "Kunming Fish," which have provided critical insights into animal evolution [4][20]. - Shudegan emphasizes the dual importance of practical knowledge and scientific imagination in advancing research in paleobiology, particularly in the context of AI applications [21][22].

"生命科学奖"获奖者： 季强 、徐星、周忠和 自1868年Thomas Huxley提出鸟类起源于恐龙的设想以来，该观点长期存在争议。1970年代，John Ostrom重新 复活该假说，并提出鸟类源自一种小型虚骨龙类恐龙。1990年代，季强和陈丕基（已故）分别报道了发现于中国 辽西地区的世界上首例带羽毛的非鸟恐龙化石，开启了带羽毛恐龙化石发现的序幕。徐星和周忠和发现并研究了 一系列从恐龙到鸟的过渡物种。他们通过系统发育分析、解剖学研究和功能推测，从形态和功能上建立了恐龙和 鸟类之间的链接，为鸟类是兽脚类恐龙的一个演化支系提供了确切证据。他们的系列工作将"鸟类起源于恐龙"从 假说转化为被广泛接受的科学理论。 季强 中国地质科学院 河北地质大学 2025年8月6日（星期三）上午10:00，未来科学大奖在北京、香港两地共同举办 2025未来科学大奖新闻发布会 ，正式揭晓2025年"生命科学奖"、"物质科学奖"、"数学与计算机科学奖"获奖名单，并就2025未来科学大奖周 议程进行官方发布。 季强、徐星、周忠和获得"生命科学奖"； 方忠、戴希、丁洪 获得"物质科学奖"；卢志远 获得"数学与计算机科学 奖"。 未来科学 ...

Core Viewpoint - The research team from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and the California Academy of Sciences has developed an innovative ancient ecological simulation methodology that reconstructs ancient food webs from fossil records, expanding the research paradigm in paleobiology [1][2]. Group 1: Research Methodology - The newly established ancient ecological simulation method connects fragmented fossil records into a coherent ancient food web, allowing for a more systematic and macro-level study of ancient ecosystems [1]. - The core of this simulation method lies in deciphering the evolution of ancient ecological structures, addressing challenges in reconstructing ancient food webs and quantitatively assessing ancient community dynamics [1]. Group 2: Applications and Implications - This simulation method is broadly applicable across various ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine, facilitating the transition of paleobiology from qualitative descriptions of single species to quantitative studies of ecosystems [2]. - The research holds significant implications for modern Earth, as it seeks to extract "historical wisdom" from geological records to address contemporary ecological crises, with each instance of ecological collapse and recovery serving as a survival guide for humanity [2].

Core Findings - The discovery of two fossilized nematode fungi, ancient ant nematode fungus and ancient fly nematode fungus, in 100 million-year-old amber from Myanmar provides significant evidence for the co-evolution of fungi and insects [1][5] - The origin of nematode fungi has been pushed back by approximately 30 million years, now estimated to have originated around 130 million years ago during the early Cretaceous period [7][8] Group 1: Research Details - The research team, led by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, found that nematode fungi are a type of parasitic fungus, with the well-known Chinese medicinal material "Cordyceps" being a member of this family [3] - The two newly discovered fossils exhibit well-preserved morphological structures that can be directly compared to modern species, aiding in understanding their evolutionary history [5] Group 2: Methodology and Analysis - High-resolution analysis methods, including micro-CT, were employed to study the fossils, revealing that the ancient ant nematode fungus parasitized a primitive ant pupa, while the ancient fly nematode fungus was found on a Cretaceous fly [5][7] - The research involved collecting and analyzing genetic data from 120 modern nematode fungi to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the group, using the new fossils as calibration points [7]