VOA科学技术2023--Scientists Propose ‘Law of Nature’ Expanding on Evolution

Scientists Propose ‘Law of Nature’ Expanding on Evolution

British naturalist¹ Charles Darwin presented his theory of evolution in the 1859 book On the Origin of Species. He proposed that biological species change over time by gaining traits that help them survive and reproduce.

Now 164 years later, nine scientists and philosophers propose a new "law of nature" that includes the biological evolution described by Darwin. They say Darwin's theory is a striking example of a much larger happening that appears at the level of atoms, minerals, planetary atmospheres, planets, stars and more.

"We see evolution as a universal process that applies to numerous systems, both living and nonliving, that increase in diversity and patterning through time," said Robert Hazen. He is a mineralogist and astrobiologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science based in Washington, D.C. Hazen is a co-writer of the scientific paper describing the new law in the publication Proceedings² of the National Academy of Sciences.

The scientists propose a rule called "the law of increasing functional³ information." It holds that evolving systems, biological or non-biological, always form from several interacting building blocks like atoms or cells. The process, they say, creates many different combinations. Evolution happens when these combinations are subject to selection for useful functions, or purposes.

"We have well-documented laws that describe such everyday phenomena⁴ as forces, motions, gravity, electricity and magnetism⁵ and energy," Hazen said. "But these laws do not, individually or collectively, describe or explain why the universe keeps getting more diverse and complex at scales of atoms, molecules⁶, minerals and more."

For example, scientists say just two elements, hydrogen and helium, made up the first generation of stars following the Big Bang at the beginning of our universe about 13.8 billion years ago.

That first generation of stars created about 20 heavier elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in their centers, or cores. These elements exploded into space at the end of the stars' life cycles. The following generation of stars that formed from parts of the first generation then similarly created almost 100 more elements.

But Hazen said only a small number of all possible combinations would "work." They have some useful level of function. So, nature just prefers them, he said.

Hazen added that "function" might mean that a collection of atoms makes a stable mineral crystal that can survive, or that a star keeps its active structure, or that "a life form learns a new 'trick' that allows it to compete better than its neighbors," Hazen added.

The writers proposed three universal ideas about selection: the basic ability to last; the lasting⁷ nature of active processes that may enable evolution; and the development of new qualities as an adaptation to an environment.

The scientists said some biological examples include organisms developing the ability to swim, walk, fly and think. Humans developed after their ancestors evolved from chimpanzees and gained traits including upright walking and increased brain size.

Michael Wong is the paper's lead writer and an astrobiologist and planetary scientist at the Carnegie Institution. He said, "I think this paper is important because it describes a view of the cosmos⁸ rooted in function."

Jonathan Lunine is chair of Cornell University's astronomy department. He is another of the paper's writers. He said the new law explains "why the diverse systems that make up the cosmos evolve the way they do."

Words in This Story

evolution –n. the process by which living creatures change in ways that make them better able to survive over long periods of time

trait –n. a particular quality that a person of thing has that makes it different from another thing

apply –v. to have an effect on something

diversity –n. the quality of including many different kinds of things

pattern –v. to order something in a particular or repeating way

phenomenon –n. (pl. phenomena) something that happens that can be observed

crystal –n. a form of an element or mineral that is regularly and geometrically structured

allow –v. to let happen

adaptation –n. the quality of changing to meet a need or to survive

cosmos –n. the universe as an ordered system

1 naturalist   

n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者)

参考例句：

• He was a printer by trade and naturalist by avocation.他从事印刷业，同时是个博物学爱好者。
• The naturalist told us many stories about birds.博物学家给我们讲述了许多有关鸟儿的故事。

2 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

3 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。

4 phenomena   

n.现象

参考例句：

• Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。
• The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系，如果存在着任何联系的话。

5 magnetism   

n.磁性，吸引力，磁学

参考例句：

• We know about magnetism by the way magnets act.我们通过磁铁的作用知道磁性是怎么一回事。
• His success showed his magnetism of courage and devotion.他的成功表现了他的胆量和热诚的魅力。

6 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

7 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

8 cosmos   

n.宇宙；秩序，和谐

参考例句：

• Our world is but a small part of the cosmos.我们的世界仅仅是宇宙的一小部分而已。
• Is there any other intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos?在宇宙的其他星球上还存在别的有智慧的生物吗？