Scientists map 2 billion years of life evolution, showing stable periods and rapid changes spurred by ice ages.

Scientists have mapped the evolution of life back to nearly 2 billion years ago, revealing key patterns of biodiversity. The study, published in Science, highlights a stable period known as the "boring billion" where species turnover was low. Following this, global ice ages sparked rapid evolutionary changes. This research offers insights into how environmental shifts, like climate changes and increased oxygen levels, influenced early life forms, suggesting parallels to studying alien life and Earth's future habitability.

3 months ago
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