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News Release 09-230

Anniversary Edition of Evolution Special Report Released

Honors 150 years of "On the Origin of Species"

Illustration of Charles Darwin with photos of stars, fossil, and dna in the background.

Charles Darwin's work impacted many sciences including biology, anthropology, and even astronomy.


November 23, 2009

View a video of researchers discussing the impact of "Origin of Species" and a video interview with Dr. Mohamed Noor.

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

What questions are more profound and provocative than:

  • How did life begin?
  • How have humans evolved?
  • How are climate change and other ecological stresses currently forcing evolution?
  • Could the process of evolution have worked the same on other planets, even to the point of evolving life?
  • What will be science's next big evolution discovery?

These and other questions--which are as timely, controversial and news-worthy as ever--are addressed in a new, free, online special report released by the National Science Foundation entitled Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species." The report is posted at http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/darwin.

Honoring the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's Origin of Species, Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" is a multi-disciplinary one-stop-shop of resources on evolution and Darwin himself that are available nowhere else--including eye-catching graphics; captivating interviews and essays by a team of international evolutionary experts; fast-read texts; a timeline that neatly summarizes major intellectual and technological achievements that advanced our understanding of evolution; and downloadable documents.

Going wide and deep, Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" provides a uniquely sweeping, at-a-glance explanation of how "Origin" cut an intellectual swath through anthropology, biology, the geosciences, polar sciences and even astronomy, and why it likely will continue to serve as the organizing framework for the sciences into perpetuity.

As Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" enlightens audiences about the marvelous scientific advances enabled by the theory of evolution, it also entertains by covering the hot-tempered criticisms, longstanding hoaxes, and dedicated scholarship inspired by Origin.

Chock-full of illuminating and surprising stories and facts that are packaged in easy-to-understand formats, Evolution of Evolution: 150 Years of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" is ideal for audiences of all levels- including reporters, general readers, teachers, parents and students of all levels. It's perfect for organizations addressing evolution, researchers, and publications targeting students, and anyone else who is interested in the evolution history of life on Earth and the potential for future discoveries about life in the solar system.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Bobbie Mixon, NSF, (703) 292-8485, email: bmixon@nsf.gov

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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