Scientists Discover ‘Missing Law’ of Nature That Explains Universal Evolution
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Scientists have recently discovered what they believe could be a “missing law” of nature, which might explain how different systems in the universe evolve. This new idea called the “law of increasing functional information,” aims to clarify how things like stars and living organisms become more complex over time.
Michael Wong, an astrobiologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, led the study, working with Robert Hazen, a mineralogist and astrobiologist. They developed this theory to build on existing scientific laws and explain how natural systems grow in complexity. Their research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that natural processes focus on stability and novelty, which helps systems become more ordered and complex.
The new law involves three key ideas: static persistence, dynamic persistence, and novelty generation. Static persistence means systems must stay stable over time to evolve. Dynamic persistence involves producing a variety of changes, like genetic mutations or different mineral types. Novelty generation is about how systems create new functions and features under pressures that favor innovation.
While the second law of thermodynamics explains how systems naturally move toward disorder, it doesn’t fully explain the complex structures we see in the universe. The proposed law introduces the idea of “functional information,” which measures how systems increase their order over time.
This new law could significantly impact fields like artificial intelligence, planetary science, and human society. Wong believes that understanding how information affects physical systems could enhance our grasp of future AI developments and their societal impacts.
The study invites further exploration into how this law might apply across various fields, from stellar phenomena to biological evolution. Scientists hope this “missing law” will spark more discussion and deepen our understanding of how evolution shapes the universe.
Sushmita Chowdhary, Staff Reporter.
