Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42846997›Full record

ReviewFundamental research2026

Exploration of extraterrestrial biosignatures and planetary habitability: A prospect.

Zengqian Hou, Jizhong Liu, Yuming Wang, Lei Geng, Hui Huang, Hailiang Dong, Yazhou Dong, Siteng Fan, Jihua Hao, Jiansen He and 14 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Fundamental research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

24 authors.

Zengqian HouInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Jizhong LiuInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Yuming WangInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Lei GengInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Hui HuangInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Hailiang DongState Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
Yazhou DongInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Siteng FanDepartment of Earth and Space Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Jihua HaoInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Jiansen HeSchool of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Dali KongShanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China.
Hui LiNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Yan LiSchool of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Yiliang LiDepartment of Earth & Planetary Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Mang LinGuangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
Zongcheng LingShandong Key Laboratory of Optical Astronomy and Solar-Terrestrial Environment, School of Space Science and Technology, Institute of Space Sciences, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China.
Yuangao QuInstitute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya 572000, China.
Zhenfeng ShengInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Tong WangInstitute of Overall Design, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Beijing 100094, China.
Yuxian WangNational Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
Bo XuNational Mineral Rock and Fossil Specimens Resource Center, and Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
Jun YangLaboratory for Climate and Ocean-Atmosphere Studies, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Bingkun YuInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.
Xiao ZhangInstitute of Deep Space Sciences, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, Hefei 230088, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

China's deep space exploration has achieved remarkable accomplishments and is now undergoing a significant strategic transition from an engineering-driven program to one that integrates engineering and science. This shift provides a timely opportunity for China to systematically define the development directions and overall framework of planetary science by targeting scientific frontiers, focusing on key research areas, and addressing major scientific questions. In this context, we provide an in-depth analysis of the crucial role of searching for potential biosignatures and investigating planetary habitability for understanding the origin of life. We systematically review the current research state and emerging trends in this field at both the domestic and international levels. Furthermore, we identify three key scientific themes that require urgent attention: planetary habitability, the search for extraterrestrial biosignatures, and the co-evolution of life and habitable environments. For each theme, the major underlying scientific questions are further clarified. Based on these scientific priorities, we also propose key target celestial bodies and critical detection scenarios for future missions. The results are expected to provide important theoretical support for defining scientific objectives and informing the top-level design in China's future planetary exploration endeavors.

Indexed as

Extraterrestrial biosignaturesHabitable environmentIcy satellitesMarsVenus

Identifiers

PMID42846997
PMCPMC13644513

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.