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0Appeal of North, South poles keeps luring scientist back
极地魅力让科学家“流连忘返”
Over the past 15 years, Chinese scientist Peng Fang has gone on scientific expeditions at the North and South poles 13 times. Though she is not a fan of outdoor activities, she said the charm of the polar regions is irresistible, compelling her to return again and again.
过去15年里，中国科学家彭方已13次参与南北极的科学考察。尽管她并不热衷户外活动，但她表示极地地区的魅力难以抵挡，令她一次次回到这里。
In Antarctica, Peng's primary task is to search for and collect new species of microorganisms in order to study their survival strategies and evolutionary patterns in extreme environments. Research on the characteristics of those microorganisms, including their tolerance of cold, drought, radiation, polar days and inadequate nutrition, could be beneficial to human society in the future, the scientist said. "These tiny bacteria have so many strategies, which I find very intriguing. Interest is crucial for learning and research, and polar expeditions help me maintain a long-term interest in my field."
彭方在南极洲的主要任务是寻找和收集新的微生物物种，研究它们在极端环境中的生存策略和进化模式。她表示，这些微生物能耐受寒冷、干旱、辐射、极昼以及营养不足等极端条件，研究这些特点对人类的社会未来大有裨益。“这些微小的细菌有着多种生存策略，这让我非常着迷。兴趣是学习和研究的关键，极地考察帮助我保持对该领域的长期兴趣。”
As time has passed, Peng has discovered numerous new microorganisms, and Wuhan University's microbiology research team, which Peng is a part of, is responsible for the most polar bacteria species discoveries in the world.
随着时间推移，彭方发现了许多新微生物，她所在的武汉大学微生物学研究团队发现了全世界最多的极地细菌物种。
Her frequent journeys with the team have enabled Peng to really get to know her fellow researchers. "Instead of direct interactions, people back home would communicate more through computers and phones. However, in the polar regions, especially on polar research vessels where there is no internet, everyone lives together in cramped cabins for several months or even half a year, leading to a lot of conversations," Peng said. She jokingly added, "By the time we disembark, we all know each other's ancestors up to the eighth generation."
在频繁考察中，彭方与队员们建立了深厚的联系。她表示：“在国内的时候，大加用电脑和电话沟通，缺少面对面联系。在极地，特别是在没有互联网的极地考察船上，大家要在狭小的舱室里一起生活几个月甚至半年，会更多地交谈。”她开玩笑说：“等到我们下船时，彼此都知道对方祖宗八辈了。”
That being said, close interpersonal relationships are a necessity when team members perform outdoor tasks. "In polar scientific expeditions, men and women working together can make the work a lot smoother," Peng said. "When heading out for tasks, men may be more careless, forgetting to apply sunscreen or take a head covering. Women would remind them and are usually more meticulous in tasks such as map reading, site design, food and water preparation, anticipating phenomena on the way and preparing backup supplies. "Men, on the other hand, may take the initiative to carry some shared equipment, which helps in the overall progress of the team's scientific work."
话虽如此，在执行户外考察任务时，团队成员之间的密切合作是必要的。彭方表示，在极地科考中，男女队员合作有助于工作的顺利进行。她解释道：“在执行任务时，男队员可能比较粗心，容易忘记涂防晒霜或戴头部防护装备。女队员则会提醒他们，而且在地图阅读、场地设计、食物和水的准备等方面，通常更为细致，她们沿途中预测各种现象，准备备用补给。而男性会主动帮忙搬运一些公用设备，有助于团队工作的整体推进。”
She further explained that in polar scientific expeditions, where time is scarce and weather is erratic, each team member must fulfill their duties promptly. Delays not only hinder individual tasks but can also impede the progress of other team members. "I support gender equality, which doesn't entail women needing special assistance from men or being singled out for discussion. Instead, everyone should bear their own responsibilities, regardless of gender roles."
她进一步解释道，在极地科考中，由于时间紧迫、天气多变，每个队员都必须按时完成自己的任务。延误不仅会影响个人任务的完成，还可能影响到其他队员的工作进度。彭方表示：“我支持性别平等，女性不需要男性的特别帮助，也不需要被特殊讨论。每个人都应该承担起自己的责任，无论何种性别。”
