Today's New Reason To Believe Archives

May 2004

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Monday, May 31, 2004

  • For many skeptics, the long life spans described in Genesis 5 and 11 seem absurd. Recent advances in the biochemistry of aging make these long life spans scientifically plausible. This paper reviews some of these advances. It turns out that subtle changes in the levels of enzyme expression or mutations to a single gene can dramatically alter life spans.  Researchers now think that pharmaceutical agents can be developed to extend human life spans. This report indicates that through subtle alterations to the cell’s biochemistry, the Creator could make long human life spans possible and then shorten them at the time of the Flood as described in Genesis.
  • Related Resource: Long Life Spans: Adam Lived 930 Years and Then He Died: New Discoveries in the Biochemistry of Aging Support the Biblical Record, by Fazale R. Rana, Hugh Ross, and Richard Deem
  • Related Product: The Genesis Question, by Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Sunday, May 30, 2004

  • Experience teaches that intelligible messages —information — come from intelligent sources. The cell’s biochemical machinery (proteins, DNA, RNA, and oligosaccharides) is information-based. The universal genetic code lies at the “heart” of the cell’s molecular information systems. Recently, researchers have demonstrated that the genetic code found in nature is fine-tuned to resist error from substitution mutations. All these features -- the cell’s information systems, the genetic code, the fine-tuning of the genetic code’s rules -- indicate that life stems from an Intelligent Designer. In fact, researchers no longer regard the genetic code as a “frozen accident,” but rather consider that it was shaped by some force.  Evolutionists maintain that this force was natural selection, not an Intelligent Agent. They cite studies like this one as evidence that the genetic code can evolve. However, these researchers were only able to “evolve” a variant of the universal genetic code through careful experimental design and extensive researcher intervention -- in other words, intelligent design. Ironically, this work supports the notion that the genetic code found in nature must, too, have required an Intelligent Designer for it to come into existence.
  • Related Resource: FYI: I.D. in DNA: Deciphering Design in the Genetic Code, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Related Product: Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Saturday, May 29, 2004

  • One defining feature of the cell’s chemistry is the fine-tuning required for biomolecules to effectively carry out life’s necessary operations. This study illustrates this concept. Here its authors show how single amino acid changes disrupt the function of torsinA and cause abnormalities to the nuclear envelope. This means that proper formation and function of the nuclear envelope rests on the precise spatial arrangement of chemical groups in space for the torsinA molecule. Fine-tuning is one hallmark of well-designed man-made devices. Therefore, the fine-tuning characteristics of biochemical systems signify that life originated from the Creator’s hand.
  • Related Resource: Fine-Tuning of Aquaporin Membrane, Creation Update (6-04-2002).
  • Related Product: Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Friday, May 28, 2004

  • Given its mechanism, evolution should not produce the same outcome repeatedly. Yet this study shows that this occurred. The authors of this research describe the repeated, independent loss of bony armor in sticklebacks (fish). From an evolutionary perspective, it appears as if the armor loss resulted from mutations that affected the same genes. This observation runs counter to evolutionary theory, which predicts that independent origins, when they do rarely occur, should involve unique combinations of genetic mutations. The independent, multiple loss of a complex anatomical feature caused by the same underlying genetic changes challenges the veracity of the theory of evolution, but finds ready explanation if a Creator repeatedly used the same good designs as He brought life into existence.
  • Related Resource: Convergence: Evidence for a Single Creator, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Biological Convergence (audiotape from the 2003 Conference: Who is the Designer?)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Thursday, May 27, 2004

  • Many consider the 99% genetic similarity between humans and chimpanzees as incontrovertible evidence for evolution. This study demonstrates that while a high degree of genetic similarity exists, subtle differences in even a single gene may have profound biological effects. In this study, researchers identified a single gene (the abnormal spindle-like microencephaly associated gene) with differences compared to other primates that they interpret as the explanation for the large cerebral cortex of humans. Given that any alteration in this gene leads to abnormal brain function, it’s difficult to imagine how this gene could evolve via natural means to produce a functional cerebral cortex. In fact, very little changes have occurred in this gene for primates and other mammals. It appears that the Creator “altered” this gene in the “just-right” way to allow for advanced human brain function.
  • Related Resource: “Human/chimp DNA Comparisons,” Creation Update (12-16-2003).
  • Related Product: Who Was Adam? (VHS)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Wednesday, May 26, 2004

  • A team of astronomers has discovered a better tool for measuring cosmic characteristics that provide profound evidence for supernatural design. Specifically, they found that type Ia supernovae measurements made at infrared, rather than visible, wavelengths provide a superior tool for measuring the past expansion rates of the universe. This new tool will allow astronomers to make more accurate measurements of the universe’s past expansion rates which in turn will provide superior confirmation of design features of the universe.
  • Related Resource: Cosmic Acceleration Narrows Life’s Time Window, by Hugh Ross
  • Product Spotlight: Journey Toward Creation, 2nd edition (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Tuesday, May 25, 2004

  • Astronomers have discovered another reason for why life’s origin occurred too rapidly for a naturalistic explanation to be possible. They determined that the Small Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring galaxy, experienced a single massive infall (of gas) event (involving 50% of the SMC’s gas mass) about 4 billion years ago when the Small Magellanic Cloud was close to the Milky Way Galaxy. The infall event would have resulted in a large number of core collapse supernovae, which would have showered Earth with sterilizing gamma-ray burst events. Since abundant complex life existed on Earth 3.8 billion years ago, the time window for life’s origin must be less than 200 million years, which is too brief for a naturalistic explanation.
  • Related Resource: Origin-of-Life Predictions Face Off, by Fazale "Fuz" Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Monday, May 24, 2004

  • Using an x-ray scanning microscope, a team of biochemists uncovered evidence for design when they successfully mapped the structure of the photosystem within a cyanobacterium (blue-green algae). In blue-green algae photosynthesis, light energy is exploited to drive the oxidation of water. The team discovered that the key to the mechanism that results in a controlled oxidation rate of water is a cubane-like cluster (atoms arranged to form corners of a cube) of metal compounds. This amazing and exquisite internal organization of even the simplest life forms serves as a marker for biochemical design and is expected if a Creator is responsible for life.
    • Kristina N. Ferreira et al., "Architecture of the Photosynthetic Oxygen-Evolving Center," Science 303 (2004), 1831-38.
    • A. W. Rutherford and A. Boussac, "Water Photolysis in Biology," Science 303 (2004), 1282-84.
  • Related Resource: Biotic Borders: Cell Membranes Under Scrutiny, by Fazale "Fuz" Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Unlocking the Mystery of Life (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Sunday, May 23, 2004

  • A team of German and Brazilian astronomers has discovered another design feature in gamma-ray burst events. They demonstrated that very high energy cosmic rays arriving from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy are the remnants of several gamma-ray burst events that occurred near the galactic center about a million years ago. They also estimated that gamma-ray burst events occur about once every million years in the Milky Way Galaxy. Since galactic gamma-ray burst events would prove deadly for human life, the timing of humanity’s arrival and the maturation of human civilization must be fine-tuned to avoid such cataclysmic events.
  • Related Resource: A Precise Plan for Humanity, by Hugh Ross
  • Product Spotlight: Journey Toward Creation, 2nd edition (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Saturday, May 22, 2004

  • A team of biochemists uncovered evidence for design when they successfully mapped the structure of the light-gathering complex in the cells of spinach leaves. They found inside the cells on the sunward surfaces of spinach leaves a complex of 24 chlorophyll molecules arranged in a specific configuration that absorbed and redirected light energy efficiently. The chlorophyll molecules also functioned as light and heat dissipaters during high-light conditions when the cell is in danger of being cooked by too much sunlight. This amazing and exquisite design of the spinach leaf chlorophyll complex is expected if a Creator is responsible for life.
  • Related Resource: Protein Structures Reveal Even More Evidence for Design, by Fazale "Fuz" Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Unlocking the Mystery of Life (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Friday, May 21, 2004

  • Japanese scientists have discovered an additional parameter needed for Earth to sustain advanced life. They found another source for nitrogen fixation, the life-critical process whereby molecular nitrogen is transformed into nitrogen compound nutrients for advanced plants. They demonstrated that buckminsterfullerenes (molecular spheres made up of 60 carbon atoms) can produce significant nitrogen fixation without the benefit of metal catalysts. Consequently, the fine-tuning of the steady rain of buckminsterfullerenes from interplanetary and interstellar space onto the surface of Earth qualifies as an additional evidence of the design of the solar system for the benefit of advanced life.
  • Related Resource: Hugh Ross, "Wild Fires Under Control," Facts & Faith, volume 11, no. 1 (1997), 1-2.
  • Product Spotlight: Journey Toward Creation, 2nd edition (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Thursday, May 20, 2004

  • An international team of biologists and geochemists discovered a new design feature for the support of advanced life. Marine phytoplankton produce most of the planet’s food and oxygen and play the largest role in removing carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere. The quality of human life depends on the health and abundance of phytoplankton. For some time, scientists have understood that Earth supports a huge abundance of phytoplankton because Earth has been exceptionally fine-tuned to provide enormous quantities of nitrates and iron to the phytoplankton’s environment. Now scientists have found that a third ingredient, silicic acid, must also be present. Since the availability of a large amount of silicic acid in the ocean environment is not anticipated from a naturalistic perspective, its presence, just like the iron and the nitrates, is a hallmark of supernatural design.
  • Related Resource: Hugh Ross, Earth Design Update: The Cycles Connected to the Cycles, Facts & Faith, volume 11, no. 4 (1997), 3.
  • Product Spotlight: Journey Toward Creation, 2nd edition (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  • “Junk” DNA has become an icon of evolution. Evolutionary biologists maintain that junk DNA provides incontrovertible evidence for evolution. This study shows that noncoding DNA from a wide range of organisms appears to be resistant to mutation. This is a telltale indicator that this DNA must have function. Even though these researchers don’t know what the function is for this DNA, they are convinced that it must be useful to the organism. This new recognition indicates that careful planning by an Intelligent Designer, rather than undirected, random biochemical events, shaped the genomes of organisms.
  • Related Resource: Function Found for a Pseudogene, Creation Update (airdate 05-06-03)
  • Related Product: Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? by Jonathan Wells (Paperback Book, DVD, VHS)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Monday, May 17, 2004

  • Given its mechanism, evolution should not produce the same outcome repeatedly. Yet this study shows that this has occurred. This report describes the repeated, independent origin of the body form, the musculature, system of tendons and mechanical basis for propulsion that evolved two times separately in tunas and the lamnid sharks. The independent, multiple emergence of this complex feature challenges the veracity of the theory of evolution, but finds ready explanation if a Creator repeatedly used the same good designs as He brought life into existence.
  • Related Resource: Convergence: Evidence for a Single Creator, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Biological Convergence (audiotape from the 2003 Conference: Who is the Designer?)

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Sunday, May 16, 2004

  • The Cambrian Explosion stands as one of evolutionary biology’s greatest enigmas. It also serves as a fingerprint for divine creation. The Cambrian Explosion (also called biology’s "big bang") refers to an episode recorded in the fossil record around 540 million years ago. During the Cambrian event, 50% to 80% of all animal phyla (or body plans) to exist in Earth’s history explosively appear within a time frame that spans less than 5 - 10 million years. This study shows that the arthropods that appeared during the Cambrian Explosion already possessed the complex ability to molt. This work provides confirmation of the explosive nature of the Cambrian event in a way that is consistent with RTB’s biblical creation model.
  • Related Resource: The Explosive Appearance of Skeletal Designs, by Fazale “Fuz”Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Rare Earth, by Donald Brownlee and Peter Ward

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Saturday, May 15, 2004

  • Even though embryonic stem cell research holds the promise to effectively treat several horrible debilitating diseases and injuries, many are troubled by it since this research involves the destruction of human embryos. This report announces a significant breakthrough. These researchers demonstrate that insulin-producing b-cells come from pre-existing b-cells, not stems cells.B-cells are destroyed by the immune system in type I diabetes. Researchers hope that one day b-cells can be produced from embryonic stem cells and transplanted into the pancreas of those suffering from type I diabetes --bringing about a cure for this horrendous disease. This new work means that type I diabetes can be treated without using embryonic stem cells as a source of new b-cells. Rather, b-cells from cadavers could serve as their source. Scientific advance may provide the way out of the ethical dilemma created by emerging biotechnologies.
  • Related Resource: A New Direction for Stem Cell Research, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Moral Choices, by Scott Rae

Today’s New Reason To Believe – Friday, May 14, 2004

  • Xenotransplantation offers one way around some of the ethical dilemmas associated with embryonic stem cell research (which seeks to use human embryos to generate replacement tissues). This technology strives to use pigs as a source of organs for transplant procedures. Researchers are systematically overcoming many of the significant technical hurdles that prevent this biotechnology from becoming a reality. This report describes the successful production of pigs that lack the cell-surface sugar that causes hyperacute rejection. This represents key progress towards making xenotransplantation a viable technology. When xenotransplantation becomes available, the pressure to use embryonic stem cells for replacement tissues will lessen. Scientific advance will eventually allow application of exciting new biotechnology while maintaining the sanctity and dignity of human life.
  • Related Resource: Advance Holds Potential to Resolve Cloning’s Ethical Challenges, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Moral Choices, by Scott Rae

 Today’s New Reason To Believe – Thursday, May 13, 2004

  • Even though embryonic stem cell research holds the promise to effectively treat several horrible debilitating diseases and injuries, many are troubled by it since the research involves the destruction of human embryos. This report announces a significant breakthrough. It turns out that adult stem cells from bone marrow can be converted into brain stem cells suitable for transplantation into diseased and damaged brain tissue. Adult stem cells are not derived from embryos and do not involve the destruction of a human fetus. Scientific advance may provide the way out of the ethical dilemma created by emerging biotechnologies.
  • Related Resource: A New Direction for Stem Cell Research, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Moral Choices, by Scott Rae

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  • Planetary scientists have uncovered more evidence dampening the “follow the water” enthusiasm currently driving the search for extraterrestrial life. Data from the Mars Express Orbiter for the first time identified frozen water in the southern polar cap of Mars during the local summer. This discovery establishes that Mars has perennial water, but it is at a level consistent with cometary delivery and with the water being removed through occasional severe tips of the tilt of Mars’ rotation axis. Such circumstances explain the water features detected by the NASA Mars Rovers, but also establish that for past 3.8 billion years Martian water never was in a form that could foster either the origin or the support of life. Discoveries about water on Mars continue to add to the evidence that life can only be explained by a supernatural Creator.
    • Jean-Pierre Bibring et al., “Perennial Water Ice Identified in the South Polar Cap of Mars,” Nature 428 (2004), 627-30.
    • Timothy N. Titus, “Water, Water, Everywhere,” Nature 428 (2004), 610-11.
  • Related Resource: Follow the Water …To Life? by Hugh Ross
  • Product Spotlight: Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Tuesday, May 11, 2004

  • A team of biochemists uncovered evidence for biochemical design when they successfully measured for the first time the working stroke at high loads for the motor protein that drives muscle contraction. Using a novel x-ray-interference technique, the team found that the motor protein, myosin II, achieves its remarkable mechanical performance and wide range of operation by “automatically” shortening the stroke size and slowing down the stroke duration in proportion to the load that the muscle faces. Such amazing and exquisite design points to a supernatural Designer.
  • Related Resource: Protein Structures Reveal Even More Evidence for Design, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Unlocking the Mystery of Life (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Monday, May 10, 2004

  • As recently as ten years ago, microbiologists viewed bacteria as a “container” of haphazardly arranged molecules. Recent advances, however, indicate that this view is incorrect. Microbiologists now understand these simplest of life forms to possess a remarkable degree of internal organization at the molecular level. This article adds to this new understanding by describing the dynamic localization and degradation of CtrA prior to cell division in the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. The internal organization of the simplest life forms serves as a marker for biochemical design and is expected if a Creator is responsible for life.
  • Related Resource: Origin-of-Life Predictions Face Off, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Sunday, May 9, 2004

  • Experience teaches that intelligible messages—information—come from intelligent sources. The cell’s biochemical machinery (proteins, DNA, RNA, and oligosaccharides) is information-based. This indicates that life stems from an Intelligent Designer.  This report reinforces this conclusion.  These researchers describe how the information properties of DNA can be used to construct a molecular-level computer.  This DNA computer can receive input from biological molecules, analyze it to screen for and detect the activity of cancer genes, and then provide output in the form of an anti-cancer treatment.  In short, this DNA computer employs the same type of logic and processes information just like man-made, silicon-based computers.  The elegant information-rich biochemical systems of the cell point to the source of life’s information?the Creator described in the Bible.
  • Related Resource: FYI: I.D. in DNA: Deciphering Design in the Genetic Code, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana, Hugh Ross, and Richard Deem
  • Product Spotlight: Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Saturday, May 8, 2004

  • For many skeptics the long life spans described in Genesis 5 and 11 seem absurd.  Recent advances in the biochemistry of aging make these long life spans scientifically plausible. This study demonstrates that the cellular mechanism that repairs double-strand breaks in DNA operates less efficiently in aged cells compared to young ones.  This study indicates that through subtle alterations to DNA repair mechanisms, the Creator could make long human life spans possible and then shorten them at the time of the Flood as described in Genesis.
  • Related Resource: Long Life Spans: Adam lived 930 years and then he died, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana, Hugh Ross, and Richard Deem
  • Product Spotlight: The Genesis Question, by Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Friday, May 7, 2004

  • Even though embryonic stem cell research holds the promise to effectively treat several horrible debilitating diseases and injuries, many are ethically troubled by it, since this research involves the destruction of human embryos. This report announces significantly improved heart function in patients with severe congestive heart failure after adult stem cells were surgically implanted in the heart. Adult stem cells are not derived from embryos and do not involve the destruction of a human fetus. Scientific advance may provide the way out of the ethical dilemma created by emerging biotechnologies.
  • Related Resource: A New Direction for Stem Cell Research, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: A Christian Perspective on Biotechnology, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Thursday, May 6, 2004

  • Young-earth creation models frequently classify Neanderthals and other hominids as misidentified modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens). RTB’s creation model, however, regards Neanderthals and other extinct hominids found in the fossil record as nonhuman primates that lacked spiritual capacity. This recent study puts these models to the test. Based on tooth anatomy, these researchers demonstrate that Neanderthals, and the hominids Homo antecessor and Homo heidelbergensis, all grew much more rapidly than modern humans. Even though Neanderthals had relatively large brains, their rapid growth means that they reached adulthood quite early, before key cognitive development could occur. The scientific evidence continues to indicate that modern humans were clearly distinct from Neanderthals, Homo erectus, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis and Homo rhodesiensis, in line with RTB’s explanation for the hominid fossil record.
  • Related Resource: Neanderthal-to-Human Link Severed, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Who was Adam? (VHS video)

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  • Geophysicists discovered evidence for supernatural design as they explored the viscosity of Earth’s mantle. It is critical for life on planet Earth that plate tectonics operate at a variety of finely tuned levels throughout the past 3.8 billion years so as to perfectly compensate for changes in the Sun’s luminosity. Plate tectonic efficiency depends on the vigor of mantle convection (circulating flow of fluids), which in turn depends on mantle viscosity. To keep mantle viscosity at the just-right levels requires fine-tuning of both water absorption by the mantle and of heat flow from radioactivity in the Earth’s core. Such exquisite dual fine-tuning is evidence for God’s control of Earth’s interior for the benefit of all life.
    • David Stevenson, “Inside History in Depth,” Nature 428 (2004), 476-77.
      • Sorry, no abstract for this article
  • Related Resource: The Faint Sun Paradox, by Hugh Ross
  • Product Spotlight: Journey Toward Creation, 2nd edition (VHS or DVD)

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  • Biologists discovered a new design feature for hummingbirds. Unlike other birds, the jaws of hummingbirds are equipped for two highly specialized modes of feeding. In one mode the jaws and beak are rigid so that the bird can efficiently harvest nectar from flowers. In the other mode the jaws and beak are flexible so that the bird can capture flying insects. For hummingbirds to survive they must be able to efficiently harvest huge amounts of nectar but also supplement their nectar diet with insects. Naturalistic evolution cannot explain the origin of such sophisticated jaw and beak structures in a short time period in distinction from other bird species. Such amazing structures point to a supernatural Creator.
    • George M. Yanega and Margaret A. Rubega, “Humming Bird Jaw Bends to Aid Insect Capture,” Nature 428 (2004), 615.
      • Sorry, no abstract for this article
  • Related Resource: Convergence: “Evolving” Robots Challenge Evolution, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: The Genesis Question, by Hugh Ross

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Monday, May 3, 2004

  • Given its mechanism, evolution should not repeatedly produce the same outcome. Yet, if evolution is true, then this study shows that this occurred. This report describes the repeated, independent origin of the specialized anther cone in the plant genus, Solanum (which includes tomatoes). The independent, multiple origins of this complex feature challenge the veracity of the theory of evolution, but finds ready explanation if a Creator repeatedly used the same good designs as He brought life into existence.
    • Gunter Theiben, “Developmental Genetics: Bittersweet Evolution,” Nature 428 (2004), 813.
    • Beverly J. Glover et al., “Convergent Evolution within the Genus Solanum: the Specialized Anther Cone Develops through Alternative Pathways,” Gene (2004), in press.
  • Related Resource: Convergence: Evidence for a Single Creator, by Fazale “Fuz” Rana
  • Product Spotlight: Biological Convergence (audiotape from the 2003 Conference: Who is the Designer?)

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Sunday, May 2, 2004

  • Yet again, engineers turn to the elegant designs found in nature to inspire new technology. In this case, researchers are using the foot adhesion mechanism of jumping spiders to inspire the development of new adhesives. Apart from the design found in nature, these researchers lacked the technological means to develop this unique class of adhesive. Does it make sense to conclude that the designs found in nature stem from random undirected processes when they are far superior to what man can accomplish?
  • Related Resource: Sticky Gecko Feet, Creation Update (air-date 09-03-2002)
  • Product Spotlight: Order an entire quarter’s worth of Creation Update (including Special Editions) for less than half of what it would cost to purchase the tapes individually. Call our office at (800) 482-7836 for details.

Today’s New Reason To Believe - Saturday, May 1, 2004

  • RTB believes that the Bible’s description for the origin and features of the universe is perfectly consistent with the fundamental features of the “big bang” cosmic creation model. This has been confirmed yet again by a research team who developed a new test of the big bang by analyzing a hundred thousand nearby galaxies to determine the cosmic epoch at which star formation peaks. They determined that for the universe the peak of star formation occurred five billion years ago. They also found that the larger the mass of the galaxy, the earlier star formation peaks. Their findings not only confirm the big bang creation model, but they also establish that the dates for the star formation peak of the universe and for the Milky Way Galaxy both must be fine-tuned for intelligent life to be possible.
    • Alan Heavens et al., “The Star-Formation History of the Universe from the Stellar Populations of Nearby Galaxies,” Nature 428 (2004), 625-27.
  • Related Resource: A Beginner’s—and Expert’s—Guide to the Big Bang, by Hugh Ross
  • Product Spotlight: The Creator and The Cosmos, by Hugh Ross