Today's New Reason To Believe Archives
December 2006
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Sunday, December 31, 2006
Universe May Be Ellipsoidal
-
Detailed measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation may
reveal more design in the universe. In order to explain one anomaly in the
shape of the CMB spectrum, a team of scientists proposed that the universe did
not expand as a sphere, but instead expanded as a slightly elongated
ellipsoid. Such elongation could have resulted from a primordial magnetic
field or from cosmic defects known as strings. If this explanation proves
correct, RTB’s creation model expects that further research into the causes of
the ellipticity will reveal even more design in the early universe to ensure
its continued habitability.
- L. Campanelli, P. Cea, and L. Tedesco, "Ellipsoidal Universe Can Solve the Cosmic Microwave Background Quadrupole Problem," Physical Review Letters 97 (2006): 131302.
-
Related Resource
- "Big Bang-The Bible Taught It First!" by Hugh Ross and John Rea
-
Product Spotlight
- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross (Multilingual DVD) [D0607]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Saturday, December 30, 2006
Biochemical Design: Organization of Simplest Life
-
New research on magnetosomes reveals design at the molecular level in cells.
Magnetosomes are membrane-bound, ultrapure magnetite crystals produced by
magnetotactic bacteria. Magnetosomes align inside the cell into filaments.
These strands then align with Earth’s magnetic field to help direct the
bacteria into growth-favoring zones. Until now, researchers lacked
understanding about why magnetosomes form chain-like structures, since the
tendency should be for them to clump into aggregates. New research indicates
that the protein, which forms filaments that distribute throughout the cell,
plays a key role in maintaining the magnetosome chains. 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.
- Nathalie Pradel et al., "Biogenesis of Actin-Like Bacterial Cytoskeletal Filaments Destined for Positioning Prokaryotic Magnetic Organelles," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 103 (2006): 17485-89.
-
Related Resource
- "Origin-of-Life Predictions Face Off: Evolution vs. Biblical Creation" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Friday, December 29, 2006
Stunning Success of Standard Model of Particle Physics
-
Recent particle physics research provides more evidence for RTB’s cosmic
creation model by confirming scientists’ understanding of the fundamental
forces of nature. Physicists have known that certain physical processes
produce unequal amounts of matter and anti-matter. The standard model of
particle physics (which is part of RTB’s creation model and exhibits a
tremendous amount of fine-tuning in the laws of physics) can explain this
asymmetry, but some scientists hoped that it was instead caused by some
undiscovered principle of physics. Recent particle-accelerator measurements
confirmed that the standard model was indeed correct. This result further
constrains any potential avenues for removing the fine-tuning seen in the
fundamental laws of physics and consequently supports the idea of a
supernatural Designer preparing a universe where life can exist.
- Adrian Cho, "Tidy Triangle Dashes Hopes for Exotic Undiscovered Particles," Science 314 (2006): 248.
-
Related Resource
- "Predictive Power: Confirming Cosmic Creation" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Creation As Science by Hugh Ross [B0602]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Thursday, December 28, 2006
Biochemical Design: Optimized Cell Adhesion
-
New work on the mechanism that binds the bacterium E. coli to the
surface of host cells strengthens the notion that life’s chemical systems are
the product of a Creator. One of the key steps in bacterial infection is the
binding of bacteria to the host cell’s surface. A rod-like structure called a
fimbria extends from the bacterial surface and mediates the binding
interaction. The fimbria consists of a coiled structure composed of multiple
copies of the protein FimA. The FimA coil connects to the host cell’s surface
through a tip formed by three proteins: FimF, FimG, and FimH. The attachment
often takes place in the presence of body fluids that flow across the host
cell’s surface. Contrary to what might be expected, high flow doesn’t wash
bacteria away from the cell surface: instead, fluid drag on the bacteria
enhances the binding. The latest research demonstrates that the interactions
between FimH, which binds to sugar groups on the cell surface, and the host
cell are precisely tuned to optimize cell adhesion under typical flows.
Systems designed by human engineers rely on high-precision interactions to
achieve optimized performance. These same characteristics, when displayed by
biochemical systems, point to the work of a Creator.
- Manu Forero et al., "Uncoiling Mechanics of Escherichia coli Type I Fimbriae are Optimized for Catch Bonds," PLoS Biology 4 no. 9 (2006): e298.
-
Related Resource
- "Protein Structures Reveal Even More Evidence for Design" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Morality Is an Innate Human Faculty
-
The author of a new book on the origin of morality argues that moral thought
is an innate human faculty, in agreement with RTB’s creation model. All
scientific models must provide an adequate explanation for the universal sense
of morality that is characteristic of humanity. Most evolutionary models argue
that morality evolved over time as a trait that enhanced survivability, and
that precursors to human morality are seen in the hominids. If this were the
case, morality would either stem from rational, deliberative thought or result
from emotional workings. In contrast, the author argues that it is an innate
part of human nature to automatically make moral judgments without basis in
emotion or deliberative thought. This concept fits naturally in RTB’s biblical
creation model, for part of being made in God’s image is that God has built
into humans an innate, universal moral code.
- Paul Bloom and Izzat Jarudi, "The Chomsky of Morality?" Nature 443 (2006): 909-10.
- Related Resource
-
Product Spotlight
- Without a Doubt: Answering The 20 toughest Faith Questions by Kenneth Richard Samples [B0407]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Biochemical Design: Organization of Simplest Life
-
New research continues to reveal the remarkable extent of internal
organization and complexity displayed by bacteria, the simplest life-forms.
Only a decade ago microbiologists viewed bacteria as "containers" of
haphazardly arranged molecules. Since then, scientists have learned that this
view is incorrect. To date, most of the work has centered on the internal
organization of proteins inside the bacterial cell. Studies have indicated
that this organization also includes the molecules (lipids) that form the cell
membrane. A new study provides insight into the physicochemical mechanism
responsible for localizing cardiolipin, a molecule that forms part of the cell
wall at the cell poles. This structure is reminiscent of the intricate
arrangement of proteins inside the cell. As scientists discover the
molecular-level organization and complexity of the simplest life-forms, their
research shows biochemical design and makes sense if a Creator is responsible
for life.
- Kerwyn Casey Huang et al., "A Curvature-Mediated Mechanism for Localization of Lipids to Bacterial Poles," PLoS Computational Biology 2 no. 11 (2006): e151.
-
Related Resource
- "Origin-of-Life Predictions Face Off: Evolution vs. Biblical Creation" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Monday, December 25, 2006
HUDF Confirms Universe is Aging
-
The most sensitive optical picture ever taken of the universe strengthens the
idea that the universe indeed had a beginning (and thus a Beginner). According
to big bang cosmology, shortly after the beginning of the universe, no stars
or galaxies existed. As the universe aged it cooled and began forming stars.
Eventually, these stars formed small, irregularly shaped galaxies that
continued to grow and merge together, leading to the numerous mature spiral-
and elliptical-shaped galaxies observed today. Using the Hubble Space
Telescope, astronomers have now imaged this earlier time and confirmed that
galaxies were smaller and more irregular in earlier epochs of the universe.
These results further buttress RTB’s cosmic creation model, which incorporates
big bang cosmology, and puts the notion of a supernatural Creator on firmer
scientific footing.
- Steven V. Beckwith et al., "The Hubble Ultra Deep Field," Astronomical Journal 132 (2006): 1729-55.
-
Related Resource
- "A Beginner’s-and Expert’s-Guide to the Big Bang" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross (Multilingual DVD) [D0607]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Sunday, December 24, 2006
Adult Stem Cells Alleviate Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
-
A recent study using adult stem cells highlights the fact that there are
ethically acceptable and scientifically promising alternatives to embryonic
stem cell research (ESCR). Researchers found that injections of mesoangioblast
stem cells isolated from the walls of blood vessels taken from healthy dogs
helped alleviate the symptoms of Duchene muscular dystrophy in sick dogs. This
work holds the promise for a similar treatment in humans and reinforces the
belief that scientific advance will provide a way out of the ethical dilemma
created by emerging biotechnologies such as stem cell therapies.
- Maurillo Sampaolesi et al., "Mesoangioblast Stem Cells Ameliorate Muscle Function in Dystrophic Dogs," Nature 444 (2006): 574-79.
-
Related Resource
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research Q&A with Dr. Fazale ’Fuz’ Rana
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Saturday, December 23, 2006
Confirming Evidence of Fine-tuning in Early Solar Nebula
-
Scientists continue to find evidence of fine-tuning in the early solar system
as violent processes worked to enrich the solar nebula without destroying it.
No single source is capable of producing all the elements of the periodic
table. Thus, the emerging picture of the early solar system involves multiple
supernovae and numerous asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars enriching the
solar nebula with a variety of elements. All of these objects are capable of
blasting solar nebulae away, preventing the formation of a solar system.
Studies of small diamonds in meteorites conclude that some of the diamonds
must originate in supernovae, while AGB stars produce other diamonds. These
findings further buttress RTB’s cosmic creation model, which posits a
supernatural Creator fine-tuning and timing these violent events to ensure the
solar system forms with all the materials on which life depends.
- Alexander B. Verchovsky et al., "Nanodiamonds from AGB Stars: A New Type of Presolar Grain in Meteorites," Astrophysical Journal 651 (2006): 481-90.
-
Related Resource
- Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth by Hugh Ross, compiled June 2004
-
Product Spotlight
- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross (Multilingual DVD) [D0607]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Friday, December 22, 2006
New Fossil Find Reveals Stasis, Not Evolution
-
The discovery of a new fossil lamprey (a jawless vertebrate) from
late-Devonian formations in South Africa reinforces the belief that a Creator
orchestrated life’s history. The specimen, Priscomyzon riniensis,
dates 35 million years older than any previously discovered fossilized
lamprey, yet displays remarkably modern features. According to paleontologist
Philippe Janvier, "It is not too surprising that lampreys turn up in the
Devonian, 360 Myr ago. What is surprising is that they are already very
similar to modern lampreys" (Nature 443 (2006), 921-924). This find
means that lampreys have not undergone any appreciable evolutionary changes
for the past 360 million years. The early appearance of lampreys with modern
features in the fossil record, followed by stasis, is a pattern that comports
well with the notion that a Creator is responsible for life’s history.
- Robert W. Gess et al., "A Lamprey from the Devonian Period of South Africa," Nature 443 (2006): 981-84.
-
Related Resource
- "Marine Body Sizes Add Weight to Creation Model" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?, by Jonathan Wells [B0102]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Thursday, December 21, 2006
Squashing Hopes for Earth-like Planets
-
Studies of planet formation around low-mass stars buttress the prediction of
RTB’s cosmic creation model that Earth-like planets are rare in the universe.
Earlier this year, scientists’ hopes of finding Earth-like planets
dramatically increased when astronomers announced the discovery of a planet
5.5 times the mass of Earth orbiting a low-mass star. However, those hopes
diminished considerably with recent simulations of planet formation around
low-mass stars. A team of scientists demonstrated that due to the decreased
luminosity (brightness) of small stars, planets formed with masses similar to
Earth’s are most likely to be akin to gas giants (such as Jupiter) rather than
rocky planets (like Earth). These results comport well with RTB’s cosmic
creation model, in which a supernatural Creator fashions a habitable solar
system around stars with just the right mass.
- Grant M. Kennedy, Scott J. Kenyon, and Benjamin C. Bromley, "Planet Formation Around Low-mass Stars: The Moving Snow Line and Super-Earths," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): L139-42.
-
Related Resource
- Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth by Hugh Ross, compiled June 2004
-
Product Spotlight
- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Another "Vestigial" Structure with Function
-
A new study provides some indication that the soleus muscle found in a horse’s
hind limbs is not vestigial, but plays a role in maintaining the posture of
the limb during standing or slow motion. This muscle is small compared to
adjacent muscles in the hind limb, and its diminutive size suggests to some
that it is not functional, but rather a vestige left over from the
evolutionary process that produced modern horses. But a new detailed analysis
of the microanantomy of the horse soleus muscle raises the possibility that
this muscle may not be vestigial at all. Evolutionary models maintain that
some anatomical features are nonfunctional vestiges of once-functional
structures. In contrast, creation models assert that ongoing scientific study
will discover uses for so-called vestigial structures. This may well be the
case for the horse soleus muscle.
- Ron A. Meyers and John W. Hermanson, "Horse Soleus Muscle: Postural Sensor or Vestigial Structure?" The Anatomical Record Part A 288A (2006): 1068-76.
-
Related Resource
- "30% Inefficiency by Design" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?, by Jonathan Wells
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Tuesday, December 19, 2006
More Evidence for Galactic Fine-tuning
-
Further evidence of the fine-tuning exhibited by the Milky Way Galaxy comes
from studies of star-formation rates in galaxies. A team of astronomers
demonstrated that more-massive galaxies in denser regions experience
prodigious star formation early in their history, but their star formation
stops earlier. Thus, to provide an environment for a habitable solar system, a
galaxy must not be too large or in too-dense a region. On the other hand,
galaxies that are too small or in not-dense-enough regions will not produce a
sufficient quantity of the heavy elements upon which life depends. The Milky
Way Galaxy, where Earth’s solar system resides, happens to be a galaxy of the
right size and in the properly dense environment to ensure abundant star
formation until the present epoch. Such fine-tuning comports well with RTB’s
cosmic creation model, in which a super-intelligent Designer works to prepare
a planet capable of supporting long-standing life.
- Kevin Bundy et al., "The Mass Assembly History of Field Galaxies: Detection of an Evolving Mass Limit for Star-Forming Galaxies," Astrophysical Journal 651 (2006): 120-41.
-
Related Resource
- "Anthropic Principle: A Precise Plan for Humanity" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Monday, December 18, 2006
Biochemistry Supports Bible’s Long Life Spans
-
Another advance in the biochemistry of aging makes the long life spans
recorded in Genesis 5 and 11 scientifically plausible. Skeptics often charge
the Bible with absurdity for recording human histories of hundreds of years.
In a recent study, researchers demonstrated that life expectancy of mice can
be increased by genetically engineering the mice to overproduce a protein
called the uncoupling protein in neurons associated with the hypothalamus.
This process leads to a reduction in body temperature of about 0.5 °C, which
results in a 20 percent increase in life expectancy. If scientists can
significantly manipulate life spans by biochemical intervention, it is not
unreasonable to think that a Creator could adjust human biochemistry to permit
long life spans and then shorten them after the Flood. In light of this study,
the long human life spans described in Genesis are scientifically reasonable.
- Bruno Conti et al., "Transgenic Mice with a Reduced Core Body Temperature Have an Increased Life Span," Science 314 (2006): 825-28.
-
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
- Who Was Adam?, by Fazale Rana with Hugh Ross (book)
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Sunday, December 17, 2006
Accelerated Cosmic Expansion, Not Grey Dust
-
X-ray studies of a distant quasar provide more evidence for the immensely
fine-tuned space-energy density that causes the expansion rate of the universe
to increase. The discovery of the space-energy density (also known as dark
energy) in the late 1990s rested on observations of Type Ia supernovae. The
dark energy provided the simplest explanation of the dimness of these
supernovae (which function as standard candles) as their redshifts increased.
One alternative model posited the existence of a specific kind of dust-called
"grey dust"-that accounted for the dimness-redshift relation. However, x-ray
studies of a distant quasar constrain the amount of this dust to be less than
one-tenth the amount required to explain the supernova data without dark
energy. Given that dark energy ranks as the single most fine-tuned
characteristic of the universe, these results further support RTB’s cosmic
creation model, which asserts that a supernatural Creator designed the
universe specifically to support life.
- Andreea Petric et al., "A Direct Upper Limit on the Density of Cosmological Dust from the Absence of an X-ray Scattering Halo Around the z = 4.3 Quasar QSO 1508+5714," Astrophysical Journal 651 (2006): 41-45.
-
Related Resource
- "Predictive Power: Confirming Cosmic Creation" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Creation As Science by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Saturday, December 16, 2006
Ant Study Raises Questions about Evolution
-
Entomologists have provided another reason to be skeptical about evolutionary
explanations for life’s diversity and history. One of evolutionary theory’s
key expectations is that evolutionary relationships (phylogenies) determined
by morphology (physical, anatomical features) should agree with those
generated with DNA sequences. A new study on the origin of ants yields results
that fall short of this prediction. Scientists have found that molecular
phylogenies (built using DNA sequences) and traditional morphological
phylogenies are quite different for ants. Thus, evolutionary biologists
currently cannot account for the origin of ants, the most diverse and
ecologically important eusocial insects. Given this inadequacy in evolutionary
models, the biblical account of creation deserves consideration.
- Seán G. Brady et al., "Evaluating Alternative Hypotheses for the Early Evolution and Diversification of Ants," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 103 (2006): advanced on-line.
- Related Resource
-
Related Product
- Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?, by Jonathan Wells
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Friday, December 15, 2006
New Measurement of Universe’s Age
-
A new technique to measure the age of the universe further buttresses the
already strong case for a supernatural origin of the cosmos. Using numerous
gravitational lenses, astronomers directly calculated distances to 10
different galaxies. Coupled with redshift measurements, these distances
enabled them to determine an age of the universe of 13.5 billion years with an
error bar of about 2 billion years. While the error bars are substantially
larger, the result accords well with the age determined from the WMAP data of
13.7 +/- 0.2 billion years. The fact that multiple independent measurement
techniques provide the same result for the age of the universe justifies
scientists’ confidence in the validity of big bang cosmology-and RTB’s cosmic
creation model, which incorporates the big bang.
- Prasenjit Saha et al., "The Hubble Time Inferred from 10 Time Delay Lenses," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): L17-L20.
-
Related Resource
- "Big Bang-The Bible Taught It First!" by Hugh Ross and John Rea
-
Product Spotlight
- Creation As Science by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Thursday, December 14, 2006
Biblical Account of Humanity’s Origin Confirmed
-
A new study affirms the biblical account of humanity’s origin and spread.
Archeological finds in Southeast Asia corroborate genetic studies and confirm
that humanity spread from near the Middle East recently (roughly 40,000 to
60,000 years ago) in a pattern consistent with the biblical description. The
biblical account of human pre-history continues to find support as
anthropologists study human genetic variation and the archeological record.
- Paul Mellars, "Going East: New Genetic and Archaeological Perspectives on the Modern Human Colonization of Eurasia," Science 313 (2006): 796-800.
- Related Resource
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Another Test of General Relativity
-
A team of Japanese scientists has developed a new way to test general
relativity, specifically its predictions regarding black holes. General
relativity predicts that when mass is concentrated into a small enough volume,
a black hole forms. Close to the black hole, the gravitational pull prevents
even light from escaping. While most scientists are convinced that black holes
exist, they remain unsure of many details regarding the formation process and
final properties of black holes. However, neutrinos emitted during black hole
formation may fill in many of those details and illuminate the behavior of
dense objects that do not form black holes. RTB welcomes these new techniques
and anticipates that future results will strengthen the conclusion that
general relativity accurately describes the dynamics of the universe.
- K. Sumiyoshi et al., "Neutrino Signals from the Formation of a Black Hole: A Probe of the Equation of State of Dense Matter," Physical Review Letters 97 (2006): 091101.
-
Related Resource
- "A Beginner’s-and Expert’s-Guide to the Big Bang" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Creation As Science by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Biochemical Design: Organization of Simplest Life
-
New research continues to indicate that bacteria, the simplest of life-forms,
possess a remarkable degree of internal organization and complexity. For
example, the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacterium has one of the
smallest genomes and lacks a cell wall. Still, this microbe displays a
remarkable level of structural intricacy. The latest research has revealed the
complex spatial and temporal organization of the so-called terminal organelle
during cell division of the bacterium. The terminal organelle is a complex,
differentiated structure located at one of the ends of the cell. This assembly
is used to bind bacteria to host cells and plays a role in gliding motility
(motion). Such internal organization and complexity in the simplest life-forms
serve as a marker for biochemical design and are expected if a Creator is
responsible for life.
- Benjamin M. Hasselbring et al., "Terminal Organelle Development in the Cell Wall-Less Bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 103 (2006): 16478-83.
-
Related Resource
- "Origin-of-Life Predictions Face Off: Evolution vs. Biblical Creation" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Monday, December 11, 2006
Right Type of Galaxy
-
Studies of star-formation histories reveal more evidence for design in the
galaxy where Earth resides. Two constraints on the star-formation rate of a
galaxy affect where a long-surviving habitable planet can reside. First, the
star must form at a steady enough rate to support the spiral arms, or else the
galaxy will not have low-density regions where a planetary system is not
disrupted by interactions with other stars. This rate must also proceed
rapidly enough that sufficient heavy elements are produced to be incorporated
into the system. Second, if the environment is not dense enough, star
formation produces insufficient heavy elements. Recent studies indicate that
galaxies in dense environments underwent early rapid star formation that
slowed around 5 billion years ago. The density around the Milky Way Galaxy,
where the solar system resides, is just right to meet both requirements of
star formation. The results comport well with the notion of a divine Designer
preparing a habitat where life can thrive for billions of years.
- Ravi K. Sheth et al., "Environment and the Cosmic Evolution of Star Formation," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): L25-L28.
-
Related Resource
- "Anthropic Principle: A Precise Plan for Humanity" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross (Multilingual DVD)
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Sunday, December 10, 2006
Biochemistry Supports Bible’s Long Life Spans
-
Advances in the biochemistry of aging make the long life spans recorded in
Genesis 5 and 11 scientifically plausible. For many skeptics, these long life
spans seem absurd. In a recent study, researchers demonstrated that feeding
resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, to mice on a high-calorie diet
increased their life span and health. Without resveratrol in the diet, life
span was shortened. Resveratrol presumably activates a family of proteins
called sirtuins. Previous studies have shown that when sirtuin activity
increases, so does life expectancy. Biochemists believe this compound may one
day be part of an arsenal of medicines that will dramatically increase human
longevity, perhaps to several hundred years. If scientists can significantly
manipulate life spans by pharmaceutical and biochemical intervention, it is
not unreasonable to posit that a Creator adjusted human biochemistry to permit
long life spans and then shortened them after the Flood. In light of this
study, the long human life spans described in Genesis are scientifically
reasonable.
- Joseph A. Baur et al., "Resveratrol Improves Health and Survival of Mice on a High-Calorie Diet," Nature 144 (2006): 337-42.
-
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
- Who Was Adam?, by Fazale Rana with Hugh Ross (book)
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Saturday, December 9, 2006
New Tool to Study Population III Stars
-
An international team of astronomers has developed a new tool to test RTB’s
cosmic creation model. One component of RTB’s model predicts the past
existence of a class of stars called Population III stars, which were very
massive, burned very quickly, and enriched the early universe with elements
heavier than helium. While Population III stars are difficult to study,
astronomers continue to develop techniques to verify their properties. One
approach uses gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) that are gravitationally lensed (their
light is "bent" around a massive object) by distant stars, some of which will
be Population III stars. Using this new technique, astronomers analyzed the
BATSE catalog of GRBs and found multiple bursts that show evidence of lensing.
The lensing object for one of those bursts appears to be a Population III
star. If so, astronomers may be able to determine its mass and redshift (its
movement to the red part of the spectrum). RTB’s cosmic creation model
predicts that future results using this technique will confirm scientists’
theoretical predictions regarding the properties of these stars.
- Y. Hirose et al., "Imprint of Gravitational Lensing by Population III Stars in Gamma-ray Burst Light Curves," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): 252-60.
-
Related Resource
- "Predictive Power: Confirming Cosmic Creation" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Creation As Science by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Friday, December 8, 2006
Man-Made Molecular Motors Highlight Elegant Design of Nature’s Motors
-
A recent review of man-made molecular motors highlights the powerful evidence
for intelligent design that biomolecular motors found inside the cell
represent. Over the last several years scientists have synthesized numerous
molecular motors and devices. Even though this work is rightly considered an
example of science at its very best, the operation of these man-made molecular
machines is crude and cumbersome. These molecular-level devices stand in sharp
contrast to the incredibly complex, efficient, and elegant motors (like the
bacterial flagellum and F1-F0 ATPase) found inside the
cell. Given this comparison, does it make sense to regard the molecular motors
inside the cell as the product of blind, undirected, random processes, when
they are far superior to anything that some of the best chemists in the world
can produce?
- Wesley R. Browne and Ben L. Feringa, "Making Molecular Machines Work," Nature Nanotechnology 1 (2006): 25-35.
-
Related Resource
- "Protein Structures Reveal Even More Evidence for Design" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Thursday, December 7, 2006
Big Bang Test Strengthened
-
Observations of a distant quasar strengthen an important test of RTB’s cosmic
creation model. Big bang cosmology makes precise predictions regarding how
much deuterium was produced in the early moments of the universe’s existence.
Despite the difficulty, astronomers used observations of a distant quasar to
measure the abundance ratio of deuterium to hydrogen and subsequently
calculated the baryon density (a measure of how much ordinary matter exists)
of the universe. The calculated baryon density matched the value as determined
from other methods, such as the WMAP observations of the radiation left over
from the creation event. This concordance of values obtained from independent
techniques is a hallmark of a good model, and it strengthens confidence in
RTB’s cosmic creation model (which incorporates big bang cosmology).
- John M. O’Meara et al., "The Deuterium-to-Hydrogen Abundance Ratio Toward the QSO SDSS J155810.16-003120.0," Astrophysical Journal 649 (2006): L61-L65.
-
Related Resource
- "A Beginner’s-and Expert’s-Guide to the Big Bang" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- Beyond the Cosmos, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Biochemical Design: Compositional Fine-Tuning of Cell Membranes
-
Researchers have gained a new understanding of protein diffusion within
phospholipid bilayers that provides evidence for the intelligent design of
cell membranes. Biochemists have traditionally believed the cell membrane to
be a chaotic system that lacks order beyond the phospholipids’ bilayer
structure. A new picture, however, is emerging. It turns out the cell membrane
displays remarkable complexity and organization that hinges on the fine-tuning
of its molecular composition. A recent study further supports this new view.
Scientists have discovered that the rate of diffusion of proteins is highly
sensitive to the membrane’s lipid composition and the cell’s environment. Such
compositional fine-tuning and organization of the cell membrane is an
indicator of intelligent design.
- Yaroslav Tserkovnyak and David R. Nelson, "Conditions for Extreme Sensitivity of Protein Diffusion in Membranes to Cell Environments," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 103 (2006): 15002-07.
-
Related Resource
- "Biotic Borders: Cell Membranes under Scrutiny" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face-Off by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Spiral Galaxy Feathers Reveal Fine-Tuning
-
Astronomers continue to find evidence buttressing the prediction of RTB’s
creation model that the Earth’s location and the timing of it’s existence are
fine-tuned to support life. To ensure a planetary system has enough elements
heavier than helium, the system must reside in a spiral galaxy with sufficient
star formation. A survey of spiral galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope
revealed that a substantial fraction of spiral galaxies form substructures,
called feathers, between the spiral arms. These and other substructures,
called spurs, increase in size and frequency as spiral galaxies age, and they
would increase disruptions to any planetary systems passing through them.
Earth’s solar system resides in a spiral galaxy that does not contain a large
amount of spurs and feathers but does contain enough generations of stars to
adequately enrich the heavier elements so vital for life. Such fine-tuning
(and "fine-timing") comports well with RTB’s creation model, in which a
supernatural Designer works to prepare a suitable habitat for advanced life.
- Misty A. La Vigne, Stuart N. Vogel, and Eve C. Ostriker, "A Hubble Space Telescope Archival Survey of Feathers in Spiral Galaxies," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): 818-34.
-
Related Resource
- "Anthropic Principle: A Precise Plan for Humanity" by Hugh Ross
-
Product Spotlight
- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Monday, December 4, 2006
Biochemical Design: Information
-
Provocative work showing the "rational design" of novel peptide antibiotics
provides additional evidence for intelligent design. These peptides were
designed by treating naturally occurring peptide antibiotics as linguistic
systems. Using the peptide antibiotics found in nature, researchers developed
a formal language built on a molecular grammar. They then used this grammar to
design novel peptide antibiotics. This intriguing research emphasizes the fact
that biochemical systems are information-based. Experience teaches that
intelligible messages-information-come from intelligent sources. By analogy,
life’s chemical systems must emanate from an intelligent Designer.
- Christopher Loose et al., "A Linguistic Model for the Rational Design of Antimicrobial Peptides," Nature 443 (2006): 867-69.
-
Related Resource
- "FYI: I.D. in DNA: Deciphering Design in the Genetic Code" by Fazale Rana
-
Related Product
- Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution, by Michael Behe
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Sunday, December 3, 2006
Magnetic Reversal Found in Ice Core
-
A team of European scientists has found additional evidence that Earth is more
than 10,000 years old. Ice cores in Antarctica and Greenland show annual
layering that indicates the first layers were deposited roughly 800,000 years
ago. One objection often raised by those espousing a young-earth view is that
the layers were not actually deposited yearly. Detailed isotopic studies of
ice-core layers using beryllium reveal evidence of a reversal of Earth’s
magnetic field. If the layers were deposited annually, the reversal would date
around 780,000 years ago. These results match the dates for a particular
magnetic-field reversal found using an independent method relying on
sedimentary rocks. Any young-earth model’s explanation would require that very
different radioisotope decay rates and ice deposition rates would conspire in
such a way as to give the same date. However, the straightforward
interpretation-that the reversal occurred roughly 780,000 years ago-finds a
natural fit in RTB’s creation model, which asserts that Earth is actually 4.5
billion years old.
- G. M. Raisbeck et al., "10Be Evidence for the Matuyama-Brunhes Geomagnetic Reversal in the EPICA Dome C Ice Core," Nature 444 (2006): 82-84.
-
Related Resource
- "Big Bang-The Bible Taught It First!" by Hugh Ross and John Rea
-
Product Spotlight
- A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Saturday, December 2, 2006
Social-Amoeba Study Raises Questions about Evolution
-
New research provides another reason to be skeptical about evolutionary
explanations for life’s diversity and history. One key expectation of
evolutionary theory is that evolutionary relationships (phylogenies)
determined by morphology (physical, anatomical features) should agree with
those generated with DNA sequences. Another expectation is that evolution will
not produce the same outcome repeatedly, since its mechanism relies on a
sequence of random events. A new study on the origin of social amoebas yields
results that fall short of both expectations. Scientists have learned that
molecular phylogenies (built using DNA sequences) and morphological
phylogenies for social amoebas are quite different. It also appears as if
complex structures found in social amoebas evolved independently several
times. Both of these new insights challenge the veracity of the theory of
evolution. However, the repeated origin of complex structures in social
amoebas affirms a model positing that a Creator used the same good designs
over and over again to bring new life-forms into existence.
- Pauline Schaap et al., "Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Morphology in the Social Amoebas" Science 314 (2006): 661-63.
- Related Resource
-
Related Product
- Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?, by Jonathan Wells
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Friday, December 1, 2006
Fine-tuning in Early Solar System
-
Chemical-abundance studies of meteorites provide new evidence of the
fine-tuning required to ensure Earth’s habitability. Until recently,
scientists thought the solar nebula (cloud of gas) from which the solar system
formed had been uniformly mixed. Such homogeneity meant that all the planets
formed from material with essentially the same chemical composition. But two
recent studies clearly demonstrate the heterogeneity of the early solar
nebula. Consequently, the composition of the planets varied depending on the
locations where they formed. As it happens, Earth formed at just the right
location; it formed with enough radioactive elements to sustain
life-supporting functions and remained within the habitable zone. RTB’s cosmic
creation model predicts such fine-tuning as the result of a supernatural
Creator working to prepare a planet capable of sustaining long-standing life.
- Richard A. Kerr, "Has Lazy Mixing Spoiled the Primordial Stew?" Science 314 (2006): 36-37.
-
Related Resource
- Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth by Hugh Ross, compiled June 2004
-
Product Spotlight
- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross





