Today's New Reason To Believe Archives
April 2007
Today’s New Reason To Believe-Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Biochemical Design: More Insight into Myosin Molecular Motors
- Better understanding of one of nature’s tiny motors provides additional evidence for biochemical intelligent design and helps revitalize one of the most well-known arguments for God’s existence. A new study highlights the machine-like character of myosin VI. This protein, which transports cellular cargo along actin fibers throughout the cell, functions as a literal linear motor. In this work, scientists explore the relationship between the structure of the myosin lever arm and the direction of myosin movement along actin filaments, and design seems apparent. It was the British natural theologian William Paley who argued that just as a watch requires a watchmaker, life logically requires a Creator, since biological systems appear to be machine-like. On this basis, the elegant design and stark resemblance to man-made motors indicate that biomolecular machines, like the myosin VI motor, must be the work of a divine "Motor Maker."
- Hyokeun Park et al., "The Unique Insert at the End of the Myosin VI Motor Is the Sole Determinant of Directionality," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104 (2007): 778-83.
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- "Hume Vs. Paley: These ’Motors’ Settle the Debate" by Fazale Rana and Micah Lott
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- Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross
Experimental Dynamo Reversals
- Scientific experiments have advanced understanding of Earth’s core and continue to bolster confidence in RTB’s creation model and the fine-tuning of Earth that it predicts. Scientists believe the turbulent motion of the molten metal in Earth’s core produces the magnetic field and plate tectonics so critical for supporting abundant life. Recent experiments demonstrating the generation of a magnetic field in a molten vat of liquid sodium also produced magnetic field reversals similar to those recorded in Earth’s history. Such results affirm the validity of scientists’ understanding (on a planetary scale) of magnetic field generation and comport well with the idea of a supernatural Designer fashioning a habitat ultimately suitable for human life.
- M. Berhanu et al., "Magnetic Field Reversals in an Experimental Turbulent Dynamo," Europhysics Letters 77 (2007): 59001.
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- Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth by Hugh Ross, compiled June 2004
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- A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross [B0411]
Biochemical Design: Optimal Nature of Ribosome Structure
- A new study highlights the elegant, optimal nature of the ribosome and provides more evidence for biochemical intelligent design. Ribosomes (protein-producing subcellular particles) consist of myriad proteins complexed with RNA. Scientists have learned that certain components of ribosomal RNA are chemically modified by the cell’s machinery to structurally fine-tune one region of the ribosome (called the A-site). This region actively participates in protein synthesis. Such structural fine-tuning optimizes the ribosome to balance the accuracy and speed of protein production. The fine-tuning and optimization of the ribosome evinces a Creator’s role in bringing life into being.
- Jennifer L. Baxter-Roshek, Alexey N. Petrov, and Jonathan D. Dinman, "Optimization of Ribosome Structure and Function by rRNA Base Modification," PLoSONE 2, no. 1 (2007): e174.
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- "FYI: I.D. in DNA: Deciphering Design in the Genetic Code" by Fazale Rana
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- Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross
Laboratory Tests of General Relativity’s Foundations
- Soon scientists will have the capacity to conduct laboratory tests of the equivalence principle that provides the foundation of general relativity (GR). Due to the relative weakness of the gravitational force, all significant tests of GR to date have been conducted using astronomical observations. In contrast, laboratory tests permit more extensive tests varying multiple experimental conditions. Recent developments in atom interferometry (measurements utilizing the interference of atoms wave behavior) provide opportunity to test the equivalence principle in the lab with sensitivity 300 times the best current astronomical tests. Future improvements should improve the sensitivity another 100 times. RTB expects results from these experiments to further confirm the universe’s fine-tuning and cosmic beginning consistent with the work of a supernatural Creator.
- Savas Dimopoulos et al., "Testing General Relativity with Atom Interferometry," Physical Review Letters 98 (2007): 111102.
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- "A Beginner’s-and Expert’s-Guide to the Big Bang" by Hugh Ross
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- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
Biochemists Continue to Identify Function for Junk DNA
- Researchers have uncovered function (in this case, a role as gene regulators) junk DNA sequences that supports intelligent design. Junk DNA has become an icon of evolution. Evolutionary biologists maintain that, because junk DNA is an imperfection, it provides incontrovertible evidence for evolution. Numerous recent studies, however, have identified function for many types of junk DNA. The latest study indicates that ultraconserved elements found within genes play a key role in gene regulation. The growing recognition of the functional importance of junk DNA undermines one of evolution’s best arguments and suggests that careful planning by an intelligent Designer, rather than undirected, random biochemical events, shaped the genomes of organisms.
- Liana F. Lareau et al., "Unproductive Splicing of SR Genes Associated with Highly Conserved and Ultraconserved DNA Elements," Nature (2007): advanced on-line.
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- "Yet Another Use for ‘Junk’ DNA" by Fazale Rana
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- Who Was Adam?, by Fazale Rana with Hugh Ross (book) [B0501]
Convergence in a Gliding Lizard from the Early Cretaceous
- The recent discovery of a fossilized gliding lizard highlights the fact that, from an evolutionary perspective, complex anatomical features arose independently several times (a biological phenomenon known as convergence). According to Stephen Jay Gould, if one were to rewind the tape of life and replay it, the outcome would be different each time. The concept of historical contingency maintains that evolution will not produce the same outcome repeatedly since its mechanism relies on a sequence of chance events. This newly recognized example of convergence challenges the veracity of the theory of evolution, but finds ready explanation in a model holding that a Creator repeatedly used the same good designs as He brought new life-forms into existence.
- Pi-Peng Li et al., "A Gliding Lizard from the Early Cretaceous of China," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA104 (2007): 5507-5509.
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- "Convergence: Evidence for a Single Creator" by Fazale Rana
UV Radiation Destroys Amino Acids
- Discovery of the rapid destruction of amino acids in astronomical environments continues to highlight problems in naturalistic models of life’s origin(s). The "follow-the-water" philosophy of many scientists assumes that any place where liquid water exists is a suitable habitat for life to form. Recent studies of the building blocks of biomolecules-amino acids-in ice environments show that even in the remote regions of the solar system, ultraviolet (UV) radiation dramatically diminishes the quantities of amino acids available for life chemistry. For instance, on Jupiter’s moon Europa (one proposed life site), UV radiation destroys half of even the most robust amino acids in the top meter of ice in less than 10 years. Such short timescales pose significant hurdles for naturalistic models of life’s origin but find an easy fit in a model like RTB’s, where a supernatural Creator introduces life in a properly prepared environment.
- Grazyna E. Orzechowska et al., "Ultraviolet Photolysis of Amino Acids in a 100 K Water Ice Matrix: Application to the Outer Solar System Bodies," Icarus 187 (2007): 584-91.
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- Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth by Hugh Ross, compiled June 2004
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- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
Biochemical Design: Information
- Discovery of a DNA "barcode" in tropical flies affirms the conclusion that life stems from an intelligent Designer. Experience teaches that intelligible messages (information) come from intelligent sources. And, since a living cell’s biochemical machinery (proteins, DNA, RNA, and oligosaccharides) is information-based, this arrangement points to the work of an intelligent Designer. Researchers have employed DNA as a "barcode" to characterize tropical fly species, highlighting the fact that DNA truly is an information-storage molecule. Such elegant, information-rich biochemical systems of the cell point to the source of life’s information-the Creator described in the Bible.
- M. Alex Smith et al., "DNA Barcodes Affirm that 16 Species of Apparently Generalist Tropical Parasitoid Flies (Diptera, Tachinidae) Are Not All Generalists," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104 (2007): 4967-72.
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- "FYI: I.D. in DNA: Deciphering Design in the Genetic Code" by Fazale Rana
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- Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution, by Michael Behe
New Distance Measurement Technique Confirms Previous Results
- Continued testing of the cosmic distance scale further buttresses RTB's cosmic creation model, which calls for a beginning and fine-tuning of the cosmos. Type Ia supernovae (exploding stars) provide the best way to determine the expansion history of the universe. Results based on type Ia observations give abundant evidence of design (such as the intricately fine-tuned space-energy density) and of a universal cosmic beginning (as described by the big bang). Using another type of dying star called planetary nebulae, astronomers independently measured the distances to galaxies containing well-studied type Ia supernovae. The distances measured using the new technique match well with other techniques, thereby strengthening big bang cosmology, which RTB's creation model incorporates.
- John J. Feldmeier, George H. Jacoby, and M. M. Phillips, "Calibrating Type Ia Supernovae Using the Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function. I. Initial Results," Astrophysical Journal 657 (2007): 76-94.
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- Hugh Ross and John Rea, "Big Bang—The Bible Taught It First!"
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- A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross
Biochemists Discover a Biomolecular Watch
- Discovery of a tiny watch in cyanobacteria revitalizes a classic argument for God's existence. In the early nineteenth century, British natural theologian William Paley advanced the well-known watchmaker argument for God's existence: Just as a watch requires a watchmaker, even so life requires a Creator. Although Paley's analogy has suffered criticism for nearly two centuries, biochemists have discovered "Paley's watch" in cyanobacteria. The biochemical systems of these microbes display periodic behavior linked to the day-night cycle. This so-called "circadian oscillation" is regulated by a biomolecular machine composed of proteins that literally function as a clock. This actual biochemical watch renders the philosophical criticisms leveled at Paley's watchmaker argument irrelevant. The cyanobacterial rotary clock logically compels the existence of a Divine Watchmaker.
- Tetsuya Mori et al., "Elucidating the Ticking of an In vitro Circadian Clockwork," PLoS Biology 5, no. 4 (2007): e93.
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- Fazale Rana and Micah Lott, "Hume Vs. Paley: These 'Motors' Settle the Debate"
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- Travels to the Nanoworld, by Michael Gross
Biochemical Design: Elegant Chemical Logic
- A new study highlights the elegant logic of the cell's chemical systems and provides more evidence for biochemical intelligent design. Researchers have demonstrated for the bacterium Bacillus subtilis that the majority of genes are located on the DNA's leading strand during the replication process. This arrangement allows the cell's machinery to access the information on the leading strand without hindering DNA replication. Such would not be the case if the majority of genes were located on the lagging strand. The elegant organization of gene structure reflects pre-planning that bespeaks of a Divine Designer.
- Jue D. Wang, Melanie B. Berkmen, and Alan D. Grossman, "Genome-Wide Coorientation of Replication and Transcription Reduces Adverse Effects on Replication in Bacillus subtilis," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104 (2007): 5608-13.
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- Fazale R. Rana, "Protein Structures Reveal Even More Evidence for Design"
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Galaxy Begins Star Formation Late
- Scientists have identified a peculiar galaxy that provides additional evidence of a galaxy's environment and mass in order to form a life-support planetary system. Recent observations argue that over 90% of star formation in the dwarf galaxy Leo A occurred in the last 8 billion years, with very few stars being formed early on. Such a galaxy will not produce sufficient elements heavier than helium upon which a planetary system and life depend. Interestingly, Leo A contained sufficient gas to form stars but some process prevented the star formation from occurring until 8 billion years ago. These results affirm the importance of being in a galaxy with a fine-tuned mass and merger rate (like the Milky Way Galaxy) such that star formation begins early and continues until the present time.
- Andrew A. Cole et al., "Leo A: A Late-Blooming Survivor of the Epoch of Reionization in the Local Group," Astrophysical Journal 659 (2007): L17-L20.
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- Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., with Hugh Ross
Adult Stem Cells Continue to Show Promise
- A recent study confirms the usefulness of adult stem cells (ASC) in tissue replacement therapies. Researchers have shown that ASCs taken from human bone marrow can be coaxed into liver tissue. These stem cells may well have use in treating liver cancer. Sometimes fast-growing liver cancers are inoperable because they would require removal of too much liver tissue. Through the use of a patient's own ASCs, the remaining liver tissue can be prompted to regenerate itself more rapidly, allowing removal of malignant tissue. Unlike embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which must be isolated by destroying human embryos, ASCs come from adult tissues. By employing viable, noncontroversial alternatives, scientific advances will undoubtedly provide the way out of the ethical dilemma created by emerging biotechnologies such as stem cell therapies.
- "Stem Cells Speed Growth Of Healthy Liver Tissue," ScienceDaily.com (March 28, 2007)
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First Kuiper Belt Family Found
- Analysis by a team of Caltech scientists promises to increase understanding of the outer solar system and will likely illuminate more fine-tuning. The group from Caltech identified the first Kuiper Belt family (located beyond the orbit of Neptune). Scientists believe these "families" of objects form as a collision breaks a more massive body into a number of smaller fragments similar to the way a giant impact formed the Earth-Moon system. Detailed studies of the newly discovered family provide much-needed observational constraints on the formative stages of the Kuiper Belt and additional data to test scientists' understanding of how collisions affect planetary-sized bodies. RTB's creation model predicts that insights derived from these future studies will continue to support the idea of a supernatural Creator fashioning a solar system capable of sustaining a life-support planet like Earth.
- Alessandro Morbidelli, "Portrait of a Suburban Family," Nature 446 (2007): 273-74.
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- Hugh Ross, "Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth" (Updated June 2004)
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- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
Study Raises More Questions about Evolution
- A new genetic comparison of species provides one more reason to be suspicious about the capability of undirected evolutionary processes to account for life's history. According to the evolutionary paradigm, humans (which belong to the group called tetrapods) have a closer evolutionary connection to the ray-finned fish (teleosts) than they do to the cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays, and skates). Yet recent comparisons of the genomes of the elephant shark (a cartilaginous fish), teleost fish, and humans reveal a greater similarity between human and elephant shark genomes than between human and teleost fish genomes, contrary to evolutionary expectations.
- Byrappa Venkatesh et al., "Survey Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of the Elephant Shark (Callorhinchus milii) Genome," PLoS Biology 5, no. 4 (2007): e101.
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- Fazale R. Rana, "Marine Body Sizes Add Weight to Creation Model"
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Design in Earth's Interior
- Studies of the waves generated during earthquakes continue to provide evidence of the amazing design of Earth's interior. Earthquakes generate waves that propagate through Earth's interior and reflect off regions where the composition changes.The boundary between the core and mantle (CMB) defines one such region and recent work demonstrates that the transition there is more complex than previously thought. In particular, the change includes a double transition (at least in some regions of the CMB), which serves as a blanket to keep heat from diffusing out of the core too quickly. This heat is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field and for driving plate tectonics. If the pressures at the CMB were much larger or smaller, this blanket would disappear, causing the magnetic field and plate tectonics to stop long before Earth attained its age of 4.5 billion years. RTB's creation model predicts such design as the work of a supernatural Creator preparing Earth as a suitable habitat for long-standing life.
- Bruce A. Buffett, "Taking Earth's Temperature," Science 315 (2007): 1801-02.
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- Hugh Ross, "Fine-Tuning for Life On Earth" (Updated June 2004)
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- The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
Adult Stem Cells Continue to Show Promise
- A recent study confirms the usefulness of adult stem cells (ASCs) in tissue replacement therapies. Researchers have shown that modified ASCs taken from bone marrow can be used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice. When researchers injected modified bone marrow cells into mice that were experimentally stricken with a disease that models MS, symptoms improved and nerve damage was halted. This study and others like it indicate that ACSs are a viable alternative to embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with the added advantage that ASCs are harvested from adult tissues. In contrast, isolation of ESCs requires the destruction of a human embryo. Scientific advances continue to provide promising ways out of ethical dilemmas created by emerging biotechnologies such as stem cell therapies.
- “Modified Bone Marrow Cells Help Treat Multiple Sclerosis in Animal Model,” ScienceDaily.com (April 16, 2007).
- Kazuya Takahashi et al., “TREM2-Transduced Myeloid Precursors Mediate Nervous Tissue Debris Clearance and Facilitate Recovery in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis,” PLoS Medicine 4, no. 4 (2007): e124.
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- Geological studies continue to confirm that the processes that ensure Earth’s habitability have operated since shortly after Earth formed. The large-scale motion of Earth’s seismic plates produces the continental crust where the bulk of Earth’s mammals live. Recent studies of rocks in Greenland by an international team of geologists demonstrate that such plate tectonics have been in operation since at least 3.8 billion years ago and continue to operate today. Over long periods of time, the less-dense materials float to the top of the more-dense mantle rocks to form the continental crust that prevents Earth from being a water world. If these processes had started too late or ended too early, inadequate continental crust would exist to support the abundant life that appears unique to Earth. Such fine-tuning comports well with the idea of a supernatural Creator working to prepare and sustain a planet capable of long-standing, abundant, and complex life.
- Harald Furnes et al., “A Vestige of Earth’s Oldest Ophiolite,” Science 315 (2007): 1704-07.
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- Hugh Ross, ”Anthropic Principle: A Precise Plan for Humanity”
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- Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
- A new analysis of a recently discovered specimen of Australopithecus afarensis (“Lucy”) indicates that, from an evolutionary standpoint, this hominid can’t be part of the lineage that led to modern humans. Scientists from Tel Aviv University (Israel) demonstrated that the jaw anatomy of A. afarensis is distinct from modern humans and virtually identical to that of the robust australopithecines, considered to be an evolutionary side branch and dead end. This means that A. afarensis must be part of the lineage that led to the robust australopithecines and, therefore, the popular depictions of human evolution are not correct.
- Yoel Rak, Avishag Ginzburg, and Eli Geffen, “Gorilla-Like Anatomy on Australopithecus afarensis Mandibles Suggest Au. afarensis Link To Robust Australopiths,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104 (2007): 6568-72.
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- Fazale R. Rana, Where Does Homo antecessor fit?
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- Detailed analyses of the latest astrophysical observations continue to provide evidence buttressing the immense fine-tuning exhibited by the universe. Type Ia supernovae (exploding stars) provided the first evidence for the exquisitely fine-tuned dark energy (a.k.a. space-energy density or vacuum energy), but correlations of the galaxy clustering with the cosmic microwave background radiation fluctuations provide some of the strongest evidence for its existence. Recently, a team of Spanish scientists studied these correlations as a function of redshift and found their behavior to match the predictions derived from a case where the dark energy is constant over time. Not only do these results confirm the presence of dark energy, but they also confirm the fine-tuning required to match theoretical calculations with the observed value. Such fine-tuning comports well with the idea of a supernatural Designer fashioning a universe capable of supporting life.
- A. Cabré et al., “Cross-Correlation of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Third-Year Data and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR4 Galaxy Survey: New Evidence for Dark Energy,” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 372 (2006): L23-L27.
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- Hugh Ross, “Predictive Power: Confirming Cosmic Creation”
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Earth’s Ancient Crust
“Lucy” Is Not Evolutionary Ancestor to Humans
More SDSS/WMAP Evidence for Finely Tuned Dark Energy
