Design Watch

Remarkable convergent evolution in specialized parasitic Thecostraca (Crustacea)

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Yet another case of *remarkable* convergence at the evolutionary level. At what point is there enough evidence to overturn the notion that evolution follows random trajectories.

"Our analyses indicate a convergent evolution of the very similar and highly reduced slug-shaped stages found during metamorphosis of both the Rhizocephala and the Facetotecta. This provides a remarkable case of convergent evolution and implies that the advanced endoparasitic mode of life known from the Rhizocephala and strongly indicated for the Facetotecta had no common origin."

Shaking up the theory of evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:42:00 +0000

I've argued for quite some time that current gradualistic evolutionary theory does not square with the fossil record. The fossil record is categorized by long periods of stasis followed by brief periods of the introduction of new species.

This article describes a new theory (which isn't really new as its been talked about in the past) that argues that junk DNA is the primary impetus for speciation.

How crazy is that? Junk DNA once was the tool of the naturalist -- who argued that it was inconsistent with intelligent agency. Meanwhile it turns out that it may be a central component into the origin of species.

"In a co-authored report, due to be published in the prestigious BioEssays journal, the researchers argue that transposable elements (TEs) – or what is colloquially termed jumping genes, selfish or junk DNA, have a critical role in ensuring the survival of biological lineages.

Without this DNA junk, a species is effectively frozen and faces eventual extinction."

Rare tree lobster in a class of its own

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Simon Conway Morris once wrote that "convergence might give some surprising insights into a deeper structure of biology, there is some evidence that might at first seem to be simply anecdotal. During my time in the libraries I have been particularly struck by the adjectives that accompany descriptions of evolutionary convergence. Words like 'remarkable', 'striking', 'extraordinary', or even 'astonishing' and 'uncanny' are commonplace... Even convergence suggests to me that there is almost a feeling of unease in these similarities. Indeed, I strongly suspect that some of these biologists sense the ghost of teleology looking over their shoulders... The eeriness of convergence is central to how evolution navigates across the combinatorial immensities of biological 'hyperspace'."

In this article, you'll see yet another example of biological convergence.

"In a paper published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, entomologist Dr Thomas Buckley says DNA testing of tree lobsters from three Pacific Islands shows the Lord Howe Island variety is a separate species.

Buckley, of Landcare Research in New Zealand says the surprising result overturns a long-held view that the Lord Howe Island, New Caledonian and New Guinea tree lobsters come from the same evolutionary lineage.

Instead, Buckley and colleagues found the insects represent three independent evolutionary lineages that had developed similarities through convergent evolution."

Hawaiian honeyeaters' long-lost relatives found

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Convergent evolution is one of the patterns that we see in biology that argues that evolution is much more of a constrained process than sometimes recognized.

"Despite appearances, Hawaii's five species of recently extinct songbirds known as honeyeaters bore no close relationship at all to the honeyeaters found in Australia and New Guinea, according to a genetic analysis reported online on December 11th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication. Rather, similarities in the way the two groups of birds act and look – including their long bills and brush-tipped tongues specially adapted for gathering nectar – arose independently in the two geographical regions.

The unexpected discovery makes the two groups of honeyeaters a particularly striking example of convergent evolution, the researchers said. Indeed, the Hawaiian honeyeaters include three distinct "morphotypes," each of which is also represented by honeyeaters of Australasia. Convergent evolution refers to the evolution of similar traits in distantly related taxa as a result of common selective pressures imposed by their environments."

Model unravels rules that govern how genes are switched on and off

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:48:00 +0000

Some evolutionists used to argue that junk DNA was proof that our genome had been constructed sloppily - and is the result of undirected, inefficient processes.

The fact of the matter is that this junk (non-coding) DNA has quite a bit of purpose...

"Since the discovery of DNA's double helical structure more than a half century ago, scientists have focused much of their attention on understanding the 2 percent of the genome that is made up of classic genes, which code for the production of proteins.
However, the instructions for turning these genes on or off are generally not in the genes themselves. Rather, they are buried in the 98 percent of the genome that was once cast aside as little more than genetic "junk."

New Clam-Like Robotic Anchor for Ships

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:41:00 +0000

"Experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been able to use biomimetics (the science that adapts natural features for human use) in order to come out with a small item that would hold ships steady. The device, called RoboClam, is very light and no larger than a cigarette, and imitates the foot of a razor clam, Ensis directus, by rapidly digging itself in the seafloor or anchoring itself to almost anything."

Scientists explore nature’s designs

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:24:00 +0000

The field of biomimicry is bringing to light what many of us design proponents have been saying for years -- that nature contains clear examples of design.

"Both man-made and sponge glass fibers “guide light,” said Aizenberg, but nature does it better. Along the length of a sponge’s glass fiber, spines multiply the efficiency of collecting light from nearby biophosphorescent organisms. “You can think of it as a Christmas tree,” she said. “Not just the tip collects light.”

Venus’ Flower Basket illustrates nature’s grasp of optics, said Aizenberg, but it also offers insight into architecture.

The resilient sponge is made of square cells reinforced by strutlike diagonal buttresses. In fact, a very modern principle of design and civil engineering, she said, “is present in this [cellular] structure.”

Secondary note: While we debate over the mechanisms (Darwinism evolution, supernatural agency, etc), the primary fact is that design exists. Regardless of the mechanism, the naturalist needs to account for this design and the fine tuning that we find in nature.

Scientists at CSHL uncover new RNA processing mechanism and a class of previously unknown small RNAs

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:05:00 +0000

The notion of abundant "junk" DNA has been used to undermine the notion of design. The scientific trend however is that non-coding genetic material has been found to serve important purposes in the cycle of life.

Read the article for more..

"And what of the other 98% of the genome? It has been assumed by many to be genetic junk, a massive accumulation of “code” that evolution has rendered superfluous. Now, however, scientists are discovering that the vast bulk of the DNA in our genomes, while it does not “code” for the specific RNA molecules that serve as templates for protein synthesis, do nevertheless perform various kinds of work."

Ancient Sea Predators Shed Skin Secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Convergent evolution is once again pointed out in the linked article.

"Predatory reptiles called ichthyosaurs cruised the oceans between 230 million and 90 million years ago. In a classic case of convergent evolution, their body and fin shapes resembled those of today's dolphins, tunas, and great white sharks—the fastest swimmers in the sea. A new study shows that the convergence even extended to the molecular composition of the animals' skin."

Development Puts An End To Evolution Of Endless Forms

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:08:00 +0000

The notion that evolution is completely random, that there is no plan or constraint harmonizes well with the atheistic world view. The fact however is that the commonality of convergent evolution suggests that evolution is a highly constrained process.

Simon Conway Morris has described this argumentation in detail in the book "Life's Solution : Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe".

This article discusses the biological factors that contribute to convergent evolution.

"The findings presented in this study also bear directly on issues of convergence (when very different organisms independently evolve similar features). By including a model of development, rather different genotypes can produce very similar phenotypes. Consequently, convergent evolution, which the vast space of genotypes would suggest to be rare, is allowed to become much more common."

"Green" credentials of biotechnology

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:17:00 +0000

In this article, note the reference to biomimicry with respect to bio-cleantech.

"A third area of "bio-cleantech" is adapting the successful engineering found in nature, which usually does things without a lot of energy input and no waste or toxins ("biomimetics").

Bianca added: "Did you know that the geometry of whale fins can provide streamlining benefits if applied to objects moving through a fluid or help reduce the huge amount of pumping energy used in the water industry? Or that spider silk is seven times stronger than steel, and that it is now being mimicked?"

'Living Fossil' Tree Contains Genetic Imprints Of Rain Forests Under Climate Change

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:12:00 +0000

People familiar with origins often overlook the fact that the primary theme in the fossil record is stasis -- that is, most organisms remain the same for very long periods of time.

The tropical tree highlighted in this article is yet another one.

"Symphonia globulifera is a widespread tropical tree with a history that goes back some 45 million years in Africa, said Christopher Dick, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology who is lead author on the paper."

Bug-eyed lens shrinks wide-angle cameras

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Regardless of whether or not the design took place through a slow evolutionary process or a more immediate process, we should all be able to agree with the fact that nature is replete with examples of design. Here's another one.

"A prototype of a tiny bug-eyed camera that provides a field of view six times that of the conventional camera it’s designed to replace has been tested for the first time. The new system, called BugEye, is intended for use on missiles to keep track of targets but is also small enough to be used on endoscopes, giving an improved field of view in keyhole surgery...

Various teams have attempted to build smaller, lighter wide-angle cameras by copying the design of an insect’s eye. Previous attempts had one lens for each pixel of the camera’s sensor, but this limited the resolution, Laycock says."

Oldest Hebrew Text Uncovered By Israeli Archaeologists

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:31:00 +0000

We will have to see where this goes, but this is exciting for the field of biblical archaeology.

"Archaeologists in Israel have reported the finding of the oldest known Hebrew text in a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath.
The Hebrew inscription found on a 3,000-year-old piece of pottery could provide insight that suggests Biblical accounts of the ancient Israelite kingdom of David could have been based on written texts."

Rare 'living fossil' nest found on New Zealand mainland

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:28:00 +0000

There are many creatures that have withstood the evolutionary engine of change. The tuartara is one of them.

"Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), which are unique to New Zealand, are the only survivors of the dinosaur-like reptile species Rhynchocephalia, which became extinct about 60 million years ago and scientists refer to them as "living fossils."

The inner life of mesoorganisms

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:59:00 +0000

According to this article, we can gain design insights from even the small creatures.

"Some of the most ingenious ideas for designing microfluidic systems come from observing plants and animals. A study that quantifies the protein-driven helical flow of liquid in large plant cells, for instance, may well inspire micron-scale liquid mixers and sensors."

Scientists trace molecular origin of proportional development

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:49:00 +0000

In looking at proportional development we see the kind of specificity and complexity that makes arguing for design easy.

"Instead of discounting the variability of the Bicoid gradient among different embryos, we found this noise to be an advantage of the system," said Dr. Ma, also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. "The amount of Bicoid going to small and large embryos all self corrects, so the system is built to be very robust and precise so different cells can be told to become part of the head, or part of something else, in a proportionate manner."

As Sticky as a Gecko ... but Ten Times Stronger!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Scientists are using the gecko foot as a design pattern for adhesives.

"The gecko's amazing ability to stick to surfaces and walk up walls has inspired many researchers to manufacture materials that mimic the special surface of a gecko's foot. The secret behind the gecko's ability to stick so well is a forest of pillars at the micro-/nano-scale on the underside of the gecko's foot. Because there are so many pillars so close together, they are held tightly to the surface the gecko is walking on by a molecular force called the Van der Waals force."

Einstein's relativity survives neutrino test

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:45:00 +0000

The search for new physics (such as string theory) centers around trying to find evidence that relativity fails in particular cases.

These new theories can be exotic and contain many strange elements such as multiple beginnings and multiple universes. To the extent that such constructs exist, the singular beginning of the universe is undermined. However as pointed out in this article, speculators are going to need to wait for another day.

"Physicists working to disprove "Lorentz invariance" -- Einstein's prediction that matter and massless particles will behave the same no matter how they're turned or how fast they go -- won't get that satisfaction from muon neutrinos, at least for the time being, says a consortium of scientists...

The notion of a Lorentz-violating field has become popular among theoretical physicists. Known physical rules do not do a very good job of explaining the cataclysmically chaotic moments immediately following the Big Bang, so some physicists are developing new theories to sort out the mess."

When under attack, plants can signal microbial friends for help

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Life has turned out to be far more complex and sophisticated than we could have ever imagined. Is such complexity a natural outworking of random processes or is it indicative of design? That is the question that many seek to answer.

Here you can read about some of this remarkable complexity in this article about plants.

"Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered that when the leaf of a plant is under attack by a pathogen, it can send out an S.O.S. to the roots for help, and the roots will respond by secreting an acid that brings beneficial bacteria to the rescue.

The finding quashes the misperception that plants are “sitting ducks”--at the mercy of passing pathogens--and sheds new light on a sophisticated signaling system inside plants that rivals the nervous system in humans and animals."

Novel genetic screens provide panoramic views of cellular systems

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:33:00 +0000

Cells have sophisticated backup systems in place to handle scenarios when things go wrong. In particular, there are redundant genes in place to handle situations when problems occur. As pointed out in the article, this failsafe operation presents a problem for traditional and simplistic knock out schemes which are used to understand gene function. However, help is on the way in the form of a new screening technique.

"In a typical RNAi screen, researchers begin with a library of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting specific genes. Each siRNA disrupts the gene's ability to produce a particular protein. Scientists place the siRNAs on thousands of cells, with just one gene being targeted in each well of cells. Then they watch the cells and record changes.
But this approach fails to capture some key players because many genes are redundant. Thus, cells can mask their distress when they lose a single gene by turning to fail-safes with the same function. Perrimon's approach overcomes this obstacle.

"If you take one part out of a plane engine, it still works, but if you take out that part plus its fail-safe, then you're in trouble," explains corresponding author Chris Bakal, a postdoctoral research in the Perrimon lab."

A novel technique for making highly efficient biomimetic devices

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:29:00 +0000

This article describes a fabrication technique that will allow for the modeling of structures based on those that exist in biological organisms.

"Living organisms provide inspiration for innovations in many different fields and for entirely different reasons. Energy is stored in a chemical form by plants with almost 100% efficiency. Animal muscle is an efficient mechanical motor capable of an exquisite degree of control. Transmission of information in the nervous system is more complex than in the largest telephone exchanges. And the problem-solving capabilities of a human brain greatly exceed those of the most powerful supercomputers. In this vein, biological species furnish numerous examples of structures exhibiting multifunctional properties."

Coffin fragment of 'son of the High Priest' found

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:20:00 +0000

Followers of biblical archaeology would be interested in this finding.

"The Bible and other Jewish sources are full of details about the priests and high priests, from the descriptions of their garments as described in the Book of Exodus, to the number of high priests who served in the First and Second Temples. Now archaeology is providing new evidence to show the institution indeed existed: a fragment from the lid of a sarcophagus, bearing the inscription "son of the high priest" in a Second Temple-era script."

Mysterious DNA Found to Survive Eons of Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:17:00 +0000

This is an interesting bit of news. It shows how little we know about genomic change over time. It further illustrates a lack of knowledge when it comes to understanding the purpose of various genomic constructs.

"Scientists have discovered mystery snippets of mammal DNA that have survived eons of evolution and yet have no apparent purpose. The finding reveals just how much we don't know about the secrets hidden in our genome and that of other animals."

Telencephalon Enlargement By The Convergent Evolution Of Expanded Subventricular Zones

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Miller) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:10:00 +0000

Convergence is a theme that I have mentioned in the past. The important thought concerning convergence is that life is a lot more constrained than anticipated. Some argue that this restricted nature argues against an evolution that is completely random in nature.

"Striedter and Charvet show that parrots and songbirds also resemble primates in a key aspect of forebrain development: all three groups of animals have enlarged telencephalic subventricular zones, which contain specialized forebrain progenitor cells.

Striedter and Charvet further suggest that this enlargement of the forebrain's subventricular zone is due to a mechanical constraint arising from the cellular mechanisms governing forebrain development."