Stars, Cells, and God

Hugh and Brian discuss research on the polarization signals in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR)—the radiation left over from the cosmic creation event—that Brian conducted on the BICEP, BICEP2, POLARBEAR2, and Simons Array telescopes. They also discuss the significance of the polarization signals in establishing what kind of inflation event occurred at the tiniest fraction of a second after the universe’s beginning and the ongoing quest to gather more data on the polarization of the CMBR as a tool to learn more about the beginning and design of the universe. Brian also briefly describes his spiritual journey: a member of a Catholic church during his youth, becoming an atheist, and now a devout Jew in practice but an agnostic in belief. Links and Resources: Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science’s Highest Honor Into the Impossible: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner

Join Hugh Ross in this breaking News of the Day episode of Stars, Cells, and God. Hugh describes the first accurate dating of the beginning and end of the Sturtian snowball event—which covered over 80% of Earth’s surface with thick ice—and how this precise timing made advanced life possible. Previous attempts to date the Sturtian snowball event were based on five or less detrital zircons. Geologists recovered more than 2,000 detrital zircons from the Port Askaig Formation in Scotland, where advancing and retreating glaciers had not eroded away the historical record of the Sturtian. In the words of lead author Elias J. Rugen, “by some miracle the transition can be seen.” Uranium-lead isotope measurements of the zircons yielded radiometric dates for when the sedimentary layers in the Port Askaig Formation transitioned from warm tropical to cold glacial conditions and back again. The uranium-lead derived ages showed that the Sturtian snowball event lasted from 720 to 663 million years ago. The Sturtian event dramatically reduced carbon dioxide and dramatically increased oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere. If the Sturtian event had occurred any earlier, then the Sun would have been too dim to prevent Earth from being permanently covered with ice. On the other hand, if the Sturtian event had occurred any later, then the brighter Sun would have shortened the duration and limited the ice coverage, resulting in too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere, ruling out the possibility of advanced life. Links and Resources: Glacially Influenced Provenance and Sturtian Affinity Revealed by Detrital Zircon U–Pb Ages from Sandstones in the Port Askaig Formation, Dalradian Supergroup Hugh Ross, Designed to the Core, 218–220.

RTB president Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Dr. Steve Willing, a seasoned neuroradiologist, tackle the sensitive and pivotal topic of transgenderism through a biblical perspective. From the philosophical and scientific considerations to the profound implications for society and individuals, join us as they navigate through this complex terrain with respect, compassion, and a commitment to seeking the truth in the pursuit of a better understanding of God’s design for humanity. Transgenderism Through a Medical and Biblical Lens Reasons to Believe explores this topic not only to shed light on the scientific underpinnings of gender identity, but also to provide a comprehensive understanding rooted in biblical teachings. This initiative stems from a commitment to offer credible, trustworthy insights amid a landscape fraught with controversy and differing perspectives. Fuz and Steve discuss the definitions of transgenderism and the evolving medical and societal landscapes, and they address critical questions surrounding gender identity. They examine recent studies and societal shifts that help explain why gender identity has become a leading issue in contemporary discourse. Disclaimer: Reasons to Believe is expressing our Christian beliefs on the issue of gender identity in the intersection of science and faith, as it’s an important discussion and many people have valid questions. This research showcases the expertise of select members of the Reasons to Believe Scholar Community on matters of gender identity. RTB is not offering medical or other professional advice. People need to consult with their own physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. We want to see everyone make informed, educated decisions. Links and Resources: A Scientific and Medical Evaluation of Transgenderism Transgenderism and the Bible

Join Hugh Ross in this breaking News of the Day episode of Stars, Cells, and God. Hugh describes how the latest measurements of cosmic baryon acoustic oscillations shed light on the true nature of dark energy and may resolve the tension between measurements of the cosmic expansion rate (Hubble constant) based on nearby galaxies with measurements based on the cosmic microwave background radiation and extremely distant galaxies.  Some of the Hubble constant tension is resolved by the fact that our galaxy resides in an under-dense part of the universe. The remaining tension can be resolved if (1) the curvature of the universe slightly departs from a flat geometry, (2) the dark energy equation of state slightly varies as the universe ages, and/or (3) systematic errors in expansion rate measurements based on Cepheid variable stars are greater than they are for the tip of the red giant branch stars. The Dark Energy Survey Collaboration (DESC) analyzed 1,829 type Ia supernovae with distances spanning 0.14–10.92 billion light-years calibrated by the most extensive survey of baryon acoustic oscillations. The DESC found that systematic errors in Cepheid variable star measures are a significant factor in the Hubble constant tension. The DESC showed that the latest survey of baryon acoustic oscillations revealed a slight variation in the dark energy equation of state. The Euclid telescope will soon map baryon acoustic oscillations to a far greater extent, which will provide a definitive resolution of the Hubble constant tension. Links and Resources: The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program: An Updated Measurement of the Hubble Constant Using the Inverse Distance Ladder The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program: Investigating Beyond—ΛLCDM Resolving Hubble Constant and Creation Tension

Gender Identity and Medical Ethics There’s still much to explore regarding the ethical implications of gender identity and medical interventions. In this insightful dialogue, biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and medical doctor Christina Cirucci discuss what puberty blockers are, their use in gender-affirming healthcare, and their reversibility and safety. Through her work and research with RTB, Dr. Cirucci raises thought-provoking questions that challenge Christians to consider their stance on issues such as: What are the undisclosed risks associated with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in children and adolescents? What roles do parents and medical professionals play in decisions concerning gender identity care? How do Christian ethics shape our understanding of gender identity and medical interventions? Central to our discussion is the biblical concept that every human bears God’s image, underscoring their inherent dignity and worth. We emphasize the necessity of accurate and reliable information regarding gender identity care and advocate for compassionate, informed, and respectful responses. Disclaimer: Reasons to Believe is expressing our Christian beliefs on the issues of gender identity in the intersection of science and faith, as it’s an important discussion and many people have valid questions. This research showcases the expertise of select members of the Reasons to Believe Scholar Community on matters of gender identity. RTB is not offering medical or other professional advice. Individuals still need to consult with their own physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. Our desire is to see everyone make informed, educated decisions. Links and Resources A Scientific and Medical Evaluation of Transgenderism Transgenderism and the Bible

Himalayan Snow Warming Three physicists used data collected from 165 stations in the Himalayan-Tibetan region and a regional climate model to determine the effect of black carbon aerosols (BCAs) on the climate of South Asia. Their analysis revealed warming at high elevations due to BCAs. Such atmospheric heating reduces the global mean precipitation, which impacts the summer monsoons in South Asia. Thus, all of South Asia is facing a climate change crisis with both dire economic and health consequences. In this episode, astrophysicist Hugh Ross explains that replacing coal and biofuels with natural gas as an energy source is the quickest and most economical solution to South Asia’s climate crisis.    Stabilizing Continents Continents play a critical role in Earth’s capacity to support a thriving and diverse array of life. Scientific studies show that some present-day continents formed at least 3 billion years ago. Those studies have assumed that the same process responsible for how our continents look today also ensured their stability. However, a recent paper highlights some important processes needed for large pieces of continents to stick around for billions of years. In this episode, astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink discusses how those processes reveal more fine-tuning of Earth to support life. Links and Resources: Subaerial Weathering Drove Stabilization of Continents Elevation-Dependence of Warming Due to Aerosol-Induced Snow Darkening over the Himalayan-Tibetan Region Climate-Relevant Properties of Black Carbon Aerosols Revealed by In Situ Measurements: A Review

Discover the latest breakthroughs in astronomy, including the stunning imaging of black holes. Explore the mysteries of cosmic expansion rates and how they may challenge current physics. Delve into gravitational lensing's role in uncovering type 1a supernovae and the implications for our understanding of the universe's age. The relationship between supermassive black holes and quantum gravity is examined, alongside the challenges of funding cosmic exploration. Finally, learn about the quiet power of Sagittarius A* and its cosmic influence.

Nature-Inspired Designs One of the most exciting areas of science and engineering is biomimetics and bioinspiration. Scientists and engineers working in this field develop new technology and solve engineering problems by studying and copying biological designs. In this episode biochemist Fuz Rana and special guest Casey Luskin, associate director of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, discuss recent findings in biomimetics and bioinspiration and explore the implications of this work for the design argument. Links and Resources: Effect of Schooling on Flow Generated Sounds from Carangiform Swimmers Bioinspired Multiscale Adaptive Suction on Complex Dry Surfaces Enhanced by Regulated Water Secretion Geometric Design of Antireflective Leafhopper Brochosomes Spider Silk Inspires New Technology and the Case for a Creator

A New Organelle? A team of life scientists has claimed to discover a new organelle (called a nitroplast) that fixes nitrogen. It looks like this organelle evolved from an endosymbiont that assumed permanent residence in a eukaryotic cell. If so, this discovery provides support for the endosymbiont hypothesis, challenging the notion that a Creator is responsible for life’s origin and design. In this episode, biochemist Fuz Rana describes this work and its significance to life’s history, and offers a critical assessment of the study’s conclusion. Atmospheric Oxygenation An international team of 17 scientists has proposed that a dramatic weakening of Earth’s magnetic field caused an oxygen level jump 575 million years ago. They showed that a much weaker magnetic field would cause solar particles to split apart water molecules in Earth’s atmosphere into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen would escape to interplanetary space, leaving the oxygen to accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere. They demonstrated that that the magnetic field decline is sufficient to explain most of the rapid oxygen rise (from 2% to 8%) that occurred at the time of the Avalon explosion, which marked the first appearance of macroscopic animals. In this episode, Hugh Ross explains that the transition of Earth’s core from being 100% liquid to where a solid inner core begins to form would explain the dramatic weakening of Earth’s magnetic field—and the minimum oxygen level needed for complex life—that occurred 0.6 million years ago. Links and Resources: Near-Collapse of the Geomagnetic Field May Have Contributed to Atmospheric Oxygenation and Animal Radiation in the Ediacaran Period Designed to the Core, 183–197 Nitrogen-Fixing Organelle in a Marine Alga Mitochondrial Protein Import Advances the Case for Creation

Join Fazale “Fuz” Rana in this breaking News of the Day episode of Stars, Cells, and God. Fuz reports on the work by a research team from Tianjin University in China, who, recently stole headlines when they announced that they developed a chip that used human brain tissue to control a robotics system. This remarkable breakthrough (called organoid intelligence) generates excitement and also raises some profound ethical and theological questions. In this episode Fuz explains: How this technology works Why researchers are pursuing the development of biocomputing and organoid intelligence Ethical concerns associated with this work Christian perspective on organoid intelligence Links and Resources: Lab-Grown Human Brain Tissue Used to Control Robot Organoid Intelligence (OI): The New Frontier in Biocomputing and Intelligence-in-a Dish A Christian Perspective on Living Electrodes Brain Organoids Cultivate the Case for Human Exceptionalism