A Picture Window on the Eocene
A review of the book, Messel: An Insight Into the History of Life and of the Earth. Messel is a pit in a deposit of oil shale in Germany with many finely preserved Eocene fossils. Published in Origins v. 22, n. 1.
A review of the book, Messel: An Insight Into the History of Life and of the Earth. Messel is a pit in a deposit of oil shale in Germany with many finely preserved Eocene fossils. Published in Origins v. 22, n. 1.
A collection of short commentaries on scientific papers published in 1991, covering topics such as Permian trees, molecular genetics, epigenetics, inheritance of paternal mtDNA, water and formation of petroleum, water in mantle rocks, impacts, Ordovician volcanism, molecular phylogenies of ratites, termites, cichlids and sabertooths, osteocalcin in dinosaur bones, fossil flowers, origin of life, Precambrian predation, stromatolites, Cambrian Explosion, quality of fossil record, rapid speciation, tree biogeography, Miocene ape, fossil dermopteran, Asian marsupial, dinosaurs, mammal-like reptile. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 2.
A review of the book, The Early Evolution of Metazoa and the Significance of Problematic Taxa. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 2.
Microorganisms can exist in rocks several kilometers below the surface of the earth. Recently a number of reports indicate that these organisms are much more common than previously surmised and that vast regions of the underworld may be inhabited. Published in Origins v. 19, n. 2.
Biomolecules decompose rapidly enough they are not expected to last for millions of years. Discovery of biomolecules in fossils is difficult to reconcile with the purported ages of these fossils, and suggests the ages are much younger, as expected in a biblical worldview. Published in Origins v. 18, n. 2.
A collection of short commentaries on scientifc papers published in 1991, covering topics such as phylogenies, origin of life, Precambrian fossils, polar dinosaurs, fossil turtles, Lysan finch, ecological gradients and the fossil record. Published in Origins v. 18, n. 1.
A review of the book, Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History. The book describes the history of discovery of the Burgess Shale fossils and their classification. Published in Origins v. 17, n. 1.
Fossil reefs from Silurian and Devonian sediments in the Great Lakes region of the United States are compared with a modern reef in Florida. The fossil reefs differ significantly from modern reefs by lacking the framework of corals that are characteristic of modern reefs. Instead, the fossil reefs look more like carbonate mud mounds. Published in Origins v. 14, n. 2.
Claims that human and dinosaur footprints are found together in the Paluxy River of Texas have been retracted. Creationists must be careful to check the validity of the claims they make. Published in Origins v. 14, n. 1.
Archaeopteryx has traits of both birds and reptiles, and has long been accepted as a fossil intermediate. Recently, the charge has been presented that Archaeopteryx is a forgery rather than a legitimate fossil. This has resulted in much research into the nature of the fossils of Archaeopteryx. Published in Origins v. 13, n. 1.
Vitamin C is important in vertebrate physiology, but is acquired in different ways. Some mammals and perching birds do not synthesize it and must get it in their diet. Most other mammals and birds synthesize vitamin C, in their kidneys, the livers, or both. The pattern of synthesizing sometimes follows taxonomic patterns and sometimes not. Published in Origins v. 12, n. 2.
Animals with high metabolic rates (birds and mammals) are capable of greater work output (speed, etc) but are restricted in size and shape in order to avoid losing too much body heat. Reptiles and amphibians have lower metabolic rates, and can survive at much smaller sizes and elongated shapes than birds or mammals. This is interpreted as a result of design for a diverse ecosystem. Published in Origins v. 9, n. 2.
A review of the book, Ecological Biogeography of Australia. An exhaustive review of the geology, flora nad fauna of Australia. Published in Origins v. 8, n. 2.
In the early sixties, Clifford Burdick claimed to have discovered pollen of modern plant in Precambrian rocks. Dr. Chadwick has not been able to confirm Burdick's findings, however, he does point out that this type of irregularity has been reported by several traditional geologists and that these findings pose a challenge to one of evolution's fundamental tenets.
A fossil bird from Argentina is now regarded as the largest known flying bird. Published in Origins v. 7, n. 2.
Changes in the distributions of fossil beetles in Pleistocene sediments provide further evidence that significant climatic change has taken place in post-flood times. Published in Origins v. 7, n. 2.
The normal accumulation of organic debris and the subsequent formation of humus and true soil which proceeds relentlessly on modern growth surfaces does not readily account for several of the phenomena seen in the organic levels of Yellowstone. Published in Origins v. 6, n. 2.
Coral reefs take time to grow, and some have questioned whether certain coral reefs could have grown to their present size in the time since the Flood. Evidence reported here indicates that rates of coral reef growth are quite variable, depending on water temperature, carbonate concentration, and depth. At the surface, ultraviolet light inhibits coral growth, so surficial measurements of coral growth are not a good basis for estimating rates of growth. Under ideal conditions, coral is capable of growing fast enough to produce present coral reefs in the time since the Flood. Published in Origins v. 6, n. 2.
The Coconino Sandstone has traditionally been interpreted as wind-deposited, but fossil trackways in this formation point to underwater deposition. Published in Origins v. 5, n. 2.
A review of the book, Variation and Fixity in Nature. The nature of created kinds (baramins) is discussed and evaluated. Published in Origins v. 4, n. 2.