WAS IT DESIGNED THE Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina) is one of the most heat-tolerant land animals known. When the midday Saharan sun forces the ant’s predators to seek shade, the ant makes brief forays from its burrow in search of food, which consists of other insects killed by the intense heat. [50] μm Consider: TheContinue reading “The Compound Heat Shield of the Saharan Silver Ant”
Category Archives: science
The Carpenter Ant’s Antenna Cleaner
WAS IT DESIGNED Cleanliness is vital for an insect if it is to fly, climb, and sense its surroundings. For example, dirty antennae reduce an ant’s ability to navigate, communicate, and pick up scents. So “you will never find a dirty insect,” says zoologist Alexander Hackmann. “They’ve figured out how to cope with surface contamination.”Continue reading “The Carpenter Ant’s Antenna Cleaner”
The Ant’s Neck
WAS IT DESIGNED? MECHANICAL ENGINEERS marvel at the ability of a common ant to lift weights many times heavier than its own body. To understand this ability, engineers at Ohio State University, U.S.A., reverse engineered some of the ant’s anatomy, physical properties, and mechanical functions by means of computer models. The models were created usingContinue reading “The Ant’s Neck”
The Honeycomb
WAS IT DESIGNED? HONEYBEES (Apis mellifera) construct their honeycombs with wax secreted from glands found on the underside of their abdomen. The honeycomb is regarded as an engineering marvel. Why? Consider: For centuries, mathematicians suspected that partitions in the shape of hexagons were better than equilateral triangles or squares—or any other shape—for maximizing space with theContinue reading “The Honeycomb”
The Amazing Arm of the Octopus
WAS IT DESIGNED? Robotics engineers are developing equipment to help doctors operate in tight spaces in the body using minimally invasive surgical techniques. One innovation in this field is inspired by the highly flexible arm, or tentacle, of the octopus. Consider: The octopus can grab, hold, and squeeze objects with its eight extendable and flexible arms,Continue reading “The Amazing Arm of the Octopus”
Who Designed It First?
In recent years, scientists and engineers have, in a very real sense, allowed plants and animals to instruct them. (Job 12:7, 8) They are studying and mimicking the design features of various creatures—a field known as biomimetics—in an effort to create new products and improve the performance of existing ones. As you consider the following examples,Continue reading “Who Designed It First?”
The Living Planet
Life on earth could never exist were it not for a series of very fortunate “coincidences,” some of which were unknown or poorly understood until the 20th century. Those coincidences include the following: Earth’s location in the Milky Way galaxy and the solar system, as well as the planet’s orbit, tilt, rotational speed, and unusual moonContinue reading “The Living Planet”
The Brilliant Blue of the Pollia Berry
WAS IT DESIGNED THE small berry of the Pollia condensata plant, found across Africa, exhibits the most intense blue color ever seen in a plant. Yet it has no blue pigment. What is the secret behind its striking color? Consider: The cell walls in the skin of the berry contain tiny threads arranged like rows of matches. TheseContinue reading “The Brilliant Blue of the Pollia Berry”
A Brain Pathologist Explains His Faith
INTERVIEW | RAJESH KALARIA PROFESSOR Rajesh Kalaria, of Newcastle University, England, has studied the human brain for more than 40 years. He used to believe in evolution. But later, he changed his views. Awake! asked him about his work and faith. Please tell us about your religious background. My father was born in India, and my mother,Continue reading “A Brain Pathologist Explains His Faith”
The Horse’s Leg
WAS IT DESIGNED A HORSE (Equus caballus) can gallop at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour (50 km/h). Although this involves considerable mechanical work, relatively little energy is spent. How is this possible? The secret is in the horse’s legs. Consider what occurs when a horse gallops. Elastic muscle-tendon units absorb energy when theContinue reading “The Horse’s Leg”
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