GOD'S AMAZING SCIENCE:

                                                        THE ARCTIC

                                         GROUND SQUIRREL

The Holy Spirit says: ".,.since the creation of the world His (Gods) invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.,. "-Rom.1:20, God's creation not only reveals how great He is, but also His omniscience, omnipotence, and His wisdom and ingenuity! One of the most ingenious examples of design in the cosmos is the ability of living things to adjust to extremely harsh environments. Animal life can exist in the deepest of oceans, on the tops of the highest mountains, in the extreme heat of geyser pools, and in the extreme cold of the Arctic.

      An astonishing discovery of recent years has been found in the study of Arctic ground squirrels by Byron Barns, of the Fairbanks, Alaska, Institute of Arctic Biology. While studying the way in which these arctic squirrels survive in extremely cold temperatures, he has
found that they are unique in how they naturally reduce body temperatures. There is much interest in this study because these animals are able to reduce their body temperature to far below freezing without damaging their internal organs. The possible applications to human medicine is tremendous. Already, preserving human organs for organ transplants has prompted enormous amount of discussion about Barns' work.

  . What Mr. Barns found was that the squirrel's body temperatures dropped to 27° as they hibernated. About every three weeks they would temporarily wake up to eliminate body waste. At this time their body temperatures would rise to their normal 99°. A hibernating bear's temperature drops only 9°, and studies with other creatures show only slight to moderate degree differences; but with this squirrel, body temperatures drop from a normal 99° to below the freezing point of water.

      Studies of certain fish in arctic waters have found that there is a kind of antifreeze in the bloodstream. This allows these fish to survive in water that would normally kill other living things. Studies on these Arctic squirrels do not find any such material.. There is some kind of process that is not presently understood as far as the nature of the materials that make up the squirrel's bloodstream is concerned. These animals supercooling mechanism remains a mystery. Studies on the impressive and venerable Marmot are showing similar conclusions.

      This is simply another example of our Creator's omniscience in knowing what certain creatures would need to exist in certain hostile environments, anywhere on this earth. It also reveals to us His omnipotence in making it possible.

                                                        God's Creation is Truly Awesome. Praise be to God!
                                                                Source: Discover Magazine. Nov 1989, via "Does God Exist" \ adapted-LE