WAS IT DESIGNED?

Microorganisms That Break Down Oil

IN 2010, almost five million barrels (800 million L) of crude oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico after a drilling rig exploded and sank. Yet, within months much of the contamination had disappeared. How was that possible?

Consider: Scientific research has shown that an array of marine bacteria can break down the long-chain carbon molecules present in oil. Professor Terry Hazen, an environmental microbiologist, described these organisms as “oil-seeking missiles.” Such organisms were partly responsible for what took place in the Gulf of Mexico, as described at the outset.

“In a sense, it is no surprise that the seas should host oil-hungry microbes,” says a BBC report on the topic. After all, “natural seeps from the ocean floor have been releasing oil into the world’s waters” for aeons.

Granted, human efforts in cleaning oil spills are productive. Yet, man’s best efforts to clean up oil spills may do more harm than good. Chemical dispersants interfere with natural processes that break down oil. Added to that, such chemicals are toxic and have lasting ill effects on the environment. But nature’s oil-decomposing capacity, including oil-hungry microbes, enables the sea to activate a self-cleansing process without the negative side effects of artificial methods. *

What do you think? Did the oil-devouring property of marine microorganisms come about by chance? Or was it designed?

tacks in France, Kuwait

The bloodshed comes the same day as at least two deadly terrorist attack in other countries.

One person was beheaded and two injured at a gas factory near Lyon in southeastern France, according to French President Francois Hollande. And ISIS has claimed responsibility for an apparent bomb blast at the Shiite-affiliated Al-Sadiq mosque in Kuwait's capital during Friday prayers, leading to a number of death and injuries.

France terror attack 7 photos

EXPAND GALLERY

Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring, saw a relatively peaceful political transition, but this year the North African nation has been the target of two mass-casualty terror attacks on popular tourist destinations.

In March, at least 23 people died when gunmen stormed the landmark Bardo Museum in Tunis. In a subsequent audio statement, ISIS identified two men -- Abu Zakariya al-Tunisi and Abu Anas al-Tunisi -- who it said used "automatic weapons and hand grenades" to kill and injure what it called "crusaders and apostates."

ukaz's blog: Terror attacks on 3 continents, including 27 kille...

ukaz's blog: Terror attacks on 3 continents, including 27 kille...: Terror attacks on 3 continents, including 27 killed at Tunisia hotel (CNN) Gunmen killed at least 27 people at a beachfront Tunisian h...

Terror attacks on 3 continents, including 27 killed at Tunisia hotel

(CNN)Gunmen killed at least 27 people at a beachfront Tunisian hotel on Friday, the same day a terrorist lashed out brutally in France and a mosque in Kuwait was bombed.

Tunisia's interior minister reported the casualties from the attack the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba in Sousse, according to the state-run TAP news agency. At least one gunman has also reportedly been killed.

A woman from Wales told CNN's Robyn Kriel that she saw bloodied bodies lying in the sand and people from neighboring hotels jumping over to fences to get to her hotel. She said she is staying about a mile from the main attack scene, but visitors there still took precautions by putting mattresses up against the door to slow any gunmen who might try to barge in.

The hotel guest said she heard at least 30 seconds of sustained gunfire, though things have become relatively quiet by early afternoon.

On its website, Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba is described as an all-inclusive hotel with views of Port El Kantaoui. It contains indoor and outdoor pools, including one for children, as well as buffet-style and theme restaurants. 

thanks to CNN newsgroup