A unique visual guide to human evolution that brings you face to face with our ancient ancestors.Illustrated throughout with amazingly realistic model reconstructions by world-renowned Dutch paleoartists Kennis and Kennis.Draws on cutting-edge research and the latest theories to explain the science, explore our relationship to other primates, and chart our journey out of Africa to colonize and settle the world.

    Seeing Trees celebrates seldom seen but easily observable tree traits and invites you to watch trees with the same care and sensitivity that birdwatchers watch birds. Many people, for example, are surprised to learn that oaks and maples have flowers, much less flowers that are astonishingly beautiful when viewed up close. Focusing on widely grown trees, this captivating book describes the rewards of careful and regular tree viewing, outlines strategies for improving your observations, and describes some of the most visually interesting tree structures, including leaves, flowers, buds, leaf scars, twigs, and bark. In-depth profiles of ten familiar species—including such beloved trees as white oak, southern magnolia, white pine, and tulip poplar—show you how to recognize and understand many of their most compelling (but usually overlooked) physical features.

    Lavishly illustrated with engravings, woodcuts, and original drawings and diagrams, Sciencia will inspire readers of all ages to take an interest in the interconnected knowledge of the modern sciences.Beautifully produced in thirteen different colors of ink, Sciencia is an essential reference and an elegant gift.Wooden Books was founded in 1999 by designer John Martineau near Hay-on-Wye. The aim was to produce a beautiful series of recycled books based on the classical philosophies, arts and sciences. Using the Beatrix Potter formula of text facing picture pages, and old-styles fonts, along with hand-drawn illustrations and 19th century engravings, the books are designed not to date. Small but stuffed with information. Eco friendly and educational. Big ideas in a tiny space. There are over 1,000,000 Wooden Books now in print worldwide and growing.

    Inspired by his own experiences working as an infectious diseases physician in Africa, Jacques Pepin looks back to the early twentieth-century events in Africa that triggered the emergence of HIV/AIDS and traces its subsequent development into the most dramatic and destructive epidemic of modern times. He shows how the disease was first transmitted from chimpanzees to man and then how urbanization, prostitution, and large-scale colonial medical campaigns intended to eradicate tropical diseases combined to disastrous effect to fuel the spread of the virus from its origins in Leopoldville to the rest of Africa, the Caribbean and ultimately worldwide. This is an essential new perspective on HIV/AIDS and on the lessons that must be learnt if we are to avoid provoking another pandemic in the future.

    Chapters on the structure and ecology of tree bark, descriptions of bark appearance, an easy-to-use identification key, and supplemental information on non-bark characteristics—all enhanced by over 450 photographs, illustrations, and maps—will show you how to distinguish the textures, shapes, and colors of bark to recognize various tree species, and also understand why these traits evolved. Whether you’re a professional naturalist or a parent leading a family hike, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast is your essential guide to the region’s 67 native and naturalized tree species.

    Once a remote sanctuary for enormous flocks of seabirds, the island gained a new name when shipwrecked rats colonized, savaging the nesting birds by the thousands. Now, on this and hundreds of other remote islands around the world, a massive-and massively controversial-wildlife rescue mission is under way.Islands, making up just 3 percent of Earth's landmass, harbor more than half of its endangered species. These fragile ecosystems, home to unique species that evolved in peaceful isolation, have been catastrophically disrupted by mainland predators-rats, cats, goats, and pigs ferried by humans to islands around the globe. To save these endangered islanders, academic ecologists have teamed up with professional hunters and semiretired poachers in a radical act of conservation now bent on annihilating the invaders. Sharpshooters are sniping at goat herds from helicopters. Biological SWAT teams are blanketing mountainous isles with rat poison. Rat Island reveals a little-known and much-debated side of today's conservation movement, founded on a cruel-to-be-kind philosophy.Touring exotic locales with a ragtag group of environmental fighters, William Stolzenburg delivers both perilous adventure and intimate portraits of human, beast, hero, and villain. And amid manifold threats to life on Earth, he reveals a new reason to hope.

    Wilson’s view? Recording observations in the field is an indispensable scientific skill, but researchers are not generally willing to share their personal records with others. Here, for the first time, are reproductions of actual pages from notebooks. And in essays abounding with fascinating anecdotes, the authors reflect on the contexts in which the notes were taken.Covering disciplines as diverse as ornithology, entomology, ecology, paleontology, anthropology, botany, and animal behavior, Field Notes offers specific examples that professional naturalists can emulate to fine-tune their own field methods, along with practical advice that amateur naturalists and students can use to document their adventures.

    Over 3.5 billion years of natural history have evolved innumerable examples of forms, systems, and processes that we can now apply beneficially to modern green design.Aimed at architects, urban designers and product designers, Biomimicry in Architecture looks to the natural world to seek clues as to how we can achieve radical increases in resource efficiency. Packed with inspiring case studies predicting future trends, the principal chapters look in turn at: structural efficiency; material manufacture; zero-waste systems; water; energy generation; the thermal environment; and biomimetic products.Together, it is an amazing sourcebook of extraordinary design solutions to equip us for the challenges of building a sustainable and restorative future.

    From the basic building blocks like Cell, DNA, and Protein, to Bones, Muscles, and all of the fun-loving Organs, readers will cozy up with the guys on the inside. Trust us-Liver has never looked better!

    In fact, in just the twenty years since publication of the first edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, the number of species has risen by almost 150, including 19 marine invaders and 16 newly established nonnative species. This second edition incorporates all of these new species, plus all-new maps and a collection of new and revised plates. Some of the species can be told apart only by minute differences in coloration or shape, and these beautifully illustrated plates reveal exactly how to distinguish each species. The guide includes detailed maps and information showing where to locate each species of fish—whether that species can be found in miles-long stretches of river or small pools that cover only dozens of square feet. The ichthyologic world of the twenty-first century is not the same as it was in the twentieth, and this brand-new edition of the definitive field guide to freshwater fishes reflects these many changes.

    An essential workbook that will appeal to all students of anatomy, "The Human Body Coloring Book" takes an interactive approach to human anatomy that will help users learn, understand, and revisit the subject with ease.Drawing on an unparalleled library of state-of-the-art specialist anatomical illustrations, "The Human Body Coloring Book" is structured system by system for ease of use, with comprehensive coverage of the human body from cell to system."The Human Body Coloring Book" is a unique study aid that provides students with an innovative approach to learning, while the opportunity to self-test maximizes the ability to recall knowledge.

    The Human Genome Project finished sequencing human DNA. It seemed it was only a matter of time until we had all the answers to the secrets of life on this planet. The cutting-edge of biology, however, is telling us that we still don't even know all of the questions. How is it that, despite each cell in your body carrying exactly the same DNA, you don't have teeth growing out of your eyeballs or toenails on your liver? How is it that identical twins share exactly the same DNA and yet can exhibit dramatic differences in the way that they live and grow? It turns out that cells read the genetic code in DNA more like a script to be interpreted than a mould that replicates the same result each time. This is epigenetics and it's the fastest-moving field in biology today. The Epigenetics Revolution traces the thrilling path this discipline has taken over the last twenty years. Biologist Nessa Carey deftly explains such diverse phenomena as how queen bees and ants control their colonies, why tortoiseshell cats are always female, why some plants need a period of cold before they can flower, why we age, develop disease and become addicted to drugs, and much more. Most excitingly, Carey reveals the amazing possibilities for humankind that epigenetics offers for us all - and in the surprisingly near future.

    Each entry includes information on the plant's native habitat, its cultivation requirements, and its horticultural potential. As useful to novice growers as to collectors and those with an existing interest in succulents, this will be the standard reference for years to come.

    We are most familiar with the viruses that give us colds or the flu, but viruses also cause a vast range of other diseases, including one disorder that makes people sprout branch-like growths as if they were trees. Viruses have been a part of our lives for so long, in fact, that we are actually part virus: the human genome contains more DNA from viruses than our own genes. Meanwhile, scientists are discovering viruses everywhere they look: in the soil, in the ocean, even in caves miles underground.This fascinating book explores the hidden world of viruses—a world that we all inhabit. Here Carl Zimmer, popular science writer and author of Discover magazine’s award-winning blog The Loom, presents the latest research on how viruses hold sway over our lives and our biosphere, how viruses helped give rise to the first life-forms, how viruses are producing new diseases, how we can harness viruses for our own ends, and how viruses will continue to control our fate for years to come. In this eye-opening tour of the frontiers of biology, where scientists are expanding our understanding of life as we know it, we learn that some treatments for the common cold do more harm than good; that the world’s oceans are home to an astonishing number of viruses; and that the evolution of HIV is now in overdrive, spawning more mutated strains than we care to imagine.The New York Times Book Review calls Carl Zimmer “as fine a science essayist as we have.” A Planet of Viruses is sure to please his many fans and further enhance his reputation as one of America’s most respected and admired science journalists.

    The first DNA activation in the “revolutionary healing science” (NEXUS) of the Regenetics Method, Potentiation employs linguistic codes—produced vocally and mentally—to stimulate a self-healing and transformational ability in DNA.In this masterful exploration of sound healing by bestselling author Sol Luckman (CONSCIOUS HEALING), learn how to activate your genetic potential—in a single, 30-minute session!Besides teaching you a technique you can perform for your family, friends and even pets, POTENTIATE YOUR DNA also: 1) provides tried and true supplemental tools for maximizing your results; and 2) outlines a pioneering theory linking genetics, energy, and consciousness.NOTE: Potentiation uses the Solfeggio note “Mi.” Although some readers will be attracted solely to the leading-edge theoretical and scientific material herein, those desirous to “potentiate” themselves will need the Mi tuning fork, which can be ordered online through the Phoenix Center for Regenetics.

    Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was the gods’ bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic catfish that carried the world on its back—earthquakes occurred each time it flipped its tail. These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality—science.Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education’s most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world—and the universe beyond—that will entertain and inform for years to come.

    Today there are few, if any, places on Earth where fungi have not found themselves a home. And these highly specialized organisms are an indispensable part of the great chain of life. They not only partner in symbiotic relationships with over ninety percent of the world’s trees and flowering plant species, they also recycle and create humus, the fertile soil from which such flora receive their nutrition. Some fungi are parasites or saprotrophs; many are poisonous and, yes, hallucinogenic; others possess life-enhancing properties that can be tapped for pharmaceutical products; while a delicious few are prized by epicureans and gourmands worldwide.In this lavishly illustrated volume, six hundred fungi from around the globe get their full due. Each species here is reproduced at its actual size, in full color, and is accompanied by a scientific explanation of its distribution, habitat, association, abundance, growth form, spore color, and edibility. Location maps give at-a-glance indications of each species’ known global distribution, and specially commissioned engravings show different fruitbody forms and provide the vital statistics of height and diameter. With information on the characteristics, distinguishing features, and occasionally bizarre habits of these fungi, readers will find in this book the common and the conspicuous, the unfamiliar and the odd. There is a fungal predator, for instance, that hunts its prey with lassos, and several that set traps, including one that entices sows by releasing the pheromones of a wild boar.Mushrooms, morels, puffballs, toadstools, truffles, chanterelles—fungi from habitats spanning the poles and the tropics, from the highest mountains to our own backyards—are all on display in this definitive work.

    Presents the inside stories of these pioneers' struggles to have their work accepted, which can inform strategies for tackling current crises in infectious diseases and motivate and support today's scientists. Relevant to anyone interested in microbiology, infectious disease, or how medical discoveries shape our modern understanding

    The guy was Flip Nicklin’s father, Chuck, and the whale was an unlucky Bryde’s Whale that had gotten caught up in some anchor line. Hoping to free the whale, Chuck and some friends took their boat as near as they could, and, just before they cut it loose, Chuck posed astride it for a photo. That image, carried on wire services nationwide, became a sensation and ultimately changed the life of Chuck’s young son, Flip. In the decades since that day, Flip Nicklin has made himself into the world’s premier cetacean photographer. It’s no exaggeration to say that his photos, published in such venues as National Geographic and distributed worldwide, have virtually defined these graceful, powerful creatures in the mind of the general public—even as they helped open new ground in the field of marine mammalogy. Among Giants tells the story of Nicklin’s life and career on the high seas, from his first ill-equipped shoots in the mid-1970s through his long association with the National Geographic Society to the present, when he is one of the founders of Whale Trust, a nonprofit conservation and research group. Nicklin is equal parts photographer, adventurer, self-trained scientist, and raconteur, and Among Giants reflects all those sides, matching breathtaking images to firsthand accounts of their making, and highlighting throughout the importance of conservation and new advances in our understanding of whale behavior. With Nicklin as our guide, we see not just whales but also our slowly growing understanding of their hidden lives, as well as the evolution of underwater photography—and the stunning clarity and drama that can be captured when a determined, daring diver is behind the lens. Humpbacks, narwhals, sperm whales, orcas—these and countless other giants of the ocean parade through these pages, spouting, breaching, singing, and raising their young. Nicklin’s photographs bring us so completely into the underwater world of whales that we can’t help but feel awe, while winning, personal accounts of his adventures remind us of what it’s like to be a lone diver sharing their sea. For anyone who has marveled at the majesty of whales in the wild, Among Giants is guaranteed to be inspiring, even moving—its unmatched images of these glorious beings an inescapable reminder of our responsibility as stewards of the ocean.

    

    The Optics of Life introduces the fundamentals of optics to biologists and nonphysicists, giving them the tools they need to successfully incorporate optical measurements and principles into their research. Sönke Johnsen starts with the basics, describing the properties of light and the units and geometry of measurement. He then explores how light is created and propagates and how it interacts with matter, covering topics such as absorption, scattering, fluorescence, and polarization. Johnsen also provides a tutorial on how to measure light as well as an informative discussion of quantum mechanics.The Optics of Life features a host of examples drawn from nature and everyday life, and several appendixes that offer further practical guidance for researchers. This concise book uses a minimum of equations and jargon, explaining the basic physics of light in a succinct and lively manner. It is the essential primer for working biologists and for anyone seeking an accessible introduction to optics.

    Authoritative yet accessible, the book includes fact boxes, timelines, maps, and diagrams that explore the beginnings of life on Earth, investigates early eras and life forms, and examines the world of the dinosaurs...their homes, food, young, and family lives. With content that is completely up to date and includes the latest discoveries and interpretations of prehistoric life, this is a comprehensive exploration of dinosaurs during their 180 million plus years of existence.

    These microscopic algae and the tiny animals that eat them float freely in the sunlit surface of the sea, where they underpin the whole marine food chain, provide the world with oxygen, and play an essential role in the global carbon cycle. Richard Kirby's high-magnification photographs and informative text bring out the beauty and variety of forms in the plankton, and explain how global change and rising sea temperatures are affecting this complex world with ramifications for the ecology of our entire planet.

    Culture, unlike race, is not a compulsory accident of birth, but an intellectual position. Today culture has a powerful new vector: the internet. Ideas - from a YouTube video to a viral marketing phenomenon or a fundamentalist religion - are travelling further and faster, and changing the cultural landscape like never before. In a new electronic democracy of ideas, cultural power is devolving to the creative individual. We will soon all have the means to create; we just have to decide whether it be art or bombs. In our symbol-drenched lives we desperately need a way of decoding the messages that bombard us. Written and designed by Rian Hughes, CULT-URE is the culmination of a decade's research into why and how we communicate. CULT-URE provides a thought-provoking exploration into media convergence within our digital age and an insider's guide into the changing nature of communications, perceptions and identities. Set to become a cult publication for the digital generation, CULT-URE is the 21st century answer to Marshall McLuhan's seminal The Medium is the Message. CULT-URE is your thought-provoking guide to surviving the new media revolution, and a potent inoculation against infection by dangerous ideas.

    Accomplished biochemist and Christian apologist details the science behind the quest for artificial life and equips Christians to defend the Creator God.

    Children and adults will enjoy learning about the various systems of the body and their particular functions. Then they can get creative, coloring in the detailed illustrations of those systems. With more than 85 illustrations to color, it's easy to understand what goes on inside you!

    With a depth and drama that arise from personal involvement, the book explores an exceptionally wide range of science-related matters: the relation between electrical energy and life; the influence of corporate and military power on science; the role of self-interest on the part of federal and state agencies that deal with human health, especially the NIH and the FDA; the importance of cross-examining scientific experts in legal hearings; the erroneous view of nature that results when the perspective of physics is extended into biology; the pivotal role of deterministic chaos theory in at least some cognitive processes. These matters arise in the long course of the author's scientific and legal activities involving the complex debate over the health risks of man-made environmental electromagnetic fields. The book offers far more than a solution to the contentious health issue. The story provides a portal into how science actually works, which you will see differs dramatically from the romantic notion of an objective search for truth. You will understand that science is a human enterprise, all too human, inescapably enmeshed in uncertainty. This realization has the potential to change your life because it will likely affect whom you choose to believe, and with what degree of confidence.

    This package contains the following products: 9780781775250 Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy9780781791939 Gould Clinical Anatomy for Your Pocket

    Paul L. Kaufman, Albert Alm, Leonard A Levin, Siv F. E. Nilsson, James Ver Hoeve, and Samuel Wu present the 11th Edition of the classic text Adler's Physiology of the Eye, updated to enhance your understanding of ocular function. This full-color, user-friendly edition captures the latest molecular, genetic, and biochemical discoveries and offers you unparalleled knowledge and insight into the physiology of the eye and its structures. A new organization by function, rather than anatomy, helps you make a stronger connection between physiological principles and clinical practice; and more than 1,000 great new full-color illustrations help clarify complex concepts. You can also access the complete contents online at www.expertconsult.com.Deepen your grasp of the physiological principles that underlie visual acuity, color vision, ocular circulation, the extraocular muscle, and much more.Glean the latest knowledge in the field, including the most recent molecular, genetic, and biochemical discoveries.Make a stronger connection between physiology and clinical practice with the aid of an enhanced clinical emphasis throughout, as well as a new organization by function rather than by anatomy.Better visualize all concepts by viewing 1,000 clear, full-color illustrations.Access the complete contents online at expertconsult.com. The new and improved Adler's makes mastering the basic science of the eye engaging and easy

    The species are described in richly detailed accounts that include range maps, lifelike color paintings by Robert C. Stebbins, clear drawings of various life stages including eggs, notes on natural history, and conservation status. Easy-to-use keys for every order help identify species, and informative chapters cover more general topics including evolution, habitat loss, and photography. Throughout, anecdotes and observations reveal new insights into the lives of California’s abundant but often hidden amphibians and reptiles.

    Genes group together in cells, cells group together in organisms, and organisms group together in societies. Even different species form mutualistic partnerships. Throughout the history of life, previously independent units have formed groups that, in time, have come to resemble individuals in their own right. Evolutionary biologists term such events "the major transitions." The process common to them all is social evolution. Each transition occurs only if natural selection favors one unit joining with another in a new kind of group. This book presents a fresh synthesis of the principles of social evolution that underlie the major transitions, explaining how the basic theory underpinning social evolution - inclusive fitness theory - is central to understanding each event. The book defines the key stages in a major transition, then highlights the shared principles operating at each stage across the transitions as a whole. It addresses in new ways the question of how, once they have arisen, organisms and societies become more individualistic.

    The workings of the nervous system are communicated in easy-to-understand language and the text is full of everyday examples and analogies to clarify the concepts introduced. An ideal resource for both the student who is learning about the nervous system for the first time and the student with previous knowledge of neurobiology.Oxford Clinical Neuroscience is a comprehensive, cross-searchable collection of resources offering quick and easy access to eleven of Oxford University Press's prestigious neuroscience texts. Joining Oxford Medicine Online these resources offer students, specialists and clinical researchers the best quality content in an easy-to-access format.

    With passion, warmth and a keen sense of wonder, he draws on philosophy, cultural history and art to formulate his reflections on the mystery of life. The key to understanding life is to be found in its chemistry, and he proves that this is no dry endeavor and certainly not devoid of beauty. The result is a collection of eloquently and poetically written essays dealing with key issues in the natural sciences. It will appeal not only to scientists, but also to all curious minds, regardless of educational and professional background.

     The Human Body Close-up provides a spectacular visual experience of the human body and how it works -- as seen through a microscope. In more than 300 extraordinary close-up photographs, the book reveals the intimate details of the body's key systems and parts. These are the closest views that technology will allow.Spectacular high-magnification images zoom in on the most amazing details of the human body. Spreads show a wider view, then a dazzling full-page high-magnification image of the subject, such as muscle tissue or a lung. Like a zooming X-ray, the subject is viewed from the outside to the inside and closer still until it no longer resembles the human body we know.The book covers:The body's building blocksThe body's surface systemsThe skeletonMusclesThe sensory organsThe nervous systemRespiration, blood and circulationThe immune systemChemical messengersFueling the bodyReproductionHuman development. With expert text and superb cutting-edge imagery, The Human Body Close-up is the definitive home reference for the entire family. It is also a beautiful companion for anyone in a medical or medicine-related field.

    This book covers the key aspects of bat biology, including evolution, flight, echolocation, hibernation, reproduction, feeding and roosting ecology, social behaviour, migration, population and community ecology, biogeography, and conservation.This new edition is fully updated and greatly expanded throughout, maintaining the depth and scientific rigour of the first edition. It is written with infectious enthusiasm, and beautifully illustrated with drawings and colour photographs.

    While land-use pressures, habitat destruction and climate change threaten the island's fragile ecosystem, surprisingly, wildlife in Singapore continues to thrive and, oftentimes, even flourish. This first comprehensive guide to nature in Singapore is written by the city’s foremost authorities on the natural environment, and describes more than 40,000 species of flora and fauna that make up the island’s biodiversity. While this reference work is academically rigorous – based as it is on the latest data and fieldwork – its richly illustrated presentation is eminently suitable for a wider, non-specialist readership. The encyclopedia comprises two parts: the first comprises a collection of essays outlining issues relating to biodiversity, ecosystems and sustainability; the second part of the book is a comprehensive A-Z directory of over 1,500 entries, covering virtually even known organism found in Singapore.

    Written by an award-winning author, The Kingfisher Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia spans the earth from pole to pole, covering 2,000 animals from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Each entry describes the animal's characteristics, behavior and distribution, and gives Latin names. The meticulously researched information is highlighted by clear, authoritative writing and more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations. Throughout the book, special feature panels focus on various aspects of animal behavior such as camouflage, migration, and hibernation. With comprehensive back-matter including a glossary, alternative name index, and general index, this one-stop reference is perfect for research or for browsing by animal-lovers of all ages.

    With fully researched entries on some 3,500 native and nonnative species, the book is the first in decades to provide a complete and correct botanical reference for the region's noncultivated plants. The volume includes many new species not documented in New England before, while also excluding many species that have erroneously appeared in earlier manuals.Focusing on the taxonomy and distribution of New England plants, the manual is largely dedicated to identification keys and to species entries that provide scientific name, origin, regional conservation ranking, common name, synonyms, distribution, ecology, and other miscellaneous items of interest. Nearly one-third of the entries are accompanied by helpful black-and-white line illustrations.Additional special features:Precise distribution information, accurate to the state levelDetails on unusual plant groups not included in other sourcesReliable and versatile keys for identificationTips on recognizing hybrid plants in the fieldA companion interactive teaching Web site (under development)Comprehensive glossary

    It is designed to help anyone who finds a lizard, snake, turtle, tortoise, terrapin, frog, toad, or newt to identify it with confidence.Stunning photography An easy-to-use approach to identification Superbly illustrated introductory sections on the biology and conservation, taxonomy, lifecycle, and behavior of each species group Profiles of the 16 native reptiles and amphibians that breed in Britain, Ireland, and the Channel Islands and the 5 marine turtles that visit Britain's seas Profiles of 7 established nonnative species and a summary of 8 more with a history of release/escape Distribution maps based on the latest available information Hints and tips on where, when, and how to watch reptiles and amphibians

    That was the year scientists first read the 3 billion letters of DNA that make up the human genome. This was followed by a veritable Noah's Ark of genomes—sponges and worms, dogs and cows, rice and wheat, chimps and elephants—180 creatures aboard so far. So what have we learned from all this? How has it changed the way we practise medicine, grow crops and breed livestock? What have we learned about evolution? These are the questions science writer and molecular biologist Elizabeth Finkel asked herself four years ago. To find the answers she travelled the science frontier from Botswana to Boston, from Warracknabeal to Mexico and tracked down scientists working in the field. Their stories, told here, paint the picture of what it means to be part of the genome generation. 'The Genome Generation is absolutely riveting. These tales from the frontier are a 'must read' for everyone who wishes to understand our past—the logic of evolution—or take a peep into our exciting future at the creation of 'super plants' through 'digital agriculture'.'—R.A. Mashelkar, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow and India President, Global Research Alliance

    Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations--from flight and feeding to nest building and song--have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth. Maps of individual journeys and global flyways chart the amazing phenomenon of bird migration, while bird classification is explained using maps for each order and many key families.Conservation provides a strong focus throughout, with maps illustrating where and why birds are most under threat, and what is being done to protect them. Separate sections examine key factors influencing their distribution and endangering their survival, from deforestation and climate change to invasive species and the cage-bird trade. Bird groups most affected, such as island endemics, are highlighted, while a fascinating chapter explores the complex historical relationship between birds and humans, with maps and data for everything from poultry farming to birdwatching.The maps are supported by an authoritative text that uses the very latest data and case studies from BirdLife International. Packed with sumptuous photos, original diagrams, and imaginative graphics that bring the numbers to life, this book is a stunning and timely insight into perhaps the most colorful and intriguing group of organisms on our planet.The premier illustrated atlas of bird diversity, behavior, and conservationFeatures full-color maps, photos, and diagramsCovers bird evolution, classification, and behaviorDescribes the complex relationship between birds and their habitatsExplores the impact of human activities on species survivalIllustrates where and why birds are most under threat--and how to protect them

    A world so small you can't see it with the naked eye. A world so crowded that its population staggers the mind. A world in which you participate every day—often without even knowing it.

    Is it any wonder the persistent reptile bested the hare? In this engaging book physiologist Donald Jackson shares a lifetime of observation of this curious creature, allowing us a look under the shell of an animal at once so familiar and so strange.Here we discover how the turtle s proverbial slowness helps it survive a long, cold winter under ice. How the shell not only serves as a protective home but also influences such essential functions as buoyancy control, breathing, and surviving remarkably long periods without oxygen, and how many other physiological features help define this unique animal. Jackson offers insight into what exactly it s like to live inside a shell to carry the heavy carapace on land and in water, to breathe without an expandable ribcage, to have sex with all that body armor intervening.Along the way we also learn something about the process of scientific discovery how the answer to one question leads to new questions, how a chance observation can change the direction of study, and above all how new research always builds on the previous work of others. A clear and informative exposition of physiological concepts using the turtle as a model organism, the book is as interesting for what it tells us about scientific investigation as it is for its deep and detailed understanding of how the enduring turtle works. "

    More than 2,100 color photographs include numerous stunning images, and the guide's introductory sections offer a wealth of information on noctuid natural history, morphology, larval diets, natural enemies, and classification; suggestions for finding and rearing owlet caterpillars; and much more. The 375 full-page species accounts treat similar species, range, phenology, and larval foodplants. A remarks section addresses behavior, life history, taxonomy, and a variety of other general interest topics. For full species accounts, two adult images are provided, one of a spread museum specimen and the other of a live adult: this is the first guide to comprehensively provide images of live adult moths in representative resting postures. An extensive glossary and foodplant index are also included.More than 800 species of eastern owlets More than 2,100 color photographs illustrating many species for the first time First North American insect guide to offer hundreds of images of live moths in their natural resting postures Extensive information on owlet biology, natural enemies, classification, and finding and rearing owlet caterpillars Includes foodplant records for each species and foodplant index

    This volume begins with a discussion of the cells that make up living beings, as well as the basics of protein synthesis, metabolism, energy production, and photosynthesis. It goes on to cover ecosystems and material cycles; the mechanisms of respiration; lipids, cholesterol, and blood types; and the roles and structures of enzymes and proteins. Readers explore genes and DNA; the differences between biochemistry and molecular biology; and the mystery surrounding the origin of the cell—all with the aid of original Manga cartoons. This EduManga title is co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, and is one in a series of translations from Ohmsha's bestselling Japanese originals.

    Arranged by body systems, it includes more than 500 full-color anatomical illustrations. All body parts labeled on the illustrations are linked to concise definitions.Barron’s authoritative visual guide to human anatomy includes:More than 500 detailed anatomical illustrationsDefinitions for every labeled body partMore than 2000 terms explainedMore than 100 black-and-white line illustrations of the human body's muscle and skeletal systemsFourteen chapters that show, label, and define all human body regions and parts and describe physiological processesThe Anatomy Student's Self-Test Visual Dictionary is a must-have for students of the human body. Coloring in the black-and-white workbook pages will help you memorize the locations of various muscles and bones and gain a better understanding of the relationships between the various systems.

    Yet how do we interpret evolution? How do we evaluate the ability of Nature to engineer something as exquisite as the genetic code or the human brain? Could it be that evolution is an intelligent process? Is Nature smart? According to most scientists, the answer is no. While humanity may be intelligent and purposeful, the natural processes that crafted us are deemed to be devoid of such attributes. In a radical move away from orthodoxy, Simon G. Powell extends Darwin’s vision by showing that evolution is not just about the survival of the fittest but rather the survival of clever and sensible behavior. Revealing the importance of the context in which things evolve, he explores the intelligent learning process behind natural selection. Rich with examples of the incredibly complex plants, animals, insects, and marine life designed by Nature--from the carnivorous Venus flytrap and the fungus-farming leafcutter ant to the symbiotic microbes found inside the common cow--he shows Nature as a whole to be a system of self-organizing intelligence in which life and consciousness were always destined to emerge. Examining the origins of life and the failure of artificial intelligence to compete with natural intelligence, he explains how our scientifically narrow-minded views on intelligence are now acting as a barrier to our own evolution. As Darwin’s unfinished business comes to light and Nature’s intelligence is embraced, we learn that Nature’s agenda is not simply the replication of genetic matter but of expanding consciousness. By working with Nature’s creative and innovative powers instead of against them, we can address today’s social and environmental challenges with a new green science of evolution.

    Birds are all around us; they could not be more familiar. And yet at the same time they are alien, unheimlich – uncanny. Award-winning editor Nicholas Royle brings together previously published stories by Daphne du Maurier, Anna Kavan, Russell Hoban and others with brand-new tales by contemporary writers including Bill Broady, Adam Marek, Regi Claire, Mark Valentine, Reggie Oliver, R.B. Russel, and many more.With a foreword by Angelica Michelis, senior lecturer in English at Manchester Metropolitan University.Swallows Sleep in Winter – Adam Marek For the True Anatomy – Claire Massey Sliding off the World – Bruce Gilbert The Gannets – Anna Kavan Fight or Flight – Emma Jane Unsworth Birds of Prey – Joel Lane The Egg – Alison Moore The Raven – Russell Hoban The Rhododendron Canopy – Elizabeth Stott Huginn and Muninn – Tom Fletcher When the Red, Red Robin – Regi Claire A Nestling – Jack Trevor Story Barren Clough – Neil Campbell Shrike – David Rose The Candling – Deborah Kermode A Revelation of Cormorants – Mark Valentine The Brids – Bill Broady Rarely Visits Gardens – Juliet West All Our Dead Heavens – Conrad Williams Tsipporah – Adèle Geras Dead Bird – Socrates Adams-Florou The Beautiful Room – RB Russell Gulls – Nicholas Royle Snow – Marc Werner Flight of Fancy – GA Pickin The Wounded Bird – Michael Kelly Corbeaux Bay – Geeta Roopnarine Husks – Stephen Bacon Painful Hard Ectoplasm – Laura Ellen Joyce The Birds – Daphne du MaurierContributors’ royalties and editor’s fee to be donated to the RSPB.

    Her passionately lived life made her a prime target for the tabloid gossip doyens of the day. This biography recounts the early West Coast life of this superstar as well as her coronation on Broadway, her work in silent film, and her sexual liaisons that helped her gain her notoriety. It also covers her eventual disappearance from public life, her alcoholism and her death, which went largely unnoticed. She was buried in 1955 in a pauper's grave. The book includes first-hand personal anecdotes and observations from recently discovered tapes, which were recorded by a confidant of Lorraine's.

    After short theoretical overviews, the authors accompany the users through the exploration of the methods by means of applied and extensively commented examples. Users are invited to use this book as a teaching companion at the computer. The travel starts with exploratory approaches, proceeds with the construction of association matrices, then addresses three families of methods: clustering, unconstrained and canonical ordination, and spatial analysis. All the necessary data files, the scripts used in the chapters, as well as the extra R functions and packages written by the authors, can be downloaded from a web page accessible through the Springer web site (http: //www.bio.umontreal.ca/numecolR/).This book is aimed at professional researchers, practitioners, graduate students and teachers in ecology, environmental science and engineering, and in related fields such as oceanography, molecular ecology, agriculture and soil science, who already have a background in general and multivariate statistics and wish to apply this knowledge to their data using the R language, as well as people willing to accompany their disciplinary learning with practical applications. People from other fields (e.g. geology, geography, paleoecology, phylogenetics, anthropology, the social and education sciences, etc.) may also benefit from the materials presented in this book.The three authors teach numerical ecology, both theoretical and practical, to a wide array of audiences, in regular courses in their Universities and in short courses given around the world. Daniel Borcard is lecturer of Biostatistics and Ecology and researcher in Numerical Ecology at Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Francois Gillet is professor of Community Ecology and Ecological Modelling at Universite de Franche-Comte, Besancon, France. Pierre Legendre is professor of Quantitative Biology and Ecology at Universite de Montreal, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and ISI Highly Cited Researcher in Ecology/Environment.

    Flowers also speak to us in the language of the plant form itself, as cultural symbols in different societies, and at the highest levels of inspiration.In this beautiful and original book, renowned thinker and geometrist Keith Critchlow has chosen to focus on an aspect of flowers that has received perhaps the least attention. This is the flower as teacher of symmetry and geometry (the 'eternal verities', as Plato called them). In this sense, he says, flowers can be treated as sources of remembering -- a way of recalling our own wholeness, as well as awakening our inner power of recognition and consciousness. What is evident in the geometry of the face of a flower can remind us of the geometry that underlies all existence.Working from his own flower photographs and with every geometric pattern hand-drawn, the author reviews the role of flowers within the perspective of our relationship with the natural world. His illuminating study is an attempt to re-engage the human spirit in its intimate relation with all nature.

    Book annotation not available for this title.Title: From Neuron to Brain/ Neurons in Action Version 2Author: Nicholls, John G./ Martin, Robert A./ Fuchs, Paul A./ Moore, John W./ Stuart, Ann E.Publisher: Sinauer Associates IncPublication Date: 2011/11/04Number of Pages: Binding Type: HARDCOVERLibrary of Congress:

    This uniquely illustrated guide has been produced in close collaboration with veterinary experts and provides an excellent tool for those involved in veterinary medicine, equine physiotherapy and training of horses. The extensive and clear anatomical plates cover the skeleton, ligaments and muscles and include terminology in English and Latin.

    It also makes a major contribution to the larger project of ethnobotany by describing aspects of a nomadic peoples’ conceptual relationships with the plants of their homeland.The modern theoretical basis for studies of the folk classification and nomenclature of plants was developed from accounts of peoples who were small-scale agriculturists and, to a lesser extent, hunter-gatherers. This book fills a major gap by extending such study into the world of the nomadic pastoralist and exploring the extent to which these patterns are valid for another major subsistence type. James P. Mandaville, an Arabic speaker who lived in Saudi Arabia for many years, focuses first on the role of plants in Bedouin life, explaining their uses for livestock forage, firewood, medicinals, food, and dyestuffs, and examining other practical purposes. He then explicates the conceptual and linguistic aspects of his subject, applying the theory developed by Brent Berlin and others to a previously unstudied population. Mandaville also looks at the long history of Bedouin plant nomenclature, finding that very little has changed among the names and classifications in nearly eleven centuries.This volume includes a CD-ROM featuring more than 340 color images of the people, the terrain, and nearly all of the plants mentioned in the text as well as an audio file of a traditional Bedouin song and its translation and analysis.An essential volume for anyone interested in the interaction between human culture and plant life, Bedouin Ethnobotany will stand as a definitive source for years to come.

    Students who have never studied biochemistry as well as those who would like a thorough refresher will benefit from using this interactive resource greatly. The workbook was written to help you see the big picture and tie all the related concepts together - a key factor in understanding biochemistry! See all the reviews on Amazon.com.

    Step by step, Joel Beam, EdD, ATC/L, details multiple methods--not just the most popular approach--for many procedures. Insightful discussions develop the critical-thinking skills you need to meet the needs of the client. You'll also learn which technique to use based on the injury/condition and how to analyze the effectiveness of the technique.

    From an engineer's perspective, how do such specialized adaptations among living thin

    This magnificently illustrated volume features 200 panoramic, full-color photographs as well as a color map for every site and at-a-glance information panels that highlight the kinds of flowers at each location and the best times to see them in bloom. The informative text gives a botanical profile of each location, and also describes the ecology and conservation status of these sites and the animal life to be found at them.A book unlike any other, Wildflower Wonders is a visual feast for travelers and armchair naturalists alike.Showcases the most spectacular wild flowerings on the planetFeatures 200 full-color photosDescribes noteworthy flower species, ecology, conservation status, and animal lifeIncludes color maps and at-a-glance information panels

    

    Avian Architecture describes how birds design, engineer, and build their nests, deconstructing all types of nests found around the world using architectural blueprints and detailed descriptions of the construction processes and engineering techniques birds use. This spectacularly illustrated book features 300 full-color images and more than 35 case studies that profile key species worldwide. Each chapter covers a different type of nest, from tunnel nests and mound nests to floating nests, hanging nests, woven nests, and even multiple-nest avian cities. Other kinds of avian construction--such as bowers and harvest wells--are also featured.Avian Architecture includes intricate step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and insightful commentary by a leading expert.Illustrates how birds around the world design, engineer, and build their nestsFeatures architectural blueprints, step-by-step sequences, visual spreads on nest-building materials and methods, and expert commentaryIncludes 300 full-color imagesCovers more than 100 bird species worldwide

    The first book to address the scope and methods of this new cross-disciplinary area of research for archaeologistsOffers a completely up-to-date overview of the latest research in this innovative subjectGuides students who wish to become biomolecular archaeologists through the complexities of both the scientific methods and archaeological goals.Provides an essential component to undergraduate and graduate archaeological research

    It identifies the different mechanisms that generate robustness and the various forms of plasticity, before considering the functional significance of the integrated mechanisms and how the component processes might have evolved. Finally, it highlights the ways in which epigenetic mechanisms could be instrumental in driving evolutionary change. Essential reading for biologists and psychologists interested in epigenetics and evolution, this book is also a valuable resource for biological anthropologists, sociobiologists, child psychologists and paediatricians.

    However it was written long before Facebook, or even the web, existed so it explains the principles of networks by examples in biology -- like a beehive, a rain forest, or immune system. It tells the story of how feedback loops can create new phenomena and govern old ones, and why letting innovations like a social network be "out of control" is a good thing. The author also visits technological labs and reports on what they discover as they try to create artificial intelligence from dumb chips, or robots from insect-like parts, or complex organizations from simple ones. If you want to understand how the hive-mind of Twitter or Wikipedia works, this is the best book on the subject. It is an abridged version of the original, Out of Control, edited to focus on the chapters that tell how to "bootstrap" large complex systems and to engineer governance in non-governable networks. While written 18 years ago, the examples and wisdom are timeless.

    These chapters explore some of the major discoveries and developments concerning the foundational, yet previously overlooked, role of imitation in human life, revealing the unique theoretical links that can now be made from the neural basis of social interaction to the structure and evolution of human culture and religion. Together, mimetic scholars and imitation researchers are on the cutting edge of some of the most important breakthroughs in understanding the distinctive human capacity for both incredible acts of empathy and compassion as well as mass antipathy and violence. As a result, this interdisciplinary volume promises to help shed light on some of the most pressing and complex questions of our contemporary world.

    This change ranges from dramatic macroscopic innovations such as the evolution of wings or eyes, to a myriad of molecular changes that form the basis of macroscopic innovations. We are familiar with many examples of innovations (qualitatively new phenotypes that can provide a critical benefit) but have no systematic understanding of the principles that allow organisms to innovate. This book proposes several such principles as the basis of a theory of innovation, integrating recent knowledge about complex molecular phenotypes with more traditional Darwinian thinking. Central to the book are genotype networks: vast sets of connected genotypes that exist in metabolism and regulatory circuitry, as well as in protein and RNA molecules. The theory can successfully unify innovations that occur at different levels of organization. It captures known features of biological innovation, including the fact that many innovations occur multiple times independently, and that they combine existing parts of a system to new purposes. It also argues that environmental change is important to create biological systems that are both complex and robust, and shows how such robustness can facilitate innovation. Beyond that, the theory can reconcile neutralism and selectionism, as well as explain the role of phenotypic plasticity, gene duplication, recombination, and cryptic variation in innovation. Finally, its principles can be applied to technological innovation, and thus open to human engineering endeavours the powerful principles that have allowed life's spectacular success.

    Biology Unit 2 for CAPE(R) Examinations has been developed to match the requirements of Unit 2 of the CAPE(R) Biology syllabus. The course provides total coverage of Unit 2 of the CAPE(R) Biology syllabus, with worked examples to help students develop their problem-solving skills. Written by best-selling authors Mary and Geoff Jones and CAPE(R) Biology teacher and examiner Myda Ramesar, this textbook is in full-colour and is written in an accessible style.

    Here's why:The author team includes a practicing nurse to help students see how the content fits in their lives and relates to their future career on every page. A briefer text means all core concepts are covered, but streamlined to better fit the length of your course. A more modern, visual text and digital learning package fits with today s students and the way they learn.Users who purchase Connect receive access to the full online eBook version of the textbook."

    You see birds, trees, and wildflowers. You may even examine fungi, rock formations, mosses, lichens, nests, tracks, and insects. However, it is likely that you are not seeing bacteria even though you may know they are there in countless numbers, far outnumbering the other organisms, and that their influence on the environment is vast and profound.Professor Betsey Dexter Dyer of Wheaton College examines the role of bacteria as major players in Earth's biodiversity. In the course of these fascinating lectures, Professor Dyer delves into the history of microbiology, the four billion year history of bacteria and archaea as the dominant organisms on Earth, and the place of pathogens in the greater context of the bacterial world. This course serves as both a field guide for curious naturalists and a friendly introduction to the world of bacteria and archaea.

    Characterized by longleaf pine forests, rolling hills, abundant blackwater streams, several major rivers, and porous sandy soils, the Sandhills region stretches from Fayetteville, North Carolina, southwest to Columbus, Georgia, and represents the farthest advance of the Atlantic Ocean some 2 million years ago.Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region is arranged by habitat, with color tabs to facilitate easy browsing of the nine different natural communities whose plants are described here. Bruce A. Sorrie, a botanist with over 30 years of experience, includes common plants, region-specific endemics, and local rarities, each with its own species description, and over 540 color photos for easy identification. The field guide's opening section includes an introduction to the Sandhills region's geology, soil types, and special relationship to fire ecology; an overview of rare species and present conservation efforts; a glossary and key to flower and leaf structures; and a listing of gardens, preserves, and parklands in the Sandhills region and nearby where wildflowers can be seen and appreciated. Wildflower enthusiasts and professional naturalists alike will find this comprehensive guide extremely useful.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

    This comprehensive review of the taxonomic relationships of artiodactyls and perissodactyls brings forth new evidence in order to propose a theory of ungulate taxonomy.With this straightforward volume, Colin Groves and the late Peter Grubb cut through previous assumptions to define ungulate genera, species, and subspecies. The species-by-species accounts incorporate new molecular, cytogenetic, and morphological data, as well as the authors’ own observations and measurements. The authors include references and supporting arguments for new classifications.A starting point for further research, this book is sure to be discussed and hotly debated in the mammalogical community. A well-reasoned synthesis, Ungulate Taxonomy will be a defining volume for years to come.

    Striking images show the intricate workings of the human body, and are provided by Primal Pictures, the world’s leading interactive anatomy collection. The book is organized according to different body systems and explains how they function and interact. It covers the cell, the integumentary system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the reproductive system, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, the endocrine system, the digestive system, the hepatic system, the urinary system, the reproductive system, pregnancy, childhood, and ageing.

    The book, which tells you just about everything you ever wanted to know about crows, is enlivened by dozens of actual observation reports that were submitted to the crows.net website over the years. Many of these reports illustrate seldom observed aspects of crow behavior, some of which are amazing and/or downright hilarious. In addition to major sections on crow language, life history and behavior, a large portion of The Language of Crows is devoted to human interactions with crows, ranging from creating backyard feeding stations to caring for “orphaned” and injured birds.The enclosed CD includes numerous examples of the vocalizations of free living crows with explanations of the circumstances under which each is used. The sound files are uncompressed and are suitable for acoustic analysis, although there is considerable environmental noise on some of the recordings.A great gift for the crow lover in your life!CONTENTS OF The Language of CrowsPreface Introduction 1. Who are the Crows 2. Nesting Season 3. Learning Season 4. Crows at Play 5. Roosting Season 6. Problem Crow Roosts 7. Crow Funerals 8. Befriending Wild Crows 9. Companion Crows 10.Language of Crows, Part One: The Background 11.Language of Crows, Part Two: Learning Crow 12.We Are Not Alone Books About Crows Contributors Acknowledgements About the Author

    In this book, Natasha Fijn examines the process of animal domestication in a study that blends biological and social anthropology, ethology, and ethnography. She examines the social behavior of humans and animals in a contemporary Mongolian herding society. After living with Mongolian herding families, Dr. Fijn has observed through firsthand experience both sides of the human-animal relationship. Examining their reciprocal social behavior and communication with one another, she demonstrates how herd animals influence Mongolian herders lives and how the animals themselves are active partners in the domestication process.

    Never before have lay people been able to gain such deep insights into the design of our animal relatives, which amaze even vets! Through the aesthetic presentation of real, anatomically prepared animal bodies, the exhibition turns death into the source of illustrative knowledge about life and raises awareness in the observer s mind about the protection of species. The 140 pages of this catalog show the extraordinary: anatomical specimens, prepared and preserved with a new technology developed by Gunther von Hagens. In addition to the medical and anatomical information about different animal bodies, including a bear, an elephant, and a yak, the catalog contains interesting articles on the topics of bones, muscles, the nervous system, and organs. The first edition of this catalog, attractively designed and fully illustrated in color, certainly matches the original exhibition, BODY WORLDS, in fascination and didactic standards!

    In 1995, acclaimed marine biologist Daniel Pauly coined the term "shifting baselines" to describe a phenomenon of lowered expectations, in which each generation regards a progressively poorer natural world as normal. This seminal volume expands on Pauly's work, showing how skewed visions of the past have led to disastrous marine policies and why historical perspective is critical to revitalize fisheries and ecosystems.   Edited by marine ecologists Jeremy Jackson and Enric Sala, and historian Karen Alexander, the book brings together knowledge from disparate disciplines to paint a more realistic picture of past fisheries. The authors use case studies on the cod fishery and the connection between sardine and anchovy populations, among others, to explain various methods for studying historic trends and the intricate relationships between species. Subsequent chapters offer recommendations about both specific research methods and effective management. This practical information is framed by inspiring essays by Carl Safina and Randy Olson on a personal experience of shifting baselines and the importance of human stories in describing this phenomenon to a broad public.   While each contributor brings a different expertise to bear, all agree on the importance of historical perspective for effective fisheries management. Readers, from students to professionals, will benefit enormously from this informed hindsight.

    Darnell describes how scientists unraveled fundamental questions about the biochemical and genetic importance of RNA-how mRNAs are generated and used to produce proteins, how noncoding and catalytic RNAs mediate key cellular processes, and how RNA molecules likely initiated life on Earth. With a scope extending from the early 20th century to the present day, and with the clarity expected from an accomplished textbook author, he conveys the intellectual context in which these questions first arose and explains how the key experiments were structured and answers obtained. The book is geared towards scientists from the graduate level on up, and will particularly appeal to active investigators in RNA biology, educators of molecular biology and biochemistry, and science historians.

    However, that view suffered a blow recently with the wildly increasing number of discoveries suggesting that we are as susceptible to parasitic manipulation as any other animal. Professor Jaroslav Flegr describes the rich history of discoveries of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii’s influence over the human psyche, behavior and physical state. The lifelong and insofar incurable latent infection by this parasite afflicts roughly a third of the world population and in some countries even the vast majority of their people. Two decades of research primarily at the Faculty of Science of the Charles University in Prague, but also top American and British institutions (Stanford, Baltimore, Oxford) showed that Toxoplasma influences personality traits of infected people, increases their reaction times and the risk of a traffic accident, and changes the sex ratio among children of Toxo positive women. New research also suggests that Toxoplasma may be responsible for many cases of schizophrenia and perhaps several other disorders as well. The book is also a fascinating window into the methodology of science and contains useful information for anyone who wants to peer deeper into the world of science.

    Written by Ginger Vieira, also the author of "Emotional Eating with Diabetes," a Type 1 diabetic and record-setting competitive powerlifter. "Your Diabetes Science Experiment" will explain the science behind the most common reasons for your "mystery high blood sugars" and "unexpected low blood sugars." From there, each "Science Experiment" helps you focus on one specific part of your diabetes management at time, so you can make adjustments in your insulin dosing and your nutrition to prevent those unwanted fluctuations in your blood sugar from happening as often! Visit www.Living-in-Progress.com for more details about the book and the author, Ginger Vieira.

    This book profiles 250 of the world's carnivores.

    But it is more than a static information store: our genome is a dynamic, tightly-regulated collection of genes, which switch on and off in many combinations to give the variety of cells from which our bodies are formed. But how do we identify the genes that make up our genome? How do we determine their function? And how do different genes form the regulatory networks that direct the processes of life? Introduction to Genomics is a fascinating insight into what can be revealed from the study of genomes: how organisms differ or match; how different organisms evolved; how the genome is constructed and how it operates; and what our understanding of genomics means in terms of our future health and wellbeing. Covering the latest techniques that enable us to study the genome in ever-increasing detail, the book explores what the genome tells us about life at the level of the molecule, the cell, and the organism. Learning features throughout make this book the ideal teaching and learning tool: extensive end of chapter exercises and problems help the student to fully grasp the concepts being presented, while end of chapter weblems (web-based problems) and lab assignments give the student the opportunity to engage with the subject in a hands-on manner. The field of genomics is enabling us to analyze life in more detail than ever before; Introduction to Genomics is the perfect guide to this enthralling subject. Online Resource Centre The Online Resource Centre to accompany Introduction to Genomics features For lecturers: Figures from the book in electronic format For students: Answers to end-of-chapter exercises Guided tour of web sites in genomics Hints to end-of-chapter problems Rotating figures

    It showcases the stunning macro photography of the authors, and detailed text provides information on features such as identification, confusion species, habitat, lifestyle and larval host plant, accompanied by accurate range maps.

    Yet government and conservation groups are often forced to make important decisions about reptile conservation and management based on inadequate or incomplete data. With contributions from nearly seventy specialists, this volume offers a comprehensive guide to the best methods for carrying out standardized quantitative and qualitative surveys of reptiles, while maximizing comparability of data between sites, across habitats and taxa, and over time. The contributors discuss each method, provide detailed protocols for its implementation, and suggest ways to analyze the data, making this volume an essential resource for monitoring and inventorying reptile abundance, population status, and biodiversity. Reptile Biodiversity covers topics including:• terrestrial, marine, and aquatic reptiles• equipment recommendations and limitations• ethics of monitoring and inventory activities• statistical procedures• designing sampling programs• using PDAs in the field

    It will test students learning and help identify their knowledge gaps.

    Lloyd Pye is known for his hard-hitting combination of scientific facts with jargon-free, easy to understand explanations. Filled with "see it with your own eyes" evidence ranging from the moment that the Earth came into existence, to recent discoveries in our own DNA, this book will make you question many of the fundamental theories that are often mistaken for proven fact. This eBook is the updated and revised version of Part 1 of Pye's best seller "Everything You Know Is Wrong," crammed with page after page of brand new archaeological and scientific evidence that was not available when the original print book was published.

    In this illuminating introduction, Paul Scotting explains the science behind the disease and explores why some of us are more likely to develop it than others. Arguing that we’re in a new age of understanding that will revolutionize the fight againtst cancer, Scotting maps out the promising future strategies for its prevention, treatment, and cure.

    This period was a crucible of evolution and teemed with anatomic creativity although the journey to formed vision actually began billionsof years before that. The Cambrian period, however, spawned nearly all morphologic forms of the eye, followed by descent over hundreds of millions of years providing an unimaginable variety of eyes with at least ten different designs. Some eyes display spectacular creativity with mirror, scanning or telephoto optics.Some of these ocular designs are merely curiosities, while others offer the finest visual potential packed into a small space, limited only by the laws of diffraction or physiological optics. For example, some spiders developed tiny, well-formed eyes with scanning optics and three visual pigments; scallops have 40-100 eyes circling their mantle, each of which has mirror optics and contains two separate retinae per eye; deep ocean fish have eyes shaped like tubes containing yellow lensesto break camouflage; and some birds have vision five times better than ours; but this is only part of the story. Each animal alive today has an eye that fits is niche perfectly demonstrating the intimacy of the evolutionary process as no other organ could. The evolution of the eye is one of thebest examples of Darwinian principles.Although few eyes fossilize in any significant manner, many details of this evolution are known and understood. From initial photoreception 3.75 billion years ago to early spatial recognition in the first cupped eyespot in Euglena to fully formed camera style eyes the size of beach balls inichthyosaurs, animals have processed light to compete and survive in their respective niches.It is evolution's greatest gift and its greatest triumph. This is the story of the evolution of the eye.

    Allen and Cowling start with the simple "prokaryotic" cell--cells with no nucleus--and show how the bodies of more complex plants and animals consist of billions of "eukaryotic" cells, of varying kinds, adapted to fill different roles--red blood cells, muscle cells, branched neurons. The authors also show that each cell is an astonishingly complex chemical factory, the activities of which we have only begun to unravel in the past fifty years.