Science: general issues Books

Book SynopsisScientific Teaching is not a prescription for better teaching. Rather, it encourages the reader to approach teaching in a way that captures the spirit and rigor of scientific research and to contribute to transforming how students learn science.

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Book SynopsisClimate change is one of the most controversial and misunderstood issues of the 21st century. This book provides a clear understanding of the issue by presenting scientific facts to refute falsehoods and misinformationand to confirm the validity of other assertions.Is public understanding of global warming suffering from politically biased news coverage? Is it true that the global scientific community has not reached a consensus on whether humans are causing climate change? This important book addresses these questions and many more about global warming, identifying common claims about climate change and using quantifiable, evidence-based information to examine their veracity.The authors of this work examine 35 specific claims that have been made about global climate change by believers and skeptics. These assertionssome true, some falsewill guide readers to a much deeper understanding of the extent of climate change; whether any climate change that is taking place is human-causTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1 The Evidence Regarding Climate Change Q1. What Is Happening to Sea Ice in the Arctic? Q2. What Is Happening to Sea Ice in the Antarctic? Q3. What Is Happening to Glaciers and Ice Sheets? Q4. Do Global Average Surface Air Temperatures Show Warming? Q5. Do Satellites Using "Thermometers in Space" Show a Warming Trend in Earth's Lower Atmosphere? Q6. How Might Global Warming Be Causing Record Cold Winters in Some Places? Q7. How and Why Has the Pace of Global Warming Changed Over Time? Q8. What Do the "Climategate" Hacked E-Mails Show about Climate Science? 2 The Causes of Climate Change Q9. Is Human Activity the Main Driver of Modern Climate Change? Q10. How Does Modern Global Warming Compare to the So-Called Medieval Warm Period? Q11. What Is the "Hockey Stick" and How Accurate a Picture Does It Provide of Global Climate Change? Q12. What Role Does the Sun Play in Global Temperature Rise? Q13. How Has Climate Been Changing on Mars and Other Planets? Q14. Is the Ozone Hole a Factor in Global Warming? Q15. Carbon Dioxide Is a Small Fraction of the Atmosphere, So Why Is It So Important for Climate Change? Q16. Does a Historical Correlation Exist between Changes in Carbon Dioxide Levels and Temperature? Q17. What Does Past Climate Change Tell Us about the Relationship between Carbon Dioxide and Temperature? Q18. Which Produces More Carbon Dioxide: Volcanoes, or Burning Fossil Fuels? 3 The Likely Impacts of Climate Change Q19. How Well Do Computer Models Reproduce Earth's Climate? Q20. Can an Increase in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Cause a Significant Warming of Global Temperatures? Q21. How Will Climate Change Impact Society? Q22. Have the Dangers of Climate Change Been Understated or Overstated by Scientists and the News Media? Q23. Are Carbon Dioxide Emissions Acidifying the Ocean? Q24. How Are Plants and Animals Affected by Rapid Climate Change? Q25. How Is Climate Change Influencing Extreme Weather? 4 Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Q26. What Percentage of Climate Scientists Agree That Humans Are Causing Global Warming? Q27. What Does the Work of Lone Scientific Mavericks Show about the Importance of the Scientific Consensus on Climate Change? Q28. What Motivates Climate Scientists? Q29. In the 1970s, Were Most Climate Scientists Concerned about Global Warming or Global Cooling? 5 Responding to Climate Change Q30. Is It Possible to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions without Damaging the Economy? Q31. What Effect Will Cutting Carbon Emissions Have on the Poor? Q32. What Is China Doing to Address Climate Change? Q33. Can Carbon Dioxide Be Regulated under the Clean Air Act? Q34. Can Individuals Do Anything to Limit Global Warming? Q35. Do Some Republicans Accept That Anthropogenic Climate Change Is Occurring? Postscript: The Paris Agreement Index About the Authors

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Book SynopsisThis accessibly written book introduces readers to DNAone of the most important technologies for the manipulation of all forms of life, from simple bacteria to plants and animals. It also addresses the most important social, ethical, political, economic, and other issues raised by this form of technology.The great strides made in our understanding of the structure and function of DNA in recent decades have led to applying this invaluable knowledge to use in serving humanity. For example, recent discoveries in the field of genetic editing have created the potential for the creation of life forms de novo, a possibility that results in profound ethical issues for the human race that are just beginning to be discussed. What other positiveand potentially negativedevelopments are coming our way with continuing advancements in DNA research? DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook provides an up-to-date historical overview and general technical background to the topic as well as a broad inTrade ReviewThis edition maintains the organization of the original, with sections for background and history; problems, issues, and solutions; profiles of individuals and organizations; data and documents; an extensive annotated bibliography; and a chronology. It will be most helpful to students needing a solid scientific background and looking for multidisciplinary information on various DNA technologies and related controversies. For libraries that own the previous edition and support programs in biology, biomedical science, or forensic science, purchase of this updated edition is necessary because the technology is advancing so quickly. Summing Up: Recommended. High school through undergraduate students; general readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface to the First Edition, Preface to the Second Edition, 1 Background and History, Introduction, Modifying Life: The Early History, The Birth of Genetics, The Road to DNA, The Structure of DNA, The Rise of Molecular Genetics, Recombinant DNA Technology, Cloning, Transgenic Plants and Animals, Practical Applications of Transgenic Organisms, Research, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, GM Products Resistant to Certain Pests, GM Products Resistant to Herbicides, GM Products with Nutritional Value or Other Benefits, Industry, Gene Therapy and Genetic Testing, Genetic Testing, Forensic DNA Testing, Recent Advances in DNA Technology, Conclusion, References, 2 Problems, Issues, and Solutions, Introduction, Forensic Science, DNA Databases, DNA Fingerprinting Worldwide, Low Copy Number DNA, Genetically Modified Organisms, The First Genetically Modified Animal: AquAdvantage Salmon, Public Opinion about GM Foods, Regulation of GM Crops and Food, Labeling of GM Foods, GM Foods in the European Union, Xenotransplantation, Pharming, Genetic Testing, Risks and Benefits, Issues of Privacy and Confidentiality, Regulation, Genetic Counseling, Gene Therapy, Trends in Gene Therapy, Regulations, Cloning, Therapeutic and Reproductive Cloning, Controversies about Cloning, Human Reproductive Cloning, Therapeutic Cloning, Regulations in the United States, Cloning Issues Worldwide, The Double-Edged Sword of CRISPR Technology, Conclusion, References, 3 Perspectives, Introduction, Optogenetics: Arpita Dave, Africans Using Autosomal DNA Testing to Find Distant Family Members: LaKisha David, Mandatory GMO Labeling Is the "Right to Be Deceived": Jon Entine, A Brave New World for CRISPR/Cas9: Scientific Limitations and Ethical Considerations: Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup, Genome Editing Opens Brave New World: Nerissa Hoglen, Finding a Face in the DNA: Clara MacCarald, CRISPR Controversies: Deirdre Manion-Fischer, Modified DNA for Targeted Therapeutics: Manish Muhuri, CRISPR and Beyond—What the Future Holds for Gene Editing: Sheila T. Yong, Forensic Use of DNA Technology: Jon Zonderman, 4 Profiles, Introduction, Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), AgBioWorld, American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), American Society of Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH), American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), W. French Anderson (1936– ), Werner Arber (1929– ), Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), Association of Forensic DNA Analysts and Administrators (AFDAA), Oswald Avery (1877–1955), Paul Berg (1926– ), Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), Herbert Boyer (1936– ), California Certified Organic Farmer (CCOF), Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (CBHD), 185 Center for Food Safety (CFS), Center for Genetics and Society (CGS), Center for Genomics and Public Health (CGPH), Erwin Chargaff (1905–2002), Emmanuelle Charpentier (1968– ), 189 Mary-Dell Chilton (1939– ), Coalition for Genetic Fairness (CGF), Stanley N. Cohen (1935– ), Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG), Francis Crick (1916–2004), Karl Deisseroth (1971– ), Jennifer Doudna (1964– ), European NGO Network on Genetic Engineering (GENET), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rosalind Franklin (1920–1958), Genetic Alliance, Greenpeace, Woo-suk Hwang (1953– ), Innocence Project, Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT), International Bioethics Committee (IBC), International Biopharmaceutical Association (IBPA), International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Sir Alec Jeffreys (1950– ), Gregor Mendel (1822–1884), Johannes Friedrich Miescher (1844–1895), Juan Francisco Martinez Mojica (1963– ), Kary Mullis (1944– ), National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Society of Genetics Counselors (NSGC), Marshall Nirenberg (1927–2010), Non-GMO Project, Northwest Resistance against Genetic Engineering (NW RAGE), Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA), Office of Public Health Genomics (OPHG), Organic Consumers Association (OCA), Ingo Potrykus (1933– ), Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, Hamilton O. Smith (1931– ), Robert A. Swanson (1947–1999), Dizhou Tong (1902–1979), Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), J. Craig Venter (1946– ), James Watson (1928– ), 5 Data and Documents, Introduction, Data, Table 5.1. Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States, 1996–2015 (percentage of planted land, in acres), Table 5.2. Types of Genetically Engineered Corn and Cotton in the United States, 2000–2015 (percentage of planted land, in acres), Table 5.3. Number of Releases, Sites, and Constructs Authorized by Aphis for Evaluation, Table 5.4. Number of Releases of Genetically Engineered Varieties by APHIS, by Crop, as of September 2013, Table 5.5. Number of Releases Approved by APHIS by Gene Trait, to September 2013, Table 5.6. Institutions with Greatest Number of APHIS Permits for Genetically Engineered Crops, to September 2013, Table 5.7. CODIS Statistics for 15 Top States, as of February 2016, Documents, Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993), Executive Order 13145 (2000), Regulations with Respect to Genetically Modified Foods: European Union (2003), Alaska State Law on Genetic Privacy (2004), Post-Conviction DNA Testing (2004), United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning (2005), Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, Concerning Genetic Testing for Health Purposes (2008), Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (2008), Vermont Act 120 (GM Food Labeling) (2014), Rule 702. Federal Rules of Evidence (2015), Grocery Manufacturers Association, et al. v. William H. Sorrell, et al. Case No. 5:14-cv-117 (2015), People v. Collins; NY Slip Op 25227 [49 Misc 3d 595] (2015), Collection and Use of DNA Identification Information from Certain Federal Offenders 42 U.S. Code § 14135a (2016), Issues of DNA Collection, Maryland v. King 569 U.S. ___, State v. Medina, et al. 2014 VT 69 (2014), 6 Annotated Bibliography, 7 Chronology, Glossary, Index, About the Author,

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Book SynopsisDeveloped in the context of science and engineering applications, with each abstraction motivated by and further honed by specific application needs, Charm++ is a production-quality system that runs on almost all parallel computers available. Parallel Science and Engineering Applications: The Charm++ Approach surveys a diverse and scalable collection of science and engineering applications, most of which are used regularly on supercomputers by scientists to further their research.After a brief introduction to Charm++, the book presents several parallel CSE codes written in the Charm++ model, along with their underlying scientific and numerical formulations, explaining their parallelization strategies and parallel performance. These chapters demonstrate the versatility of Charm++ and its utility for a wide variety of applications, including molecular dynamics, cosmology, quantum chemistry, fracture simulations, agent-based simulations, and weather modeling. Trade Review"It succeeds perfectly and combines for the first time both Charm++ and significant application development in a single volume. It will provide a solid foundation for anyone who is considering using the most recent tools for developing applications for future ExascaIe platforms. I highly recommend this timely book for scientists and engineers." -Horst Simon, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California, BerkeleyTable of ContentsThe Charm++ Programming Model. Designing Charm++ Programs. Tools for Debugging and Performance Analysis. Scalable Molecular Dynamics with NAMD. OpenAtom: Ab initio Molecular Dynamics for Petascale Platforms. N-body Simulations with ChaNGa. Remote Visualization of Cosmological Data using Salsa. Improving Scalability of BRAMS: a Regional Weather Forecast Model. Crack Propagation Analysis with Automatic Load Balancing. Contagion Diffusion with EpiSimdemics.

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Book SynopsisTo the readers who ask themselves: `What is science?', this volume provides an answer from an early modern perspective, whereby science included such various intellectual pursuits as history, poetry, occultism and philosophy.

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Book SynopsisAesthetic rejuvenation now encompasses so many topics that practitioners in one area may feel out of touch with developments in other areas in the same field. With over 70 chapters, over 1200 figures (many in full color), over 80 tables, and over 20 videos, from an international list of contributors, under an eminent team of editors, Cosmetic Medicine & Surgery is a comprehensive and authoritative resource. It covers a wide spectrum of topics including the fundamental aspects, cosmetic aspects, minimally invasive surgery, the aesthetic facelift, and many others in this most high-profile of medical and surgical specialties.Print Versions of this book also include access to the ebook version.Table of ContentsFUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS: What is beauty? An historical excursus through a continuously evolving subjective and objective perception. Body dysmorphic disorder. Pathophysiology of skin aging. Clinical signs of aging. Stem cells and growth factors. Physiology of adipose tissue. How to evaluate aging skin: Tools and techniques. The aesthetic consultation. COSMETIC ASPECTS: Cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Photoprotection. Allergic risks to cosmetics and hypersensitive skin. Hormones and the skin. Diet and the skin. The red face. Pigmentation of the face. Make-up techniques in dermatology. Nail care, nail modification techniques, and camouflaging strategies. Focal hyperhidrosis: Diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Cosmetic tattooing. Body piercings. MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY: Office surgery for dermatologists. Aesthetic suture techniques. Dressing systems in cosmetic dermatology. Local anesthesia for dermatological surgery. Management of abnormal scars. Cosmetic surgery of the scalp. Endovascular procedures to treat chronic venous insufficiency. Phlebectomy. Nail surgery. Superficial and medium depth chemical peels. Deep peels. Combination chemical peels. Dermabrasion. Laser dermatology. Surgical lasers: Ablative and fractional devices. Non ablative lasers. Intense Pulsed Light. Photobiomodulation (PBM) and light emitting diodes (LED). Radiofrequency. Ultrasound sources. Lasers for tattoo removal. Lasers and pigmented (melanotic) lesions. Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, and skin redness. Lasers and veins. Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light in hair reduction. Photodynamic therapy for aesthetic indications. Non surgical skin tightening. Non surgical fat destruction. Cryolipolysis. Botulinum toxins: Uses in medicine. Botulinum toxin treatment. Complications and pitfalls of cosmetic botulinum toxin treatment. History of soft tissue augmentation. Mesotherapy. Hyaluronic acid: Science, indications and results. Complications of fillers. Platelet rich plasma: From science to clinical results. Fat grafting. Liposuction. Laser lipolysis. Soft tissue lifting by suspension sutures. Blepharoplasty. THE AESTHETIC FACE-LIFT: The facelift and identity reconstruction and charisma. Development of a therapeutic program: some rules. Practical anatomy for facelifts. Surgical rejuvenation: Cervico-facial lift using the superficial musculoaponeurotic plane (SMAP) technique. Surgical rejuvenation: The temporal lift. Surgical rejuvenation: Endoscopic brow lift. Surgical rejuvenation: The midface lift. Surgical rejuvenation: Autologous adipose grafting. Positive and negative aspects of face and eyelid cosmetic surgery. Current and future options for the facelift. OTHER ASPECTS: Training in Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dermatology. The aesthetic technician. Internet and e-consultations in aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology. Fundamentals of managing and marketing a cosmetic dermatology clinic in the modern world. Legal considerations in Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dermatology.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated adaptation of 'Carbon,' a short story from Italian chemist, writer, and Auschwitz survivor Primo Levi. It traces the life story and many molecular manifestations of a single atom of this life-essential element. You'll follow one atom from its spectacular birth 14 billion years ago through its harrowing journey on planet earth where it has become a basic building block of nearly 10 million known compounds in living things.Trade Review“Carbon is one of those rare works that vividly conveys the wonder and excitement of scientific understanding. By combining stunning drawings with thoughtful meditations on one of life's central elements, John Barnett brings to life the many-layered way we think and learn about the natural world.” —Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime“This gorgeous tribute to the element carbon, the chemical backbone of life on Earth, will remind you of all the ways that chemistry itself is beautiful, fundamental, and even (I say) just plain cool.” —Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York“A tribute to Primo Levi as much as it is to the remarkable carbon atom. For to John, as to many others, chancing upon 'The Periodic Table' was transformative. The images you see testify to how different the world becomes after that book finds its way into our imagination. . . . Here John Barnett invites us to follow the atom in its wondrous graphic journey.” —Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (from the foreword)“Engrossing—a biography of one of the most important subjects on earth (and everywhere else).”—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature“A delightfully imaginative story of the whole wide universe and the mysterious connectedness of every little thing in it, including you and me. Barnett explores the magical continuity—the ebb and flow—of all matter with vivid intimacy and quirky humor, and his gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations will absolutely stun you. . . . I'll be urging this superb book on anyone I know at all interested in nature, art, and humanity.”—Rosemary Mahoney, author of Down the Nile and For the Benefit of Those Who See“John Barnett's book is artful chemistry: out of the movements of atoms, he creates poetry. Prepare for a brainy—and beautifully illustrated—intellectual adventure!”—George Zaidan, executive producer at The American Chemical Society, author of Ingredients“Fans of Primo Levi’s The Periodic Table will love John Barnett’s exquisitely illustrated and poetic homage to Levi and carbon-based lifeforms. Carbon is a whimsical, heartfelt and profound meditation on the transitory nature of the element that makes life possible.”—Anil Ananthaswamy, Knight Science Journalism Fellow 2019-20, MIT, author of The Edge of Physics, The Man Who Wasn't There, and Through Two Doors at Once“The mesmerizing drawings driving the narrative of John Barnett’s Carbon constitute an insightful and personal tribute to Primo Levi. This small volume is a magnificent example of the power of Levi’s work to ignite our imagination.”—Alessandro Cassin, Director of Publishing, Centro Primo Levi NY“Barnett's lovely Carbon is enchanted, akin of Primo Levi.”—Dudley Herschbach, Professor Emeritus at Harvard University and 1983 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry"Charming and captivating - I love this book. The story of a transformative planetary element, told in delightful narrative with vivid drawn scenes, produced - how wonderfully - with the same heroic carbon that gives us life. John Barnett has succeeded in making the ordinary extraordinary, and there can be no better tribute to Primo Levi." —Gaia Vince, science journalist and author of Adventures in the Anthropocene (Winner of Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books)“Anything that puts me at the intersection of great science and great art is an inspiring gift! I don't think I've seen a better ticket to this destination than John Barnett's Carbon. The fact that it was created with the element it celebrates makes it especially charming.”—Mat Kaplan, host and producer of Planetary Radio at The Planetary Society“A history of the universe, Earth, and life in 60 pages? Somehow John Barnett has pulled off this feat in a uniquely beautiful book that couples lyrical prose and illustrations wrought with the precision of fine engravings.” —Tim Folger, contributing writer at Discover and National Geographic“Exquisite — a treat for the eyes and the mind."—Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author of Enlightenment Now“John Barnett’s brilliant drawings take us on an epic journey alongside the titular atom to reveal the ways in which we are connected to, well, everything. It’s a captivating experience sure to leave the reader looking at themselves and the world around them in a new way.”—Nick Sousanis, author of Unflattening“Primo Levi wrote that of all the elements, carbon ‘says everything to everyone.’ John Barnett’s beautifully illustrated tribute to Levi reminds us that while the journey of carbon is universal, its paths are as varied and complex as life itself.” — Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction "The most important element for life as you've never seen it before—in all its booming, buzzing glory.”—Sam Kean, author of The Disappearing Spoon and The Bastard Brigade"Barnett follows one atom of element 6 across millions of years. While Levi did so in words, Barnett makes this trek a visual one, illustrating each step of the way, appropriately enough, with pencil-drawn illustrations. . . . Narration accompanies a few of these illustrations, but just as often they speak for themselves. It lends to a meditative feel, encouraging the reader to take their time until the story winds up at a most appropriate ending." —The Episodeic Table of Elements "Especially appropriate for STEM based science curriculums, Carbon: One Atom's Odyssey is especially and unreservedly recommended for school and community library Popular Science collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Science students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in these subjects." —James Cox, Midwest Book Review"Some images feel like snapshots—a peregrine falcon flaring its wings, a horse midstride, a limestone cliff. Others are almost dream-like: it takes a moment for rows of plants on a tea farm or a field of sea ice breaking up to come into focus. Barnett finds clever ways to bring Carbon’s theme of unity into the drawings too. A reader might flip back and forth between images of veins in a leaf and a sprawling city seen from above to wonder if they are actually the same drawing at different levels of magnification." —Sam Lemonick, Chemical and Engineering News "Beautiful . . . lovingly and exquisitely illustrated."—Mat Kaplan, Planetary Radio"For the dad who likes to sit back after a grand adventure and absorb stunning art . . . This book boasts an enchanting narrative detailing carbon’s role in everything from stars to wine, as well as incredibly detailed art. In our humble opinion, it has the power to inspire any dad with a general interest in the science of the universe."—Katie O'Reilly, The Sierra Club, 1 of 21 Gifts That’ll Get Your Dad Outside"The prose is surprisingly advanced with a lot of delightful alliteration and the pictures are soothing to look at."—Amanja, AmanjaReads.com"Through a series of exquisite drawings using a fine mechanical pencil, Barnett traces the journey of a carbon atom from an exploding star at the beginning of the universe to a neuron in Barnett’s own brain." —Andy Smith, The Providence JournalWashington Post book writer Ron Charles recommended as a gift for a student going to Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment

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Book Synopsis‘Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.’ – Jonas Salk, inventor of one of the first successful polio vaccines No one will die of smallpox again… One of the worst killers ever is now consigned to history – perhaps the greatest humanitarian achievement of our age. Now polio, malaria and measles are on the hit list. Karen Bartlett tells the dramatic story of the history of eradication and takes us to the heart of modern campaigns. From high-tech labs in America to the poorest corners of Africa and the Middle East, we see the tremendous challenges those on the front lines face every day, and how they take us closer to a brave new world.Trade Review‘A fantastic story about the oddballs and outcasts, hippies and billionaires who have saved millions and millions of lives. As exciting as a thriller and with a happy ending that gives us hope for humankind.’ -- Johan Norberg, author of Progress‘Well-researched and accessible… Her writing is clear yet nuanced, and offers compassion, a broad respect for history, and the skills of a strong storyteller.’ * CHOICE Magazine *‘Bartlett makes it abundantly clear that research to reduce the impact of infectious disease is progressing but that politics, budgetary constraints, competing priorities, and ego clashes are serious impediments.’ * Kirkus *‘Anyone interested in public health and its interface with politics will find both hope and frustration here…a fascinating look at epidemiology and the challenges that public health workers face.’ * Library Journal *‘This book is so engaging that I read it in one sitting…I recommend it in the highest possible terms.’ -- W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University‘…describes the heroic efforts, the thrill of success, the challenges and the tragedy of failure…[it] kept me turning the pages until late in the night.’ -- Nicholas Grassly, professor in Vaccine Epidemiology, Imperial College London‘Timely.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘A deft combination of history and palatable scientific reportage.’ * Geographical *

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Book SynopsisThe history of science is often seen as a story of advancement but nothing could be further from the truth. Science, it is true, has progressed, but rarely in the direction intended and seldom for the reasons given. This has a lot to do with the people responsible.Meet Thales, credited as 'the father of science', whose only real claim to fame is that he often fell into ditches, discover how Archimedes never said Eureka and hated baths anyway and how the most lucrative ancient Greek invention was not democracy but the slot machine.Justin Pollard also fills us in on Issac Newton who liked to disguise himself and lurk in London's less salubrious pubs, how eleven people claimed to have invented the steam engine and why the first website was twelve foot across and made of wood.Trade Review'An illuminating read' * Financial Times *'This approachable and often funny compendium of tales about scientists and their discoveries is also making an important argument: that science is not the stately, dispassionate progress from evidence to theory that some of its self-appointed defenders think' * Guardian *'Addictive' * Independent *

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Book SynopsisSir Donald Irvine asks what further changes have to be made to the culture and regulation of medicine to make it as trustworthy as the public today expects. As President of the General Medical Council between 1995 and 2002, Sir Donald helped shape the changes that followed disasters like the deaths of babies at Bristol and the murders of Dr Harold Shipman. In this frenetic period a new ethos of professionalism emerged, embodying the concept of the autonomous patient and more robust, transparent professional regulation founded on a partnership between the public and doctors. Sir Donald discusses candidly the struggles in the profession and with successive Governments over the key issues. He provides perspectives that are both startling and enlightening. He criticises the British Medical Association for its past resistance to accept the need for change, and explains why its role in the future must be radically different. He calls for specific fundamental changes to the National Health Service, and for Government to be separated from managing the provision of healthcare. And he outlines the qualities that the bodies regulating doctors in the future must have to succeed. In part a personal testimony, in part a clarion call for doctors to secure the new culture and re-establish public confidence, The Doctors' Tale is gripping and essential reading for everyone who cares about health.Table of ContentsWhat, why, who and how. Life in medicine. The medical tribe. Regulating the tribe, 1858-1970. Lost opportunities 1970-1980. Some spirits were willing but...1980-1990. Taking the initiative but losing the plot. Making progress, making waves. Leading from the front. Bristol. Achieving the change - the real story. Regular checks for doctors - revalidation is born. Revalidation - the first debates. The Shipman impact. A profession divided. Resolution. The doctor's tale: the next chapter.

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Book SynopsisThis is a wonderful collection of stories about doctors and patients, including many by world-famous authors who were also physicians, such as Oliver Sacks, Anton Chekhov and Arthur Conan Doyle. Always moving, entertaining and informative, and sometimes troubling, these remarkable stories will appeal to anyone with an interest in health, illness and medical care. They also provide essential core material for those studying doctor-patient communication, the literature of medicine and medical humanities. The stories, some written from the doctor's viewpoint, some from that of the patient, illuminate the warmth and compassion - but also the many problems - in relationships between doctors and patients, both in the past and today. Doctors and Patients: an anthology is enjoyable, fascinating and enlightening - for oneself, and for friends and partners, whether healthcare professionals or interested general readers.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Mikhail Bulgakov - 'Baptism by Rotation'. Franz Kafka - 'A Country Doctor'. Arthur Conan Doyle - 'A Medical Document'. Rachel Naomi Remen - 'In the Gray Zone'. Renate Rubinstein - 'Telling the Truth'. Ruth Picardie - 'Observer Life'. Rachel Clark - 'Inside and Out and Upside Down'. Clive Sinclair - 'My Life as a Pig'. W Somerset Maugham - 'Sanatorium'. O'Henry - 'Let Me Feel Your Pulse'. Oliver Sacks - 'Rebecca'. Cecil Helman - 'The Other Half of Eddie Barnett. William Carlos Williams - 'The Use of Force'. A J Cronin - 'The Case of David Murray'. Anton Chekhov - 'A Doctor's Visit'. Moacyr Scliar - 'The King of Xingu'.

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Book SynopsisWater is the source of life and the building block of all civilisation. The control of water has shaped politics, health, population growth, city planning, technology and religion. Controlling water has driven progress, through the growth of intensive farming and industrial revolution. It has also become a symbol of our civilisation - evidence that we have mastered nature.From the hanging gardens of Babylon and the ancient myth of the Nile to the fountains in Las Vegas, water is the one constant. We are fed by irrigated fields, live in plumbed cities, and turn on a tap without a moment's thought. Yet, this simple technology that underpins everything is at bursting point. There are too many people for the available water, and war may follow. How did we get here, and what can we do about it?Table of ContentsI. The First Taste Chapter One: Where's the Water? Chapter Two: The Font of Civilisation Chapter Three: Civilisation Bloomed from Water Chapter Four: Egypt Chapter Five: Athens and Rome Chapter Six: God, Paradise and Gardens II. The Growing Thirst Chapter Seven: God's Dry Land Chapter Eight: Fountains of Rome Chapter Nine: Taming the Rhine Chapter Ten: Health Chapter Eleven: Coal and Cotton Chapter Twelve: Dams and Politics Chapter Thirteen: America III. Peak Water Chapter Fourteen: Collapse Chapter Fifteen: Luxury Chapter Sixteen: Cities Chapter Seventeen: Irrigation Chapter Eighteen: Farming Chapter Nineteen: Trade Chapter Twenty: War Chapter Twenty-One: Dubai

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Book SynopsisAn astonishing work of creative non-fiction, about the enigma at the heart of modern medicine, and the mystery of the interrupted self.

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Book Synopsis2020 Foreword Indie Award Honorable Mention in the "Science & Technology" CategoryLate in 2017, the global significance of the conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) changed forever. China put the world on alert when it released a plan to dominate all aspects of AI across the planet. Only weeks later, Vladimir Putin raised a Russian red flag in response by declaring AI the future for all humankind, and proclaiming that, "Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world." The race was on. Consistent with their unique national agendas, countries throughout the world began plotting their paths and hurrying their pace. Now, not long after, the race has become a sprint. Despite everything at stake, to most of us AI remains shrouded by a cloud of mystery and misunderstanding. Hidden behind complicated and technical jargon and confused by fantastical depictions of science fiction, the modern realities of AI and its profound implications are hard to decipher, but crucial to recognize. In T-Minus AI: Humanity's Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Pursuit of Global Power, author Michael Kanaan explains AI from a human-oriented perspective we can all finally understand. A recognized national expert and the U.S. Air Force's first Chairperson for Artificial Intelligence, Kanaan weaves a compelling new view on our history of innovation and technology to masterfully explain what each of us should know about modern computing, AI, and machine learning. Kanaan also dives into the global implications of AI by illuminating the cultural and national vulnerabilities already exposed and the pressing issues now squarely on the table. AI has already become China's all-purpose tool to impose its authoritarian influence around the world. Russia, playing catch up, is weaponizing AI through its military systems and now infamous, aggressive efforts to disrupt democracy by whatever disinformation means possible. America and like-minded nations are awakening to these new realities—and the paths they're electing to follow echo loudly the political foundations and, in most cases, the moral imperatives upon which they were formed. As we march toward a future far different than ever imagined, T-Minus AI is fascinating and crucially well-timed. It leaves the fiction behind, paints the alarming implications of AI for what they actually are, and calls for unified action to protect fundamental human rights and dignities for all.Trade Review"Mike Kanaan is an influential new voice in the field of AI, and his thoughts paint an insightful perspective. A thought-provoking read." —Eric Schmidt, former CEO and executive chairman of Google "Too many discussions of artificial intelligence are dominated by idealists and cynics. Mike Kanaan is neither: He's a realist with a wealth of insight on how smart machines are shaping the future. This is one of the best books I've read on AI." —Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife "Kanaan's book makes us aware of the urgent need for international understanding and a formal agreement on AI. Without binding commitments, the future will pose threats, both military and social, that risk our very survival. AI may be a blessing, but it can also be the ultimate curse. The world must agree to draw a red line between the two, and make sure that no one crosses it." —Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner, father of microfinance and social business, recipient of US Presidential Medal of Freedom and US Congressional Gold Medal "Never have I read a book that did a better job of putting the challenges and prospects of artificial intelligence into context. It's an exceptionally rich context, involving science, history, technology, and our current geopolitical situation. Reading this book will not only help you understand what AI is all about, it will help you understand how it fits into the world today and into the future." —Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, host of Mindscape podcast, and New York Times bestselling author of Something Deeply Hidden "Kanaan recounts the history of AI and why its rapid advance prompts both hopes and fears. He offers a valuable and distinctive perspective on the international tensions it may create." —Martin Rees, UK Astronomer Royal and former president of the Royal Society of London "Mike Kanaan is a driving new voice in the field of AI. His explanations, insights, and perspectives are trustworthy and brutally intelligent. He's the voice of reason in the room, the one to look to." —Jeremy Bash, NBC News analyst and former chief of staff for the CIA and Department of Defense "As a tech venture capitalist, I know how critical it is that people understand artificial intelligence. T-Minus AI explains what we all need to know—not only what AI is, but also the great implications going forward. Eye opening and extremely entertaining." —Joe Montana, tech investor, founding partner of Liquid 2 Ventures, four-time Super Bowl champion, and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback "T-Minus AI is enormously illuminating—a fascinating deep dive into one of the most important issues of our day by a leading expert in the field—who also happens to be a riveting writer. I haven't learned so much from a book in ages." —Amy Chua, Yale Law professor and New York Times bestselling author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations "If we are going to prepare our students to lead the next generation, every educator needs to understand the impact of AI on our society. Kanaan's work is the perfect resource to bring you up to speed and to understand the history, scope, and future of AI technology. Leaders and teachers at all levels of education, along with their students, need this book on their reading lists." —Jeff Charbonneau, former US National Teacher of the Year and former finalist for the Global Teacher Prize "What is AI? If you're mystified by the hype, high hopes, and conflicting predictions of the power and danger of Artificial Intelligence, this book is for you. It offers a gentle introduction into the history of intelligent machines, the strengths and the dangers that they pose, the different ways that selected world powers make use of (and misuse) these technologies, and what kinds of policies and laws might help. Mike Kanaan offers a fresh new voice." —Don Norman, professor and director of The Design Lab, University of California, San Diego, and bestselling author of The Design of Everyday Things "T-Minus AI is a must-read about the technology that will drive massive social and political change in the future. If you want to understand AI and its impending impact on the world, this is the book to read!" —Jordan Harbinger, creator and host of The Jordan Harbinger Show "Part explainer. Part call-to-arms. Kanaan's book makes AI understandable and with that it also makes something clear: AI is both a threat and opportunity. A perfect hybrid of educational and thrilling, T-Minus AI is an essential read." —Allen Gannett, author of The Creative Curve "For an accessible and sober explanation of today's most transformative technology, this is THE book to read. T-Minus AI will be part of a new canon." —Kara Frederick, technology and national security fellow at Center for a New American Security (CNAS) "T-Minus AI is a thought leading gem that explains the underlying technology and geopolitical power of AI. Brilliantly written, immensely informative, and as entertaining as a great novel!" —August Cole, coauthor of Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War and Burn In: A Novel of the Real Robot Revolution "It takes rare talent and a sharp mind to make complex technical topics like artificial intelligence and machine learning sound both accessible and beautiful. Kanaan has done both. This is an exceptionally well-written, thoroughly researched book. Read it. It will make you smarter!" —Dr. Margarita Konaev, fellow at Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), Georgetown University "Artificial intelligence is the next wave that everyone and every business must understand. Mike's leadership in the field is powerful, and his explanation of the topic is second-to-none. Read this book!" —Jordan Katzman, cofounder of SmileDirectClub "At a critical time for humanity, this captivating book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand how AI works, how it can be used, and how it will affect us all." —Lindsey Sheppard, international security fellow at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)Table of ContentsContents Author’s NotePrologue Out of the Dark Part 1 The Evolution of Intelligence:From a Bang to a Byte Chapter 1 Setting the StageChapter 2 In the Beginning . . .Chapter 3 Too Many Numbers to CountChapter 4 Secret Origins of Modern ComputingChapter 5 Unifying the Languages of Men and MachinesChapter 6 Consciousness and Other Brain-to-Computer Comparisons Part 2 Twenty-First Century Computing and AI:Power, Patterns, and Predictions Chapter 7 Games Matter Chapter 8 A Deluge of DataChapter 9 Mimicking the MindChapter 10 Bias in the Machine Chapter 11 From Robots to Bots Part 3 The Sovereign State of AI:Technology’s Influence in the Global Balance Chapter 12 Moments That Awaken NationsChapter 13 China’s Expanding SphereChapter 14 Russian DisruptionChapter 15 Democratic Ideals in an AI WorldChapter 16 A Computer’s Conclusion Acknowledgments NotesIndex

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