Science & Nature Books

Book SynopsisJassy Drakulic is a mycologist in the RHS Plant Health team, promoting understanding and appreciation for fungal biodiversity in gardens. Her research specialises in the biology and management of honey fungus in UK gardens. In 2017, Jassy launched the nationwide Honey Fungus Hunt asking members of the public to record sightings of honey fungus mushrooms. She also supports RHS Gardening Advice, diagnosing plant diseases and providing advice on managing diseases in gardens.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of what animals are trying to say to us and how we can learn to listen

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Book SynopsisFrom the No. 1 bestselling author of What If? - the man who created xkcd and explained the laws of science with cartoons - comes a series of brilliantly simple diagrams (''blueprints'' if you want to be complicated about it) that show how important things work: from the nuclear bomb to the biro. It''s good to know what the parts of a thing are called, but it''s much more interesting to know what they do. Richard Feynman once said that if you can''t explain something to a first-year student, you don''t really get it. In Thing Explainer, Randall Munroe takes a quantum leap past this: he explains things using only drawings and a vocabulary of just our 1,000 (or the ten hundred) most common words.Many of the things we use every day - like our food-heating radio boxes (''microwaves''), our very tall roads (''bridges''), and our computer rooms (''datacentres'') - are strange to us. So are the other worlds around our sun (the solar system), the big flatTrade ReviewA brilliant concept. If you can't explain something simply, you don't really understand it. And Randall Munroe is the perfect guy to take on a project like this . . . If you know Munroe's previous work, it will come as no surprise that parts of Thing Explainer are laugh-out-loud funny . . . filled with cool basic knowledge about how the world works. If one of Munroe's drawings inspires you to go learn more about a subject - including a few extra terms - then he will have done his job. He has written a wonderful guide for curious minds * BILL GATES *Wonderful * Neil Gaiman *In the crowded field of trivia, nothing beats Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe, the physicist-turned-comic-artist, a sequel to What If ? . . . It is very funny and has something quite serious to say about our misplaced faith in long words * Daily Telegraph *Thing Explainer gets to the real essence of things * New Scientist *Like any good work of science writing, [Thing Explainer] is equal parts lucid, funny, and startling * NewYorker.com *In just over a decade Randall Munroe has become firmly established and it's safe to say adored as the author of xkcd. Now, Munroe has produced a book - and Thing Explainer isn't just any book. It's beautiful, packed with facts, figures and richly and simply presented diagrams * Register *Reliably amusing and often enlightening * The Times, Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisA tenth anniversary edition of the iconic book about the wonderful world of maths Sunday Times bestseller Shortlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize ‘Original and highly entertaining' Sunday Times ‘A page turner about humanity's strange, never easy and, above all, never dull relationship with numbers' New Scientist ‘Will leave you hooked on numbers' Daily Telegraph In this richly entertaining and accessible book, Alex Bellos explodes the myth that maths is best left to the geeks, and demonstrates the remarkable ways it's linked to our everyday lives. Alex explains the surprising geometry of the 50p piece, and the strategy of how best to gamble it in a casino. He shines a light on the mathematical patterns in nature, and on the peculiar predictability of random behaviour. He eats a potato crisp whose revolutionary shape was unpalatable to the ancient Greeks, and he shows the deep connections between maths, religion and philosophy. From the world's fastest mental calculators in Germany to numerologists in the US desert, from a startlingly numerate chimpanzee in Japan to venerable Hindu sages in India, these dispatches from 'Numberland' are an unlikely but exhilarating cocktail of history, reportage and mathematical proofs. The world of maths is a much friendlier and more colourful place than you might have imagined. This anniversary edition is fully revised and updated.Trade ReviewOriginal and highly entertaining * Sunday Times *Will leave you hooked on numbers * Daily Telegraph *A page turner about humanity's strange, never easy and, above all, never dull relationship with numbers * New Scientist *Outstanding ... The style is laced with humour, but at all times, the star of the show is mathematics * Ian Stewart, Prospect *If there was one book that was going to be compulsory for the nation to read it would be this one -- Evan DaviesA magical mystery tour . . . Philosophy, religion, magic, history and basic sheep-counting are gather together in Bellos’s bag of numbers * The Times *Revealing and insightful * Independent *A wholly original, beautifully written book about mathematics that does its subject justice but is so widely accessible that it will please everyone regardless of their numeracy * New Scientist *An entertaining and accessible account of how maths underpins our lives. Maths will never appear so forbidding again * TES *It is to be hoped that the uncountable delights of Bellos’s book, its verve and feeling for mathematics, convey its enchantments to a new generation * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book Synopsis''Do I wish to keep up with the times? No. My wish simply is to live my life as fully as I can''The great American poet, novelist and environmental activist argues for a life lived slowly.Penguin Modern: fifty new books celebrating the pioneering spirit of the iconic Penguin Modern Classics series, with each one offering a concentrated hit of its contemporary, international flavour. Here are authors ranging from Kathy Acker to James Baldwin, Truman Capote to Stanislaw Lem and George Orwell to Shirley Jackson; essays radical and inspiring; poems moving and disturbing; stories surreal and fabulous; taking us from the deep South to modern Japan, New York''s underground scene to the farthest reaches of outer space.

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces some 75 species of wetland birds to readers through the eyes of Kate Humble.As she freely admits herself, Kate is still learning her birds, so to find out more she contacted Martin McGill of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to act as her guide. Their birdwatching sessions together form the basis of this book.As Kate learns the difference between a Canada Goose and a Barnacle Goose, which ducks dive and which ducks dabble, and how to tell apart those little brown jobs that warble from the reedbeds, so she passes on the information to the reader as she goes. The effect is not dissimilar to the Last Chance to See series, in which Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry scour the world for endangered species.The difference between Canada Geese and Barnacle Geese? Just remember that the C-anada goose has a C-hin-strap. The Teal is the Ziggy Stardust of the duck world, while the Shoveler feeds as though it''s dropped its contact lenses.Each species takes up approximately twoTrade ReviewThis is an excellent little book for anyone who's recently started birdwatching down at their local reservoir or gravel pit, or who wants to broaden their horizons beyond the back garden. * Bird Watching Magazine *

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Book SynopsisWe are in something of a fungal awakening'. Fungi are capturing our imaginations like never before, and when we think of fungi we most commonly think of mushrooms, which include such miraculous manifestations as puffballs, jellies and corals. Fungi Decoded is a visual celebration of these diverse and astonishing forms. With an instantly engaging code-wheel set into the cover, it leads the reader through various pertinent yet playful themes, delving deep into the workings of these enigmatic organisms. Taking a new spin on the planet's most fascinating and least well understood world of living things, Fungi Decoded is the perfect gift for both new fungus fans and seasoned mycophiles.

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Book SynopsisSunday Times BestsellerHow did life on Earth begin? What is the nature of space and time? What are the chances that we will discover life on other worlds?Think you know our planet?Think again.Forces of Nature takes you from the mid-Atlantic ridge in Iceland, the volcanoes of Indonesia and the precipitous cliffs in Nepal, to the manatees off the coast of Florida and the northern lights of the Arctic, in search of the fundamental laws that govern our world.These universal laws shape everything, from the structure of snowflakes to the elegant spirals of the galaxies. By seeking to understand the everyday world the colours, structure, behaviour and history of our home we can step beyond the everyday and approach the Universe beyond.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox: ‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian ‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times ‘Engaging, ambitious and creative.’ Guardian ‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express ‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday

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Book SynopsisAll life is made from CO2 . It was there at earth's birth, and throughout evolution. It has kept our planet habitable for hundreds of millions of years. It has given us all the splendours of the world we know today. And yet it also holds the potential for life's destruction. In this gripping adventure through eras and places, award-winning science journalist Peter Brannen tells the story of the world's most important molecule. We travel from the beginning of time all the way up to our present reality, witnessing the staggering journey that CO2 has undertaken. As we watch its movements through the rocks, the air, the oceans and living beings over four billion years, we come to see more clearly what it means for us to be churning through ancient life in the form of fossil fuels as we power our industrial world. We are, Brannen shows, performing an unprecedented experiment on our planet. If we are to avoid its catastrophic consequences, we must all begin to deepen our understanding

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Book SynopsisNeurological and psychiatric disorders have long been regarded as fundamentally different, depending on whether they appear to affect the brain or the mind. In reality, the brain and the mind are inseparable. Both types of disorder can affect every aspect of brain function: from perception, action, memory and emotion to empathy, social interaction, attention and consciousness. It is easy to view brain disorders as simply tragic or frightening. However, studying where these functions go wrong provides a window on the workings of the healthy brain, and makes it more likely that scientists and clinicians will be able to develop effective treatments or preventative strategies. As individuals, and as a society, we are also able to better empathise with people with disorders of the mind.Building on his pioneering research, Eric R. Kandel illustrates how breakthrough studies of brain disruptions can deepen our understanding of thought, feeling, behaviour, memory and creativTrade Review[Kandel's discoveries] have truly changed our understanding of brain function -- Citation for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine[Eric Kandel is] one of the preeminent neuroscientists in the world -- Sue Halpern, New York Review of BooksBold propositions such as Kandel's in The Disordered Mind blur the distinction between therapies involving medication or surgery and those that use behavioural and cognitive means. Still, one should appreciate Kandel's humanistic aims: knowing more about disorders makes us less likely to stigmatize those who think or act differently -- Douwe Draaisma * Nature *

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Book SynopsisWorldwide, depression will be the single biggest cause of disability in the next 20 years. But treatment for it has not changed much in the last three decades. In the world of psychiatry, time has apparently stood still... until now. In this game-changing book, University of Cambridge Professor Edward Bullmore reveals the breakthrough new science on the link between depression and inflammation of the body and brain. He explains how and why we now know that mental disorders can have their root cause in the immune system, and outlines a future revolution in which treatments could be specifically targeted to break the vicious cycle of stress, inflammation and depression.The Inflamed Mind goes far beyond the clinic and the lab, representing a whole new way of looking at how mind, brain and body all work together in a sometimes misguided effort to help us survive in a hostile world. It offers insights into the story of Western medicine, how we have got it wrong as well as right in the past, and how we could start getting to grips with depression and other mental disorders much more effectively in the future.'Suddenly an expert who wants to stop and question everything we thought we knew... This is a lesson in the workings of the brain far too important to ignore.' - Jeremy Vine, BBC 'Professor Bullmore explores how the current division between Psychiatry and the rest of medicine has developed and how we might change that. He puts forward a fascinating theory that attributes depression to inflammation rather than serotonin imbalance as has traditionally been thought. Whatever the truth, this book is a stimulating and interesting read.' - Wendy Burn, President Royal College of Psychiatrists'A great read, this thought provoking book presents inflammation as the major driver of depression. A real page turner that raises important questions for us all, including, how we should practise medicine going forwards and can we restart Research and Development using this paradigm? Highly recommended. - Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for EnglandTrade Review'Suddenly an expert who wants to stop and question everything we thought we knew... This is a lesson in the workings of the brain far too important to ignore.' -- Jeremy Vine, BBC'Professor Bullmore explores how the current division between Psychiatry and the rest of medicine has developed and how we might change that. He puts forward a fascinating theory that attributes depression to inflammation rather than serotonin imbalance as has traditionally been thought. Whatever the truth, this book is a stimulating and interesting read.' -- Wendy Burn, President Royal College of Psychiatrists'A great read, this thought provoking book presents inflammation as the major driver of depression. A real page turner that raises important questions for us all, including, how we should practise medicine going forwards and can we restart Research and Development using this paradigm? Highly recommended. -- Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for EnglandAn important book, a hopeful book, for anyone who wants to think about depression in a new way. -- Tom Insel MD, Co-founder and President, Mindstrong HealthErudite, enjoyable, and accessible... The Inflamed Mind confronts the reader with the converging revolutions in neuroscience and immunology that give rise to a new perspective about depression and its treatment. -- John H. Krystal, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineThe Inflamed Mind is not only a dramatic breakthrough in our understanding of depression. It is an extraordinary exploration of what it is to be human. -- Matthew D'Ancona, author of 'Post Truth'Compelling and highly readable. -- Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, University of LondonGroundbreaking * The Times *Fascinating * Today Programme, BBC *

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Book SynopsisQuantum physics is not mystifying. The implications are mind-bending, and not yet fully understood, but this revolutionary theory is truly illuminating. It stands as the best explanation of the fundamental nature of our world. ‘An authoritative and beautifully written account of the quest to understand quantum theory and the origin of space and time.’ Professor Brian Cox Spanning the history of quantum discoveries, from Einstein and Bohr to the present day, Something Deeply Hidden is the essential guide to the most intriguing subject in science. Acclaimed physicist and writer Sean Carroll debunks the myths, resurrects and reinstates the Many-Worlds interpretation, and presents a new path towards solving the apparent conflict between quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity. In doing so, he fills a gap in the science that has existed for almost a century. A magisterial tour, Something Deeply Hidden encompasses the cosmological and everyday implications of quantum reality and multiple universes. And – finally – it all makes sense. ***** 'Carroll takes us by the hand and with a benign smile and a chatty style, leads us to a place where… at every instant an almost infinite number of copies of you are splitting off to live alternative lives… a wild conceptual ride.' The Sunday Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'Like all great writers, Carroll has the remarkable ability of putting the reader utterly at ease with his lucid and addictive prose. He leads you so gently and comfortably into his quantum world that you quickly forget you are being given access to the most profound ideas about the nature of reality.' Jim Al-Khalili 'Sean Carroll’s immensely enjoyable Something Deeply Hidden brings readers face-to-face with the fundamental quantum weirdness of the universe – or should I say universes? And by the end, you may catch yourself finding quantum weirdness not all that weird.' Jordan EllenbergTrade Review‘Carroll takes us by the hand and with a benign smile and a chatty style, leads us to a place where…at every instant an almost infinite number of copies of you are splitting off to live alternative lives… a wild conceptual ride.’ -- Sunday Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR‘Tackling huge questions, myths and conundrums about our Universe is no easy task, but Carroll does so elegantly.’ -- BBC Science Focus'An authoritative and beautifully written account of the quest to understand quantum theory and the origin of space and time. Sean Carroll is a rare combination of excellent science writer and excellent research scientist. His writing exhibits a clarity of thought that is only available through a deep understanding of the subject. When the book becomes speculative, as it must because it deals with deep and as yet unsolved questions, we know we are in good hands.' * Brian Cox - Broadcaster and Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester *'Something Deeply Hidden is Carroll’s ambitious and engaging foray into what quantum mechanics really means and what it tells us about physical reality.' -- Science Magazine'As a smart and intensely readable undergraduate class in the history of quantum theory and the nature of quantum mechanics, Something Deeply Hidden could scarcely be improved.' -- Open Letters Monthly * Steve Donoghue *'Readers in this universe (and others?) will relish the opportunity to explore the frontiers of science in the company of titans.' -- Booklist'Fans of popular science authors such as Neil deGrasse Tyson and John Gribbin will find great joy while exploring these groundbreaking concepts.' -- Library Journal'Solid arguments and engaging historical backdrop will captivate science-minded readers everywhere.' -- Scientific Inquirer'Carroll argues with a healthy restlessness that makes his book more interesting than so many others in the quantum physics genre.' -- Forbes'If you want to know why some people take [the Everett] approach seriously and what you can do with it, then Carroll’s latest is one of the best popular books on the market.' -- Physics Today'Be prepared to deal with some equations — and to have your mind blown.' -- Geek Wire'By far the most articulate and cogent defence of the Many-Worlds view in book-length depth with a close connection to the latest ongoing research.' -- Science News'Enlightening and refreshingly bold.' -- Scientific American'What makes Carroll’s new project so worthwhile, though, is that while he is most certainly choosing sides in the debate, he offers us a cogent, clear and compelling guide to the subject while letting his passion for the scientific questions shine through every page.' -- NPR‘Like all great writers, Carroll has the remarkable ability of putting the reader utterly at ease with his lucid and addictive prose. He leads you so gently and comfortably into his quantum world that you quickly forget you are being given access to the most profound ideas about the nature of reality.’ -- Jim Al-Khalili, author of Quantum Mechanics (A Ladybird Expert Book)‘A thrilling tour through what is perhaps humankind’s greatest intellectual achievement – quantum mechanics. With bold clarity, Carroll deftly unmasks quantum weirdness to reveal a strange but utterly wondrous reality.’ -- Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe‘Sean Carroll’s immensely enjoyable Something Deeply Hidden brings readers face-to-face with the fundamental quantum weirdness of the universe – or should I say universes? And by the end, you may catch yourself finding quantum weirdness not all that weird.’ -- Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong‘Carroll gives us a front-row seat to the development of a new vision of physics: one that connects our everyday experiences to a dizzying hall-of-mirrors universe in which our very sense of self is challenged. It’s a fascinating idea, and one that just might hold clues to a deeper reality.’ -- Katie Mack, theoretical astrophysicist, North Carolina State University, author of The End of Everything (forthcoming)‘Sean Carroll beautifully clarifies the debate about the foundations of quantum mechanics, and champions the most elegant, courageous approach: the astonishing “Many-Worlds” interpretation. His explanations of its pros and cons are clear, even-handed, and philosophically gobsmacking.’ -- Steven Strogatz, author of Infinite Powers‘[A] challenging, provocative book…moving smoothly through different topics and from objects as small as particles to those as enormous as black holes, Carroll’s exploration of quantum theory introduces readers to some of the most groundbreaking ideas in physics today.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Sean Carroll is always lucid and funny, gratifyingly readable, while still excavating depths… A fascinating and important book.’ -- Janna Levin, author of Black Hole Blues‘Irresistible and an absolute treat to read. While this is a book about some of the deepest current mysteries in physics, it is also a book about metaphysics as Carroll lucidly guides us on how to not only think about the true and hidden nature of reality but also how to make sense of it. I loved this book.’ -- Priyamvada Natarajan, theoretical astrophysicist, Yale University, and author of Mapping the Heavens‘A masterpiece…stands along with Feynman’s QED as one of the two best popularizations of quantum mechanics I’ve ever seen.’ -- Scott Aaronson, Professor of Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin, and Director of UT’s Quantum Information Center‘From physicist Sean Carroll comes a history of quantum discoveries, and a guide to a subject that has baffled and blinded with its potential. Tackling huge questions, myths and conundrums about our Universe is no easy task, but Carroll does so elegantly.’ * BBC Science Focus, 70 best science books you need to read in 2021 *

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Book SynopsisWill change your life' Chris EvansCompletely fascinating' Heston BlumenthalImportant and devastating' The TimesFrom a world-leading microbiome scientist and surgeon comes Dark Matter, a pioneering guide to hacking your microbiome for a healthier life.Our microbiome the complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses and other microbes inside us is vital for our health and wellbeing. An invisible powerhouse whose potential we're only just beginning to understand, it influences our mood and appetite, determines how fast we run and even who we choose as a partner.In this ground-breaking book, microbiome expert Dr James Kinross takes us on a guided tour of our extraordinary inner universe and highlights the damage we inflict when we don't protect it. Showing through cutting-edge research and years of clinical experience, the practical steps we can all take to optimise the microbiome to live better, healthier lives.Now with a new, eye-opening afterword on the rise of home microbiome tests, IBS and FMTs. Addictive and illuminating' Dr Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, bestselling author of The Kitchen Prescription

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Book SynopsisLevel: GCSESubject: AQA GCSE Combined Science (Foundation)Knowledge organisers and retrieval practice together in one pocket-sized book! Embed the essentials across all topics in AQA GCSE 9-1 Combined Science (Foundation).Just the key knowledge needed for AQA GCSE 9-1 Combined Science (Foundation) to help students know more and remember more.Key knowledge to learn for the AQA GCSE 9-1 Combined Science (Foundation) examsQuestions to lock-in knowledge and strengthen memoryTopics organised in the order of the exam papersIncludes required practicals and maths skills for scienceAnswers included

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Book SynopsisExplore the wonderful world of some of the most incredible natural forms on our planet – fungi.At the centre of countless superstitions, folkloric tales and magical beliefs, as well as appearing in recipes and medicines both traditional and modern, mushrooms have incredible powers.Featuring images of over 100 fascinating species, sourced from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Magic of Mushrooms shows that from saving lives to expanding the mind, the potential of these fascinating organisms should not be underestimated.Trade Review'A beautifully illustrated and entertaining read ... A feast for the eyes' * Gardens Illustrated *'The author has risen magnificently to the challenge of this huge area of scholarship ... This well-turned out book would adorn your bookshelf' * The Garden *Table of ContentsIntroduction • The human history of fungus • How Toadstools work • Fairy rings • Fungus in food • Art and beauty • Flying high • The cunning woman's stillroom • Bad guys • The dark mirror • The future of fungus • Bibliography • Index

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Astronomer Royal Martin Rees shows how the behaviour and origins of the universe can be explained by just six numbers.How did a single genesis event create billions of galaxies, black holes, stars and planets? How did atoms assemble - here on Earth, and perhaps on other worlds - into living beings intricate enough to ponder their origins? This book describes the recent avalanche of discoveries about the universe's fundamental laws, and the deep connections that exist between stars and atoms - the cosmos and the microscopic world. Just six numbers, imprinted in the big bang, determine the essence of our world, and this book devotes one chapter to explaining each.

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: OCRLevel: A LevelSubject: BiologyFirst teaching: September 2015; first exams: June 2017Written by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports and extends students through the new linear course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed in the new A Levels and beyond.Table of ContentsModule 1 Development of practical skills in Biology Module 2 Foundations in Biology Chapter 2 2.1: Microscopy 2.2: Magnification and calibration 2.3: More microscopy 2.4: Eukaryotic cell structure 2.5: The ultrastructure of plant cells 2.6: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Chapter 2 Practice questions Chapter 3 Biological Molecules 3.1: Biological elements 3.2: Water 3.3: Carbohydrates 3.4: Testing for carbohydrates 3.5: Lipids 3.6: Structure of proteins 3.7: Types of proteins 3.8: Nucleic acids 3.9: DNA replication and the genetic code 3.10: Protein synthesis 3.11: ATP Chapter 3 Practice questions Chapter 4 Enzymes 4.1: Enzyme action 4.2: Factors affecting enzyme activity 4.3: Enzyme inhibitors 4.4: Cofactors, coenqymes, and prosthetic groups Chapter 4 Practice questions Chapter 5 Plasma membranes 5.1: The structure and function of membranes 5.2: Factors affecting membrane structure 5.3: Diffusion 5.4: Active transport 5.5: Osmosis Chapter 5 Practice questions Chapter 6 Cell division 6.1: The cell cycle 6.2: Mitosis 6.3: Meiosis 6.4: The organisation and specialisation of cells 6.5: Stem cells Chapter 6 Practice questions Module 2 summary Module 2 practice questions Module 3 Exchange and transport Module 3 Introduction Chapter 7 Exchange surfaces and breathing 7.1: Specialised exchange surfaces 7.2: The mammalian gaseous exchange system 7.3: Measuring the process 7.4: Ventilation and gas exchange inother organisms Chapter 7 Practice questions Chapter 8 Transport in animals 8.1: Transport systems in multicellular animals 8.2: Blood vessels 8.3: Blood, tissue fluid, and lymph 8.4: Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood 8.5: The heart Chapter 8 Practice questions Chatper 9 Transport in plants 9.1: Transport systems in dicotyledonous plants 9.2: Water transport in multicellular plants 9.3: Transpiration 9.4: Translocation 9.5: Plant adaptations to water availability Chapter 9 Practice questions Module 3 summary Module 3 practice questions Module 4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease Module 4 introduction Chapter 10 Classification and evolution 10.1: Classification 10.2: The five kingdoms 10.3: Phylogeny 10.4: Evidence for evolution 10.5: Types of variation 10.6: Representing variation graphically 10.7: Adaptations 10.8: Changing population characteristics Chapter 10 practice questions Chapter 11 Biodiversity 11.1: Biodiversity 11.2: Types of sampling 11.3: Sampling techniques 11.4: Calculating biodiversity 11.5: Calculating genetic biodiversity 11.5: Factors affecting biodiversity 11.7: Reasons for maintaining biodiversity 11.8: Methods of maintaining biodiversity Chapter 11 practice questions Chapter 12 Communicable diseases 12.1: Animal and plant pathogens 12.2: Animal and plant diseases 12.3: The transmission of communicable diseases 12.4: Plant defences against pathogens 12.5: Non-specific animal defences against pathogens 12.6: The specific immune system 12.7: Preventing and treating disease Chapter 12 practice questions Module 4 summary Module 4 practice questions Module 5 Communication, homeostasis, and energy Chapter 13 Neuronal communication Chapter 13 Neuronal communication 13.1: Coordination 13.2: Neurones 13.3: Sensory receptors 13.4: Nervous transmission 13.5: Synapses 13.6: Organisation of the nervous system 13.7: Structure and function of the brain 13.8: Reflexes 13.9: Voluntary and involuntary muscles 13.10: Sliding filament model Chapter 13 Practice questions Chapter 14 Hormonal communication 14.1: Hormonal communication 14.2: Structure and function of the pancreas 14.3: Regulation of blood glucose concentration 14.4: Diabetes and its control 14.5: Coordinated responses 14.6: Controlling heart rate Chapter 14 Practice questions Chapter 15 Homeostasis 15.1: The principles of homeostasis 15.2: Thermoregulation in ectotherms 15.3: Thermoregulation in endotherms 15.4: Excretion, homeostasis, and the liver 15.5: The structure and function of the mammalian kidney 15.6: The kidney and osmoregulation 15.7: Urine and diagnosis 15.8: Kidney failure Chapter 15 Practice questions Chapter 16 Plant responses 16.1: Plant hormones and growth in platns 16.2: Plant responses to abiotic stress 16.3: Plant response to herbivory 16.4: Tropisms in plants 16.5: The commercial use of plant hormones Chapter 16 Practice questions Chapter 17 Energy for biological processes 17.1: Energy cycles 17.2: ATP synthesis 17.3: Photosynthesis 17.4: Factors affecting photosynthesis Chapter 17 Practice questions Chapter 18 Respiration 18.1: Glycolysis 18.2: Linking glycolysis and the Krebs cycle 18.3: The Kreb cycle 18.4: Oxidative phosphorylation 18.5: Aerobic respiration 18.6: Respiratory substrates Chapter 18 Practice questions Module 5 summary Module 5 questions Module 6 Genetics, evolution, and ecosystems Chapter 19 Genetics of living systems 19.1: Mutations and variation 19.2: Control of gene expression 19.3: Body plans Chapter 19 Practice questions Chapter 20 Patterns of inheritance and variation 20.1: Variation and inheritance 20.2: Monogenic inheritance 20.3: Dihybrid inheritance 20.4: Phenotypic ratios 20.5: Evolution 20.6: Speciation and artifical selection Chapter 20 Practice questions Chapter 21 Manipulating genomes 21.1: DNA profiling 21.2: DNA sequencing and analysis 21.3: Using DNA sequencing 21.4: Genetic engineering 21.5: Gene technology and ethics Chapter 21 Practice questions Chapter 22 Cloing and biotechnology 22.1: Natural cloning in plants 22.2: Artificial cloning in plants 21.4: Cloning in animals 22.4: Microorganisms and biotechnology 22.5: Microorganisms, medicines, and bioremediation 22.6: Culturing microorganisms in the laboratory 22.7: Culturing microorganisms on an industrial scale 22.8: Using immobilised enzymes Chapter 22 Practice questions Chapter 23 Ecosystems 23.1: Ecosystems 23.2: Biomass transfer through an ecosystem 23.3: Recycling within ecosystems 23.4: Succession 23.5: Measuring the distribution and abundance of organisms Chapter 23 Practice questions Chapter 24 Populations and sustainability 24.1: Population size 24.2: Competition 24.3: PredatorDSprey relationships 24.4: Conservation and preservation 24.5: Sustainability 24.6: Ecosystem management DS Masai mara 24.7: Ecosystem management DS Terai region of Nepal 24.8: Ecosystem management DS Peat bogs 24.9: Environmentally sensitive ecosystems Chapter 24 Practice questions Module 6 summary Module 6 questions

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Book Synopsis''A paean to the beauty and majesty of nature, especially the nature we overlook in our back gardens and local parks... And like all the best books, it makes the world around you a lot more interesting'' - Spectator''Beautifully written... I promise you will feel more in tune with the world around after reading only one chapter of Wild Signs and Star Paths, let alone the book in its entirety'' - Royal Institute of Navigation''A beautifully written almanac of tricks and tips that we''ve lost along the way'' - ObserverTristan Gooley, author of the internationally bestselling How To Read Water and The Walker''s Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs, shows how it is possible to achieve a level of outdoors awareness that will enable you to sense direction from stars and plants, forecast weather from woodland sounds and predict the next action of an animal from its body language - instantly.Although onTrade ReviewA captivating guide to finding one's way in the wild. * Wall Street Journal *Gooley's approach is a refreshing alternative to the encyclopaedic-style of many nature books. * Geographical *What's wonderful about this book is not just that it is full of helpful instructions for decoding the numerous clues the Earth provides to its workings - from the flick of a lizard's tail to a flutter in a bramble hedge - Gooley also communicates and inspires a joyful awe in the countless daily occurrences which offer observant travellers a key to the planet's miraculous system. * Big Issue *It's a thoughtful, lyrical book about the hidden connections between flora and fauna, the landscape and the weather, and most of its wise and wondrous observations are gleaned from the author's rambles around the English countryside. . . It's a paean to the beauty and majesty of nature, especially the nature we overlook in our back gardens and local parks. And so, amid the botany and zoology and meteorology there are snatches of pure poetry. . . And like all the best books, it makes the world around you a lot more interesting. * The Spectator *Gooley offers the reader a chance to recover the outdoorsman's natural sense through 52 "keys", to exchange slow, analytic thinking for the fast thinking that makes connections with nature in a way that few now experience. I recommend turning those keys and seeing what happens. * The Field Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThis collection from scientist and Nobel Peace Prize winner highlights the achievements of a man whose career reshaped the world''s understanding of quantum electrodynamics. The Pleasure of Finding Things Out is a magnificent treasury of the best short works of Richard P. Feynman-from interviews and speeches to lectures and printed articles. A sweeping, wide-ranging collection, it presents an intimate and fascinating view of a life in science-a life like no other. From his ruminations on science in our culture to his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the world of ideas.

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Book SynopsisThere have been many books about Antarctica in the past, but all have focused on only one aspect of the continent - its science, its wildlife, the heroic age of exploration, personal experiences or the sheer awesome beauty of the landscape- but none have managed to capture the whole story, until now.Gabrielle Walker, author, consultant to New Scientist and regular broadcaster with the BBC has written a book unlike any that has ever been written about the continent. Antarctica weaves all the significant threads into an intricate tapestry, made up of science, natural history, poetry, epic history, what it feels like to be there and why it draws so many different kinds of people back there again and again. It is only when all the parts come together that the underlying truths of the continent emerge. Antarctica is the most alien place on Earth, the only part of our planet where humans could never survive unaided. It is truly like walking on another planet. And yet, in its siTrade ReviewWe are all anxious Antarctic watchers now, and Walker's book is the essential primer * Guardian *The early Antarctic expeditions are thoroughly covered in this enthralling book. But, then again, so is every other aspect of a place that continues to haunt the human imagination ... Perhaps best of all, Walker gives us a fantastically vivid sense of what it's like to be in Antarctica * Readers Digest *This is a fascinating insight into one of the most inhospitable places on Earth and its implications for the world's future * Irish Examiner *Brimful of science, heroism, tragedy and laugh-out-loud humour, Antarctica is an exciting and informative read ... Walker interweaves personal accounts and in-depth research to tell an intimate captivating story -- Kathryn Jeffs * BBC Focus *

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Book SynopsisAn introductory guide to 180 species of bird commonly found throughout Scotland in the best-selling pocketable Gem format.Unlike many field guides, Gem Scottish Birds does not cover birds which only visit occasionally, or which occur in such small numbers and are so difficult to identify that only experienced birdwatchers can spot them. Instead, it concentrates on the commoner species that the amateur birdwatcher is most likely to see, plus a few scarcer ones of particular interest.The entries are grouped taxonomically, with a detailed introduction to all the different habitats. There are also details of key identification features and behavioural characteristics which will help you identify each bird with accuracy and ease.Each entry includes:Full-colour illustrationCommon name and Latin and Gaelic nameThe season in which the bird is likely to be spottedDetails on habitat, feeding habits and voiceThere is also a section with up-to-date details about places of interest and the best sit

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Book SynopsisBill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. His bestselling books include The Road to Little Dribbling, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. In a national poll, Notes from a Small Island was voted the book that best represents Britain. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and is the biggest selling non-fiction book of the 21st century. The Body: A Guide for Occupants was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and is an international bestseller.Bill Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University 2005-2011. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in England.Trade ReviewA directory of wonders. Extraordinary stories about the heart, lungs, genitals ... plus some anger and life advice – all delivered in the inimitable Bryson style -- Gavin Francis * Guardian *Remarkable ... Every page is dense with scientific facts written as vividly as a thriller, as well as answers to conundrums such as why we don’t fall out of bed when we are asleep ... It is woven through with the kind of human stories that Bryson has made his trademark. * Mail on Sunday *Readable and useful ... witty, jargon-free prose that glides you through 400 pages. It’s fun to read because it’s not just comprehensive, but quirky. -- Richard Morrison * The Times *SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019: 'so packed with arresting facts (you eat 60 tons of food in a lifetime) and unlikely anecdotes (such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel's six weeks with a half-sovereign lodged in his throat) that you barely notice the sheer volume of anatomical knowledge you're digesting ... makes complex subjects simple and eminently entertaining.' * Sunday Times *It is a feat of narrative skill to bake so many facts into an entertaining and nutritious book..where Byrson really shines is in his imaginative glosses on the facts he has collected. * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis‘Steve Brusatte, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, brings mammals out from the shadow of their more showy predecessors in a beautifully written book that . . . makes the case for them as creatures who are just as engaging as dinosaurs.’ – The Sunday Times, ‘Best Books For Summer’The passing of the age of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to become ascendant. But mammals have a much deeper history. They – or, more precisely, we – originated around the same time as the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago; mammal roots lie even further back, some 325 million years.Over these immense stretches of geological time, mammals developed their trademark features: hair, keen senses of smell and hearing, big brains and sharp intelligence, fast growth and warm-blooded metabolism, a distinctive line-up of teeth (canines, incisors, premolars, molars), mammary glands that mothers use to nourish their babies with milk, qualities that have underlain their success story.Out of this long and rich evolutionary history came the mammals of today, including our own species and our closest cousins. But today’s 6,000 mammal species - the egg-laying monotremes including the platypus, marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas that raise their tiny babies in pouches, and placentals like us, who give birth to well-developed young – are simply the few survivors of a once verdant family tree, which has been pruned both by time and mass extinctions.In The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, palaeontologist Steve Brusatte weaves together the history and evolution of our mammal forebears with stories of the scientists whose fieldwork and discoveries underlie our knowledge, both of iconic mammals like the mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers of which we have all heard, and of fascinating species that few of us are aware of.For what we see today is but a very limited range of the mammals that have existed; in this fascinating and ground-breaking book, Steve Brusatte tells their – and our – story.Trade ReviewTerrific . . . a saga on the grandest scale . . . beautifully told . . . Brusatte brings well-known extinct species, the sabre-toothed tigers and the woolly mammoths, thrillingly back to life * The Times, 'Book of the Week' *Nothing short of a thriller, revealing the luck, evolutionary twists and near-apocalyptical catastrophes that have led to the mammals of today, us included . . . Fascinating revelations come thick and fast * Guardian *Stands out for its brilliant balance of scientific detail and lively, efficient storytelling * New Scientist *Deeply researched and entertaining . . . Brusatte’s real achievement is to show us that, for all its sheer weight of numbers and impact, Homo sapiens is just ‘a single point, among millions of species over more than 200 million years. -- Mark Cocker * The Spectator *Gorgeous book . . . fantastic writing, brilliant science. -- Alice Roberts, author of AncestorsRiveting . . . A real page-turner that proves science fact is more amazing than science fiction. * The Sun *The epic story of how our mammalian cousins evolved to fly, walk, swim, and walk on two legs . . . [Brusatte's] deep knowledge infuse[s] this lively journey of millions of years of evolution with infectious enthusiasm. -- Neil Shubin, bestselling author of Your Inner Fish and University of Chicago paleontologistA fascinating account of how mammals survived the great extinction that destroyed the dinosaurs and evolved to their current position of dominance. A worthy sequel to [Steve Brusatte's] The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Cambridge University biologist

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Book Synopsisor the Grandfather Paradox - if you travelled back in time and killed your grandfather you would not have been born and would not therefore have killed your grandfather.Trade ReviewThe wizardry of Jim Al-Khalili is irresistible. Marvel at the mind-bending Zeno’s paradox! The amazing ambiguity of Schrödinger’s Cat! The preposterous postulations of perpetual motion! The extraterrestrial extrapolations of Fermi’s paradox! and other wonders of physics, philosophy, even poetry. “I have had tremendous fun writing this book,” says Professor Jim. Reading it is the best fun you can have beyond a pop-science comic book and a home particle accelerator * The Times *A master of making the complex simple * Independent on Sunday *Al-Khalili leads into the harder science, but does so with such deceptive ease that before you know it you’re mulling over the expanding universe, staring down quantum theory and pondering Schrödinger’s Cat – and enjoying it * Financial Times *Al-Khalili is the ideal guide through these seeming mysteries of modern science * New Scientist *[A] field guide to some of the most important and fascinating conundrums in physics * Science *

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Book Synopsis'Extraordinary' Ai Weiwei'Brilliant' Simon SchamaFear has long been a driving force - perhaps the driving force - of world history: a coercive tool of power and a catalyst for radical change. Here, Robert Peckham traces its transformative role over a millennium, from fears of famine and war to anxieties over God, disease, technology and financial crises.In a landmark global history that ranges from the Black Death to the terror of the French Revolution, the AIDS pandemic to climate change, Peckham reveals how fear made us who we are, and how understanding it can equip us to face the future.

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Book SynopsisQuick Reference for the core essentials of a subject and class that is challenging at best and that many students struggle with. In 6 laminated pages our experienced chemistry author and professor gathered key elements organized and designed to use along with your text and lectures, as a review before testing, or as a memory companion that keeps key answers always at your fingertips. As many students have said 'a must have' study tool. Suggested uses: Quick Reference -- instead of digging into the textbook to find a core answer you need while studying, use the guide to reinforce quickly and repeatedly; Memory -- refreshing your memory repeatedly is a foundation of studying, have the core answers handy so you can focus on understanding the concepts; Test Prep -- no student should be cramming, but if you are, there is no better tool for that final review.

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Book Synopsis‘I have a truly marvellous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain.’ It was with these words, written in the 1630s, that Pierre de Fermat intrigued and infuriated the mathematics community. For over 350 years, proving Fermat’s Last Theorem was the most notorious unsolved mathematical problem, a puzzle whose basics most children could grasp but whose solution eluded the greatest minds in the world. In 1993, after years of secret toil, Englishman Andrew Wiles announced to an astounded audience that he had cracked Fermat’s Last Theorem. He had no idea of the nightmare that lay ahead. In ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’ Simon Singh has crafted a remarkable tale of intellectual endeavour spanning three centuries, and a moving testament to the obsession, sacrifice and extraordinary determination of Andrew Wiles: one man against all the odds.Trade Review‘If you enjoyed Dava Sobel’s “Longitude” you will enjoy this.’ Evening Standard ‘This is probably the best popular account of a scientific topic I have ever read.’ Irish Times ‘Reads like the chronicle of an obsessive love affair. It has the classic ingredients that Hollywood would recognise.’ Daily Mail ‘To read it is to realise that there is a world of beauty and intellectual challenge that is denied to 99.9 per cent of us who are not high-level mathematicians.’ The Times ‘This tale has all the elements of a most exciting story: an impenetrable riddle; the ambition and frustration of generations of hopefuls; and the genius who worked for years in secrecy to realise his childhood dream.’ Express

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Book SynopsisWith an Introduction by Jeff Wallace. 'A grain in the balance will determine which individual shall live and which shall die...'. Darwin's theory of natural selection issued a profound challenge to orthodox thought and belief: no being or species has been specifically created; all are locked into a pitiless struggle for existence, with extinction looming for those not fitted for the task. Yet The Origin of Species (1859) is also a humane and inspirational vision of ecological interrelatedness, revealing the complex mutual interdependencies between animal and plant life, climate and physical environment, and - by implication - within the human world. Written for the general reader, in a style which combines the rigour of science with the subtlety of literature, The Origin of Species remains one of the founding documents of the modern age.

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Book Synopsis''A very funny, important and only moderately terrifying clarion call of a book'' - Adam Kay''HOT MESS provides loads of laughs about the climate situation and will position you at the right point between fear and determination'' - Mark Watson ''Hilarious, informative and worrying in equal measure. And that''s just the bits about having a baby'' - Josie LongFor fans of Randall Munro''s WHAT IF? Matt Parker''s HUMBLE PI and anyone looking for practical tips on how to stop the end of the world!Dr Matt Winning is a stand-up comedian and environmental economist with a PHD in climate change policy, which means he''s the sort of doctor who will rush to your side if you fall ill on a plane, but only to berate you for flying. We are currently facing a global climate emergency. You''ve probably noticed. But why does the end of the world need to be so depressing? HOT MESS aims to both lighTrade ReviewClimate change is no laughing matter - oh yes it is - with Matt Winning's superb, hilarious, side-splitting book that makes you take a whole new look at the climate crisis, surviving having children and life in general. * Mark Maslin, author of How to Save Our Planet *A very funny, important and only moderately terrifying clarion call of a book. * Adam Kay *HOT MESS provides loads of laughs about "the climate situation" and will position you at the right point between fear and determination. * Mark Watson *Hilarious, informative and worrying in equal measure. And that's just the bits about having a baby. * Josie Long *The first book about climate change that made me laugh out loud. If you've been too freaked out to subject yourself to the climate crisis, Hot Mess is the kick in the pants you need to start making yourself useful. * ' Prof. Kimberly Nicholas, author of Under the Sky We Make: How to Be Human in a Warming World *Everything a Fringe show should be: hilarious, personal, inventive, and something that will stay with you for some time to come. * EdFestMag *Winning's sharp wit and intelligence allows him to educate as he entertains. * Sunday Post *

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Book SynopsisDigital Media: Human-Technology Connection examines what it is like to be alive in today's technologically textured world and showcases specific digital media technologies that makes this kind of world possible. So much of human experience occurs through digital media that it is time to pause and consider the process and proliferation of digital consumption and humanity's role in it through an interdisciplinary array of sources from philosophy, media studies, film studies, media ecology and philosophy of technology. When placed in the interpretive lens of artifact, instrument, and tool, digital media can be studied in a uniquely different way, as a kind of technology that pushes the boundaries on production, distribution and communication and alters the way humans and technology connect with each other and the world. The book is divided into two sections to provide overarching definitions and case study specifics. Section one, Raw Materials, examines pertinent concepts like digital medTrade ReviewThis small volume has an immodest aim—to analyze 'how digital media change our day-to-day lifeworld experience.' This analysis consists primarily of two components. First is a description of 'postphenomenology,' which is described as phenomenology leavened with pragmatism and close attention to the experiences of using specific technologies. The second is a series of 'cases,' which include descriptions of the use of screens, earbuds, portable music players, digitally altered ('photoshopped') images, aggregate news services, and athletic performance monitoring. Straightforward descriptions of these familiar digital media experiences are juxtaposed with metaphors (e.g., the 'siren's song of today'), oracular statements by phenomenologists, and, most especially, open-ended questions ('Is the technological weave in our contemporary world a heavy covering?' or 'If I cannot hear lifeworld sounds, am I less of a citizen?'). Readers should not expect definitive answers to such questions but instead are encouraged to be mindful of how casual, but pervasive, use of digital media can alter basic experiences and thus who people are. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and professionals. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Foreword Section 1: Raw Materials Chapter 1: Exploring the Texture Chapter 2: Describing Digital Media Chapter 3: Digging Section 2: Feeling the Weave Chapter 4: Case: The Screen Chapter 5: Case: Dwelling in digital Sound Chapter 6: Case: Earbud Embodiment Chapter 7: Case: Being-In-The World-With my iPod Chapter 8: Case: Dubstep Chapter 9: Case: The Photoshop Aesthetic Chapter 10: Case: Data mining Chapter 11: Case: Aggregate News Chapter 12: Case: Self Tracking Epilogue

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Book Synopsis''Inspirational'' - ObserverA transformational quest for the secrets of happy, healthy, whole-life running that will change the way you think about growing older.Colourful, informative and inspiring, The Race Against Time is a story of cold science and heart-warming resilience; of champions and also-rans; of sprinting centenarians and forty-something super-athletes barely touched by age. Its heroes are experts and enthusiasts - scientists, coaches, runners - from many countries, each with a different story to tell.This is a book for anyone who has ever felt the healing power of running or simply wondered about the effects of ageing. It is both a very personal account of one man''s journey from despair to hope, and an exhilarating guide, explaining how timely adjustments to lifestyle and training can slow the progress of physiological decay, while sheer human spirit can, if you are lucky, keep you running happily and healthily, all the wa

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Book SynopsisA plant's botanical name does more than give it a unique label. The name can often reveal where it originated, who discovered it, what shape it is, and more besides. This book is an indispensible guide, making the subject accessible and enjoyable, showing not only how plant names work, but also how you can make use of them in practical ways.

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Book Synopsis'A remarkable and important guide to effecting change in our individual lives, businesses, societies - and beyond' JONAH BERGER, bestselling author of ContagiousHow did movements like the Arab Spring and Black Lives Matter take off when they did? How did Lord Kitchener recruit 2,000,000 volunteers at the start of World War I?Why did Twitter take hold while Google+ has failed?What surprising lessons can we learn from Covid 19?From the spread of Covid-19 to the rise of political polarization, from implicit bias to genetically modified food, from NASA to Netflix - it's time to think differently about how change works.Professor Damon Centola is the world expert in the new science of networks. His ground-breaking research across areas as disparate as voting, health, technology and finance has highlighted powerful and highly effective new ways to ensure lasting change. In this book, Centola distils over a decade of deep experience into a fascinating new theory that challenges previous assumptions that new ideas are either contagious or not. Change shows that beliefs and behaviours are not transmitted from person to person in the simple way that a virus is. The real story of social change is more complex and much more interesting. When we are exposed to a new idea, our social networks guide our responses in striking and surprising ways. Drawing on deep-yet-accessible research and fascinating examples, Change presents a paradigm-shifting new science for understanding what drives change, recognising our blind spots and how we can change the world around us.Trade ReviewAn utterly fascinating read that will challenge your core assumptions about how change happens * ADAM GRANT, bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take *Thought-provoking . . . A fascinating account of how change works and why it so often fails * Daily Mail *Will inspire you to start making the world a better place * Next Big Idea Club *Compelling * Nature *

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Book SynopsisThe Essential Pocket Guide.

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Book SynopsisInsects are essential for life as we know it. There are at least one million species of insects, together making up over 80 per cent of all living species on Earth. Around 10,000 new species of insects are discovered every year. In Insectarium learn about the secret world thriving right underneath your feet. How did insects evolve into what they are today? How do they work together and how do they defend themselves? Explore the rooms of Insectarium and meet the beautiful demoiselle and the gigantic goliath beetle. Learn why these small creatures have such a huge impact on the world around us, and why we should be protecting them. This latest addition to the Welcome to the Museum series will appeal to any budding entomologist or nature lover with a thirst for more knowledge.Written by award-winning author, Dave Goulson.

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Book Synopsis''The best book ever written'' Nicholas Lezard, GuardianRobert Burton''s labyrinthine, beguiling, playful masterpiece is his attempt to ''anatomize and cut up'' every aspect of the condition of melancholy, from which he had suffered throughout his life. Ranging over beauty, digestion, the planets, alcohol, goblins, kissing, poetry and the restorative power of books, among many other things, The Anatomy of Melancholy has fascinated figures from Samuel Johnson to Jorge Luis Borges since the seventeenth century, and remains an incomparable examination of the human condition in all its flawed, endless variety.Edited with an introduction by Angus GowlandTrade ReviewThe best book ever written -- Nick Lezard * Guardian *The greatest work of prose of the greatest period of English prose-writing -- Llewelyn PowysBurton's masterpiece. It is one of the finest prose works in English . . . it is funny, a laugh-aloud book, one that seems to convey the character of its writer with a rare clarity. It is an ode to reading that overflows with allusions and quotations, making it a book that feels, at times, as if it is about the whole of human knowledge. In its wonderfully capacious digressiveness, it pulsates with a life force that is, in itself, a charm against the terrors, the fears and the loneliness of melancholy * The Guardian *This is the best popular edition ever produced of one of the most amusing books in our language, a masterpiece of scholarship. It belongs on the shelves of everyone who loves English literature and all those who aspire to do so * The Critic *

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Book Synopsis'The most important advance of our era. One of the pioneers of the field describes the exciting hunt for the key breakthrough and what it portends for our future' Walter IsaacsonWorld-famous scientist Jennifer Doudna - winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for creating the revolutionary gene-editing technique CRISPR - explains her discovery, describes its power to reshape the future of all life and warns of its use.A handful of discoveries have changed the course of human history. This book is about the most recent and potentially the most powerful and dangerous of them all. It is an invention that allows us to rewrite the genetic code that shapes and controls all living beings. As a result, dreams of genetic manipulation have become a stark reality: the power to cure disease and alleviate suffering, as well as to re-design any species, including humans, for our own ends. Jennifer Doudna is the co-inventor of this technology - known as CRISPR - and a scientist of worldwide renown. Writing with fellow researcher Samuel Sternberg, here she provides the definitive account of her discovery, explaining how this wondrous invention works and what it is capable of. She also asks us to consider what our new-found power means: how do we enjoy its unprecedented benefits while avoiding its equally unprecedented dangers? _________________PRAISE FOR A CRACK IN CREATION: 'The future is in our hands as never before, and this book explains the stakes like no other' George Lucas'One of the most PIONEERING women in science . . . Exhilarating' Arianna Huffington'Thrilling' Adam Rutherford'An instant classic' Siddhartha MukherjeeTrade ReviewThe most important advance of our era. One of the pioneers of the field describes the exciting hunt for the key breakthrough and what it portends for our future -- Walter IsaacsonToo important … What may happen thanks to Doudna’s [discovery] is dizzying … for her, this is the future of medicine. If she’s right, then Crispr is about to make our present healthcare concerns look surprisingly trivial -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *One of the architects of this miraculous biological technique … explains the science clearly and excitingly as a kind of globalist detective story * Telegraph *Probably the greatest biological breakthrough since that of Francis Crick, James Watson and Rosalind Franklin… We owe Doudna several times over – for her discovery, for her zeal to take it from the lab into the clinic, for her involvement in the ethical issues raised, for her public engagement work, and now for this book -- Peter Forbes * Guardian *An urgent plea from the celebrated biologist whose discovery enabled us to rewrite the code of life. The future is in our hands as never before, and this book explains the stakes like no other -- George LucasUrgent, riveting and endlessly fascinating, this book is destined to become an instant classic. Read it if you want to understand our biological future -- Siddhartha MukherjeeIn this wonderful book … Doudna’s and Sternberg’s simple but compelling exploration of this hugely important subject offers and excellent overview of this startling and unprecedented discovery * Literary Review *An exhilarating and frightening roadmap to our future by one of the most pioneering women in science -- Arianna HuffingtonJennifer Doudna is the true pioneer who built the bridge between the basic science of CRISPR and its diverse applications. Now is the time to read about the revolution that could change our world -- George ChurchA scientific thriller and a gripping read by a brilliant scientist -- Venki RamakrishnanOne of the most monumental discoveries in biology * New York Times *A detailed account of the story so far. It may well end up being compared with the book that inspired a 12-year-old Doudna in the first place: James Watson’s The Double Helix … Packed with amazing female scientists, it is thrilling, generous and no less personal … We need scientifically informed conversations about what we should do next with these powers, and Doudna’s book is a good place to begin -- Adam Rutherford * New Scientist *A welcome new contribution to the [gene editing] debate… She should be congratulated for being one of the very few scientists involved in a breakthrough to write a timely, popular personal account… Doudna’s style, more contemplative than Watson or Venter, is just as effective at describing the increasingly frantic pace of life in the lab, as researchers realise that epoch-making discoveries are in the offing. She tells the scientific back-story particularly well… The arguments are rehearsed with admirable clarity -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisForeword writer Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford, where she studies the growth of supermassive black holes. She hosts the award-winning YouTube channel Dr Becky.

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