Science & Nature Books

19166 products


  • The Marsh Tit and The Willow Tit

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Marsh Tit and The Willow Tit

    Book SynopsisA superb account of the ecology and behaviour of two declining bird species whose lives are intimately shaped by their woodland habitats.' Rob FullerThere can surely be nobody else as richly qualified as Richard Broughton to write this definitive work on the natural history of these two fascinating species.' Prof Ben SheldonThe Marsh Tit and the Willow Tit are two small birds of woodlands and forests extending from Great Britain to Japan. They are resourceful, resilient, vocal and bold. Both species are an important part of our natural heritage and are sentinels of our wooded ecosystems, sensitive to habitat changes that send their populations into decline and signalling problems in these precious habitats.In this first monograph for either species, Richard Broughton reveals the intricacies of the remarkable lives of these birds, bringing together decades of personal study and a detailed review of the wider research from Europe and Asia. We le

    £57.00

  • RSPB ID Spotlight  Woodland Birds

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC RSPB ID Spotlight Woodland Birds

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisRSPB ID Spotlight Woodland Birds is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 63 of our most widespread and familiar woodland birds by renowned artist Stephen Message.Our landscape has long been shaped by its native tree cover, whether pine, oak, beech or birch. These habitats are full of life, and you''ll see many different bird species in all kinds of woodlands throughout the year. But do you know a Nuthatch from a Treecreeper? And can you tell the difference between a Goshawk and a Common Buzzard when it''s soaring overhead? The UK''s woodlands are home to a diverse collection of our most beautiful wild bird species.The species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification, while the artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field. The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our woodland birds, as well as the conservation isTable of ContentsIntroducing the UK’s Woodland Birds Habitat Distribution and Migration General Behaviour, Life Cycle and Diet Conservation Spotlight ID with Artwork

    2 in stock

    £6.18

  • Will We Ever Speak Dolphin

    John Murray Press Will We Ever Speak Dolphin

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisEver wondered . . . - what is earwax for?- when is the moon blue?- why are there only two sexes?- do doctors live longer?Informative, hilarious, sometimes unsettling and always unexpected, the questions and answers from New Scientist readers in the magazine''s popular ''Last Word'' column are endlessly fascinating. Will We Ever Speak Dolphin? brings the best of the bunch together in another witty, weird and wise compendium that''s irresistible for ''Last Word'' fans and new readers alike.If you''ve ever wanted to know why you can''t hear shouting underwater, whether ants get scared of humans towering over them, how butterflies know where they''re heading, or whether there really is a difference between martinis shaken or stirred, New Scientist has all the weird and witty answers.

    2 in stock

    £9.99

  • Statistics An Introduction Teach Yourself

    John Murray Press Statistics An Introduction Teach Yourself

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisDo you need to gain confidence with handling numbers and formulae? Do you want a clear, step-by-step guide to the key concepts and principles of statistics? Nearly all aspects of our lives can be subject to statistical analysis. Statistics: An Introduction shows you how to interpret, analyze and present figures.Assuming minimal knowledge of maths and using examples from a wide variety of everyday contexts, this book makes often complex concepts and techniques easy to get to grips with. This new edition has been fully updated.Whether you want to understand the statistics that you are bombarded with every day or are a student or professional coming to statistics from a wide range of disciplines, Statistics: An Introduction covers it all.

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Cognitive Linguistic Approaches to Text and

    Edinburgh University Press Cognitive Linguistic Approaches to Text and

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisDrawing on range of text genres including novels, poems, health forums, holiday guestbooks, prayers, political songs and news stories, each chapter uses cognitive linguistics to shed light on the meanings and meaning-making processes invoked when we encounter texts belonging to different literary and political genres.

    2 in stock

    £20.89

  • The Ascent of Gravity

    Orion Publishing Co The Ascent of Gravity

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhy the force that keeps our feet on the ground holds the key to understanding time and the origin of the universeTrade Review'Entertaining and at times mind-boggling guide to the weakest of nature's fundamental forces, which also controls the fate of the universe' -- Manjit Kumar * The Times *'Chown is good company. He tells his story clearly and sets out the key ideas without recourse to jargon and intimidating mathematics . . . "There has never been a better time to study gravity," Arkani-Hamed insists, and Chown's eminently readable book helps us understand why' -- Graham Farmelo * Guardian *'Marcus Chown is one of the UK's best writers on physics and astronomy - it's excellent to see him back on what he does best . . . no one has covered the topic with such a light touch and joie de vivre as Chown . . . It gives what I think is the best introduction to string theory at this basic descriptive level I've ever seen . . . a very readable exploration of humanity's gradual realisation of what gravity was about with all of Chown's usual sparkle . . . a delight' -- Brian Clegg * popularscience.co.uk *'"Everyone thinks it sucks but in most of the Universe it blows." That aphoristic introduction hints at the genial wit and scientific flair that await in Marcus Chown's primer on gravity, which traces the historic arc of our understanding of the force. He shows how Isaac Newton's 1687 Principia - which distilled fundamental laws from the complexity of the cosmos - helps to explain phenomena such as tides. He analyses Albert Einstein's reformulation of gravity as warped space-time. And he gazes into the weird realm of quantum theory - and the "undiscovered country" of the next big questions' -- Barbara Kiser * Nature *'Compact and accessible while remaining comprehensive. A welcome addition to anyone's popular science library, written in a relaxed style and full of relevant quotations' * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *'A readable romp through the history of cosmology and its possible future, all tied together through the story of how we have understood gravity . . . Chown is excellent on bringing out the temporary nature of theories, as well as the messy business of refining them' * thebookbag.co.uk *'An accessible history of the most well known but least understood force' * Big Issue North *'Mind-bogglingly brilliant' * www.booklore.co.uk *'[Chown's] chapter on the tides, from the water in the River Severn to the squeezing and stretching of Jupiter's moon Io, is lovely . . . One of the nicest explanations I've read of the fact that objects of different mass fall at the same rate . . . We end with the current attempt to reconcile gravity and quantum theory, and a surprisingly accessible and enjoyable discussion of string theory and multidimensional space . . . Enjoyably, Chown's book doesn't give the sense that "physics is broken" I've come across elsewhere; it's more that we're on the cusp of an exciting step change in our understanding' -- Cait MacPhee, professor of biological physics, University of Edinburgh * THES *The "detective mystery" aspect of the subject [is] certainly something Chown captures to perfection * FORTEAN TIMES *A helter-skelter tour through the lives and discoveries of people who helped us understand gravity .. fascinating facts ... he gives us the clearest explanation I have yet read of Einstein's principle of relativity ... this book taught me science and science history in an engaging fashion ... Chown's style carries the reader along in the quest to understand gravity and I recommend it ... entertaining science history -- John Davies * ASTRONOMY NOW *Timely, accessible and peppered with quotes from Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, this history ofsomething we all feel but still cannot quite grasp has an admirably light touch * THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Science Book of the Year' *Timely and accessible, this history of something we all feel but still cannot quite grasp has an admirably light touch. -- Rob Kingston * The Sunday Times (Culture) *Chown's fascinating guide to the force of gravity follows its story from Newton to the as yet undiscovered quantum theory of gravity - the holy grail of 21st-century physics. He concludes that the greatest questions in science (Where did the universe come from? What are space and time?) are tantalisingly close to being answered -- Jane Shilling * DAILY MAIL 'Must Read' *

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • Rebel Cell

    Orion Publishing Co Rebel Cell

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fresh and fascinating investigation into cancer and how genetics holds the key to overcoming it.Trade ReviewThis book is packed with big ideas about life. Every chapter has something in it which made me think wow. Having worked in a major cancer charity for many years, Arney writes with genuine in-depth understanding and is a perfect guide. * Daniel M. Davis, author of The Beautiful Cure *Rebel Cell is a bright, engaging read, fizzing with energy and metaphor. Kat Arney is a science writer for all of us - a powerful and talented story teller. * Stephen McGann *Kat's book is Dynamite. A crystal clear reappraisal of the story behind that word we fear to mention. * Dallas Campbell, author of Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet *Forget magic bullets and much hyped miracle cures, to improve the chances of cancer patients we need revolutionary new thinking. And that new thinking, Arney forcefully argues, is evolutionary. She not only places cancer in its evolutionary context but shows how understanding a cancer as an evolving entity leads to new therapeutic approaches that work. This lively, scholarly and accessible book should be essential reading. * Professor Laurence D Hurst, President of the Genetics Society *Better than just a history or scientific rundown of cancer, Kat Arney presents a philosophy for how to think about cancer. * Zach Weinersmith author of Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That Will Improve and/or Ruin Everything *Kat Arney does it again: taking the complex and making it easy to grasp, demystifying the mysterious, asking the right questions and finding the surprising answers - and all with rollicking good humour and bonhomie. The war on cancer would itself be far more advanced if its practitioners knew how to communicate with us and each other as well as Kat does in this mind-thrilling page turner. * Mark Stevenson, Futurist and Author of We Do Things Differently: the outsiders rebooting our world *A lively study of the Big C, which makes the case that cancer is the price we pay for our marvellously complicated bodies. * The Times *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Star Builders

    Orion Publishing Co The Star Builders

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIs it possible to build a star on earth?When asked what problem he hoped scientists will have solved by the end of the century, Professor Stephen Hawking replied ''I would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.'' But what is nuclear fusion, and could it really be the answer to the climate emergency? Fusion exists already in the stars that fill our universe with light, but can we harness that power here on earth? This is the question The Star Builders seeks to answer. In his compelling new book, Dr Arthur Turrell makes the case for cutting-edge new techniques in nuclear energy - innovations that would allow us to recreate the power of the stars on our own planet. Filled with the remarkable stories of the scientists and entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to a seemingly impossible dream, The Star Builders is an unmissable insight into the future of life - aTrade ReviewA gobsmackingly good read... Turrell's portraits of the undaunted star-building scientists who are trying to make fusion a reality are not just compelling but, dare I say it, fun. I learned a lot by reading this book. You will, too. * Robert Bryce, author of A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations *The Star Builders surveys this vibrant frontier of science and technology clearly and realistically. It brings a timely, hopeful message. * Frank Wilczek, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and author of Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality *Incredibly readable and entertaining. The book's first-hand accounts of what is occurring inside fusion startups are especially enthralling. Turrell skillfully tells the fascinating story of the personalities, science, and technology that have brought this fledging industry to the point of takeoff. * Jason Parisi, coauthor of The Future of Fusion Energy *Painstakingly researched. Turrell gives us a front-row seat to the hard-fought race for fusion, and he offers convincing reasons for optimism. In fact, he shows us a galaxy of effort being directed toward 'building a star.' * James Mahaffey, PhD, author of Atomic Adventures *Arthur Turrell captures the excitement of the race to produce the first commercial fusion energy-perhaps the most important technological race of all. * Sir Steve Cowley, director of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory *The Star Builders is realistic and positive - an interesting snapshot of the current situation and key players * Nature *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • From Our Own Correspondent

    Orion Publishing Co From Our Own Correspondent

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFor over fifty years, From Our Own Correspondent has been one of BBC Radio 4's flagship programmes. Every week BBC foreign correspondents, journalists and writers reflect on current headlines, often bringing a personal perspective to them. There are few countries and subjects which have not featured on the programme - places as diverse as the Faroes, Moldova in Eastern Europe, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and one of Africa's smallest countries - Sao Tome and Principe.So many of the outlets that correspondents work for demand little more than writing to television pictures or covering the day's events in one report of perhaps only a minute's duration. In From Our Own Correspondent, the reporter can tell us so much more: a bit of context, some relevant history, one or two of the characters encountered en route, some description of a foreign country or capital. It is a programme where the correspondents will often relate the unexpected: the dayTrade ReviewA flagship BBC radio programme for 65 years, From Our Own Correspondent has always sought to bring listeners the stories behind the headlines and unexpected tales that don't make the news. Here, editor Polly Hope compiles engrossing dispatches from the past decade, spanning every continent. These powerful, personal testimonies from the BBC's foreign correspondents transport the reader from the World Cup to the Arab Spring via refugee camps and the Vatican, and meditate on issues ranging from Brexit to climate change. * RADIO TIMES *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • Surrogate Humanity

    Duke University Press Surrogate Humanity

    Book SynopsisIn Surrogate Humanity Neda Atanasoski and Kalindi Vora trace the ways in which robots, artificial intelligence, and other technologies serve as surrogates for human workers within a labor system entrenched in racial capitalism and patriarchy. Analyzing myriad technologies, from sex robots and military drones to sharing-economy platforms, Atanasoski and Vora show how liberal structures of antiblackness, settler colonialism, and patriarchy are fundamental to human---machine interactions, as well as the very definition of the human. While these new technologies and engineering projects promise a revolutionary new future, they replicate and reinforce racialized and gendered ideas about devalued work, exploitation, dispossession, and capitalist accumulation. Yet, even as engineers design robots to be more perfect versions of the human—more rational killers, more efficient workers, and tireless companions—the potential exists to develop alternative modes of engineerinTrade Review“By bringing a much more nuanced reading of race, gender, and difference to science and technology studies, Atanasoski and Vora provoke us to think more deeply about how our imagined technological futures always already serve to reproduce our most problematic pasts—and what forms or processes can disrupt and transcend these. This is a vital project that should speak to us all.” -- Barbara Herr Harthorn * American Ethnologist *“Surrogate Humanity...confirm[s] that the human is a contingent concept.... The authors also spotlight how contemporary discourses concerning automation, in particular, alternately promise liberation and threaten debasement while eliding the roles of racialized and colonial subjects in producing the technologies and materials on which automation relies.” -- Rebecah Pulsifer * Women's Studies Quarterly *“...Surrogate Humanity usefully provides examples from literary, artistic, engineering, and scientific projects that critique or outright refuse technoliberalism’s frame for recognizing full humanity. These rebellious acts of imagination show us that the potential exists to develop alternative designs and trajectories for technological development ... in ways that prioritize equity and justice.” -- Anita Lam * Surveillance & Society *“Surrogate Humanity is a fascinating and important book that provides a much-needed counter narrative to prevailing approaches in science and technology studies.... Complemented by their mode of collaborative writing as a radical feminist act, the book is thus certain to inspire scholars and activists alike....” -- Sibille Merz * Ethnic and Racial Studies *“Atanasoski and Vora’s major intervention in the automation debate is their argument that automation imaginaries are shaped by liberal humanism and the racial hierarchies embedded in it.... One strength of Surrogate Humanity is the range of technological discourses, objects, and processes in which the authors elucidate the logics of technoliberalism.” -- J. Jesse Ramírez * American Quarterly *“Atanasoski andVora write with thoughtful scholarship and careful word selection.... [Surrogate Humanity] also provides a generative grounding in relevant science and technology studies and race theory literatures.... [I]t should be required reading in any sociology course on colonization and empire.” -- Laurel Smith-Doerr * Contemporary Sociology *“Surrogate Humanity questions what it means to be human at all, and is an incredibly useful analysis for anyone interested in shifting from thinking about robots within a tool-using paradigm, to an ethics paradigm.” -- Lindsay Balfour * Cultural Studies *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction: The Surrogate Human Effects of Technoliberalism 1 1. Technoliberalism and Automation: Racial Imaginaries of a Postlabor World 27 2. Sharing, Collaboration, and the Commons in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Appropriative Techniques of Technoliberal Capitalism 54 3. Automation and the Invisible Service Function: Toward an "Artificial Artificial Intelligence" 87 4. The Surrogate Human Affect: The Racial Programming of Robot Emotion 108 5. Machine Autonomy and the Unmanned Spacetime of Technoliberal Warfare 134 6. Killer Robots: Feeling Human in the Field of War 163 Epilogue: On Technoliberal Desire, Or Why There Is No Such Thing as a Feminist A1 188 Notes 197 Bibliography 225 Index 233

    £18.89

  • Why String Theory

    Taylor & Francis Inc Why String Theory

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisPhysics World''s ''Book of the Year'' for 2016 An Entertaining and Enlightening Guide to the Who, What, and Why of String Theory, now also available in an updated reflowable electronic format compatible with mobile devices and e-readers.During the last 50 years, numerous physicists have tried to unravel the secrets of string theory. Yet why do these scientists work on a theory lacking experimental confirmation?Why String Theory? provides the answer, offering a highly readable and accessible panorama of the who, what, and why of this large aspect of modern theoretical physics. The author, a theoretical physics professor at the University of Oxford and a leading string theorist, explains what string theory is and where it originated. He describes how string theory fits into physics and why so many physicists and mathematicians find it appealing when working on topics from M-theory to monsters and from cosmology to superconducTrade Review"There is no direct experimental evidence for string theory. And yet it is one of the biggest games in town. So why do physicists study it and what is it? To answer these questions you need an insider like Conlon, the perfect guide to lead you into the mysterious world of vibrating strings and multidimensional space. Why String Theory? wonderfully unwraps the science, history and philosophy behind one of the most challenging theories of the twenty-first century." —Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, University of Oxford, UK, and Author of The Music of the Primes"Joe Conlon has taken on the formidable task of explaining string theory, one of the great theoretical developments of the late 20th century. Building on the successes of fundamental particle physics and general relativity, string theory attempts to dig deeper into reality and to come up with a more consistent and mathematically powerful approach to how the universe works. With remarkable clarity and clear prose, Conlon assembles the edifice of string theory in a way that makes it clear why it is such an important intellectual endeavour. He offers a balanced account of its successes and failures and presents a robust response to the critics of string theory. This is a timely, intelligent, and exciting book that describes the joy and pain of working at the frontiers of theoretical physics."—Pedro Ferreira, Author of The Perfect Theory, and Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford, UK"A very engaging and up-to-date discussion of string theory that describes its main goals and achievements. It includes the history of how it was developed, with its interesting twists and turns. The surprising connections with other areas of physics and mathematics are clearly explained. Highly recommended for a lay reader with an interest in fundamental physics."—Juan Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, USA"This is arguably the most compelling set of arguments to explain why string theory has been so attractive to several generations of theoretical physicists in the past three decades despite the lack of experimental evidence. It is written not only with the passion of a practitioner and the broad knowledge and fresh mind of an accomplished young Oxford professor but also with an effort to be understood by enthusiasts of popular science, either young students with an interest in science, researchers in other fields, or the general public. The author introduces subjects with original, witty, and often funny arguments, without offending the intelligence of the reader. Besides being an excellent introduction to string theory, the book is also a unified presentation of the latest developments and open questions in fundamental physics, covering the importance of the basic building blocks of nature, including the recent Higgs discovery, to the latest developments in astrophysics, early universe cosmology, and black hole physics, as well as apparently unrelated subjects such as material science and superconductivity. It also addresses the standard criticisms of string theory and provides honest and thoughtful answers while recognising the weak points and open challenges. In addition, it emphasises the fact that string theory is not only a theory of gravity at the microscopic level but the most ambitious theory ever devised that encompasses all particles and interactions in a consistent manner and deserves to be explored by the most inquisitive and curious minds."—Fernando Quevedo, Director ICTP, Trieste, Italy, and Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, UK "In this book, Professor Conlon has provided—as he promises in his preface—an astonishingly clear tour of modern physics. It is hard to think of a better, clearer, or wittier review, and one that will be particularly useful to science undergraduates curious as to where their field is heading. School students who have done some reading around the subject (e.g., who have read books by Brian Greene) might also find this work of great value. It’s highly recommended."—Nigel Seel on his blog Wading Through Treacle, January 2016"Conlon is a lively, entertaining writer … [he] does a great job of explaining the point of view of typical physicists now working on string theory. He also very ably explains the ‘sociology’ of the field, the different kinds of people who work in this area and their varying sorts of goals and motivations. … I recommend [the book] highly to anyone who cares about these issues."—Peter Woit on his blog Not Even Wrong, December 2015Table of ContentsWhy?: The Long Wait. Scales of Science: Little and Large. Big Lessons of Physics. The Truth Is Out There. What?: What Was String Theory? What Is String Theory? What For?: Direct Experimental Evidence for String Theory. Why Strings? Quantum Field Theory. Why Strings? Mathematics. Why Strings? Cosmology and Particle Physics. Why Strings? Quantum Gravity. Who?: A Thousand Flowers Blooming: Styles of Science. #EpicFail? Criticisms of String Theory. Why String Theory?

    2 in stock

    £28.99

  • Plant Bioinformatics

    Humana Press Inc. Plant Bioinformatics

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe second edition of this volume focuses on applied bioinformatics with specific applications to crops and model plants. Plant Bioinformatics: Methods and Protocols is aimed at plant biologists who have an interest in, or requirement for, accessing and manipulating huge amounts of data being generated by high throughput technologies. This book would also be of interest to bioinformaticians and computer scientists who would benefit from an introduction to the different tools and systems available for plant research. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and software, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.Authoritative and thorough, Plant Bioinformatics: Methods and Protocols helps researchers with the increasing volume and diversity of data from different plants aTable of Contents1. Using GenBankEric W. Sayers and Ilene Karsch-Mizrachi2. UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, The Manually Annotated Section of the UniProt KnowledgeBase: How to Use the Entry ViewEmmanuel Boutet, Damien Lieberherr, Michael Tognolli, Michel Schneider, Parit Bansal, Alan J. Bridge, Sylvain Poux, Lydie Bougueleret, and Ioannis Xenarios3. KEGG Bioinformatics Resource for Plant Genomics and MetabolomicsMinoru Kanehisa4. Plant Pathway DatabasesPankaj Jaiswal and Björn Usadel5. The Plant Ontology: A Tool for Plant GenomicsLaurel Cooper and Pankaj Jaiswal6. Ensembl Plants: Integrating Tools for Visualizing, Mining, and Analyzing Plant Genomics DataDan Bolser, Daniel M. Staines, Emily Pritchard, and Paul Kersey7. Gramene: A Resource for Comparative Analysis of Plants Genomes and PathwaysMarcela Karey Monaco, Joshua Stein, Sharon Wei, Ken Youens-Clark, Pankaj Jaiswal, and Doreen Ware8. PGSB/MIPS Plant Genome Information Resources and Concepts for the Analysis of Complex Grass GenomesManuel Spannagl, Kai Bader, Matthias Pfeifer, Thomas Nussbaumer, and Klaus FX Mayer9. MaizeGDB: The Maize Genetics and Genomics DatabaseLisa Harper, Jack Gardiner, Carson Andorf, and Carolyn J. Lawrence10. WheatGenome.info: A Resource for Wheat Genomics ResourceKaitao Lai11. User Guidelines for the Brassica Database: BRADXiaobo Wang, Feng Cheng, and Xiaowu Wang12. TAG Sequence Identification of Genomic Regions Using TAGdbPradeep Ruperao13. Short Read Alignment Using SOAP2Bhavna Hurgobin14. Tablet: Visualizing Next-Generation Sequence Assemblies and MappingsIain Milne, Micha Bayer, Gordon Stephen, Linda Cardle, and David Marshall15. Analysis of Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) DataSateesh Kagale, Chushin Koh, Wayne E. Clarke, Venkatesh Bollina, Isobel A.P. Parkin, and Andrew G. Sharpe16. Skim-Based Genotyping by Sequencing Using a Double Haploid Population to Call SNPs, Infer Gene Conversions and Improve Genome AssembliesPhilipp Emanuel Bayer17. Finding and Characterizing Repeats in Plant GenomesJacques Nicolas, Pierre Peterlongo, and Sébastien Tempel18. Analysis of RNA-Seq Data Using TopHat and Cufflinks Sreya Ghosh and Chon-Kit Kenneth Chan

    1 in stock

    £104.99

  • Taylor & Francis Inc Rabbit Medicine and Surgery

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisIn both the UK and US rabbits are the third most popular mammalian pet after cats and dogs. This has led both to the expectation of high quality veterinary care and great improvements in the medical and surgical management of rabbits. Rabbit Medicine and Surgery: Self-Assessment Color Review covers a wide range of topics from basic biology and husbandry to advanced diagnostic, medical, and surgical techniques. It is a practical, easy-to-read, and illustrated reference book useful in the clinical setting to help diagnose and treat clinical cases. It is also useful as a revision guide to test the knowledge of those taking examinations in exotic animal medicine. This new edition offers an increased emphasis on more advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques as well as recent advances in emergency care, analgesia, and surgery. Written by practitioners with many years of experience treating rabbits, this edition includes 230 new and updated cases in random order, as Trade Review"I recommend this book to any student or general practitioner wanting to improve their general rabbit knowledge, and it makes for a perfect read for those five-minute breaks. Rabbit Medicine and Surgery has definitely earned its place alongside my other favourite rabbit textbooks."— The Veterinary RecordPraise for the first edition:"This is a book that should not be on the library shelf but on the staff room coffee table! …[it] is an excellent addition to the currently available literature on rabbit medicine."—The Veterinary Record"…a wonderful reference book on all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery...exactly what a first opinion practitioner would desire…strongly recommended to every vet in small animal practice."—The Veterinary Review"The authors are well-known clinicians in the field of rabbit medicine and surgery…I would recommend this text to student and vet alike…"—The Veterinary TimesPraise for the first edition:"This is a book that should not be on the library shelf but on the staff room coffee table! …[it] is an excellent addition to the currently available literature on rabbit medicine."—The Veterinary Record"…a wonderful reference book on all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery...exactly what a first opinion practitioner would desire…strongly recommended to every vet in small animal practice."—The Veterinary Review"The authors are well-known clinicians in the field of rabbit medicine and surgery…I would recommend this text to student and vet alike…"—The Veterinary TimesTable of ContentsListing of 230 cases

    Out of stock

    £37.99

  • Atria Books The Revolutionary Genius of Plants

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisSynopsis coming soon.......Trade Review“Fascinating…full of optimism…this quick, accessible read will appeal to anyone with interest in how plants continue to surprise us.” * Library Journal *"In this thought-provoking, handsomely illustrated book, Italian neurobiologist Stefano Mancuso considers the fundamental differences between plants and animals and challenges our assumptions about which is the ‘higher’ form of life.” * Wall Street Journal *

    Out of stock

    £999.99

  • Alarm

    Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Alarm

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisObject Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.Alarms are alarming. They wake us up, demand our attention and force us to attend to things we've preferred to ignore. But alarms also allow us to feel secure, to sleep and to retreat from alertness. Theytake over vigilance on our behalf. From the alarm clock and the air-raid siren to the doorbell and the phone alert, the history of alarms is also the history of work, security, technology and emotion. Alarm responds to culture's most urgent calls to attention by examining all kinds of alarms, from the restless presence of the alarm clock in modernist art to the siren the sound of the police in classic hip hop. More than just bells and whistles, alarms are objects that have defined sleeping and waking, safety and danger, and they have fundamentally shaped our understanding of the mind and its capacity for attention.Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay seTrade ReviewBy revealing the uncanny ubiquity of alarms in our daily life, by making us smile about their profound ambivalence, Alice Bennett has written a pleasurable and soothing book. From burglary to belatedness, from house fires to climate change, this exemplary collaboration between literary studies and the social sciences sheds a reflexive, nuanced and joyful light on our darker anxieties. A most accessible, elegant and important lesson in attention ecology. * Yves Citton, Professor in Literature and Media, University Paris 8, France, and author of The Ecology of Attention *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1. Clock 2. Fire 3. Security 4. Siren 5. Failure, False, Fatigue 6. Future Image Credits Notes Index

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • E=mc2

    Pan Macmillan E=mc2

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisBy the end of the astonishing E=mc2, a dedicated reader will have achieved, if only by osmosis, an understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity and feel quite at ease dining with Nobel Prize winners. It's a lucid, even thrilling study: the very best kind of science journalism. I didn't know I could know so much.' Fay Weldon, Books of the Year, Washington Post In 1905, Albert Einstein produced five historic papers that shattered many cherished scientific beliefs. One of those papers introduced the theory of special relativity and his legendary equation, E=mc2. Generations have grown up knowing that equation changed the shape of our world, but without understanding what it really means and why it is so significant. In this fascinating biography David Bodanis tells the story of one of the greatest scientific discoveries in history. He looks at the elements 'e', 'm' and 'c'; and honours the scientists whose landmark discoveries paved the way for Einstein. He plots the course of the equation through the twentieth century, showing how our lives have been revolutionized by its applications; and looks far ahead to the future. But as with any biography, it is the human stories that really ignite the subject - stories of love, courage and tragedy, of near misses, disappointments and disasters that, brought together by Bodanis in this remarkable book, turn Einstein's seemingly impenetrable theory into a dramatic and accessible human achievement. 'Both informative and highly readable...E=mc2 is a wonderful romp through Einstein's famous formula.. this is everything a popular science book should be' DAILY EXPRESS 'Bodanis himself seems like an intellectual thermonuclear explosion, a kind of Jonathan Miller on speed...This is an outstanding introduction to relativity by a gifted practitioner of popular science' INDEPENDENT 'With skill and plenty of colourful anecdotes Bodanis traces the intellectual ancestry of E=mc2...fast moving and entertaining' THE TIMES 'E=mc2 reveals, amongst other wonders, how many women physicists were involved in the story. Which makes this morally improving, as well as fascinating reading' George Walden, Books of the Year, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'The book fizzes in the readers imagination' TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • Sex Robots & Vegan Meat: Adventures at the

    Pan Macmillan Sex Robots & Vegan Meat: Adventures at the

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis‘Like Louis Theroux channelling Margaret Atwood’ – New Statesman‘A tour of the lurid fringes of the tech world’ – The Times‘A moreish page-turner of a book’ – HeraldImagine if it was possible to have the perfect sexual relationship without compromise, eat meat without killing animals, have babies without the need to bear them, and choose the time of our painless death. Life would be better, right?All over the globe, people are trying to make this a reality. They want to use technology to solve the thorniest problems of humanity. But what if these ‘problems’ are the very things that make us human? Join Jenny Kleeman on an entertaining, thought-provoking adventure to a place where sex robots and vegan meat are no longer science fiction – right here, right now.Trade ReviewA tour of the lurid fringes of the tech world . . . Kleeman is an acerbic guide, whose understated common sense contrasts with the grandiosity of her interviewees. * The Times *Kleeman’s entertaining survey of the latest advances in life sciences . . . a little like Louis Therouxchannelling Margaret Atwood. She is an accomplished storyteller -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * New Statesman *A moreish page-turner of a book that will leave you feeling informed and ready for the next dinner party. * Herald *A pleasingly sceptical investigation into the innovations that could change the way we eat, have sexand die . . . compelling and thoughtful -- Fiona Sturges * Guardian *A fascinating book . . . It was so absolutely absorbing. I really, really loved this book. -- Jane Garvey * BBC Radio 4 *Mesmerising * Daily Mail *Thoughtful and diverting . . . Even if it doesn’t have the answers, this elegantly written and eye-opening book poses the right questions -- Ed Cumming * inews.co.uk *A fascinating examination of what the future holds . . . you will never look at a chickennugget in quite the same way again -- Elizabeth Day, author How to FailThe future is a fairly scary place, but there is no better guide to it than Jenny Kleeman. By turns alarming, funny, thought-provoking and fascinating, this is a book that brilliantly shows us where much of our life (and death) is heading. -- Stig AbellFascinating . . . an epic exercise in concision – all four of these sprawling chapters could have run to books on their own, and at times I wish they had -- Eleanor Halls * Daily Telegraph *Thoughtful scepticism makes Kleeman a savvy guide, and her fresh insights into, for example, disruptive technology’s gender dimension, underpin provocative takes on progress and human nature itself. Thoroughly absorbing * Observer *

    1 in stock

    £9.99

  • Higher Human Biology, Second Edition

    Hodder Education Higher Human Biology, Second Edition

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisExam Board: SQA Level: Higher Subject: Human Biology First Teaching: August 2018 First Exam: June 2019Ensure that students are prepared for every aspect of Higher Human Biology with the new edition of this popular textbook from James Torrance and his renowned author team, completely updated for the 2018 changes to the SQA Higher Human Biology syllabus.- Suggested learning activities throughout help to develop students' knowledge and skills including all new case studies, research topics and investigations- 'Testing your knowledge' questions at the end of each chapter provide opportunities to continually assess Knowledge and Understanding, and are particularly useful for homework tasks- 'What you should know' summaries of key facts and concepts provide an excellent source of material for consolidation and revision prior to the SQA examination.- 'Applying Your Knowledge and Skills' sections at the end of each section have been substantially extended to give students extra practice in exam questions and foster the development of Skills of Scientific Experimentation, Investigation and Enquiry

    Out of stock

    £38.41

  • AQA A Level Chemistry (Year 1 and Year 2)

    Hodder Education AQA A Level Chemistry (Year 1 and Year 2)

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisDevelop and learn to apply your knowledge, progressing from basic concepts to more complicated Chemistry, with worked examples, practical activities and mathematical support in this updated, all-in-one textbook for Years 1 and 2.Written for the AQA A-level Chemistry specification, this revised textbook will:- Provide support for all 12 required practicals with activities that introduce practical work and other experimental investigations in Chemistry.- Offer detailed examples to help you get to grips with difficult concepts such as physical chemistry calculations.- Helps to improve mathematical skills with support throughout, examples of method and a dedicated 'Maths for chemistry' chapter.- Allow you to easily measure progression with differentiated end-of-topic questions and 'Test yourself' questions.- Develop understanding with free online access to 'Test yourself' answers, 'Practice' question answers and extended glossaries*.

    7 in stock

    £47.00

  • A Sonnet to Science: Scientists and Their Poetry

    Manchester University Press A Sonnet to Science: Scientists and Their Poetry

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA sonnet to science presents an account of six ground-breaking scientists who also wrote poetry, and the effect that this had on their lives and research. How was the universal computer inspired by Lord Byron? Why was the link between malaria and mosquitos first captured in the form of a poem? Who did Humphry Davy consider to be an ‘illiterate pirate’? Written by leading science communicator and scientific poet Dr Sam Illingworth, A sonnet to science presents an aspirational account of how these two disciplines can work together, and in so doing aims to inspire both current and future generations of scientists and poets that these worlds are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary in nature.Trade Review‘Illingworth offers six beautifully wrought biographies - finding humour, lyricism and humanity in the lives and work of these six scientist-poets.’ Alice Roberts, author of The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being and presenter of Digging for Britain, Coast and Time Team'This excellent book is a creative collision of Hadron-like proportion, scattering fragments of intellectual curiosity, fluency and unpretentiousness across every page. One of my "discoveries" of 2019.’ Lemn Sissay, MBE'Hard to put down! A fascinating book full of comprehensive biographies showing the development of and influences on the poet scientist, illustrated with generous amounts of poetry!' Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell ‘A wonderfully eclectic and uplifting collection celebrating how some of the most remarkable stories of scientific endeavour are fuelled by poetic imagining, and revealing how the gaps between well-worn facts are often infused with things poetical. Great stuff!’Iain Stewart, Professor of Geoscience Communication, Director, Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth and Presenter on BBC Science'By focusing on scientists who wrote poetry, A Sonnet To Science dispels the myth that scientists need to be logical and always think scientifically. It shows that poetry was practiced by the first programmer, by the discoverer of electromagnetism, and by a Nobel Prize-winning malaria researcher, so why shouldn’t other scientists dabble in poetry as well?'Eva Amson, Forbes, August 2019'It is a comprehensive work, sensitive to both the sciences and the poetries, and is of itself an exemplar of the importance of science communication.'Public Understanding of Science Blog -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The romantic scientist: Humphry Davy (1778–1829)2 The metaphysical poet: Ada Lovelace (1815–52)3 The lyrical visionary: James Clerk Maxwell (1831–79)4 The medical metrist: Ronald Ross (1857–1932)5 The reluctant poet: Miroslav Holub (1923–98)6 The poetic pioneer: Rebecca Elson (1960–99) EpilogueIndex

    1 in stock

    £19.00

  • Two Heads: Where Two Neuroscientists Explore How

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Two Heads: Where Two Neuroscientists Explore How

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Charming and addictively accessible' STEVEN PINKER 'Original, authoritative and beautiful' BRIAN COX 'The most wonderful adventure' ROBIN INCE A brilliantly illustrated journey through the wonders and mysteries of the human brain – from a renowned husband-and-wife team of cognitive neuroscientists. Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. In Two Heads, their distinguished careers serve as a prism through which they share the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration and empathy. Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, they examine the way that neuroscientific research is now focused on the fact we are a social species, whose brains have evolved to work cooperatively. What happens when people gather in groups? How do people behave when they’re in pairs – either pitted against each other or working together? Is it better to surround yourself with people who are similar to yourself, or different? And, are two heads really better than one? Highly original and ingeniously illustrated, Two Heads provides an expansive understanding of how our brains work, and how they work together.Trade ReviewJoyful and fabulously original . . . Have I ever read anything like it before? No, I’m certain that I haven’t. Each page is a visual delight . . . It’s extremely easy to read and often very funny. And yet you finish it with your mind blown. Simply by virtue of the fact that it makes some pretty cutting-edge brain science seem almost straightforward, it subtly expands the world of the reader * Observer *Neither simplifies nor trivialises the way the human brain works . . . An enlightening, inspirational scientific voyage that highlights the importance of collaboration * Kirkus *[A] comprehensive graphic guide to the workings of the brain . . . Chock-full of science facts . . . The work overall has the feel of being invited to dinner with a friend’s eccentric genius parents * Publisher's Weekly *A marriage of neuroscience and art which delivers deep insight into the workings of our brains and how we live together as human beings. Original, authoritative and beautiful -- Brian CoxA charming and addictively accessible introduction to neuroscience, featuring a pair of pioneers who have illuminated some of its deepest implications for thought, emotion and psychopathology -- Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author of HOW THE MIND WORKS and RATIONALITYYou could not ask for two more inspiring tour guides to take you on a tour of your brain. This is a brilliant introduction to the mysteries of why we are and how we are. It is fascinating and at times disturbing, but it is also the most wonderful adventure -- Robin InceA fantastically fun way to learn about the brain, the mind and the lives of two of the world's most brilliant scientists -- Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Professor of Psychology at the University of Cambridge and author of INVENTING OURSELVESI have never seen anything like this. It is an engaging story of the careers – and the love affair – of two of the world’s leading cognitive neuroscientists. It is a witty and accessible introduction to the brain and how it works. It is a cutting-edge exploration of issues such as schizophrenia, autism, prejudice, and empathy. Oh, and it’s also an absolutely beautiful graphic novel. Two Heads is a triumph and a delight -- Paul Bloom, Professor of Psychology at University of Toronto and author of THE SWEET SPOTBeguiling, cheeky and endlessly thought-provoking . . . This book will change the ways you think about the ways you think -- Steve Silberman, author of NEUROTRIBESTwo Heads breaks the mold. It's a fabulous book about the lives and work of a cognitive neuroscience power couple who have illuminated what has come to be called the 'social brain' . . . Read it if you are interested in the topic, or if you simply want to have a very enjoyable experience -- Joseph LeDoux, Professor of Neural Science at New York University and author of THE DEEP HISTORY OF OURSELVESTell[s] the story of their love affair with neuroscience – and with each other * i *

    2 in stock

    £17.09

  • The System: Who Owns the Internet, and How It

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The System: Who Owns the Internet, and How It

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis'A fascinating exposé of the world behind your screen. Timely, often disturbing, and so important' Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible Women 'Takes us beyond Zuckerberg, Bezos et al to a murkier world where we discover how everything online works and who benefits from it. Fascinating, engaging and important' Observer 'Could not be more timely' Spectator The internet is a network of physical cables and connections, a web of wires enmeshing the world, linking huge data centres to one another and eventually to us. All are owned by someone, financed by someone, regulated by someone. We refer to the internet as abstract from reality. By doing so, we obscure where the real power lies. In this powerful and necessary book, James Ball sets out on a global journey into the inner workings of the system. From the computer scientists to the cable guys, the billionaire investors to the ad men, the intelligence agencies to the regulators, these are the real-life figures powering the internet and pulling the strings of our society. Ball brilliantly shows how an invention once hailed as a democratising force has concentrated power in places it already existed – that the system, in other words, remains the same as it did before.Trade ReviewIn The System, James Ball takes a critical look at who runs the internet . . . His book is a sprightly history of the internet seen from the perspective of its inventors, investors, custodians, rule-makers and rebels . . . Ball recommends that we should pay far more attention to how the internet works and not allow ourselves to be “bamboozled into inaction” as we were with the finance industry before the 2008 crash * Financial Times *Ball, with this biography of the internet, takes us beyond Zuckerberg, Bezos et al into a murkier world where we discover how everything online works and who benefits from it. Fascinating, engaging and important, too * Observer *Ball is a sprightly writer and a master explainer . . . He has a gift for choosing which details to bring forth . . . He does an excellent job here of showing how the system works, where its levers of power are, and how they can be moved. Which is important. It’s important because you have an interest too . . . The System could not be more timely * Spectator *'An illuminating and focused guide on who controls the internet and how it controls us. Will change how you see the world -- Peter Pomerantsev, author of 'This is Not Propaganda'An excellent summary of how we got where we are, and how we can move forwards to build a better internet -- Jimmy Wales, founder of WikipediaA crisp, highly informative introduction to what ails the information industry and what can be done about it. Ball's analysis is thorough and courageously even-handed -- Praise for 'Post-Truth' * The Times *A vivid analysis of how the business models and incentives currently prevailing in digital media render decent discourse all but inaudible -- Kazuo Ishiguro, Praise for 'Post-Truth' * Guardian, Summer Reads *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Artifact

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Artifact

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis'A wise, intimate tale that is by turns joyful, sorrowful and explicit' Observer 'The author delves deep into Lottie’s psyche, shying away from nothing, to create a rounded and gripping portrait of a woman on the edge of change’ Daily Mail Lottie Kristin is independent from the start. Born in the middle of the century to a middle-class family in the very middle of America, Lottie is set apart by her smarts and sensuality. A girl who'd rather carry out dissections on a snowy back porch than join her family for Christmas dinner is a strange and exotic artifact in the town of Sleeping Bay. But by her early twenties, Lottie finds herself trapped in a marriage gone stale, with a daughter she adores but whose existence jeopardizes her place in the lab and her dream of becoming a scientist. How can a young woman make her way in a world determined to contain her brilliance, her will, and her longing to live? Bravely and wisely written, Artifact is an intimate and propulsive portrait of a whole woman, a celebration of her refusal to be defined by others’ imaginations, and a meditation on the glorious chaos of biological life.Trade ReviewA wise, intimate tale that is by turns joyful, sorrowful and explicit * Observer *Lottie … encapsulates the dichotomy of her life. She’s a smartly realised character – bright yet naïve, determined and single-minded ... Heyman handles her subject lightly, lacing it with humour * A Life in Books *The author delves deep into Lottie’s psyche, shying away from nothing, to create a rounded and gripping portrait of a woman on the edge of change * Daily Mail *A heroine for our times * Publishers Weekly *Praise for Scary Old Sex: Lusty, tough and life-affirming -- Elaine Showalter * Guardian *Hits the reader in the psyche, the gut and the groin with the force of a precision-aimed slingshot … Shocking, mesmerising and truthful -- Rowan Pelling * Sunday Telegraph *Both funny and eye-wateringly explicit -- Joan Bakewell * Independent *Rueful and funny and observant ... Heyman is an enlightened observer across many aspects of life ... These men and women are busily and blissfully humanizing themselves, the kind of bliss that lifts right off the page * New York Times *A terrific story collection ... Heyman is frank in her descriptions, but never cruel or unfeeling ... a tender, perceptive work * Wall Street Journal *So stylish, earthy and funny -- Deborah Moggach[An] impressive collection ... Heyman takes on the brutal intimacy of death and aging and provides new ways of seeing and experiencing these stages of life * San Francisco Chronicle *Heyman’s frank tales ... feel paradoxically taboo on the page, all the more so for their fierce candour * New Yorker *Sensual and sometimes shocking … Heyman writes with such intimacy and precision that she frequently makes you feel like a trespasser -- Imogen Lycett-Green * Daily Mail *Bold, hilarious and intelligent ... Heyman is upfront and her characters are richly internal * Irish Times *Delivers a shock of taboo desire that is lusciously sensual -- Michèle Roberts * Independent *Though her characters’ flaws, fears and phobias feel all too real, Heyman’s treatment of them is honest, human and kind * Daily Telegraph *

    2 in stock

    £8.54

  • The Big Bang of Numbers: How to Build the

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Big Bang of Numbers: How to Build the

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Who knew numbers could be so charming? ... Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity' Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Our universe has multiple origin stories, from religious creation myths to the Big Bang of scientists. But if we leave those behind and start from nothing – no matter, no cosmos, not even empty space – could we create a universe using only maths? In this new mathematical origin story, mathematician and award-winning novelist Manil Suri creates a natural progression of ideas needed to design our world, starting with numbers and continuing through geometry, algebra, and beyond. With evocative and engaging examples ranging from multidimensional crochet to the Mona Lisa’s asymmetrical smile, as well as ingenious storytelling that helps illuminate complex concepts like infinity and relativity, The Big Bang of Numbers charts a playful, inventive course to existence. Distilled from almost four decades of teaching experience, and offering both striking new perspectives for maths aficionados and an accessible introduction for enthusiastic novices, The Big Bang of Numbers proves that we can all fall in love with maths.Trade ReviewThe fundamental[s] of maths presented like a delightful fairy-tale. Hugely enjoyed it * Dara O'Brien *A beautifully written meditation on mathematics: whimsical, thought-provoking and deep * Alex Bellos, author of Alex's Adventures in Numberland *Who knew numbers could be so charming? So industrious? Suri takes us on a light-hearted journey all the way from nothing (zero) to infinity. Math has rarely been so readable. * Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves *In The Big Bang of Numbers, Manil Suri invites the reader to create a universe made of mathematical ideas, sparking a thrill that may catch you off guard—an exhilarating sensation of playfulness, power, and insight. * Steven Strogatz, New York Times bestselling author of Infinite Powers and The Joy of X *Numerophobic? This infinitely fascinating book will cure you ... Manil Suri’s march through maths is brimming with entertaining and yet discombobulating thoughts ... Suri has a knack for clarity and a welcome habit of grounding tricky concepts in the tangible * The Times *A most unusual, creative, and fascinating account of mathematics that relies not on equations or formulas, but on metaphors, paradoxes, and lovely vignettes. * John Allen Paulos, author of Innumeracy and A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper *A delightful ride of a book. Before I knew it, I was rooting for primes, doubting the wisdom of dividing by zero, and holding my breath as the universe starts to emerge from triangles and cones and planes. The book was so enjoyable and understandable, it almost made me want to take another stab at calculus. Almost. Proof that when a smart person who writes well and honestly explores their passion, that passion is contagious. * Ken Krimstein, author of When I Grow Up *An excellent new book that could make anyone fall in love with math * Washingtonian *

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • This Mortal Coil: A Guardian, Economist &

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC This Mortal Coil: A Guardian, Economist &

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST AND PROSPECT BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A superb book' Simon Sebag Montefiore 'An empowering story of human ingenuity' Economist 'Full of curious facts' The Times Causes of death have changed irrevocably across time. In the course of a few centuries we have gone from a world where disease or violence were likely to strike anyone at any age, and where famine could be just one bad harvest away, to one where in many countries excess food is more of a problem than a lack of it. Why have the reasons we die changed so much? How is it that a century ago people died mainly from infectious disease, while today the leading causes of death in industrialised nations are heart disease and stroke? And what do changing causes of death reveal about how previous generations have lived? University of Manchester Professor Andrew Doig provides an eye-opening portrait of death throughout history, looking at particular causes – from infectious disease to genetic disease, violence to diet – who they affected, and the people who made it possible to overcome them. Along the way we hear about the long and torturous story of the discovery of vitamin C and its role in preventing scurvy; the Irish immigrant who opened the first washhouse for the poor of Liverpool, and in so doing educated the public on the importance of cleanliness in combating disease; and the Church of England curate who, finding his new church equipped with a telephone, started the Samaritans to assist those in emotional distress. This Mortal Coil is a thrilling story of growing medical knowledge and social organisation, of achievement and, looking to the future, of promise.Trade ReviewYou might expect a book on this morbid theme to be forbidding or sombre. This one is neither. Instead Mr Doig, a biochemist at the University of Manchester, tells an empowering story of human ingenuity * Economist *Surprisingly upbeat . . . The chapters on plague are the most interesting in the book, perhaps because they are so resonant and show how lucky we are to live in the age of the vaccine . . . Each chapter looks at a cause of death, ranging from scurvy to car safety, alcoholism to yellow fever . . . Full of curious facts . . . Although the book is about death, Doig is optimistic. Look at how life expectancy has soared across the world and infant mortality rates have plummeted * The Times *An absorbing read . . . A gripping and fascinating book; informative and seasoned with dry humour * Mail on Sunday *Told in five acts like a Shakespearean tragedy, Andrew Doig’s book considers our vulnerabilities and vices, from typhoid to tobacco . . . A compelling story that is made admirably accessible * Financial Times *Fascinating, clear-eyed . . . Woven through are a series of brilliant anecdotes of individual experiments, inventions and lethal misfortunes . . . Doig’s attention to detail, personable style and clear explanations make the book easily accessible . . . The obvious beauty of This Mortal Coil is that in being a history of death, it is also a history of life, and a brilliant, fascinating one at that * Scotsman *An utterly fascinating history of death, this masterful volume traces changes in the causes of mortality over the centuries -- WaterstonesRather than being a depressing read, the book actually gives a wonderful long-term perspective on our current situation, discussing plagues and famines of the past, living conditions and social organisation, and even looking at how causes of death might change in the future . . . This intriguing and detailed discussion of death and its causes provides a bedrock of context to look at how we might tackle mortality going forward . . . Oddly life-affirming * Big Issue *From the black death to small pox, Andrew Doig’s This Mortal Coil reminds us that some of humankind’s most miraculous innovations – including vaccines, statistics and gene sequencing – arose from society’s attempts to thwart death . . . It’s hard to imagine a book with more relevant insights into how societies fail and succeed when navigating threats to life * City AM *This is a book that deserves a wide and appreciative audience * Oldie *The way we humans have died has changed profoundly over history: from famine and pestilence, to modern lifestyle diseases like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In this gripping book, Andrew Doig explores the fascinating biology of our own mortality and, crucially, what death can teach us about life -- Prof. Lewis Dartnell, author of ORIGINS: HOW THE EARTH SHAPED HUMAN HISTORYWry, insightful and optimistic, This Mortal Coil brings a compassionate yet amused eye to one of the last great taboos. Essential reading for us all -- Matthew Cobb, Baillie Gifford Prize-shortlisted author of THE IDEA OF THE BRAINAndrew Doig tackles the complex and unsettling history of mortality with matter of fact and clarity but also with tenderness and humanity. This is a remarkable debut interspersing history with science to create a mille feuille of what it means to be human -- Helen Carr, author of THE RED PRINCE and WHAT IS HISTORY, NOW?This is a wonderful book: a history of life expectancy, of disease, of death, and of medicine all rolled up into one. An exceptional instance of a book with lots of statistics which is throughout an enthralling read. For anyone who wants to understand how we have come to live so long, and what we are likely to die of, this is a must read – and, since birth and death are the only things we all have in common, no subject could be more important to understand who we are and what will become of us -- David WoottonThe story of how we die is deeply entwined with all of science, technology, economics, global health, sociology and human behaviour – in other words, pretty much everything. Which amounts to a book that is profound and original -- Daniel M. Davis, author of THE BEAUTIFUL CURE and THE SECRET BODYBig history meets biology in this meticulous chronicle of how death has shaped us, and how we have shaped it. Doig illuminates the historical and scientific idiosyncrasies behind our most universal experience explaining how, by trading plants and plagues, discovering continents and life-saving drugs, our collective past has determined our individual futures. If you're expecting a fascinating insight into why we die, This Mortal Coil delivers – but you'll also get an eye-opening account of how we've lived -- Andrew Steele, author of AGELESSThe most fascinating book I’ve read in a long time. As much about how we live as how we die -- Anna Mazzola, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRLIn this detailed exploration of the many different ways in which human life can end, Andrew Doig takes us on a killer ride from the earliest systematic records of death, through the tremendous toll infection has had over history, to the ways in which we kill ourselves and others through drugs, pollution and motor vehicles. If you are dying to know how we die, this is the book for you -- John Tregoning, author of INFECTIOUS

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Real World of Victorian Steampunk: Steam

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Real World of Victorian Steampunk: Steam

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn the last few decades, steampunk has blossomed from being a rather obscure and little-known subgenre of science fiction into a striking and distinctive style of fashion, art, design and even music. It is in the written word however that steampunk has its roots and in this book Simon Webb explores and examines the real inventions which underpin the fantasy. In doing so, he reveals a world unknown to most people today. The Real World of Victorian Steampunk shows the Victorian era to have been a surprising place; one of steam-powered aeroplanes, fax machines linking Moscow and St Petersburg, steam cars travelling at over 100 mph, electric taxis and wireless telephones. It is, in short, the nineteenth century as you have never before seen it; a steampunk extravaganza of anachronistic technology and unfamiliar gadgets. Imagine Europe spanned by a mechanical internet; a telecommunication system of clattering semaphore towers capable of transmitting information across the continent in a matter of minutes. Consider too, the fact that a steam plane the size of a modern airliner took off in England in 1894. Drawing entirely on contemporary sources, we see how little-known developments in technology have been used as the basis for so many steampunk narratives. From seminal novels such as The Difference Engine, through to the steampunk fantasy of Terry Pratchett's later works, this book shows that steampunk is at least as much solid fact as it is whimsical fiction.

    1 in stock

    £11.69

  • 101 Facts You Didn't Know About Space

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd 101 Facts You Didn't Know About Space

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisDid you know a compost heap generates as much energy as the Sun? Or that dung beetles use the Milky Way to navigate? Maybe you have not been into space but if you have then you will know that astronauts have feet as soft as babies! 101 Space Facts You Didn't Know (Note : Have we confirmed this title?) takes you on a wild journey around the Universe bringing you facts galore. Whether you are a space enthusiast or a newcomer you will find plenty of facts in here to keep you amused and entertained.

    2 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Astronaut Selection Test Book: Do You Have

    Cornerstone The Astronaut Selection Test Book: Do You Have

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis_________________________*The OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD puzzle book, as featured in the Times, Daily Telegraph, BBC Radio 4, and BBC Breakfast, and a Guardian Book of the Year pick. Have YOU got what it takes to be an astronaut?This book will help readers of all ages find out. Featuring 100 real astronaut tests and exercises from the European Space Agency's rigorous selection process, ranging from easy to fiendishly hard, The Astronaut Selection Test Book goes where no puzzle book has gone before. Including puzzles and tests on:· visual perception and logic· mental arithmetic and concentration· psychological readiness· teamwork and leadership· survival, physical and medical skills· foreign languages (every astronaut has to know Russian!)and much more, this richly illustrated book draws on Tim Peake's first-hand experience of applying to be an astronaut in 2008, when he and five others were chosen - out of over 8,000 applications!We've all dreamed of being an astronaut, though of the estimated 100 billion people who have ever lived, only 557 people have travelled to space. But with this unprecedented look into real astronaut selection, you might just find out your dreams can become reality..._________________________HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM SOLVER...Tim Peake and the ESA will receive no royalties from this book; instead, they will be donated to the Prince's Trust charity._________________________'Engrossing... a brain buster of a book... You'll learn plenty about space and what it takes to be an astronaut, but you'll also sharpen up your broader knowledge. For anyone interested in the space race and the imminent journey to Mars, here's the perfect stocking filler.' - STARBURST'It's a brain work-out on steroids, stuffed with authentic selection tests... Entertaining and engaging... innovative, earnest, soulful and exhilarating' - BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINE (5 STARS, Book of the Month)'It's such a good idea... this is a very good thing for Christmas Day' - GRAHAM NORTON, BBC RADIO 2'Everybody, get this book... it's a fascinating read' - CHRIS MOYLES, RADIO X'A fantastic gift... more than just a quiz' - WI LIFE'The perfect [book] for big thinkers' - BBC ARTS, 2018's Biggest BooksTrade ReviewThe Astronaut Selection Test Book should corner the gift market much in the same way that GCHQ and Bletchley Park Brainteasers have done in the past couple of years. * Guardian *Engrossing... a brain buster of a book... You’ll learn plenty about space and what it takes to be an astronaut, but you’ll also sharpen up your broader knowledge. For anyone interested in the space race and the imminent journey to Mars, here’s the perfect stocking filler. * Starburst *It’s a brain work-out on steroids, stuffed with authentic selection tests… Entertaining and engaging… innovative, earnest, soulful and exhilarating * BBC Sky at Night Magazine (Book of the Month) *A hugely entertaining and demanding challenge… an ideal gift for budding space cadets. * The Daily Mail *Entertaining and engaging, this intelligent book is educational and for the serious-minded… a route to the stars but also a road map for any career application. * 5* review and chosen as the book of the month in BBC Sky at Night Magazine *

    2 in stock

    £14.24

  • The Tensions of Algorithmic Thinking: Automation,

    Bristol University Press The Tensions of Algorithmic Thinking: Automation,

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisOffers an original contribution to the field by focusing on epistemic tensions in socio-technical systems.Table of Contents1. Introduction: Tense Thinking and the Myths of an Algorithmic New Life 2. The Pursuit of Posthuman Security 3. Overstepping and the Navigation of the Perceived Limits of Algorithmic Thinking 4. (Dreaming of) Super Cognizers and the Stretching of the Known 5. The Presences of Nonknowledge 6. Conclusion: Algorithmic Thinking and the Will to Automate

    1 in stock

    £72.00

  • What Is Cybersecurity For?

    Bristol University Press What Is Cybersecurity For?

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHow will protecting our digital infrastructure shape our future? Cybersecurity is one of the key practical and political challenges of our time. It is at the heart of how modern societies survive and thrive, yet public understanding is still rudimentary: media portrayals of hoodie-wearing hackers accessing the Pentagon don’t convey its complexity or significance to contemporary life. This book addresses this gap, showing that the political dimension is as important as the technological one. It accessibly explains the complexities of global information systems, the challenges of providing security to users, societies, states and the international system, and the multitude of competing players and ambitions in this arena. Making the case for understanding it not only as a technical project, but as a crucial political one that links competing visions of what cybersecurity is for, it tackles the ultimate question: how can we do it better?Table of Contents1. Introduction: A 'Wicked Problem' 2. How Did We Get Here? 3. Cybersecurity, Cyber Risk 4. States and Markets 5. International Cybersecurity 6. Cybersecurity and Human Security 7. Conclusion: A Global Conversation

    1 in stock

    £10.90

  • Making Information Matter: Understanding

    Bristol University Press Making Information Matter: Understanding

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisAcademic readers in science and technology studies, sociology, the digital humanities, digital criminology.Trade Review"An unusually incisive and pragmatic approach to what it means to live with information. Synthesizing thinking from a huge range of disciplines and domains from our worlds of plural information, the book effectively provides a guide to how to live, situate, engage or extricate oneself." Adrian Mackenzie, Australian National University "A breath of fresh air, a book about data, but uniquely framed as the lively matter of information -- in the sense of 'being in-formation' - and always bringing us back to what makes all this information matter." David Ribes, University of Washington"A rich resource for anyone concerned with how information – understood as always material and relational – comes to matter, its dominant formations as data, and how data could be made differently." Lucy Suchman, Lancaster University "An intriguing account of how data becomes information and is then taken up in material interventions of surveillance and control. By drawing on a wide range of literature, the book demonstrates the complex and ethical relations involved in making information matter in different worlds." Evelyn Ruppert, Goldsmiths, University of LondonTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. Understanding making-information-matter together 3. Studying materializations – a methodology of life cycles Interlude: Four practices of making information matter 4. Association 5. Conversion 6. Secrecy 7. Speculation 8. The ethics of making information matter

    2 in stock

    £68.00

  • How to Be Human: The Ultimate Guide to Your

    John Murray Press How to Be Human: The Ultimate Guide to Your

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIf you thought you knew who you were, THINK AGAIN.Did you know that half your DNA isn't human? That somebody, somewhere has exactly the same face? Or that most of your memories are fiction?What about the fact that you are as hairy as a chimpanzee, various parts of your body don't belong to you, or that you can read other people's minds? Do you really know why you blush, yawn and cry? Why 90 per cent of laughter has nothing to do with humour? Or what will happen to your mind after you die?You belong to a unique, fascinating and often misunderstood species. How to be Human is your guide to making the most of it.

    2 in stock

    £9.99

  • Our Moon: A Human History

    Hodder & Stoughton Our Moon: A Human History

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Passionate and absorbing'SUNDAY TIMES'I learned more about the Moon by reading this book than after a lifetime of study'CHRIS HADFIELD, author of An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth'Superb: as much a feat of imagination as it is a work of globe-trotting scholarship'TELEGRAPH'Boyle's writing shines, shifting through time and space, science and sentiment; a luminous read'REBECCA WRAGG SYKES, author of Kindred'You will never look at the Moon the same way again . . . fascinating'NEW STATESMAN'A riveting feat of science writing'ED YONG, author of An Immense World'Engrossing'INDEPENDENTEvery living being throughout history, across time and geography, has gazed up at the same moon.From the first prehistoric life that crawled onto land guided by the power of the tides, to the division of time into months and seasons for the first humans, the moon has driven the expansion and development of our world.It has inspired scientific discovery and culture from the ancient astronomers to the scientific revolution of Copernicus and Galileo, from the 1969 Apollo landings to writers and artists, and stirred an inexhaustible desire to know where we come from and how we got here.And as astronauts around the world prepare to return to the Moon - opening up new frontiers of discovery, profit and politics - Our Moon tells the dazzling story of how the Moon has shaped life as we know it, fuelled dramatic change across the globe and could be the key to humanity's future.Trade ReviewDelightful . . . The moon, as this passionate and absorbing book shows, is both fascinatingly strange and very much part of us -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Our Moon is superb: as much a feat of imagination as it is a work of globe-trotting scholarship -- Simon Ings * Telegraph *Boyle makes good on her promise: after reading this book, you will never look at the moon the same way again . . . fascinating -- Morgane Llanque * New Statesman *Boyle's long-standing fascination with the moon makes for an exciting read, but it also means that Our Moon is a great resource to dip back into after reading in its entirety . . . at its heart, it is a love letter to the moon -- Abigail Beall * New Scientist *Graceful . . . timely . . . The Moon is the only piece of a vast universe that most of us will ever get to experience: All you have to do is look up. Or, of course, look down into Boyle's new book, which makes the moon feel closer than ever -- Katrina Miller * New York Times *Our Moon skilfully combines science, anecdote and philosophy . . . This engrossing book tells us so much about the Moon and space exploration, but it also encourages readers to ponder on our planet and our insignificant place in the universe -- Martin Chilton, books of the month * Independent *An aeon-spanning opus . . . fascinating and revelatory -- Pat Carty * Sunday Independent *Boyle's fascinating debut explores our scientific and cultural relationship with the moon -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *Poetic . . . fascinating . . . especially timely -- Kathryn Hughes * Daily Mail *I learned more about the Moon by reading this book than after a lifetime of study. Fascinating insights into the Moon's origins and history, but more than that, what it has meant to us, the people of Earth. This book is a must-read for anyone who has looked up at the Moon in wonder -- Chris Hadfield, author of AN ASTRONAUT'S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTHBoyle explores humanity's changing relationship to the Moon: from worshipping it as a god, to observing, exploring and then walking upon its desolate surface. This is a beautiful, evocative hymn to the intimate connection we have shared with our planet's cosmic companion -- Lewis Dartnell, author of BEING HUMANGlinting with intriguing facts and fascinating connections, Our Moon reveals the astoundingly intimate relations between the closest heavenly body, the Earth and all life as we know it. Boyle's writing shines, shifting through time and space, science and sentiment; a luminous read -- Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of KINDREDOur Moon is a riveting feat of science writing, which recasts that most familiar of celestial objects into something eerily extraordinary, pivotal to our history, and awesome in the original sense of the word. I learned so much -- Ed Yong, author of AN IMMENSE WORLDWith a remarkable command of planetary science and human history Boyle provides a sweeping, lyrical new account of our cosmic neighbour, brilliantly reframing our relationship to a moon that intimately shaped, and continues to shape, the course of life on Earth -- Peter Brannen, author of THE ENDS OF THE WORLDOur celestial neighbour has been like an invisible hand shaping tidal cycles, life's rhythms, and evolutionary history for over four billion years. Epic in scope - and almost poetic in its narrative beauty - Rebecca Boyle's Our Moon will change how you think about our planet, the Moon, and ourselves -- Neil Shubin, author of YOUR INNER FISHAn excellent exploration of how the moon has shaped life on Earth . . . Boyle's dexterous blend of science and cultural history is elevated by her spry prose. This illuminates -- Starred review * Publishers Weekly *The Moon lights both our days and our nights, present in the sky roughly half of our lives - and always orbiting, bound to our planet. We often forget, though, that the Moon is also bound to us, and we to it. Rebecca Boyle's Our Moon is a vivid and moving exploration of that lunar impact, showing how influential the pockmarked orb is and always has been. Boyle traces the Moon's civilizational importance from the beginning of terrestrial life to modern human society, revealing not just the scientific knowledge of that history but how humans made those discoveries, and why they matter. Our Moon is both robustly reported and compellingly personal. Inside its pages, past and present collide, and science and storytelling become one, as Boyle draws Earth's nearest neighbour closer to its inhabitants -- Sarah Scoles, author of THEY ARE ALREADY HEREIn telling the tale of Earth's oldest companion, Rebecca Boyle offers an absorbing account of the human experience, from the depths of philosophy to the trenches of war. Deftly written with a poet's precision and scientific sensibility, Our Moon establishes Boyle as one of preeminent nature writers of our time -- David W. Brown, author of THE MISSION

    1 in stock

    £18.70

  • The Quantum World: The disturbing theory at the

    John Murray Press The Quantum World: The disturbing theory at the

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisForget everything you thought you knew about reality.The world is a seriously bizarre place. Things can exist in two places at once and travel backwards and forwards in time. Waves and particles are one and the same, and objects change their behaviour according to whether they are being watched. This is not some alternative universe but the realm of the very small, where quantum mechanics rules. In this weird world of atoms and their constituents, our common sense understanding of reality breaks down - yet quantum mechanics has never failed an experimental test. What does it all mean? For all its weirdness, quantum mechanics has given us many practical technologies including lasers and the transistors that underlie computers and all digital technology. In the future, it promises computers more powerful than any built before, the ability to communicate with absolute privacy, and even quantum teleportation. The Quantum World explores the past, present and future of quantum science, its applications and mind-bending implications. Discover how ideas from quantum mechanics are percolating out into the vast scale of the cosmos - perhaps, in the future, to reveal a new understanding of the big bang and the nature of space and time.ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

    1 in stock

    £10.44

  • Eureka!: Mindblowing Science Every Day of the

    John Murray Press Eureka!: Mindblowing Science Every Day of the

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIntroduced by Jim Al-KhaliliCould you surf down an erupting volcano?Why do zebras have stripes?Are you breathing the same air as Leonardo da Vinci?Are there any green mammals?Why do pineapples have spikes?Why do songs get stuck in your head?What happens when black holes collide?Can you extract your DNA?New Scientist has been a treasure trove of fascinating and surprising questions and answers for over a decade. From how to measure the speed of light using chocolate, to why dogs howl at sirens, Eureka! brings together 365 mindblowing questions, fascinating facts and exciting experiments.If you've ever wondered how to escape quicksand, what would happen if the moon vanished, and why cats (nearly) always land on their feet, you've come to the right place.

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • Fat: the Secret Organ: The surprising science

    Quercus Publishing Fat: the Secret Organ: The surprising science

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis The International Bestseller, as featured in The Times Fat is a vital yet hugely under-rated organ. Fat has become a dirty word, but we know so little about how it really works. In Fat, expert doctors and obesity researchers Dr Mariëtte Boon and Professor Liesbeth van Rossum present the ground-breaking research which explodes many of the myths and prejudices surrounding body fat and will make us completely rethink our relationship with it. Making use of the cutting-edge research in this specialist field, this fascinating and entertaining book will explain how fat generates important hormones, communicates with our brains and is, indeed, essential for staying alive. Informative yet accessible, Fat: The Secret Organ is important reading, not only for people who have struggled with their weight, but for everybody who is serious about their health.Trade ReviewWorried about piling on the pounds while stuck at home on lockdown? Give yourself a break, because fat is VITAL. New book Fat: The Secret Organ by doctors Mariette Boon and Liesbeth Van Rossum, an obesity specialist, aims to shed light on an aspect of our body that gets a bad press. * Sun *an eye-opening book which casts a tired subject in a new light * Glasgow Herald *

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • How the Rose Got Its Thorns

    Quercus Publishing How the Rose Got Its Thorns

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why the rose has thorns and other flowers don''t; why the daffodil is the colour it is; or why some plants have shiny leaves and others matt?How The Rose Got its Thorns reveals the inner workings of our favourite flowers and trees. Designed to help gardeners, both novice and experienced, better understand how plants grow, the book is easy to navigate - it is divided into 50 chapters, each one a story.Accompanied by specially commissioned colour illustrations, each chapter explains the science behind how plants work and the extraordinary processes they have evolved: such as protecting themselves from predators using chemicals; attracting pollinators using scent, shape and colour; growing in low or high temperatures; their relationship with the wind; the size and pattern of their leaves; the distribution of their seeds and survival strategies; their relationship with insects; how they allocate their resources; and how they retain water eff

    1 in stock

    £18.70

  • A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist

    Basic Books A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisEvolution has, ever since its inception, been one of the most ideologically fraught fields in all of science. It has given birth to the myth about biological racial “types,” with distinct rankings of “genetic superiority”. Evolution has always been mistrusted by religious fundamentalists, contributing to a rise in creationist education that dovetails with the mass scientific illiteracy we see today. And today the coronavirus is mutating into ever more dangerous strands because huge swaths of the population have rejected the science that predicted this outcome if people remained unvaccinated. With so much fear and misunderstanding, it is crucial to set the record straight. Enter evolutionary biologist Joseph Graves. In A Voice in the Wilderness, he makes the case that widespread understanding of evolution is crucial to solving all these problems. Graves shows how the science of evolution can lead us to new paths of achieving social unity. He refutes common, pseudoscientific misconceptions that undergird racism, homophobia, sexism, classism, and more—all issues on which many perceive evolutionary biology to be a reactionary force. He shows how evolution can either make pandemics better, or—if its lessons are unheeded—worse. And he tackles the political and religious objections to the study of evolution as well. Graves' own experience powers much of the narrative. As a pioneering Black biologist, a leftist, and a Christian, Graves uses his personal story from a child of the Jim Crow south to a major researcher leader in his field to rewrite his field—and show how it can be a force not for reaction, but for justice. Provocative and timely, A Voice in the Wilderness is at once a powerful work of scientific antiracism and a moving history of a trailblazing life.

    2 in stock

    £22.50

  • The Giant Leap

    Basic Books The Giant Leap

    1 in stock

    1 in stock

    £25.60

  • The Call of the Honeyguide

    Basic Books The Call of the Honeyguide

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    3 in stock

    £24.00

  • Every Life Is On Fire: How Thermodynamics

    Basic Books Every Life Is On Fire: How Thermodynamics

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhy are we alive? Most things in the universe aren't. And if you trace the evolutionary history of plants and animals back far enough, you will find that, at some point, neither were we. Scientists have wrestled with this problem for centuries, and no one has been able to offer a credible theory. But in 2013, at just 30 years old, biophysicist Jeremy England published a paper that has utterly upended the ongoing study of life's origins. In Every Life Is on Fire, he describes, for the first time, his highly publicized theory known as dissipative adaptation. In any disordered system, matter clumps together and breaks apart, mostly randomly, without consequence. But some of the clumps that form are momentarily better at doing one specific job: dissipating energy. These structures are less likely to fall apart. Over time, they become better at both withstanding the disorder surrounding them and creating copies of themselves. From this deep insight, grounded in thermodynamics, England is able to isolate the emergence of the first life-like behaviors. Scientists have always thought that life began as a stroke of spectacular luck. But in fact, life may be inevitable, a product of the iron physical laws of the universe.England is both a world-class physicist and an ordained rabbi, and so his enquiry doesn't end with the physics of life. We ask questions like "How did life begin?" not just for the fun of scientific inquiry, but because we want a deeper understanding of who we are and why we're here. Even if physics can explain how life-like behaviors emerged, England doubts that reducing life down to the energy flows of a bunch of microscopic particles can ever give us a satisfying answer to what it means to be alive?. He believes that life is fundamentally a philosophical distinction, not a natural one. So before we can seriously look for life's physical origins, we must first make basic choices about what we think life means. This is something researchers often fail to recognize, and it is why, throughout In Every Life Is on Fire, England informs the premises of his theory with a careful exploration of what life is for.For anyone who reads this book, no matter their creed, In Every Life Is On Fire offers a rare work of popular science that explores not just what science does, but how it imbues our lives with meaning.

    1 in stock

    £20.69

  • The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known

    Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Inc The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWith more than 1 million copies sold worldwide, The Elements is the most entertaining, comprehensive, and visually arresting book on all 118 elements in the periodic table.Includes a poster of Theodore Gray's iconic photographic periodic table of the elements!Based on seven years of research and photography by Theodore Gray and Nick Mann, The Elements presents the most complete and visually arresting representation available to the naked eye of every atom in the universe. Organized sequentially by atomic number, every element is represented by a big beautiful photograph that most closely represents it in its purest form. Several additional photographs show each element in slightly altered forms or as used in various practical ways. Also included are fascinating stories of the elements, as well as data on the properties of each, including atomic number, atomic symbol, atomic weight, density, atomic radius, as well as scales for electron filling order, state of matter, and an atomic emission spectrum.This of solid science and stunning artistic photographs is the perfect gift book for every sentient creature in the universe.

    1 in stock

    £22.50

  • A New Kind of Science

    Wolfram Media Inc A New Kind of Science

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £36.00

  • Hearts and Minds: Reclaiming the Soul of Science

    SteinerBooks, Inc Hearts and Minds: Reclaiming the Soul of Science

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe world, we are told, is made up of particles and forces. Evolution, impelled by the single purpose of survival, is guided by chance through natural selection -- survival of the fittest. DNA, from the core of each cell, directs the chemical-mechanical unfolding of life. Consciousness and self are mere artefacts of the brain’s firing neurons, it is argued.The great scientific revolution of the last five hundred years, with its technological glories and medical miracles, has arrived at the above set of summary conclusions -- or some slightly tweaked variations -- depicting a random, indifferent and wholly impersonal cosmos.But it is a picture that has been fraying at the edges for some time. Progress in medicine, quantum physics, open-systems biology, consciousness studies, epistemology, the arts and philosophy all point in a radically different direction. However, fresh, coherent narratives have not yet fully emerged out of this progress, and so the old model stubbornly endures. Hearts and Minds: Reclaiming the Soul of Science and Medicine tells a tale of emerging discoveries that restore ourselves and our own understanding as integral to the workings of the world.Trade Review'Hearts and Minds is a remarkable book. Alexander, a veteran writer on medical research and therapies, takes us directly into an exploration of a central question of our time: is everything -- most importantly consciousness (including thinking, feeling, meaning, and values) produced ultimately by neurons, molecules, DNA and hormones? It is a rich offering -- always exciting, well-told and made understandable to us less-than-expert readers.' -- Douglas Sloan, Professor of History and Education Emeritus at Columbia University, New York

    2 in stock

    £21.21

  • Introduction to Statistical Methods for Clinical

    Taylor & Francis Inc Introduction to Statistical Methods for Clinical

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisClinical trials have become essential research tools for evaluating the benefits and risks of new interventions for the treatment and prevention of diseases, from cardiovascular disease to cancer to AIDS. Based on the authors’ collective experiences in this field, Introduction to Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials presents various statistical topics relevant to the design, monitoring, and analysis of a clinical trial.After reviewing the history, ethics, protocol, and regulatory issues of clinical trials, the book provides guidelines for formulating primary and secondary questions and translating clinical questions into statistical ones. It examines designs used in clinical trials, presents methods for determining sample size, and introduces constrained randomization procedures. The authors also discuss how various types of data must be collected to answer key questions in a trial. In addition, they explore common analysis methods, describe statistical methods that determine what an emerging trend represents, and present issues that arise in the analysis of data. The book concludes with suggestions for reporting trial results that are consistent with universal guidelines recommended by medical journals. Developed from a course taught at the University of Wisconsin for the past 25 years, this textbook provides a solid understanding of the statistical approaches used in the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials.Trade Review… There is much good material in this book. The individual chapters are well written and cover the technical aspects as well. A major strength is the ordering of topics to follow the thought process used in the development and implementation of a protocol from defining the question to reporting results. There are careful discussions on fundamental principles and the pivotal role played by statistics is well brought out. … there is much that practicing pharmaceutical statisticians will find useful in this book. They will find the coverage of fundamental principles useful and the technical content of the book a good reference source. …—Pharmaceutical Statistics, 2010… fits the need for a contemporary text and handbook that is oriented toward the clinical trial statistician. I highly recommend it and look forward to using it as both a primary and supplemental text in our curriculum, as well as a research resource.—James J. Dignam, University of Chicago, JASA, March 2009The (technical) statistical content is the main focus of the book and this is what helps it to stand apart from most others on clinical trials (even the more obviously statistically orientated ones). It takes the reader to quite a technical background that would serve him or her well if moving on to research problems in the various areas covered, yet does not lose sight of practical issues. … For those of us with the interest (and need) to grapple with these more statistical issues, I wholeheartedly recommend it.—Biometrics, December 2008…The book is very well written and clear. … the authors generally strike the right balance for the intended audience. The inclusion of many historically important as well as contemporary examples to illustrate various points throughout the text is a major strength, as is the inclusion of several modern topics not seen in other texts. As a basis for a course in clinical trials for graduate students in biostatistics, this book is outstanding. In addition, statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry, government, or academia … will find this text extremely informative and useful.” —Michael P. McDermott, University of Rochester Medical Center, Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics, 2008Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction to Clinical Trials. Defining the Question. Study Design. Sample Size. Randomization. Data Collection and Quality Control. Survival Analysis. Longitudinal Data. Quality of Life. Data Monitoring and Interim Analysis. Selected Issues in the Analysis. Closeout and Reporting. Special Topics. Appendix. References. Index.

    2 in stock

    £80.74

  • Supermassive

    Smithsonian Books Supermassive

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    10 in stock

    £26.96

  • Taylor & Francis Inc Humic Substances: Molecular Details and Applications in Land and Water Conservation

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisHumic substances are everywhere; in plants, soils and water. These brown materials are the most versatile and widely dispersed organic compounds on Earth. Studies of humic substances sustain all current efforts to bioremediate and purify water, develop and support sustainable agriculture, decontaminate polluted soil, and combat soul desertification and erosion. Taken from the 2004 Humic Substances Seminar VII held at Northeastern University, this selection of expert papers investigate the important functions of humic substances, focusing on water treatment and land preservation. Reflecting the work of an international host of scientists, this book describes how researchers from many disciplines are working to link humic substances structures to their many crucial functions in land and water conservation. Reporting on the latest analytical advances and information for understanding humic substances, this book will be of great interest to a wide range of readers from graduate students and professional biologists to soil scientists and engineers.Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Contributors PART 1. SOURCES AND CHARACTERIZATION 1. Structural Characterization of Humic Substances from Waste Water 2. Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation of Humic Substances: Comparison of Polyacrylic Acids and Polystyrene Sulfonates as Molar Mass Standards 3. Estimation of the Black Carbon Content of the IHSS Leonardite-Humin 4. Source Identification and Characterization of Humic and Fulvic Acids Isolated from Oxfordian Argillite and Opalinus Clay PART 2. SORPTION AND REACTIVITY 5. When Should Humic Substances be Treated as Dynamic Combinatorial Systems? 6. Mass Spectroscopic and Capillary Electrophoresis Studies of Humic Acids Interactions with Various Compounds and Xenobiotics 7. Photosensitized Generation of Singlet Oxygen and its Quenching by Humic Substances 8. Factors Affecting NOM Reactivity with Chlorine 9. Fluorescence and Energy Transfer Processes of Humic Substances and Related Model Compounds in Terbium Complexes PART 3. METAL BINDING AND MOBILITY: DATA AND THEORY 10. Physico-Chemical Interpretation of Complexation/Binding Capacity or Effective Humate Ligand Concentration for An(III) and An(VI) Humate Complexation 11. Physical and Chemical Kinetics in Humic Dispersions 12. Measurement of Free Metal Ion in Equilibrium with Humic-Metal Complexes using an NMR Solvent Suppression Technique 13. Quantitative Analysis of Aluminum and Soil Fulvic Acid Complexes by Solution State Aluminum-27 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 14. Affinity of Soil and Lignitic Humic Acids for Cu(II) and Cd(II) Ions 15. Trace Metal Speciation Investigation of Soil Humic Acids Isolated from New England Soils: A Capillary Electrophoresis-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) Study PART 4. SOIL AGGREGATION 16. Soil Organic Matter and Aggregate Stability Affected by Tillage Index

    Out of stock

    £137.75

  • Poseidon's Steed: The Story of Seahorses, from

    Penguin Putnam Inc Poseidon's Steed: The Story of Seahorses, from

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn underwater adventure with the sea creature that has captured human imagination for thousands of years.

    2 in stock

    £12.59

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