Science & Nature Books
Oxford University Press How Genes Influence Behavior
Book SynopsisHow Genes Influence Behavior takes a personal and lively approach to the study of behavioral genetics, providing an up-to-date and accessible introduction to a variety of approaches and their application to a wide range of disorders, and modeling a critical approach to both methods and results.This second edition includes additional biology content to help students understand the biological foundations of the field, while maintaining an appropriate focus on the main issues of relevance to psychology students; updates coverage of genomic technologies and their applications; and covers a wider range of disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and intellectual disability. A new final chapter guides students through a range of quantitative approaches using worked examples that relate directly to cases and examples used earlier in the text, and addresses current issues arising from debates around reproducibility. The online resources that accompany this book include:Trade ReviewThe breadth of knowledge that is required to prepare a new generation of behavior geneticists is certainly present in the 2nd edition of How Genes Infuence Behavior * Tinca J. C. Polderman, Behavior Genetics, 07 June 2021 *Easy to read, comprehensive, up to date. The entertaining writing style will enthuse many new students, as will the low price. * Tinca J. C. Polderman, Behavior Genetics, 07 June 2021 *The authors are to be applauded for sharing with us their fascinating journey through the world of genetic research (and Irish hostels, and tattoos), and as such delivering a great contribution to the behavior genetics literature. * Tinca J. C. Polderman, Behavior Genetics, 07 June 2021 *The book covers a wide variety of topics in appropriate depth and with an informative, but relatively informal, style. A major strength is its focus on the recently highlighted topic of reproducibility (and how to maximise this), which is an area in which students need to be suitably educated. * Dr William Davies, Cardiff University *Very easy to read, and the narrative makes it engaging. * Dr Michelle Luciano, University of Edinburgh *An excellent and easy-to-read, engaging textbook. * Professor Robert Gerlai, University of Toronto Mississaugu *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The genetic epidemiology of schizophrenia 3: Molecular biology of nucleic acids 4: Epigenetics, gene regulation, and 'omic technologies 5: Linkage and association 6: Genome wide association studies (GWAS) 7: Molecular genetics of schizophrenia 8: Autism spectrum disorder 9: Intellectual disability and developmental disorders 10: Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders 11: Alcoholism 12: The genetics of intelligence, personality, and personality disorders 13: Genes for what? 14: Genes and the environment 15: Mapping mouse behavior 16: Reverse genetics 17: Mutagenesis and the molecular dissection of circadian rhythms 18: Many vs. One: Genetic Variation in Flies and Worms 19: Comparative genomics 20: How genes influence behavior 21: How do we know a finding is true? Quantitative Approaches Appendix
£42.99
Oxford University Press Circadian Rhythms
Book SynopsisThe earth''s daily rotation affects just about every living creature. From dawn through to dusk, there are changes in light, temperature, humidity, and rainfall. However, these changes are regular, rhythmic and, therefore, predictable. Thus, the near 24 hour circadian rhythm is innate: a genetically programmed clock that essentially ticks of its own accord. This Very Short Introduction explains how organisms can know the time and reveals what we now understand of the nature and operation of chronobiological processes. Covering variables such as light, the metabolism, human health, and the seasons, Foster and Kreitzman illustrate how jet lag and shift work can impact on human well-being, and consider circadian rhythms alongside a wide range of disorders, from schizophrenia to obesity.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewCircadian Rhythms is an ideal companion to Sleep, another excellent book in the same series and co-authored by Foster ... Foster and Kreitzman delve into the molecular biology that underlies the circadian rhythms, but they do so clearly and gradually. So even if you're not a biologist you'll be able to follow the discussions. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *excellent * David Lorimer, Network Review *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: How the clock works 3: Light and the clock 4: Synchronising the clock 5: Day/night cycle 6: Clocks and metabolism 7: Clocks and human health 8: The seasonal clock 9: Where did the clocks come from Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Earth System Science
Book SynopsisWhen humanity first glimpsed planet Earth from space, the unity of the system that supports humankind entered the popular consciousness. The concept of the Earth''s atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, soil, and rocks operating as a closely interacting system has rapidly gained ground in science. This new field, involving geographers, geologists, biologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric physicists, is known as Earth System Science. In this Very Short Introduction, Tim Lenton considers how a world in which humans could evolve was created; how, as a species, we are now reshaping that world; and what a sustainable future for humanity within the Earth System might look like. Drawing on elements of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, Lenton asks whether Earth System Science can help guide us onto a sustainable course before we alter the Earth system to the point where we destroy ourselves and our current civilisation.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsREFERENCES; INDEX
£999.99
Oxford University Press On the Scent
Book SynopsisIn humans, the perception of odours adds a fourth dimension to life, from the scent of flowers, the aroma of foods, and all the subtle smells in the environment. But how many types of odours can we distinguish? Why do we like the food we like? Which are the most powerful odorants, and how well does the human sense of smell perform compared with that of a dog or a butterfly? The sense of smell is highly complex, and such complexity discouraged scientists for a long time, leaving the world of smell in an atmosphere of mystery. Only recently, thanks to the new tools furnished by molecular biology and neuroscience, are we beginning to answer these questions, uncovering the hidden secrets of our sense of smell, and decoding the language used by most animals to communicate. In this book, Paolo Pelosi, one of the leading figures in the development of the science of olfaction, recounts how the chemical alphabet behind smell has been pieced together over the past three decades. Drawing on anecdTrade ReviewLeaving no stone unturned, Pelosi provides an overview as broad as it is deep, covering the history of the science of olfaction and also how the sense of smell works in diverse organisms from worms to insects to rodents to birds to humans. [...] The author does an excellent job of showcasing how our knowledge of the sense of smell has been gained through research across vastly different scientific disciplines, from chemistry to molecular biology and genetics to neuroscience and ecology. * William B. Walker III, The Quarterly Review of Biology *This is fascinating science and one that will intrigue different levels of readersgeneral, scientists, or practitioners. The language of the book is intended for the general reader; Pelosi effectively communicates the science to those with minimal background in chemistry or biology, even when the subject includes a few chemical names or drawings of molecules. * P. W. Baures, CHOICE *a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia. * Network Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; PART ONE - SMELLS AND MOLECULES; PART TWO - MESSENGERS OF SEX AND DANGER; PART THREE - PROTEINS AND SMELLS; PART FOUR - AT THE EDGE OF THE IMAGINATION; CONCLUSION; REFERENCES; INDEX
£20.24
Oxford University Press The Atmosphere
Book SynopsisThe atmosphere is the thin, diffuse fluid that envelops the Earth''s surface. Despite its apparent fragility, the existence of this fluid is vital for human and other life on Earth.In this Very Short Introduction Paul Palmer describes the physical and chemical characteristics of different layers in the atmosphere, and shows how the interactions where the atmosphere is in contact with land, ocean, and ice affect its observed physical and chemical properties. He also looks at how movement in the atmosphere, driven by heat from the sun, transports heat from lower latitudes to higher latitudes, and is a fundamental feature of the general circulation in the atmosphere. Finally, Palmer presents an overview of the types of measurements used to understand different parts of the atmosphere, and identifies the future challenges for atmospheric scientists.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewPaul Palmer, a world-renowned atmospheric scientist, takes you through a tour of the origin and properties of the atmosphere, the processes controlling weather and climate, and the basic issues underlying air pollution and climate change. The easy conversational style, engaging pedagogical approach, and witty asides make this book a true pleasure to read and highly accessible. * Daniel Jacob, Harvard University *Table of Contents1: What is special about Earth's atmosphere? 2: Atmospheric physics 3: Atmospheric motion 4: Atmospheric composition 5: Atmospheric measurements 6: Our future atmosphere Further Reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Isotopes
Book SynopsisAn isotope is a variant form of a chemical element, containing a different number of neutrons in its nucleus. Most elements exist as several isotopes. Many are stable while others are radioactive, and some may only exist fleetingly before decaying into other elements.In this Very Short Introduction, Rob Ellam explains how isotopes have proved enormously important across all the sciences and in archaeology. Radioactive isotopes may be familiar from their use in nuclear weapons, nuclear power, and in medicine, as well as in carbon dating. They have been central to establishing the age of the Earth and the origins of the solar system. Combining previous and new research, Ellam provides an overview of the nature of stable and radioactive isotopes, and considers their wide range of modern applications. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsPREFACE: AT HOME WITH THE BEILBYS; EPILOGUE; FURTHER READING; INDEX
£9.49
Oxford University Press An Introduction to Molecular Evolution and
Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics offers an engaging yet highly informative narrative to demonstrate how molecular data can be used to answer evolutionary questions.Trade ReviewEngaging and entertaining writing, with concepts clearly conveyed in a way accessible to less numerate students. It is by far one of the most enjoyable and interesting text books on evolutionary genetics I have read. * Simon Goodman, University of Leeds *Nothing else comes close in terms of completeness and accessibility to our students. Reading the text is almost like having a conversation. * Lawrence Mays, University of North Carolina at Charlotte *Table of Contents1. Introduction - The story in DNA ; 2. DNA - The immortal germline ; 3. Mutation - We are all mutants ; 4. Replication - Endless copies ; 5. Genome - Accident and design ; 6. Gene - Making an organism ; 7. Selection - Descent with modification ; 8. Drift - Chance and necessity ; 9. Species - Origin of species ; 10. Alignment - Same but different ; 11. Phylogeny - Tree of life ; 12. Hypotheses - Seeing the wood for the trees ; 13. Rates - Tempo and mode ; 14. Dates - Telling the time
£55.09
Oxford University Press The Astronomer and the Witch
Book SynopsisJohannes Kepler (1571-1630) was one of the most admired astronomers who ever lived and a key figure in the scientific revolution. A defender of Copernicus s sun-centred universe, he famously discovered that planets move in ellipses, and defined the three laws of planetary motion. Perhaps less well known is that in 1615, when Kepler was at the height of his career, his widowed mother Katharina was accused of witchcraft. The proceedings led to a criminal trial that lasted six years, with Kepler conducting his mother''s defence. In The Astronomer and the Witch, Ulinka Rublack pieces together the tale of this extraordinary episode in Kepler''s life, one which takes us to the heart of his changing world. First and foremost an intense family drama, the story brings to life the world of a small Lutheran community in the centre of Europe at a time of deep religious and political turmoil - a century after the Reformation, and on the threshold of the Thirty Years'' War.Kepler''s defence of his mother also offers us a fascinating glimpse into the great astronomer''s world view, on the cusp between Reformation and scientific revolution. While advancing rational explanations for the phenomena which his mother''s accusers attributed to witchcraft, Kepler nevertheless did not call into question the existence of magic and witches. On the contrary, he clearly believed in them. And, as the story unfolds, it appears that there were moments when even Katharina''s children wondered whether their mother really did have nothing to hide...Trade ReviewCompelling. * Hannah Murphy, Isis Review *Ulinka Rublack shows wonderful sensitivity about mothers, old age, and female struggles, as she unpicks the trial of Johannes Kepler's mother for witchcraft. * Marina Warner, Book of the Year 2015, Observer *An enthralling book. * Jennifer Rampling, Nature *Excellent ... meticulously researched and wonderfully readable. * John Banville, Literary Review *Ulinka Rublack's book about Katharina Kepler, and her sons extraordinary defence of her, is fine-grained microhistory, but it's also revealing of the larger ideas that framed their world ... Superstition and science, rather than being successive stages in the ascent of reason, co-existed so closely and dynamically that the definition of neither is reliable. The Astronomer and the Witch illustrates this complexity, and its transitions, with agility and sensitivity. * Malcolm Gaskill, London Review of Books *[an] important new book ... [which] offers an extended meditation on family relationships, and in particular that indelible but intangible bond between a mother and her son. * Jan Machielsen, Times Literary Supplement *[A] superb study ... The author wanted her book to provide a "better understanding of individuals, but also of families, a community, and an age". It succeeds triumphantly. * Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald *Rublack tells [this] story with a novelist's panache. Even if you know what happened, it's a compelling book. She sketches the vivid details that make the time, place and characters come to life ... The Tale of the Witch and the Mathematician - unmissable. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *In 1615, an illiterate widow is accused of witchcraft in a German town. Her son, the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler, conducts her defence in a trial that drags on for six years. In this enthralling book, Ulinka Rublack reconstructs the struggle over Katharina Kepler's fate. We enter a small-town world of rivalries, friendships, deference, power and vulnerability, a world in which religious faith, scientific knowledge and folk belief are dangerously intertwined. Vividly drawn and subtly observed, The Astronomer and the Witch opens a window onto the inner life of a past that is strange and remote, but also unsettlingly familiar. * Christopher Clark *Table of ContentsTIMELINE OF JOHANNES KEPLER'S LIFE, 1571-1620; NOTE ON DATES; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS; MAPS; PROLOGUE; NOTES; FURTHER READING AND VIEWING; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; INDEX
£13.49
Oxford University Press Curious Tales from Chemistry
Book SynopsisThis is a book about discovery and disaster, exploitation and invention, warfare and science - and the relationship between human beings and the chemical elements that make up our planet. Lars Ohrstrom introduces us to a variety of elements from S to Pb through tales of ordinary and extraordinary people from around the globe. We meet African dictators controlling vital supplies of uranium; eighteenth-century explorers searching out sources of precious metals; industrial spies stealing the secrets of steel-making. We find out why the Hindenburg airship was tragically filled with hydrogen, not helium; why nail-varnish remover played a key part in World War I; and the real story behind the legend of tin buttons and the downfall of Napoleon. In each chapter, we find out about the distinctive properties of each element and the concepts and principles that have enabled scientists to put it to practical use. These are the fascinating (and sometimes terrifying) stories of chemistry in action.Table of ContentsPREAMBLE: THE PERIODIC TABLE AND THE DA VINCI CODE; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; BIBLIOGRAPHY; NOTES
£12.59
Oxford University Press The Rise of Yeast
Book SynopsisYeast is humankind's favourite microbe, our partner in brewing, baking, and winemaking. Nicholas P. Money tells the story of this 10,000-year-long marriage, looking at how yeast served as a major factor in the development of civilization, celebrating its importance, and considering its future roles in molecular biology and genetic engineering.Trade ReviewA highly entertaining read ... a fascinating and lucid historical study, rich with biological intrigue. * Timothy James, Current Biology *The Rise of Yeast: How the sugar fungus shaped civilisation is an amazing story, about an amazing people-non-person relationship (and by an amazing writer): Surely, Moneys The Rise of Yeast is destined to be a classic and a thoroughly deserving award-winner! * Nigel Chaffey, Botany One, News and Views on Plant Biology and Ecology *The Rise of Yeast is a neat little book that elegantly covers a lot of ground. * Leon Vlieger, Inquisitive Biologist *Nicholas Money's effervescent tour is packed with delights, such as illustrations by Charles Tulasne, the Audubon of fungi, or the revelation that yeasts and humans share a common ancestor (and hundreds of genes). * Barabra Kiser, Nature *An enjoyable and readable account. * Brewer & Distiller International *Yeast rises our bread, ferments our beer, wine, and spirits, perfumes our fruit, nourishes our bodies, makes us bold in love, foments chaos, powers our cars, and unlocks the soul. We humans tend to think that we rule the earth, but the evidence on our behalf is scant. This fascinating book unlocks the mysteries of our world's true masters, which were here before we walked, will be here when we're gone, and, in the meantime, help make our time on the planet a lot more fun and infinitely more delicious. * Garrett Oliver, Brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery, Editor-in-Chief, The Oxford Companion to Beer *Table of ContentsNOTES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX
£20.24
OUP Oxford A Survey of Metaphysics
A Survey of Metaphysics provides a systematic overview of modern metaphysics, covering all of the most important topics likely to be encountered on a metaphysics course. The conception of metaphysics underlying the book is the fairly traditional and widely-shared one that metaphysics deals with the deepest questions that can be raised concerning the fundamental structure of reality as a whole. The book is divided into six main parts, each relatively self-contained, focusing in turn on the following major themes: identity and change, necessity and essence, causation, agency and events, space and time, and universals and particulars. In an introductory chapter, the conception of metaphysics underlying the book is explained and defended against the many and varied opponents of metaphysics those students are likely to encounter. While the book makes reference when necessary to the history of metaphysics, its emphasis is on contemporary views and issues. The author''s approach is not narrow
£44.99
Oxford University Press Introduction to Genomics
Book SynopsisThe most up-to-date and complete textbook for first time genomics students, Introduction to Genomics offers a fascinating insight into how organisms differ or match; how different organisms evolved; how the genome is constructed and how it operates; and what our understanding of genomics means in terms of our future health and wellbeing.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This book is great for introducing the field of genomics, providing the basic concepts underpinning the field, including cutting edge techniques, along with examples of its application. * Dr Emma Laing, University of Surrey *The writing is eloquent and engages the curious reader with a wide range of background stories. The practical applications are always highlighted. Rather than a text book studied to pass an exam, this book is a pleasure to read. * Dr Richard Bingham, University of Huddersfield *It's the best textbook that I have reviewed for upper level undergraduates. It has good basic coverage of human aspects, databases, and comparative genomics. I like the questions and problems at the end of the chapters. * Professor Michael Shiaris, University of Massachusetts Boston *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The Human Genome Project 3: Mapping, Sequencing, Annotation, and Databases 4: Evolution and Genomic Change 5: Genomes of Prokaryotes and Viruses 6: Genomes of Eukaryotes 7: Comparative Genomics 8: The Impact of Genomics on Human Health and Disease 9: Genomics and Anthropology 10: Transcriptomics 11: Proteomics 12: Metabolomics 13: Systems Biology
£52.99
Oxford University Press Infinity
Book SynopsisInfinity is an intriguing topic, with connections to religion, philosophy, metaphysics, logic, and physics as well as mathematics. Its history goes back to ancient times, with especially important contributions from Euclid, Aristotle, Eudoxus, and Archimedes. The infinitely large (infinite) is intimately related to the infinitely small (infinitesimal). Cosmologists consider sweeping questions about whether space and time are infinite. Philosophers and mathematicians ranging from Zeno to Russell have posed numerous paradoxes about infinity and infinitesimals. Many vital areas of mathematics rest upon some version of infinity. The most obvious, and the first context in which major new techniques depended on formulating infinite processes, is calculus. But there are many others, for example Fourier analysis and fractals.In this Very Short Introduction, Ian Stewart discusses infinity in mathematics while also drawing in the various other aspects of infinity and explaining some of the major problems and insights arising from this concept. He argues that working with infinity is not just an abstract, intellectual exercise but that it is instead a concept with important practical everyday applications, and considers how mathematicians use infinity and infinitesimals to answer questions or supply techniques that do not appear to involve the infinite.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis particular volume does exactly what it says on the tin, providing just enough background on various aspects of infinity to pique the readers interest. It is written with the same clarity and attention to detail as Professor Stewarts other books. * David Hopkins, Mathematical Gazette *Stewart has turned what must have seemed like a daunting project into an entertaining, illuminating, and digestible read... the book has something for everyone. * Marianne Freiberger, Plus *Even the experienced reader may have more occasion to learn something new. Some of these non-essential but nevertheless flashes of a that's-interesting-I-didn't-know-that experience will make it worthwhile reading. * Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX
£9.49
Oxford University Press Computational Chemistry
Book SynopsisThe renowned Oxford Chemistry Primers series, which provides focused introductions to a range of important topics in chemistry, has been refreshed and updated to suit the needs of today''s students, lecturers, and postgraduate researchers. The rigorous, yet accessible, treatment of each subject area is ideal for those wanting a primer in a given topic to prepare them for more advanced study or research. The learning features provided, including exercises at the end of every chapter and online multiple-choice questions, encourage active learning and promote understanding. Moreover, cutting-edge examples and applications throughout the texts show the relevance to current research and industry of the chemistry being described.Computational Chemistry provides a user-friendly introduction to this powerful way of characterizing and modelling chemical systems. This primer provides the perfect introduction to the subject, leading the reader through the basic principles before shoTrade ReviewComputational Chemistry is a very welcome book whose main qualities are the rigour and the completeness achieved without sacrificing the synthesis. * Antonio Monari, Universite de Lorraine, Acta Cryst. (2018) C74 *This short and easily readable book provides an excellent guide to the world of computational chemistry. It could be successfully used also by graduates, students or researchers from the experimental chemistry fields, who seek a general, yet critical, view of the possibilities offered by modelling and simulation. * Antonio Monari, Universite de Lorraine, Acta Cryst. (2018) C74 *Significantly, one of the strengths of the book is the constant use of real-life examples in the form of real calculations performed by the author, which students are encouraged to repeat, to illustrate the different methods and the different problems. * Antonio Monari, Universite de Lorraine, Acta Cryst. (2018) C74 *A valuable and productive effort that can strongly benefit the development and the general understanding of computational chemistry and molecular simulation. * Antonio Monari, Universite de Lorraine, Acta Cryst. (2018) C74 *Table of Contents1: Computation and Computers in Chemistry 2: Quantum Chemistry 3: Quantum Chemical Methods 4: Molecular Mechanics Methods 5: Geometry Optimization 6: Dynamics Methods 7: Rate Constants and Equilibria 8: Hybrid and Multi-Scale Methods 9: Conclusions
£32.99
Oxford University Press Two Revolutions Einsteins Relativity and Quantum
Book SynopsisCan you kick a black hole? What about electrons? As a child, quantum-physicist Smitha Vishveshwara pondered such questions with her astrophysicist father, C. V. Vishveshwara (Vishu); decades later, their musings grew into a series of letter exchanges in Two Revolutions: Relativity and Quantum Physics.The letters between father and daughter lead the scientifically curious reader through these two remarkable branches of physics that dramatically changed our perception of nature. From the subatomic to the astronomical realms, they weave a rich tapestry of scientific insight, history, personal anecdotes, philosophy, and wonder. The book traces Einstein''s tenacious journey in formulating the theory of relativity, in which space and time merge, and gravitation warps spacetime, forming the very fabric of the Universe. The authors reveal how black holes and gravitational waves emerge as bizarre and awe-inspiring constructs within this framework. In the quantum realm, the book mulls over conundrums posed by wave-particle duality, Schrodinger''s curious cat, the beautiful dance of electrons in atoms, and entanglement. It explores communities of particles acting in marvelous concert in magnetic resonance imaging, superfluids, and more. Fate took unforeseen twists while the book was still in the making. In 2016, after decades of work by numerous researchers, the detection of gravitational waves Vishu''s lifelong dream finally came to pass. Emanating from two spiraling blackholes a billion light years away, the waves'' signals even showed hints of Vishu''s pioneering predictions on black hole ringdowns from the 1970s. But soon after that glorious culmination, Vishu fell critically ill. Smitha concludes their story by recreating the euphoria of scientific discovery against the intimate backdrop of life and death.
£33.25
Oxford University Press Lakes
Book SynopsisRanging from vast inland seas to hydro-reservoirs, lakes are unique, complex, ecosystems. Warwick Vincent introduces lake science, or limnology, and the importance of protecting and sustaining these vitally important living resources. He explains the impact of factors such as climate, seasons, salinity, and sedimentation on lake biodiversity.Trade ReviewA fast-track insight into lakes, from how they're formed to a hit list of 'extreme lakes' in unusual places. Packed with facts but not (ahem) a dry read. * Sarah Barrell, National Geographic Traveller *Does an excellent job at showing how biology, chemistry and physics are inextricably linked and necessary to understand lakes. Overall, this short book provides an excellent and lucid introduction to the beauty and complexity of lakes. * Yves Prairie, UNESCO Chair in Global Environmental Change *This book is a sparkling gem! It is a must-read not only for novices intrigued by freshwaters but also academics teaching limnology (study of inland waters) and university students interested in the subject. * Marianne Moore, Frost Professor Emerita in Environmental Science, Wellesley College. *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Deep waters 2: Sunlight and motion 3: Life support systems 4: Food chains to fish 5: Extreme lakes 6: Lakes and us Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Mammals
Book SynopsisFrom a modest beginning in the form of a little shrew-like, nocturnal, insect eating ancestor that lived 200 million years ago, mammals evolved into the huge variety of different kinds of animals we see today. Many species are still small, and follow the lifestyle of the ancestor, but others have adapted to become large grazers and browsers, like the antelopes, cattle, rhinos, and elephants, or the lions, hyaenas, and wolves that prey upon them. Yet others evolved to be specialist termite eaters able to dig into the hardest mounds, or tunnel creating burrowers, and a few took to the skies as gliders and the bats. Many live partly in the water, such as otters, beavers, and hippos, while whales and dugongs remain permanently in the seas, incapable of ever emerging onto land.In this Very Short Introduction T. S. Kemp explains how it is a tenfold increase in metabolic rate - endothermy or warm-bloodedness - that lies behind the high levels of activity, and the relatively huge brain associated with complex, adaptable behaviour that epitomizes mammals. He describes the remarkable fossil record, revealing how and when the mammals gained their characteristics, and the tortuous course of their subsequent evolution, during which many bizarre forms such as sabre-toothed cats, and 30-tonne, 6-m high browsers arose and disappeared. Describing the wonderful adaptations that mammals evolved to suit their varied modes of life, he also looks at those of the mainly arboreal primates that culminated ultimately in Homo sapiens.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewMammals: A Very Short Introduction is part of a series of very short introductions published by Oxford University Press. These are gateway books, designed to draw readers into a topic and invite them to dive deeper if the topic is of interest. In this regard, Tom Kemp has done our profession a great service. We should all have a short stack of these books available to hand out to undergraduates we hope to recruit to the study of mammalogy ... In short, this very short introduction to mammals is a welcome addition to the ... series. * Christopher J Yahnke, Mammology *Tom Kemp is the world's senior authority on the origin and evolution of mammals, and an excellent writer to boot. I very much recommend this concise book as an apt introduction to the palaeobiology of our own peculiar branch on the Tree of Life * Dr Robert Asher, Curator of Vertebrates, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX
£999.99
Oxford University Press Environmental DNA For Biodiversity Research and
Book SynopsisThe objective of this practical handbook is to provide ecologists (both students and researchers) with the scientific background necessary to assist with the understanding and implementation of best practice studies and analyses based on environmental DNA.Trade ReviewThis volume fills a much-needed gap, offering a gentle introduction into the field of environmental DNA, which will be especially useful for readers of minor to intermediate experience with environmental DNA. * Vasco Elbrecht, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, The Quarterly Review of Biology *An excellent instructional book or supplementary reading for any eDNA based classes...It is a timely and important addition to the field of molecular ecology, and will undoubtedly remain the go-to book on metabarcoding for several years. * Dr Anthony A. Charlton, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, Molecular Ecology *This book is a timely overview of eDNA as a complimentary and non-invasive approach for investigating and monitoring biodiversity. The book is an ideal introduction to all ecologists looking to eDNA, but also speaks to the more experienced researchers in molecular ecology. Lastly, it provides textbook material for university courses around the world. * Philip Francis Thomsen, Trends in Ecology & Evolution Journal *If you are contemplating moving into this topic, or just want to understand it better, do try and get your hands on a copy - something that might not be that easy just now as I understand the book has proved to be so popular that it is already having to be reprinted. * IMA FUNGUS *In a world faced with accelerating environmental change and loss of biodiversity, this book is a timely overview of eDNA as a complementary and noninvasive approach for investigating and monitoring biodiversity ... an ideal introduction to all ecologists looking to eDNA as a method of choice, but also speaks to the more experienced researchers in molecular ecology. Lastly, it provides textbook material for university courses around the world, where eDNA is continuously increasing in popularity. * Philip Francis Thomsen, Department of Bioscience, University of Aarhus, Trends in Ecology and Evolution *Table of Contents1: Introduction to environmental DNA (eDNA) 2: DNA metabarcode choice and design 3: Reference databases 4: Sampling 5: DNA extraction 6: DNA amplification and multiplexing 7: DNA sequencing 8: DNA metabarcoding data analysis 9: Single-species detection 10: Environmental DNA for functional diversity 11: Some early landmark studies 12: Freshwater ecosystems 13: Marine environments 14: Terrestrial ecosystems 15: Palaeoenvironments 16: Host-associated microbiota 17: Diet analysis 18: Analysis of bulk samples 19: The future of eDNA metabarcoding
£52.25
Oxford University Press Principles of Polymer Engineering
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£52.25
Oxford University Press AI
Book SynopsisThe applications of Artificial Intelligence lie all around us; in our homes, schools and offices, in our cinemas, in art galleries and - not least - on the Internet. The results of Artificial Intelligence have been invaluable to biologists, psychologists, and linguists in helping to understand the processes of memory, learning, and language from a fresh angle.As a concept, Artificial Intelligence has fuelled and sharpened the philosophical debates concerning the nature of the mind, intelligence, and the uniqueness of human beings. Margaret A. Boden reviews the philosophical and technological challenges raised by Artificial Intelligence, considering whether programs could ever be really intelligent, creative or even conscious, and shows how the pursuit of Artificial Intelligence has helped us to appreciate how human and animal minds are possible.Trade ReviewBoden's book is an excellent, accessible introduction even for the complete AI novice. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *Boden, as an academic in the field of AI, really knows her stuff, and you get a clear understanding from her book of the various different kinds of AI, and their enduring limitations * Robert Colvile, The Spectator *A masterclass of a book * Barbara Kiser, Nature *Everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence - a wonderful read. * Jack Copeland, Director of the Turing Archive for the History of Computing *Table of Contents1: What is Artificial Intelligence? 2: Generality as the Holy Grail 3: Language, Creativity and Emotion 4: Artificial Neural Networks 5: Robots and Artificial Life 6: But is it Intelligence, Really? 7: The Singularity Endnotes References Index
£13.49
Oxford University Press Sexual Selection
Book SynopsisWhat is responsible for the differences between the sexes in so many animals, from the brilliant plumage of birds of paradise to the antlers on deer? And why are the traits that distinguish the sexes sometimes apparently detrimental to survival? Even when they look more or less alike, why do males and females sometimes behave differently? Questions like these have intrigued scientists and the public alike for many years, and new discoveries are showing us both how wildly variable the natural world is, and how some basic principles can help explain much of that variation. Like natural selection, sexual selection is a process that results from differential representation of genes in successive generations. Under sexual selection, however, the crucial characteristics that determine whether an individual reproduces depend on sexual competition, rather than survival ability. This Very Short Introduction considers the history of our understanding of sexual selection, from Darwin''s key insights to the modern day. Considering the investment animals place on reproduction, variation in mating systems, sexual conflict, and the origin of sexual dimorphism, Marlene Zuk and Leigh Simmons discuss questions such as whether females can really choose between males on aesthetic grounds, and how sexual conflict is resolved in different species. They conclude with a consideration of the thorny question of how, and even if, sexual selection theory applies to humans.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review[A] delightful book ... informative and insightful ... Sexual Selection is thin and relatively cheap, but it's packed with more information than other books four times the size and price. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *An excellent, fascinating introduction to the recent discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of competition over mates, mate choice and differences between the sexes. Darwin would have been both pleased and amazed. * Malte Andersson, Professor emeritus, Animal Ecology, University of Gothenburg *Zuk and Simmons' book is enjoyable and informative. * Journal of Mammalogy *Table of Contents1: Darwin's other big idea 2: Choosing from the field of competitors 3: Sex roles and stereotypes 4: Sexual selection after mating 5: Sexual conflict 6: Mating systems, or who goes with whom, and for how long 7: How sex makes species surviveFurther ReadingIndex
£9.49
Oxford University Press Biological Science
Book SynopsisBiological Science: Exploring the Science of Life responds to the key needs of lecturers and their students by placing a clear central narrative, carefully-structured active learning, and confidence with quantitative concepts and scientific enquiry central to its approach. Written by a team of dedicated and passionate academics, and shaped by feedback from over 55 institutions, its straightforward narrative, reinforced by key concept overview videos for every chapter, communicate key ideas clearly: the right information is provided at the right time, and at the right depth. Its pause and think features, self-check quizzes, and graded end of chapter questions, augmented by flashcards of key terms, directly support active learning. The combination of narrative text and learning features promote a rich, active learning experience: read, watch, and do.Its combination of Quantitative Toolkits, Scientific Process panels, and the Life and its Exploration chapters provide more insight and suppTrade ReviewThis is the most exciting and effective textbook for university-level biosciences that I have seen, and its impact on our students will be exceptional.It is rare for a textbook to consider the reader's need to test their understanding as they proceed. A major innovation in this book is regular 'Pause and think' boxes throughout the chapters, posing questions (often quite open questions) for the reader to answer (with the answer hidden below), to help reinforce concepts and test understanding in a supported way. There are additional test questions in the accompanying e-book. This is an integrated learning package, not just a textbook.Producing a 'general biology' book for undergraduate level is a challenge - to make it advanced enough for undergraduate study, but not too challenging as to be incomprehensible to year 1 students. This book manages that difficult balance perfectly. The language used is advanced enough to challenge the reader and provide sufficient detail, but still accessible to those at the start of their university career.More and more, the separate discipline areas of the biosciences are integrated together, and a key challenge for educators is empowering students to see these connections. This book has the teaching of core concepts at its heart, and encourages the reader to draw these connections throughout. Divided into a series of 'modules', each with a key theme for biology at its centre, this textbook shows how biological systems use diverse approaches to solve the same core challenges facing all organisms, structures and systems. * Professor Stephen Rutherford, National Teaching Fellow, Head of Education Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University *Table of ContentsLife and its Exploration: Foundational Principles Topic 1: Exploring the science of life Topic 2: The emergence of life on Earth Topic 3: Defining Life Topic 4: Evolutionary processes Topic 5: The diversity, organisation, and classification of life Quantitative Toolkits Quantitative Toolkit 1: Understanding data Quantitative Toolkit 2: Size and scale Quantitative Toolkit 3: Describing data Quantitative Toolkit 4: Ratio and proportion Quantitative Toolkit 5: Understanding samples Quantitative Toolkit 6: Designing experiments Quantitative Toolkit 7: Assessing patterns Quantitative Toolkit 8: Formulae and equations Quantitative Toolkit 9: Rates of change Module 1 LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL 1: Building blocks: molecules and macromolecules 2: Energy: powering biochemical processes 3: Information: genes and genomes 4: Mendelian genetics 5: Reading the genome: gene expression and protein synthesis 6: Proteins and proteomes 7: Metabolism: energy capture and release from food 8: Molecular tools and techniques Module 2 LIFE AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL 9: Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 10: Cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes 11: Microbial diversity 12: The growth, measurement, and visualisation of cells 13: Microbes in life: harnessing their power 14: Microbes as agents of infectious disease 15: Viruses Module 3 THE HUMAN ORGANISM: TISSUES, ORGANS, AND SYSTEMS 16: Physiology overview 17: Communication and control 1: introducing the nervous and endocrine systems 18: Communication and control 2: sensory systems 19: Communication and control 3: controlling organ systems 20: Muscle and movement 21: Cardiovascular system 22: Respiratory system 23: Exercise physiology 24: Renal system 25: Digestive system 26: Reproductive system 27: Immune system Module 4 ORGANISMAL DIVERSITY: STRUCTURE, ADAPTATION, AND SURVIVAL 28: The structure of living organisms 29: Body plans 30: Interaction with the external environment 31: Movement, locomotion, and migration 32: Defence against predation and invasion 33: Reproduction and development Module 5 ORGANISMS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENTS 34: Fundamental concepts: ecology, evolution, species, and speciation 35: Genes: evolutionary change in alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes 36: Populations: quantifying demographics and modelling change 37: Communities: species interactions and biodiversity metrics 38: Ecosystems: abiotic interactions and environmental processes 39: Challenges: key threats to ecosystems 40: Solutions: managing, conserving, and restoring ecosystems
£61.74
Oxford University Press Biological Science
Book SynopsisA fresh approach to biology centred on a clear narrative, active learning, and confidence with quantitative concepts and scientific enquiry. Designed for flexible learning, it will give you a deeper understanding of the key concepts, and an appreciation of biology as a dynamic experimental science.Table of ContentsLife and its Exploration: Foundational Principles Topic 1: Exploring the science of life Topic 2: The emergence of life on Earth Topic 3: Defining Life Topic 4: Evolutionary processes Topic 5: The diversity, organisation, and classification of life Quantitative Toolkits Quantitative Toolkit 1: Understanding data Quantitative Toolkit 2: Size and scale Quantitative Toolkit 3: Describing data Quantitative Toolkit 4: Ratio and proportion Quantitative Toolkit 5: Understanding samples Quantitative Toolkit 6: Designing experiments Quantitative Toolkit 7: Assessing patterns Quantitative Toolkit 8: Formulae and equations Quantitative Toolkit 9: Rates of change Module 1 LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL 1: Building blocks: molecules and macromolecules 2: Energy: powering biochemical processes 3: Information: genes and genomes 4: Mendelian genetics 5: Reading the genome: gene expression and protein synthesis 6: Proteins and proteomes 7: Metabolism: energy capture and release from food 8: Molecular tools and techniques Module 2 LIFE AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL 9: Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 10: Cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes 11: Microbial diversity 12: The growth, measurement, and visualisation of cells 13: Microbes in life: harnessing their power 14: Microbes as agents of infectious disease 15: Viruses Module 3 THE HUMAN ORGANISM: TISSUES, ORGANS, AND SYSTEMS 16: Physiology overview 17: Communication and control 1: introducing the nervous and endocrine systems 18: Communication and control 2: sensory systems 19: Communication and control 3: controlling organ systems 20: Muscle and movement 21: Cardiovascular system 22: Respiratory system 23: Exercise physiology 24: Renal system 25: Digestive system 26: Reproductive system 27: Immune system
£48.99
Oxford University Press Dog Behaviour Evolution and Cognition
Book SynopsisThis is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. The author presents a new ecological approach to the understanding of dog behaviour, demonstrating how dogs can be the subject of rigorous and productive scientific study without the need to confine them to a laboratory environment.This second, fully updated edition of Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition starts with an overview of the conceptual and methodological issues associated with the study of the dog, followed by a brief description of their role in human society. An evolutionary perspective is then introduced with a summary of current research into the process of domestication. The central part of the book is devoted to issues relating to the cognitive aspects of behaviour which have received particular attention in recent years from both psychologists and ethologists. The book''s final chapters introduce the reader to many novel approaches to dog behaviour, set in the context of behavioural development and genetics. This second edition recognises and discusses the fact that dogs are increasingly being used as model organisms for studying aspects of human biology, such as genetic diseases and ageing. Specific attention is also given in this edition to attachment behaviour which emerges between humans and dogs, the importance of inter-specific communication in the success of dogs in human communities and the broad aspects of social cognition and how this may contribute to human-dog cooperationDirections for future research are highlighted throughout the text which also incorporates links to human and primate research by drawing on homologies and analogies in both evolution and behaviour. The book will therefore be of relevance and use to anyone with an interest in behavioural ecology including graduate students of animal behaviour and cognition, as well as a more general audience of dog enthusiasts, biologists, psychologists, veterinarians, and sociologists.Trade ReviewThis book combines knowledge on dog behavior, cognition, evolution and even covers some societal aspects. As such, it should find an honorable place in the bookshelves of diverse reader audiences, from researchers interested in specific questions in animal cognition to deeply interested pet owners. * Dr. Kristina Noreikiene, Estonian University of Life Sciences, ISBE Newsletter *A must read for anyone with an interest in the history and recent advances of scientific research into companion animals, from veterinarians and behavioural practitioners to students of animal cognition and behaviour. * Victoria Ratcliffe and David Reby, Animal Behaviour *This is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. ... I highly recommend it for all people interested in the behavior of dogs and some of their wild relatives. ... Each time I go to it I'm amazed by its breadth and the care with which Dr. Miklosi covers numerous diverse topics. * Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today *Table of Contents1: Dogs in historical perspective 2: Concepts in the study of dog behaviour 3: Methodological issues in the behavioural study of the dog 4: Dogs in anthropogenic environments: family and society 5: Comparative overview of Canis 6: The story of domestication: Archaeological and phylogenetic evidence 7: The emergence of phenotypic novelty 8: Intra-specific social organization in dogs and related forms 9: The perceptual world of the dog 10: Physical-ecological problem solving 11: Affiliative and agonistic social relationships 12: Communication, play and collaboration 13: Social learning and social problem solving 14: Change of behaviour in time: From birth to death 15: The organisation of individual behaviour 16: The genetic contribution to behaviour
£53.20
Oxford University Press Molecular Biology
Book SynopsisThe biological world operates on a multitude of scales - from molecules to cells to tissues to organisms to ecosystems. Throughout all these levels runs a common thread: the communication and onward passage of information - from cell to cell, from organism to organism and, ultimately, from generation to generation. But how does this information - no more than a static repository of data - come alive to govern the processes that constitute life?The answer lies in the concerted action of molecular components which cooperate through a series of carefully-regulated processes to bring the information in our genome to life. These components and processes lie at the heart of one of the most fascinating subjects to engage the minds of scientists today: molecular biology.Molecular Biology: Principles of Genome Function offers a fresh, distinctive approach to the teaching of molecular biology. It is an approach that reflects the challenge of teaching a subject that is in many ways unrecognizable from the molecular biology of the 20th century - a discipline in which our understanding has advanced immeasurably, but about which many questions remain to be answered.It is written with several guiding themes in mind:- A focus on key principles provides a robust conceptual framework on which students can build a solid understanding of the discipline;- An emphasis on the commonalities that exist between the three kingdoms of life, and the discussion of differences between the three kingdoms where such differences offer instructive insights into molecular processes and components, gives students an accurate depiction of our current understanding of the conserved nature of molecular biology, and the differences that underpin biological diversity;- An integrated approach demonstrates how certain molecular phenomena have diverse impacts on genome function by presenting them as themes that recur throughout the book, rather than as artificially separated topicsAt heart, molecular biology is an experimental science, and a central element to the understanding of molecular biology is an appreciation of the approaches taken to yield the information from which concepts and principles are deduced. Yet there is also the challenge of introducing the experimental evidence in a way that students can readily comprehend.Molecular Biology responds to this challenge with Experimental Approach panels, which branch off from the text in a clearly-signposted way. These panels describe pieces of research that have been undertaken, and which have been particularly valuable in elucidating different aspects of molecular biology. Each panel is carefully cross-referenced to the discussion of key molecular biology tools and techniques, which are presented in a dedicated chapter at the end of the book.Beyond this, Molecular Biology further enriches the learning experience with full-colour, custom-drawn artwork; end-of-chapter questions and summaries; relevant suggested further readings grouped by topic; and an extensive glossary of key terms.Among the students being taught today are the molecular biologists of tomorrow; these individuals will be in a position to ask fascinating questions about fields whose complexity and sophistication become more apparent with each year that passes. Molecular Biology: Principles of Genome Function is the perfect introduction to this challenging, dynamic, but ultimately fascinating discipline.Trade ReviewThis is a comprehensive molecular biology textbook that emphasizes biochemical principles and molecular interactions... I believe that overall, it's the best text available for my students. * Donna E Crone, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute *Conveys in-depth material in an easily digestible manner. Makes clear connections between different topics to improve understanding of key concepts. * Scott Bailey, Johns Hopkins University *This book would be excellent for a 300- or 400- level course and provides a nice entrée into using primary literature and experimental results in the lecture. * Harold Olivey, Indiana University Northwest *Table of ContentsGenomes and the flow of biological informationBiological moleculesThe chemical basis of lifeChromosome structure and functionThe cell cycleDNA replicationChromosome segregationTranscriptionRegulation of transcriptionRNA processingTranslationRegulation of translationRegulatory RNAsProtein modification and targetingCellular responses to DNA damageRepair of DNA double-strand breaks and homologous recombinationMobile DNAGenomics and genetic variationTools and techniques in molecular biology
£63.64
Oxford University Press Chemistry for the Biosciences
Book SynopsisChemistry enables our eyes to detect the world around us; it determines whether something tastes sweet or sour; it helps genetic information pass accurately from one generation to the next. Ultimately, chemistry powers life itself. We don''t need to dig very deep to answer the question: why do biologists need chemistry? Building on the success of the first three editions, Chemistry for the Biosciences introduces students to all the chemistry they need to understand the biological world. Renowned for its clear and straightforward explanations, the book uses everyday examples and analogies throughout to help students get to grips with chemical concepts, and presents them in context of biological systems wherever possible so they can see how chemistry relates to their wider studies. With topics drawn from organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry, students will encounter a broad range of essential concepts. Chemistry for the Biosciences includes many learning features - both in print andTable of Contents1: Introduction: why biologists need chemistry 2: Atoms: the foundations of life 3: Compounds and chemical bonding: bringing atoms together 4: Molecular interactions: holding it all together 5: Moles, concentrations, and dilutions: making sense of chemical numbers 6: Hydrocarbons: the framework of life 7: Functional groups: adding function to the framework of life 8: Molecular shape and structure: life in three dimensions 9: Isomerism: generating chemical variety 10: Biological macromolecules: the infrastructure of life 11: Metals in biology: life beyond carbon 12: Chemical reactions, oxidation, and reduction: bringing molecules to life 13: Reaction mechanisms: the chemical changes that drive the chemistry of life 14: Energy: what makes reactions go? 15: Equilibria: how far do reactions go? 16: Kinetics: what affects the speed of a reaction? 17: Acids, bases, and buffer solutions: life in an aqueous environment 18: Chemical analysis: characterizing chemical compounds
£48.99
Oxford University Press Geophysics
Book SynopsisGeophysics is the physics of the Earth. Central to the Earth Sciences today, it encompasses areas such as seismology, volcanism, plate tectonics, gravitational anomalies, and the Earth''s magnetic field (present and past, as captured in rocks), all of which give clues to both the structure and the working of the Earth. In this Very Short Introduction, William Lowrie describes the internal and external processes that affect the planet, as well as the principles and methods of geophysics used to investigate them. He explains how analysis of the seismic waves produced in earthquakes reveals the internal structure of the Earth. Geophysicists have established that the greatest source of energy powering geological processes is the Earth''s internal heat. Deep inside the Earth, the temperature is high enough to produce a fluid outer core of molten iron. It is the motion in this molten iron layer that produces the Earth''s magnetic field, which shields the planet against harmful radiation from the Sun and outer space, and thus makes the planet habitable. Lowrie describes how the magnetic field also magnetizes rocks during their formation, leaving a permanent record of the ancient field and its direction that geophysicists have learned to use to interpret past motions of the continents and tectonic plates. From analyses of Earth''s deepest interior to measurements made from Earth-orbiting satellites, Lowrie shows how geophysical exploration is vitally important in the search for mineral resources, and emphasizes our need to understand the history of our planet and the processes that govern its continuing evolution. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsWhat is geophysics? Planet earth Seismology and Earth's internal structure Seismicity - the restless Earth Gravity and the figure of the Earth Earth's heat Earth's magnetic field Afterthoughts Further Reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press NMR Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry
Book SynopsisThe renowned Oxford Chemistry Primers series, which provides focused introductions to a range of important topics in chemistry, has been refreshed and updated to suit the needs of today''s students, lecturers, and postgraduate researchers. The rigorous, yet accessible, treatment of each subject area is ideal for those wanting a primer in a given topic to prepare them for more advanced study or research. Moreover, cutting-edge examples and applications throughout the texts show the relevance of the chemistry being described to current research and industry.This new edition of NMR Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry has been extensively updated to include worked examples, problems, self-test questions, and interactive online questions encouraging active learning and promoting a deeper understanding. With a concise and accessible introduction to predicting NMR spectra and expanded sections on quadrupolar nuclei, this excellent introductory text will help students get to grips with the basTrade ReviewReview from previous edition This edition is perfect for anyone undergraduate or post-graduate to broaden their knowledge on NMR. These are ideal as study guides and they are useful as quick summaries for students. I think this is the best book for the job. * Ian Butler, Department of Chemistry, University of Bangor *A good overview of the topic with some nice specific examples for teaching. * Katherine Haxton, Department of Chemistry, Keele University *An excellent introductory text. * Bela Bode, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews *Table of Contents1: Fundamentals 2: Structure determination 3: Factors influencing the chemical shift and coupling constants 4: Experimental methods: pulses, the vector model and relaxation 5: Polarization transfer and 2D NMR spectroscopy 6: Dynamic NMR spectroscopy 7: The solid state
£32.99
Oxford University Press Making Eden
Book SynopsisOver 7 billion people depend on plants for healthy, productive, secure lives, but few of us stop to consider the origin of the plant kingdom that turned the world green and made our lives possible. And as the human population continues to escalate, our survival depends on how we treat the plant kingdom and the soils that sustain it. Understanding the evolutionary history of our land floras, the story of how plant life emerged from water and conquered the continents to dominate the planet, is fundamental to our own existence. In Making Eden David Beerling reveals the hidden history of Earth''s sun-shot greenery, and considers its future prospects as we farm the planet to feed the world. Describing the early plant pioneers and their close, symbiotic relationship with fungi, he examines the central role plants play in both ecosystems and the regulation of climate. As threats to plant biodiversity mount today, Beerling discusses the resultant implications for food security and climate change, and how these can be avoided. Drawing on the latest exciting scientific findings, including Beerling''s own field work in the UK, North America, and New Zealand, and his experimental research programmes over the past decade, this is an exciting new take on how plants greened the continents.Trade ReviewBeerling asks the reader to imagine a world without plants as a starting point to the 450 or so million-year journey that unfolds through the pages. This is his manifesto for botany and he is a good advocate for the field. * Jennifer McElwain, Current Biology Magazine *Few authors have attempted a summary of early plant evolution for a general audience... Beerling is a fount of information. * Jason Fridley, Syracuse University, The Quarterly Review of Biology *Scholarly, highly readable and passionate account ... This book is a call-to-arms: cutting-edge plant science in an environmental context. * Phil Gates, BBC Wildlife *[A] wonderful study ... A vivid corrective to deep-rooted zoo-chauvinism in thinking about life on Earth. * Barbara Kiser, Nature *David Beerling demonstrates his proficiency in all things green by exploring facets of the colonisation of land by plants in times long past. * Daniel Bojar, The Biologist *Subtitled 'how plants transformed a barren planet' this fascinating book describes the rise and diversification of plant life originating in a certain type of algae and gradually colonising the land, leading eventually to large forests that impacted the climate through feedback mechanisms. * Paradigm Explorer *Relatively complex subjects within the field of planet genetics are presented in detail, yet in an accessible writing style that should appeal to non-specialists... Thoroughly researched, content-heavy, and scattered with anecdotes and examples from Beerling's own career ... an informative and highly relevant read. * David Vaughan, Geoscientist *Making Eden is an amazing story that is very well told by David Beerling. It should be on the reading list of every course in plant biology. It should also be essential reading for all those in positions of influence regarding current and future agriculture and environmental policies. * Nigel Chaffey, Botany One *David Beerling takes the reader through the latest scientific advances with both deep knowledge and skilful writing. Plants have shaped the rest of the biological world. He explains why, far from being a nineteenth century science, Beerling explains why botany should lie at the centre of debates about how we deal with the future of the biosphere. * Richard Fortey *Beerling shows us that plants made our planet habitable, and that the fates of people and plants are inextricably intertwined. Against this billion-year backdrop we should think carefully about whether hubris or humility is the better guide for navigating an uncertain planetary future. * Sir Peter Crane, author of Ginkgo: The Tree that Time Forgot *'Making Eden' is a sweeping history of plant evolution that demonstrates both the development and fragility of plant life. Sound and alluring, it exposes readers to phenomena like the remarkable complexity of plants, the genetic commonality that enables an incredible variety of flowers, and the fascinating biological secret behind the resilience of redwood trees that flourish despite their immense size. * Barry Silverstein, Foreword Reviews *This book does exactly what David Beerling promises in the sub-title - it explains with clarity and passion the extraordinary story of how plants escaped from their ancestral marine habitats and came to dominate terrestrial ecosystems. He also brings to life vividly the huge impact this has had, and continues to have, on all life on earth (including our own) and how we, Homo sapiens, are now threatening our own future existence by the damage we are inflicting on earth's increasingly degraded and fragile ecosystems. * Richard Deverell, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Illustrations and plates 1: All flesh is grass 2: Fifty shades of green 3: Genomes decoded 4: Ancient genes, new plants 5: Gas valves 6: Ancestral alliances 7: Sculpting climate 8: Eden under siege Further reading Index
£20.69
Oxford University Press Solutions Manual to accompany Elements of
Book SynopsisThe Solutions Manual to Accompany Elements of Physical Chemistry 7th edition contains full worked solutions to all end-of-chapter discusssion questions and exercises featured in the book. The manual provides helpful comments and friendly advice to aid understanding. It is also a valuable resource for any lecturer who wishes to use the extensive selection of exercises featured in the text to support either formative or summative assessment, and wants labour-saving, ready access to the full solutions to these questions.
£42.99
Oxford University Press Essential Ornithology
Book SynopsisEssential Ornithology provides the reader with a concise but comprehensive introduction to the biology of birds, one of the most widely studied and commonly taught taxonomic groups.Trade ReviewThis book is admirably direct and direct in conveying its points. While it uses the words and phrases of academic biology, its careful and caring tone makes it consistently readable. A textbook that students can read is an obvious virtue. A textbook that students can afford is another virtue, and this book is much less expensive than many textbooks. * Peter A. Bednekoff, ISBE Newsletter *Table of Contents1: Evolution of birds 2: Feathers and flight 3: Movement: migration and navigation 4: Eggs, nests, and chicks 5: Reproduction 6: Foraging and avoiding predation 7: Populations, communities, and conservation
£45.49
Oxford University Press Reptiles
Book SynopsisFor millions of years reptiles have walked, crawled, and slithered over the face of our Earth. From the mighty dinosaurs who dominated the land, the pterosaurs who took to the air, and the marine adapted ichthyosaurs, to the living reptiles today such as the lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and turtles, plus the single species of tuatara in New Zealand, reptiles have come in all shapes and sizes. In this Very Short Introduction Tom Kemp discusses the adaptations reptiles made to first leave the sea and colonise the land in dry conditions, such as their waterproof skin, their ability to expel almost dry waste products, their efficient use of external heat for maintaining their body temperature, and the amniotic egg that is laid and develops on dry land. Considering the different living groups of reptiles today, Kemp then describes how their respective bodies are adapted for their different ways of life, from snake feeding patterns to the way crocodiles breathe. Finally, Kemp assesses the threat of extinction to reptile species due to over-exploitation, habitat destruction, and climate change, and considers what can be done.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewReptiles are more than the 'abhorrent, cold-bodied animals' of classical myth, but 10,000 species of successful animals. Tom Kemp outlines all the key aspects of the biology of lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles, and traces their evolution, all illustrated by intriguing anecdotes * Professor Michael Benton *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: What is a reptile? 2: The history of reptiles 3: Lizards 4: Snakes 5: Crocodiles 6: Turtles 7: Reptile conservation Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Philosophy of Biology
Book SynopsisOver the last forty years the philosophy of biology has emerged as an important sub-discipline of the philosophy of science. Covering some of science''s most divisive topics, such as philosophical issues in genetics, it also encompasses areas where modern biology has increasingly impinged on traditional philosophical questions, such as free will, essentialism, and nature vs nurture.In this Very Short Introduction Samir Okasha outlines the core issues with which contemporary philosophy of biology is engaged. Offering a whistle-stop tour of the history of biology, he explores key ideas and paradigm shifts throughout the centuries, including areas such as the theory of evolution by natural selection; the concepts of function and design; biological individuality; and the debate over adaptationism. Throughout Okasha makes clear the relevance of biology for understanding human beings, human society, and our place in the natural world, and the importance of engaging with these issues.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewOkasha writes beautifully and clearly, presenting and discussing the major contemporary ideas about evolution,adaptation, the species concept, genes, and evolutionary psychology in humans ... I venture to suggest that it should be mandatory reading for anyone contemplating -or having- a degree in biology. * Conservation Biology *Okasha's book will prove to be a very useful resource for introducing undergraduate students to the elements of philosophy of biology. * Joeri Witteveen and Sara Green, Metascience *In this accessible, beautifully and clearly written book, Samir Okasha presents some of the major topics in the Philosophy of Biology. The book illuminates the intimate relations between the science and the philosophy of biology, and is an excellent and solid basis for exploring the new theoretical frameworks and controversies that are emerging in this vibrant field. * Professor Eva Jablonka, Tel Aviv University *In this excellent addition to the Very Short Introduction series, Samir Okasha offers a lucid and concise account of one of the most vital fields in contemporary philosophy. This will be the best starting point for anyone interested in exploring philosophical reflection on the biological sciences. * Philip Kitcher, Columbia University *Table of Contents1: Why philosophy of biology? 2: Evolution and natural selection 3: Teleology, function, and purpose 4: Species and classification 5: Biological individuality 6: Genes 7: Biology, culture, and society Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Soft Matter
Book SynopsisSoft Matter science is concerned with soft materials such as polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, and foams, and has emerged as a rich interdisciplinary field over the last 30 years. Drawing on physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering, soft matter links fundamental scientific ideas to everyday phenomena. One such example is ''polymers'', encountered in plastic materials and melted cheese, which illustrate how ''sliminess'' emerges from the flow and form of giant molecules.This Very Short Introduction delves into the field of soft matter, looking beneath the appearances of matter into its inner structure. Tom McLeish shows how Brownian Motion - the random local motion of molecules that gives rise to ''heat'' - is an underlying principle of soft matter. From hair conditioner to honey, he discusses how the shared physical properties and characteristics of these materials influence the way they behave, and their industrial applications.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewWhat comes across is McLeish's passion for his topic, his wonder at how nature creates rhymes and variations in the poetry of the physical world, and his joy in the mysteries and delights to be found in the apparently mundane. * Phil Ball, Los Angeles Review of Books *Table of Contents1: Introduction: the science of softness 2: Milkiness and inkiness: the crowding of the colloids 3: Sliminess and stickiness: the march of the macromolecules 4: Soapiness: the synchrony of self-assembly 5: Pearliness: the light-play of liquid crystals 6: Towards life: active soft matter Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Extinction
Book SynopsisMost people are familiar with the dodo and the dinosaur, but extinction has occurred throughout the history of life, with the result that nearly all the species that have ever existed are now extinct. Today, species are disappearing at an ever increasing rate, whilst past losses have occurred during several great crises. Issues such as habitat destruction, conservation, climate change, and, during major crises, volacanism and meteorite impact, can all contribute towards the demise of a group. In this Very Short Introduction, Paul B. Wignall looks at the causes and nature of extinctions, past and present, and the factors that can make a species vulnerable. Summarising what we know about all of the major and minor exctinction events, he examines some of the greatest debates in modern science, such as the relative role of climate and humans in the death of the Pleistocene megafauna, including mammoths and giant ground sloths, and the roles that global warming, ocean acidification, and deforestation are playing in present-day extinctionsABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewBy covering a currently hot topic, this book will capture the interest of students, researchers, and nonprofessionals alike. * Conservation Biology *This book will capture the interest of students, researchers, and nonprofessionals alike * Conservation Biology *Extinction is a pressing societal and political problem, but we must get the science right. In this excellent book, Paul Wignall draws on a broad range of recent studies on the great mass extinctions of the past and the present biodiversity crisis to provide the evidence that will inform the debate. * Michael J. Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Causes of extinction 2: Modern extinction and conservation 3: Extinction in the fossil record 4: Mass extinctions 5: Causes of mass extinctions 6: Ice Age extinctions and man Further reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics
Book SynopsisThe purpose of this textbook is to explain the Standard Model of particle physics to a student with an undergraduate preparation in physics. Today we can claim to have a fundamental picture of the strong and weak subnuclear forces. Through an interplay between theory and experiment, we have learned the basic equations through which these forces operate, and we have tested these equations against observations at particle accelerators. The story is beautiful and full of surprises. Using a simplified presentation that does not assume prior knowledge of quantum field theory, this book begins from basic concepts of special relativity and quantum mechanics, describes the key experiments that have clarified the structure of elementary particle interactions, introduces the crucial theoretical concepts, and builds up to the full description of elementary particle interactions as we know them today.Trade ReviewI field tested this new textbook in a senior-level course that introduces advanced undergraduates to elementary particle physics before they have had the formal training in quantum field theory that is usually needed to rigorously present many aspects of the Standard Model. I say usually, because in his new book, Professor Peskin adeptly manages to avoid this prerequisite, in a comprehensive, modern, and unique exposition that is a welcome addition to teachers of the subject at this level. * Christopher S. Hil, Department of Physics, Ohio State University *Peskin's book provides a perspective on the Standard Model of particle physics driven by observations. He presents just enough mathematical sophistication to connect the theoretical frameworks with their experimental consequences, allowing the reader to focus on the concepts. By recounting essentially every major particle physics discovery - often showcasing the original presentation of the data - he makes a compelling case for why we believe the laws of nature follow the rules of the Standard Model. * Timothy Cohen, Department of Physics, University of Oregon *Prof. Peskin's Concepts of Elementary Particle Physics provides a concise and up-to-date mixture of theory and experiment that is much appreciated for books at the undergraduate level. In this book, the reader is led to discover the fundamental constituents of matter, from the Standard Model to what may lie beyond. This is done in an accessible way, as the book builds from the foundations up and provides chapter-by-chapter exercises to strengthen the understanding of the concepts and references to go more in detail. * Caterina Doglioni, Department of Physics, Lund University *A comprehensive, coherent, and thoroughly digestible presentation of the ideas that lie at the heart of modern-day particle physics. This book would be a welcome resource for any University physics student wishing to gain their first insights into the field. * Bruce Schumm, Physics Department, University of California, Santa Cruz *This is a well written and much needed book that exposes undergraduates to the deep ideas, structure and principles of quantum field theory. It is a solid stepping stone for graduate work on the topic. * Surjeet Rajendran, Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley *Table of ContentsI Preliminaries and Tools 1: Introduction 2: Symmetries of Space-Time 3: Relativistic Wave Equations 4: The Hydrogen Atom and Positronium 5: The Quark Model 6: Detectors of Elementary Particles 7: Tools for Calculation II The Strong Interaction 8: Electron-Positron Annihilation 9: Deep Inelastic Electron Scattering 10: The Gluon 11: Quantum Chromodynamics 12: Partons and Jets 13: QCD at Hadron Colliders 14: Chiral Symmetry III The Weak Interaction 15: The Current-Current Model of the Weak Interaction 16: Gauge Theories with Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking 17: The W and Z Bosons 18: Quark Mixing Angles and Weak Decays 19: CP Violation 20: Neutrino Masses and Mixings 21: The Higgs Boson 22: Epilogue
£41.49
Oxford University Press Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics
Book SynopsisThe book introduces classical mechanics. It does so in an informal style with numerous fresh, modern and inter-disciplinary applications assuming no prior knowledge of the necessary mathematics. The book provides a comprehensive and self-contained treatment of the subject matter up to the forefront of research in multiple areas.Table of ContentsPart I: Newtonian Mechanics 1: Introduction 2: Newton's Three Laws 3: Energy and Work 4: Introductory Rotational Dynamics 5: The Harmonic Oscillator 6: Wave Mechanics & Elements of Mathematical Physics Part II: Langrangian Mechanics 7: Introduction 8: Coordinates & Constraints 9: The Stationary Action Principle 10: Constrained Langrangian Mechanics 11: Point Transformations in Langrangian Mechanics 12: The Jacobi Energy Function 13: Symmetries & Langrangian-Hamiltonian-Jacobi Theory 14: Near-Equilibrium Oscillations 15: Virtual Work & d'Alembert's Principle Part III: Canonical Mechanics 16: Introduction 17: The Hamiltonian & Phase Space 18: Hamiltonian's equations & Routhian Reduction 19: Poisson Brackets & Angular momentum 20: Canonical & Gauge Transformations 21: Hamilton-Jacobi Theory 22: Liouville's Theorem & Classical Statistical Mechanics 23: Constrained Hamiltonian Dynamics 24: Autonomous Geometrical Mehcanics 25: The Structure of Phase Space 26: Near-Integrable Systems Part IV: Classical Field Theory 27: Introduction 28: Langrangian Field Theory 29: Hamiltonian Field Theory 30: Clssical Electromagnetism 31: Neother's Theorem for Fields 32: Classical Path-Integrals Part V: Preliminary Mathematics 33: The (Not so?) Basics 34: Matrices 35: Partial Differentiation 36: Legendre Transformations 37: Vector Calculus 38: Differential equations 39: Calculus of Variations Part VI: Advanced Mathematics 40: Linear Algebra 41: Differential Geometry Part VII: Exam Style Questions Appendix A: Noether's Theorem Explored Appendix B: The Action Principle Explored Appendix C: Useful Relations Appendxi D: Poisson & Nambu Brackets Explored Appendix: Canonical Transformations Explored Appendix F: Action-Angle Variables Explored Appendix G: Statistical Mechanics Explored Appendix H: Biographies
£41.49
Oxford University Press Microbial Biotechnology
Book SynopsisWritten primarily for students embarking on an undergraduate bioscience degree, this primer will introduce students to topics at the forefront of the subject that are being applied to probe biological problems, or to address the most pressing issues facing society. These topics will include those that form the cornerstone of contemporary research, helping students to make the transition to active researcher.Students will acquire a solid understanding of the essentials of microbial biotechnology, its applications in agriculture, diagnostics and urban and artistic conservation, as well as the potential threats genetic modification may pose to public health, the environment and intellectual property.Table of Contents1: The basic principles of a biotechnology process 2: Microbial growth 3: Microbial bio-production 4: Biotechnology and food and drink production 5: Environmental biotechnology 6: Application of synthetic biology to biotechnology 7: Diagnostics 8: Microbial biotechnology and agriculture 9: Using extremophiles in biotechnology 10: Microbial biotechnology in the art and built environment 11: Ethical considerations
£23.74
Oxford University Press Jet Stream
Book SynopsisA number of extreme weather events have struck the Northern Hemisphere in recent years, from scorching heatwaves to desperately cold winters, and from floods and storms to droughts and wildfires. These events have fuelled intense discussions in scientific conferences, government agencies, cafes, and on street corners around the world. Why are these events happening? Is this the emerging signal of climate change, and should we expect more of this? Media reports vary widely, but one mysterious agent has risen to prominence in many cases: the jet stream.The story begins on a windswept beach in Barbados, from where we follow the ascent of a weather balloon that will travel along the jet stream all around the world. From this viewpoint we observe the effect of the jet in influencing human life around the hemisphere, and witness startling changes emerging. What is the jet stream and how well do we understand it? How does it affect our weather and is it changing? These are the main questions tackled in this book. We learn about how our view of the wind has developed from Aristotle''s early theories up to today''s understanding. We see that the jet is intimately connected with dramatic contrasts between climate zones and has played a key historical role in determining patterns of trade. We learn about the basic physics underlying the jet and how this knowledge is incorporated into computer models which predict both tomorrow''s weather and the climate of future decades. And finally, we discuss how climate change is expected to affect the jet, and introduce the vital scientific debate over whether these changes have contributed to recent extreme weather events.Trade ReviewWoollings suggests that the extreme weather events that have afflicted the northern hemisphere in recent years are connected to the behaviour of the jet stream. He outlines what we know about the jet stream and how it is affecting the planet's climate. * Survival: Global Politics and Strategy *[A] thoroughly original, highly imaginative book ... The book is approachable to an intelligent lay audience. It is judiciously and delightfully illustrated and told as an engaging narrative... * Richard Lofthouse, QUAD *[An] approachable exploration of the jet stream ... The reader is rewarded with plenty of juicy little facts ... a good and surprisingly enjoyable trip around a weather phenomenon. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *As a professional meteorologist I particularly enjoyed this whirlwind tour through my chosen science in a book that brings seemingly disparate theories together to give a global understanding of the weather ... the book strikes the right balance between facts, figures and diagrams with personal stories about key players in the world of meteorology. I would highly recommend it to both professional meteorologists and those who have an interest in the weather and climate. * Katie Brown, Weather *This book is ideal for lay folk with basic school-level science who have an interest the weather and wish to learn a little more. It would also be a valuable summer holiday read for school leavers anticipating embarking on a meteorology or climate change related course. * Jonathan Cowie, The Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation *Tim Woollings is a great story-teller ... I was delighted to find this book a real page-turner! Each topic is treated with a judicious blend of vigor and rigor ... I think this book would be an excellent introduction to the global atmospheric circulation for anyone with a basic background in classical mechanics who is prepared to spend some time grappling with the concepts. But it would also be a good, rapid read for someone who wants a quick overview. * Professor David Andrews *This is an amazing book. In less than 200 slim pages it gives a very readable account of weather and climate ... The reader is given both an interesting historical background and an up-to-date account of many important issues, including climate change. * Sir Brian Hoskins, Imperial College London and University of Reading *This educative, scientifically sound and well-narrated story has the power to inspire further research and reading. A must read for atmospheric scientists and for anyone who enjoys studying our natural environment. * Panos Athanasiadis, CMCC, Bologna *Tim Woollings' book is a grand travelogue of weather, history, and geography, all connected to the winds that circle our globe and the people who have tried to understand them. Anyone who has watched a weather forecast and has wondered why the air does what it does will find this book fascinating. The science is up-to-date and accurate; Woollings doesn't settle for ordinary close-enough-but-wrong explanations but instead explains how weather and climate systems really work. You'll be amazed and awestruck at everything that happens to produce that puff of wind against your cheek. * John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University *Table of Contents1: Launch 2: Trades 3: Spin 4: Contrasts 5: Waves 6: Storm 7: Tracks 8: Experiments 9: Nino 10: Mountains 11: Gulf 12: Split 13: Drivers 14: Exit 15: Future 16: Changes 17: Confession
£34.49
Oxford University Press Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Book SynopsisA balanced presentation of the concepts of physical chemistry, and their applications to biology and biochemistry. Written to straddle the worlds of physical chemistry and the life sciences, it shows how the tools of physical chemistry can elucidate biological questions.Table of ContentsFocus 1: Biochemical Thermodynamics: The First Law Focus 2: Biochemical Thermodynamics: The Second Law Focus 3: Water and Aqueous solutions Focus 4: Chemical equilibrium Focus 5: Ion and Electron Transport Focus 6: The Rates of Reactions Focus 7: Biochemical kinetics Focus 8: Atoms Focus 9: Molecules Focus 10: Macromolecules and self-assembly Focus 11: Biochemical spectroscopy Focus 12: Scattering techniques Focus 13: Gravimetric methods
£137.74
Oxford University Press Antimatter
Book SynopsisAntimatter explores a strange mirror world, where particles have identical yet opposite properties to those that make up the familiar matter we encounter everyday; where left becomes right, positive becomes negative; and where, should matter and antimatter meet, the two annihilate in a blinding flash of energy that makes even thermonuclear explosions look feeble by comparison. It is an idea long beloved of science-fiction stories--but here, renowned science writer Frank Close shows that the reality of antimatter is even more fascinating than the fiction itself. We know that once, antimatter and matter existed in perfect counterbalance, and that antimatter then perpetrated a vanishing act on a cosmic scale that remains one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Today, antimatter does not exist normally, at least on Earth, but we know that it is real for scientists are now able to make small pieces of it in particle accelerators, such as that at CERN in Geneva. Looking at the remarkable prediction of antimatter and how it grew from the meeting point of relativity and quantum theory in the early 20th century, at the discovery of the first antiparticles, at cosmic rays, annihilation, antimatter bombs, and antiworlds, Close separates the facts from the fiction about antimatter, and explains how its existence can give us profound clues about the origins and structure of the universe.Oxford Landmark Science books are ''must-read'' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition To miss out on books like this is to miss out on a grasp of the astounding nature of the universe, * Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian *The book does not overburden the reader with dense technical details or equations, it rather offers an accessible, elegant, thought-provoking and up-to-date overview on the subject, representing a great resource filled with vital information on antimatter for the science and the science-fiction lovers. * Eric Howard, Contemporary Physics *This compact book is a wonderful source of information on antimatter and offers us a meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and applications of the often overlooked entities in the fantastic antiworld around us. * Chemistry World *This is a must-read for fans of science and science fiction alike * John Gribbin, www.bbcfocusmagazine.com *Beautifully written... This book will inspire a sense of awe in even the most seasoned readers of physics books. * Amanda Gefter, New Scientist *Beautifully concise history of one vital aspect of twentieth-century particle physics. * Mark Ronan, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsForeword: 'Genesis' 1: Antimatter: Fact or Fiction? 2: The Material World 3: Tablets of Stone 4: A Cosmic Discovery 5: Annihilation 6: Storing Antimatter 7: The Mirror Universe 8: Why is There Anything at All? 9: Revelations Appendix: The Cost of Antimatter Appendix: 'The Dirac Code' Notes Bibliography Index
£999.99
Oxford University Press The Sun
Book SynopsisThe Sun, as our nearest star, is of enormous importance for life on Earth - providing the warm radiation and light which allowed complex life to evolve. The Sun plays a key role in influencing our climate, whilst solar storms and high-energy events can threaten our communication infrastructure and satellites.This Very Short Introduction explores what we know about the Sun, its physics, its structure, origins, and future evolution. Philip Judge explains some of the remaining puzzles about the Sun that still confound us, using elementary physics, and mathematical concepts. Why does the Sun form spots? Why does it flare? As he shows, these and other nagging difficulties relate to the Sun''s continually variable magnetism, which converts an otherwise dull star into a machine for flooding interplanetary space with variable radiation, high-energy particles and magnetic ejections. Throughout, Judge highlights the many reasons that the Sun is important, and why scientists engage in solar research.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: The Sun, our star 2: The Sun's life-cycle 3: Spots and magnetic fields 4: The dynamic corona 5: Solar impacts on Earth Further Reading Index
£9.49
Oxford University Press A Dictionary of Plant Sciences
Book SynopsisThis new fourth edition has been completely revised and updated, covering all aspects in the field of plant sciences including biochemistry, plant physiology, cytology, ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography, earth history, and earth sciences. Over 500 new entries, including Rosales, physical dormancy, menthol, and codeine, enhance the dictionary''s coverage of botanical terms, key drugs and medicines derived from plants, and plant orders, families, and genera. It also explains many ecological terms, and expands beyond plants to describe fungi and bacteria and how they affect plants.Numerous appendices include Plant Classification and SI Units, with new timelines showing important moments in plant evolution. For ease of use, vernacular plant names have been transferred to an appendix, fully cross-referenced to the A to Z entries. The dictionary''s dedicated companion website points to recommended web links and additional resources. The most up-to-date dictionary available on its subject, this is an essential resource for students of plant sciences and amateur botanists, as well as an entertaining and valuable guide for the plant enthusiast.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Allaby succeeds remarkably well over a wide range of disciplines...leaves one a better informed person, and who could ask for more from a dictionary? * Times Higher Education Supplement *...a very useful first dictionary for biologists with an interest in plants... * Alan Cadogan, Journal of Biological Education, Vol. 41 (4) *Table of ContentsPreface Contents A Dictionary of Plant Sciences A-Z Plant Classification Fungi Classification The Universal Genetic Code The Geologic Time-Scale SI Units Phylogenies Timelines Vernacular Plant Names
£15.74
Oxford University Press Medical Genetics and Genomics
Book Synopsis
£47.49
Oxford University Press Periodicity and the s and p block elements Oxford
Book SynopsisThe renowned Oxford Chemistry Primers series, which provides focused introductions to a range of important topics in chemistry, has been refreshed and updated to suit the needs of today''s students, lecturers, and postgraduate researchers. The rigorous, yet accessible, treatment of each subject area is ideal for those wanting a primer in a given topic to prepare them for more advanced study or research. Moreover, cutting-edge examples and applications throughout the texts show the relevance of the chemistry being described to current research and industry.The learning features provided, including end-of-chapter questions and online multiple-choice questions, encourage active learning and promote understanding. Furthermore, frequent diagrams, margin notes, further reading, and glossary definitions all help to enhance a student''s understanding of these essential areas of chemistry.This new and updated edition of Periodicity and the s- and p-Block Elements provides a compelling and accesTrade ReviewThis book has considerable potential to become the first port of call for any student wanting an introduction to the periodic table and its myriad trends. * Professor Richard Layfield, University of Sussex *Table of Contents1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table 2: Periodicity in the Atomic Properties of the Elements 3: Periodicity in the Properties of the Elements 4: General Features of p-Block Element Compounds 5: Compounds of the p-Block Elements 6: Acids and Bases 7: Structure 8: Theories and Models: Scope and Limitations
£31.99
Oxford University Press Nanotechnology A Very Short Introduction Very
Book SynopsisWhat is Nanotechnology and how will it affect us? Nanobots, nanoprobes, nanoswarms, nanogenes the list goes on. Nanotechnology is a staple of science fiction and has a rather chequered history when it comes to public perception: will swarms of sentient nanomachines ultimately take over the world or will nanotech give us nothing more than improved sun creams? As this Very Short Introduction shows, the science underpinning nanotechnology is equally as fascinating as the best nano-inspired sci-fi.In this book, Philip Moriarty introduces the key scientific themes and concepts underpinning the field, including interatomic and intermolecular forces, single atom imaging, quantum confinement, self-assembly, molecular machinery, and nanomagnetism. Moriarty includes results from ground-breaking scientific studies, such as scanning probe microscope images of atomic and molecular landscapes, providing visceral and intuitive insights into the nanoscopic world.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: Welcome To NanoPut 2: The Quantum, Confined 3: Tearing It Down, Building It Up 4: It From Bit, Bit From It 5: Molecules in Motion: Nanomachinery 6: Are The Nanobots Nigh?
£9.49
Oxford University Press Genetics in Medicine
Book SynopsisWritten primarily for students embarking on an undergraduate bioscience degree, this primer will review the essential biological concepts that underpin any programme of more advanced study and give early-stage undergraduates the opportunity to review topics about which they may feel under-prepared or less confident.Genetic medicine has entered an era of rapid expansion. It is no longer just relevant to families affected by rare congenital disorders, but has the potential to affect the diagnosis and treatment of most common complex diseases.The successful application of new genetic science in the decades ahead will depend on the next generation of undergraduates or university applicants, who are now planning their careers as Biologists and Clinicians.This primer explores core concepts about heredity and genome analysis, illustrates current clinical practice with case-histories, and discusses the potentials and pitfalls of personalised medicine.Table of Contents1: Nucleic Acids, Genes, and Genomes 2: Mutations and Genetic Variation 3: Laboratory Techniques and the Sequencing Revolution 4: The Application of Genetic Medicine in Childhood 5: Genetic Medicine for Adult Onset Disease 6: Pharmacogenetics and Personalised Medicine
£24.99
Oxford University Press The Crowd and the Cosmos
Book Synopsis''fascinating''Brian CoxThis is the story of citizen science. Where once astronomers sat at the controls of giant telescopes in remote locations, praying for clear skies, now they have no need to budge from their desks, as data arrives in their inbox. And what they receive is overwhelming; projects now being built provide more data in a few nights than in the whole of humanity''s history of observing the Universe. It''s not just astronomy either--dealing with this deluge of data is the major challenge for scientists at CERN, and for biologists who use automated cameras to spy on animals in their natural habitats. Artificial intelligence is one part of the solution--but will it spell the end of human involvement in scientific discovery?No, argues Chris Lintott. We humans still have unique capabilities to bring to bear--our curiosity, our capacity for wonder, and, most importantly, our capacity for surprise. It seems that humans and computers working together do better than computers can on their own. But with so much scientific data, you need a lot of scientists--a crowd, in fact. Lintott found such a crowd in the Zooniverse, the web-based project that allows hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to science.In this book, Lintott describes the exciting discoveries that people all over the world have made, from galaxies to pulsars, exoplanets to moons, and from penguin behaviour to old ship''s logs. This approach builds on a long history of so-called ''citizen science'', given new power by fast internet and distributed data. Discovery is no longer the remit only of scientists in specialist labs or academics in ivory towers. It''s something we can all take part in. As Lintott shows, it''s a wonderful way to engage with science, yielding new insights daily. You, too, can help explore the Universe in your lunch hour.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Lintott is a great storyteller with a knack for witty anecdotes. Once you start reading, his book is hard to put away. * BBC Sky at Night *Lintott deftly interweaves personal experience and more philosophical ruminations on public participation in science. * Michael West, Nature *The Crowd and the Cosmos has a very conversational style... Not only does Lintott cover citizen science initiatives, but he captures, in an easy-to-understand manner, a number of cutting-edge astronomical research topics... Who knows what is waiting to be discovered in the numerous collected data sets available on the Zooniverse? Thanks to this book, perhaps I will contribute in a small way to the next big discovery. * Matthew Hodgson, Astronomy Now *With a light-handed touch, a passion that shines through, and fun footnotes to make the reader chuckle, the author uncovers the bafflingly-infinite properties of the universe and people and penguins too. * OX Magazine *...very readable, entertaining and informative... Well worth a read. * Martin Richmond-Hardy, OASI Newsletter *The Crowd & the Cosmos is a reminder that the Internet has also given rise to networks of positive accomplishment and that human intuition can still exceed algorithms and artificial intelligence. * Shepherd Express *The Crowd and the Cosmos is a superbly written insight into the unique and powerful contribution enthusiasts from all walks of life can make to scientific knowledge. It is also a fascinating and much-needed description of how we acquire reliable knowledge about nature, from the search for planets and perhaps civilizations around distant stars to observations of penguins in the Antarctic and what they can teach us about the impact we are having on our own world. * Brian Cox *Chris Lintott is a modest genius. He has quietly revolutionised modern astronomy (and a few other branches of science) by using digital platforms to involve the public. Anyone who wants to contribute some of their spare time is invited, through Chris's Zooniverse projects, to participate in real science. Literally millions have taken up the invitation. This is a beautifully readable book, which tells the story of the Zooniverse and much more. Chris is delightfully anecdotal, inclusive and witty, yet never shirks in-depth explanations of the cutting-edge science he's delivering to us, almost before we realise it - this is the New Age of Science for All! * Brian May *The Crowd and the Cosmos gives an authentic flavour of astronomical research and its appeal. But it's especially significant because it offers a first-hand account of how Chris Lintott conceived and led the 'Zooniverse' project, thereby enabling huge numbers to participate in significant research, and even make important discoveries. His pioneering initiative has spawned similar programmes in naval history, conservation and other subjectstriggering a benign social revolution in scholarship and education. * Martin Rees *[A] highly readable book. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *[Lintott] reflects with passion and curiosity on the detective work needed to explain the mysteries of the Universe. * Lea Shanley, Science Magazine *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Finding planets 2: How science is done 3: The crowd and the cosmos 4: No new ideas 5: Into the Zooniverse 6: Too many penguins 7: Things that go bang in the night 8: Serendipity 9: Humans versus computers Further reading Index
£11.39
