Science & Nature - Books

Simply Climate Change

Science & Nature

Exploring the science behind climate change has never been easier.Combining bold graphics with easy-to-understand text, Simply Climate Change is an essential introduction to the subject for those who are short on time but hungry for knowledge.The ebook explains the science that underpins the study of climate change and clearly outlines the pressures humans are putting on the planet.Assuming no previous knowledge of environmental science or climate studies, Simply Climate Change explains the science of one of the most important challenges ever faced by human life on this planet. It is a perfect beginner's e-guide to understanding how and why climate change is occurring, and looks at possible solutions in policy and technology. Covering the key ideas from the basics of greenhouse gases to microplastics, it is divided into pared-back, single- or double-page entries that explain concepts simply and visually.Whether you are studying science at school or college, or simply want a jargon-free overview of the subject, Simply Climate Change is the essential guide to everything you need to understand the basics quickly and easily.

Orthogonal Time Frequency Space Modulation

Science & Nature

Over the last few decades wireless communications, especially Mobile Communication Technology, has evolved by leaps and bounds. The mobile communication industry has named the different major changes as generations namely 1G, 2G,..5G. We are presently looking at deployment of 5G technologies. The work for 6G has already started.This book is focused on the waveform design of 6G. It presents a discourse on a potential waveform for 6G namely Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) modulation. OTFS has a distinct feature when compared to earlier generation waveforms such that information bearing signal is placed in the delay Doppler domain as opposed to the usual placement of such signals in the time-frequency domain. This unique feature of OTFS enables it to overcome several disadvantages of a very popular and highly successful waveform namely Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). OTFS is known to be more resilient to frequency offset and Doppler which is one of the key drawbacks of OFDM. With this feature, OTFS, can support higher mobility as well as higher frequency bands of operation which is also one of the key requirements of the next generation wireless communication technologies. The implementation complexity of OTFS remains comparable to that of OFDM. It is found that OTFS provides significant SNR advantage, higher resilience, lower PAPR, lower out of band signal leakage and higher multi-user spectral efficiency than that of OFDM. This book addresses• Fundamental signal model of OTFS. • Receiver design for OTFS• Channel estimation in OTFS• Multiple Access through non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA-OTFS)The contents of the books are primarily outcome of the research work done at the G. S. Sanyal School of Telecommunications, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India.Orthogonal Time Frequency Space Modulation : A waveform for 6G is ideal for personnel the wireless communication industry as well as academic staff and master/research students in electrical engineering with a specialization in wireless communications.

The Powers That Be

Science & Nature

Thirty years ago, our global energy landscape did not look remarkably different from what it does today. Three or four decades from now, it certainly will: dwindling oil reserves will clash with skyrocketing demand, as developing nations around the world lead their citizens into the modern energy economy, and all the while, the grave threat of catastrophic climate change looms ever larger. Energy worries are at an all-time high—just how will we power our future?With The Powers That Be, Scott L. Montgomery cuts through the hype, alarmism, and confusion to give us a straightforward, informed account of where we are now, and a map of where we’re going. Starting with the inescapable fact of our current dependence on fossil fuels—which supply 80% of all our energy needs today—Montgomery clearly and carefully lays out the many alternative energy options available, ranging from the familiar, like water and solar, to such nascent but promising sources as hydrogen and geothermal power. What is crucial, Montgomery explains, is understanding that our future will depend not on some single, wondrous breakthrough; instead, we should focus on developing a more diverse, adaptable energy future, one that draws on a variety of sources—and is thus less vulnerable to disruption or failure.An admirably evenhanded and always realistic guide, Montgomery enables readers to understand the implications of energy funding, research, and politics at a global scale. At the same time, he doesn’t neglect the ultimate connection between those decisions and the average citizen flipping a light switch or sliding behind the wheel of a car, making The Powers That Be indispensible for our ever-more energy conscious age.

Reverberation

Science & Nature

In Reverberation, Keith Blanchard explores how music is a universal human experience that’s been with us since the dawn of time. You’ve listened to music all your life . . . but have you ever wondered why? Foreword by multi–Grammy Award–winner Peter Gabriel It turns out music isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a deeply embedded, subtly powerful means of communication. Songs resonate with your brain wave patterns and drive changes in your brain: creating your moods, consolidating your memories, strengthening your habits (the good ones and the bad ones alike) . . . even making you fall in or out of love. Your music is molding you, at a subconscious level, all day long. And now, for the first time ever, you can take charge. From executive editor Peter Gabriel and the minds behind It’s All in Your Head (the ultimate user’s guide for your brain), Reverberation unlocks a world where you can actively leverage the power of music to improve and enhance every aspect of your life. You’ll learn specific songs and techniques to help you sleep better, induce creative breakthroughs, be more productive, have better sex, and a whole lot more. You’ll discover the amazing work happening at the intersection of music, science, technology, and medicine. The authors spoke to dozens of neuroscientists making exciting breakthroughs, as well as top recording artists like David Byrne, Branford Marsalis, Hans Zimmer, Mick Fleetwood, and Sheila E. to gain the music maker’s perspective. And you’ll learn how music is already being strategically applied to break addiction and reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s, build more productive and creative teams, develop intuitive personalized technology, and is otherwise changing . . . well, everything.

Jeździec bez głowy. Co o ciele wiedzieli ludzie średniowiecza?

Science & Nature

Z tej książki dowiesz się:•Jaki był średniowieczny sposób na zapobieganie łysieniu?•Gdzie żyło plemię ludzi bez głów?•Jakie cechy charakteru można wyczytać z wyglądu włosów?•Dlaczego serce w średniowieczu było ważniejsze od żołądka?Często myślimy o średniowieczu, że to ciemne wieki, zahamowanie rozwoju ludzkości na ponad tysiąc lat. Współcześnie wiele stosowanych w średniowieczu zabiegów medycznych określilibyśmy mianem tortur. Jack Hartnell dosłownie od stóp do głów pokazuje fascynujące oblicze tego okresu. Autor obala wiele mitów dotyczących średniowiecza i pokazuje, że my - ludzie współcześni - mamy z ludźmi średniowiecznymi znacznie więcej wspólnego, niż początkowo by się wydawało. Bo czym różni się średniowieczna wiara w istnienie plemienia olbrzymów bez głów od wiary w istnienie zielonych ludzików zamieszkujących inne planety?KSIĄŻKI DOBRE NIE TYLKO W TEORII!

La Science et l'Hypothese

Science & Nature

La Science et l'Hypothese est un ouvrage destiné au grand public et par lequel le mathématicien Henri Poincaré fait le point sur ce qu'il faut attendre ou non des sciences concernant les quatre sujets suivants :* les mathématiques* les caractéristiques de l'espace (y compris en géométrie non-euclidienne)* les connaissances physiques (mécanique classique, relativité des mouvements, énergie, thermodynamique)* la nature (hypotheses en physique, rôle des probabilités, optique, électricité et électrodynamique, fin de l'idée classique de matiere)et des relations qui existent entre les unes et les autres.Cet ouvrage, publié en 1902, a été l'un des premiers ouvrages grand public, peut-etre le premier, a déclarer qu'il faudrait probablement renoncer a l'idée d'un temps absolu dans l'univers. La théorie de la relativité restreinte ne sera publiée par Poincaré et Albert Einstein que trois ans plus tard.

Dr. Golem

Science & Nature

A creature of Jewish mythology, a golem is an animated being made by man from clay and water who knows neither his own strength nor the extent of his ignorance. Like science and technology, the subjects of Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch’s previous volumes, medicine is also a golem, and this Dr. Golem should not be blamed for its mistakes—they are, after all, our mistakes. The problem lies in its well-meaning clumsiness. Dr. Golem explores some of the mysteries and complexities of medicine while untangling the inherent conundrums of scientific research and highlighting its vagaries. Driven by the question of what to do in the face of the fallibility of medicine, Dr. Golem encourages a more inquisitive attitude toward the explanations and accounts offered by medical science. In eight chapters devoted to case studies of modern medicine, Collins and Pinch consider the prevalence of tonsillectomies, the placebo effect and randomized control trials, bogus doctors, CPR, the efficacy of Vitamin C in fighting cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS cures, and vaccination. They also examine the tension between the conflicting faces of medicine: medicine as science versus medicine as a source of succor; the interests of an individual versus the interests of a group; and the benefits in the short term versus success rates in the long term. Throughout, Collins and Pinch remind readers that medical science is an economic as well as a social consideration, encapsulated for the authors in the timeless struggle to balance the good health of the many—with vaccinations, for instance—with the good health of a few—those who have adverse reactions to the vaccine. In an age when the deaths of research subjects, the early termination of clinical trials, and the research guidelines for stem cells are front-page news, Dr. Golem is a timely analysis of the limitations of medicine that never loses sight of its strengths.

Das Wesen der Natur

Science & Nature

Alfred North Whiteheads "Das Wesen der Natur" revolutioniert das Denken über den Umgang der Naturwissenschaften mit der Philosophie. In diesem Werk sucht er nach einer alternativen Antwort auf die Frage, wie sich die Natur beschreibt und versteht. Er erforscht die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Mathematik und Philosophie und stellt tiefschürfende Fragen über die Natur des Universums. Whitehead liefert Antworten, die zu weitreichenden Einsichten führen und die Welt der Wissenschaft auf den Kopf stellen. Eine fesselnde Reise durch das Wesen der Natur. Doch kann er den Konflikt zwischen Wissenschaft und Philosophie wirklich lösen und findet Whitehead die Antwort auf die Frage nach dem Wesen der Natur?

A System Of Logic, Ratiocinative And Inductive (Vol. 1 of 2)

Science & Nature

To cement together the detached fragments of a subject, never yet treated as a whole; to harmonize the true portions of discordant theories, by supplying the links of thought necessary to connect them, and by disentangling them from the errors with which they are always more or less interwoven; must necessarily require a considerable amount of original speculation. To other originality than this, the present work lays no claim. In the existing state of the cultivation of the sciences, there would be a very strong presumption against any one who should imagine that he had effected a revolution in the theory of the investigation of truth, or added any fundamentally new process to the practice of it. The improvement which remains to be effected in the methods of philosophizing (and the author believes that they have much need of improvement) can only consist in performing, more systematically and accurately, operations with which, at least in their elementary form, the human intellect in some one or other of its employments is already familiar.

Cómo crear un ser humano

Science & Nature

A todos nos han contado esa historia de que "papá pone una semillita en mamá…" y todos sabemos cómo termina: con un bebé. Sin embargo, ¿sabríamos decir realmente cómo un óvulo fecundado se convierte en un ser humano? La respuesta de la ciencia resulta incluso más asombrosa que el famoso relato. Philip Ball explica de una manera fascinante cómo se crea, efectivamente, la vida. Y, además, cómo la ciencia es hoy capaz de reproducirla en un laboratorio. Nos introduce en los últimos avances científicos que ya evitan ciertas enfermedades congénitas, ofrecen múltiples opciones de reproducción asistida, revelan nuestro linaje genético… y tantas cosas más. Tan irresistible es escudriñar la realidad a la escala microscópica del ADN como abstraernos en reflexiones filosóficas. Cómo crear un ser humano no es una mera discusión científica, sino que adquiere implicaciones morales y sociales, y nos lleva incluso a cuestionar nuestro sentido de la identidad: ¿qué significa ser humano?

Mercanti di dubbi

Science & Nature

La comunità scientifica è unanime sull'origine antropica del riscaldamento globale, e la maggioranza dell'opinione pubblica chiede di intervenire. La politica, però, temporeggia, e molti media lasciano spazio a ciarlatani. Secondo gli autori di Mercanti di dubbi, questa situazione è il risultato di decenni di disinformazione su tematiche ambientali e i loro impatti. Oreskes e Conway ricostruiscono la storia dei mercanti di dubbi dagli anni Cinquanta del secolo scorso, quando alcuni fisici misero la propria autorevolezza al servizio dell'industria del tabacco per aiutarla contro le accuse sulla pericolosità del fumo. Nascono allora le strategie di disinformazione poi usate nei dibattiti successivi: DDT, piogge acide, buco nell'ozono, fumo passivo, riscaldamento globale. Le motivazioni dei mercanti di dubbi sono mutate: l'anticomunismo si è evoluto in attacco all'ambientalismo, saldandosi con la difesa cieca del neoliberismo e con la ricerca di prestigio e arricchimento personale. Il risultato delle loro azioni, però, è identico: rallentare l'adozione di norme che avrebbero minato i profitti delle aziende. A quindici anni dalla pubblicazione negli Stati Uniti e a sei dalla sua prima edizione italiana, questa nuova edizione si presenta più che mai attuale. Con una brillante prefazione di Massimo Polidoro e una nuova intervista in cui Naomi Oreskes ripercorre quanto accaduto dalla prima edizione americana a oggi, tra nuove forme di negazionismo e disinformazione che stanno mettendo la (buona) scienza sotto scacco, neotrumpismo e ritorno del libero mercato assoluto, inattivismo e inerzia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Science & Nature

Alzheimer’s disease continues to present one of the foremost scientific and clinical challenges in contemporary neuroscience. Despite significant advances in molecular biology and neuroimaging, its complex etiology and progressive course remain only partially understood, and truly effective disease-modifying therapies remain elusive.This scholarly volume offers a comprehensive and integrative examination of Alzheimer’s disease, combining cutting-edge research with clinical perspectives. Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis, Molecular Targets, and Therapeutic Modalities assembles contributions from leading experts, providing in-depth analysis across a wide range of critical topics:Innovative diagnostic biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring Exploration of molecular targets, including secretases, SIRT2, RAGE, calpain, caspases, NMDA receptors, and others implicated in AD pathophysiology Emerging therapeutic interventions encompassing enzyme inhibitors, immunotherapeutic strategies, metal chelation, neurotrophic modulation, and aggregation inhibitors Advances in translational research featuring nanotechnology-based delivery systems and bioactive natural compounds Evidence-based lifestyle interventions integrating nutrition and physical activity in disease management Spanning 21 rigorously curated chapters, this volume offers a multidisciplinary framework that bridges fundamental research, translational applications, and clinical relevance. It is an essential reference for neuroscientists, clinical researchers, pharmacologists, graduate students, and healthcare professionals engaged in the investigation and management of neurodegenerative disorders.By synthesizing current scientific knowledge with emerging therapeutic strategies, this volume aims to advance understanding and stimulate further research toward effective interventions for Alzheimer’s disease.

The One Culture?

Science & Nature

So far the “Science Wars” have generated far more heat than light. Combatants from one or the other of what C. P. Snow famously called “the two cultures” (science versus the arts and humanities) have launched bitter attacks but have seldom engaged in constructive dialogue about the central issues. In The One Culture?, Jay A. Labinger and Harry Collins have gathered together some of the world’s foremost scientists and sociologists of science to exchange opinions and ideas rather than insults. The contributors find surprising areas of broad agreement in a genuine conversation about science, its legitimacy and authority as a means of understanding the world, and whether science studies undermines the practice and findings of science and scientists. The One Culture? is organized into three parts. The first consists of position papers written by scientists and sociologists of science, which were distributed to all the participants. The second presents commentaries on these papers, drawing out and discussing their central themes and arguments. In the third section, participants respond to these critiques, offering defenses, clarifications, and modifications of their positions. Who can legitimately speak about science? What is the proper role of scientific knowledge? How should scientists interact with the rest of society in decision making? Because science occupies such a central position in the world today, such questions are vitally important. Although there are no simple solutions, The One Culture? does show the reader exactly what is at stake in the Science Wars, and provides a valuable framework for how to go about seeking the answers we so urgently need. Contributors include: Constance K. Barsky, Jean Bricmont, Harry Collins, Peter Dear, Jane Gregory, Jay A. Labinger, Michael Lynch, N. David Mermin, Steve Miller, Trevor Pinch, Peter R. Saulson, Steven Shapin, Alan Sokal, Steven Weinberg, Kenneth G. Wilson

Sustainable Food Fortification

Science & Nature

This book addresses the pressing global challenge of malnutrition, particularly the nutritional deficit impacting longevity. It delves into the limitations of traditional methods, such as supplements and crop fortification, which often struggle with affordability and sustainability. By focusing on biobased strategies, the book highlights innovative biofortification techniques that enhance the nutritional value of functional foods using advanced technologies.Each chapter explores diverse ecological sources—ranging from aquatic and microbial to plant-based—that contribute to nutrient bioavailability. Additionally, the economic aspects of nutrient improvement across various food sources are thoroughly examined. The book’s unique holistic approach spans the entire food chain, from crop production to consumption, while emphasizing the role of technological advancements in boosting nutrient bioavailability.This resource serves as a valuable guide for food science researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, equipping them with insights to accelerate the implementation of effective biofortification programs.

Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Science & Nature

This contributed volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the trends in microbial biotechnology, focusing on innovations that drive industrial microbiology forward. With a spotlight on bioprocess engineering and its applications, the book sheds light on how these advancements are paving the way for more efficient and sustainable industrial practices.The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including the selection and improvement of hyper-producing microbial strains, metabolic engineering for industrial product development, and the integration of CRISPR technology and artificial intelligence in bioprocess engineering. It provides insights into how these tools are revolutionizing the production of value-added products. The book also addresses the challenges of commercialization and regulatory hurdles, offering strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Readers will discover the integration of omics technologies—genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—and their role in optimizing bioprocesses for enhanced product yields.This book is an essential resource for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals in the fields of microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental engineering. It provides a multidisciplinary perspective on microbial biotechnology, making it suitable for teaching, research, and staying updated with the latest developments. The book is part of the "Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology" series, known for its comprehensive coverage of microbial innovations and their industrial applications.

Connected Diagnoses

Science & Nature

Connected Diagnoses: IoT, Healthcare, and Digital Forensics investigates the complex intersection of IoT, healthcare, and digital forensics. The book explores the intricate relationships between these fields, with a focus on cybersecurity, patient data ethics, and challenges in IoT investigations. It advances knowledge on leveraging IoT securely to enhance patient care and digital forensic analysis, providing significant insights from experts along with practical guidance for those operating at the crossroads of these critical disciplines. The book helps professionals grasp, adapt to, and capitalize on the interconnected nature of emerging technologies to ensure ethics, security, and safety. Users will find this to be a comprehensive resource that benefits researchers and practitioners who seek to understand the convergence of medical technology, interconnected devices, and digital forensics. - Presents best practices for the authentication, encryption, and other security protocols to proactively safeguard patient data and healthcare infrastructure - Addresses a critical gap in current literature by offering practical insights and solutions for professionals working at the intersection of IoT, healthcare, and digital forensics - Explains the complexities of interrelated medical technology and clarifies how they affect cybersecurity, digital forensic investigations, and patient care

How to Change Your Mind - Summarized for Busy People: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence: Based on the Book by Michael Pollan

Science & Nature

Michael Pollan wanted to research LSD and psilocybin and how it could provide relief to people suffering from conditions that are difficult to treat such as depression, addiction, and anxiety. This didn’t intend to be his most personal book but, because of how these substances could improve the lives even of the people with mental health problems, Pollan began to explore the landscape of the mind from his own experience. A perfect blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, How to Change Your Mind serves as a participatory journalism that gives a gripping account of the world of understanding the mind, the self, and our place in the world. Pollan’s “mental travelogue” not only looks into psychedelic drugs but also the puzzle of the human consciousness and how it could set us in suffering and in joy—while doing our best of find the meaning in our lives.

2071

Science & Nature

How has the climate changed in the past? How is it changing now? How do we know?And what kind of a future do we want to create?

Big Data

Science & Nature

Is the Brexit vote successful big data politics or the end of democracy? Why do airlines overbook, and why do banks get it wrong so often? How does big data enable Netflix to forecast a hit, CERN to find the Higgs boson and medics to discover if red wine really is good for you? And how are companies using big data to benefit from smart meters, use advertising that spies on you and develop the gig economy, where workers are managed by the whim of an algorithm? The volumes of data we now access can give unparalleled abilities to make predictions, respond to customer demand and solve problems. But Big Brother's shadow hovers over it. Though big data can set us free and enhance our lives, it has the potential to create an underclass and a totalitarian state. With big data ever-present, you can't afford to ignore it. Acclaimed science writer Brian Clegg - a habitual early adopter of new technology (and the owner of the second-ever copy of Windows in the UK) - brings big data to life.

Uncovering Student Ideas in Primary Science, Volume 1

Science & Nature

Winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award from PreK-12 Learning Group, Association of American Publishers!What ideas do young children bring to their science learning, and how does their thinking change as they engage in “ science talk” ? Find out using the 25 field-tested probes in the newest volume of Page Keeley' s bestselling Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series, the first targeted to grades K– 2. This teacher-friendly book is: • Tailored to your needs. The content is geared specifically for the primary grades, with an emphasis on simple vocabulary as well as drawing and speaking (instead of writing). The format of the student pages uses minimal text and includes visual representations of familiar objects, phenomena, or ideas. • Focused on making your lessons more effective. The assessment probes engage youngsters and encourage “ science talk” while letting you identify students' preconceptions before beginning a lesson or monitor their progress as they develop new scientific explanations. • Applicable to a range of science concepts. This volume offers 8 life science probes, 11 physical science probes, and 6 Earth and space science probes that target K– 2 disciplinary core ideas. • Ready to use. The book provides grade-appropriate reproducible pages for your students and detailed teacher notes for you, including clear and concise explanations, relevant research, suggestions for instruction, and connections to national standards. Uncovering Student Ideas in Primary Science is an invaluable resource for classroom and preservice teachers and professional development providers. This age-appropriate book will help you teach more effectively by starting with students' ideas and adapting instruction to support conceptual change.

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