Science & Nature - Books

Unser Kosmos. Andere Welten.

Science & Nature

Eine Reise durch mehr als 14 Milliarden Jahre der Evolution: zu fernsten Planeten, die noch unerreichbar sind, und kaum bekannten Welten auf der Erde wie die Tiefsee, aber auch unser Hirn. Erst heute beginnen wir zu begreifen, in welcher Gefahr sich Erde und Menschheit u.a. durch den Klimawandel tatsächlich befinden. Was können die Wissenschaften, was können wir tun, damit die nächsten Generationen eine Zukunft haben?

La voix des arbres

Science & Nature

Le parcours hors du commun de Diana Berseford-Kroeger, botaniste, biochimiste clinique et autrice de renommée internationale, dans ce livre évènement qui révèle les liens d'interdépendance qui unissent arbres et humains.Une jeune orpheline en Irlande dans les années 1950, que les femmes de la vallée de Lisheens ont prise sous leur aile pour lui transmettre leur savoir ancestral. Un esprit brillant, une scientifique accomplie, à la double compétence en biochimie médicale et en botanique. Une amoureuse passionnée de la forêt. Diana Beresford-Kroeger est tout cela à la fois, et son itinéraire résolument atypique l'amène à opérer la synthèse de son héritage celte et des connaissances scientifiques actuelles pour réconcilier l'homme et la forêt. Depuis des années, elle consacre toute son énergie à préserver la biodiversité forestière, aussi bien en apportant sa caution scientifique à différentes luttes que dans l'espace de son arboretum canadien, où elle s'acharne à regrouper et à hybrider des espèces particulièrement adaptées au changement climatique. Avec un émerveillement sans cesse renouvelé face au règne végétal, elle partage ici ce qu'elle a appris au contact des arbres, des cultures celtes et des peuples autochtones du Canada, les Premières Nations. Ce texte autobiographique est une double déclaration d'amour, à la forêt et à la culture celte, dont l'alphabet oghamique, ou " alphabet des arbres ", lui permet de raconter la magie du vivant et l'histoire d'un peuple aux pratiques médicinales fondées sur une observation méticuleuse de la nature. Un livre porteur d'espoir face au dérèglement climatique, pour ceux qui refusent de se résigner. Une vie au service des arbres.

Jupiter

Science & Nature

Now in paperback, an accessible and engaging introduction to planetary science that will deepen our knowledge both of this magnificent planet and of our own place in the solar system.Majestic and untwinkling, Jupiter is the grandest of all planets. It is the largest planet in our solar system and among the brightest objects in the night sky. It shines with a noble, steady luster, and its calming presence has inspired humans for centuries. Jupiter was the “beloved star” of the first serious observers of the planets, the ancient Sumerians and Babylonians, and has inspired poetic utterances from eminent writers such as William Wordsworth and Walt Whitman. It also continues to inspire contemporary astronomers and stargazers, and this beautifully illustrated volume brings our understanding of Jupiter right up to date.The scientific study of Jupiter is at a watershed: NASA’s Juno space probe has entered orbit about Jupiter to investigate the planet, while information gleaned from improved telescopes and other robotic explorers in space continues to improve our understanding of the planet’s origin, evolution, and composition. Jupiter provides a concise and expert overview of the history of our observations of this largest of planetary spheres, as well as reports on the much-anticipated initial findings from the Juno space probe.

El desafío del clima

Science & Nature

Somos los del tiempo de TVE, los mismos que entramos cada día en vuestras casas para avanzaros si viene una ola de calor, lluvias torrenciales o la nevada del siglo. Pero no queremos solo informar, la filosofía de este libro es que entiendas por qué ocurren las cosas.¿Sabías que el CO2 es el que hace subir la temperatura terrestre, que el deshielo de los icebergs es significativo, pero no afecta al nivel del mar o que, dependiendo de lo que hagamos en los próximos cinco años, así será el planeta dentro de 50?Quién no ha oído hablar del cambio climático, todos sa¬bemos lo perjudicial que es, un enemigo invisible que da señales de vez en cuando y que ya está mostrando las primeras consecuencias del calentamiento, pero aún estamos a tiempo de actuar para que la Tierra no enferme.Con pequeños cambios en nuestra vida cotidiana podemos lograr grandes transformaciones. Cosas tan sencillas como usar botellas de cristal, bolsas reutilizables, coches eléctricos, consumir alimentos de proximidad, utilizar más el transporte público o mejorar la eficiencia energética de nuestro hogar.Tenemos un problema importante y juntos seremos capaces de resolverlo.

Sekretne życie drzew

Science & Nature

W lesie dzieją się zdumiewające rzeczy. Są tam drzewa, które porozumiewają się ze sobą, drzewa, które z oddaniem troszczą się o swe potomstwo oraz pielęgnują starych i chorych sąsiadów, drzewa, które doświadczają wrażeń, mają uczucia i pamięć. Niewiarygodne? Ale prawdziwe! Leśniczy Peter Wohlleben snuje fascynujące historie o zdumiewających zdolnościach drzew. Przytacza wyniki najnowszych badań naukowych i dzieli się swoimi obserwacjami z codziennej pracy w lesie. Otwiera przed nami sekretny świat, jakiego nie znamy. „Wydawałoby się, że o drzewach wiemy wszystko. A jednak nie. Ta książka odkryje przed Wami naprawdę sekretne życie drzew – istot tak nam bliskich i jednocześnie tak nieznanych. Czytałem ją nie tylko z zaciekawieniem, ale i ze wzruszeniem”. Adam Wajrak „Książka ta powinna znaleźć się na półce każdego, komu zależy na zrozumieniu przyrody i na jej losie, kto ma zielone serce”. Maja Popielarska---Kolejnej wskazówki szukajcie w ebookach Wydawnictwa RM37- ный,

The Solar System

Science & Nature

An inviting expedition across our galactic neighborhood, from Mercury to the Sun’s furthest satellites, complete with the latest discoveries. The Space Age probes to the Moon, Venus, and Mars ushered in a golden age of planetary science, transforming our understanding of the solar system from a distant mystery into many, vividly realized worlds. This book provides an accessible survey of the solar system, covering each of the planets as well as the major asteroids and bodies just outside the solar system. Drawing on interviews with leading scientists, the book offers an engaging overview of the latest discoveries for amateur astronomers, making it an essential guide for anyone interested in our celestial neighborhood.

Sustainable Biorefining of Woody Biomass to Biofuels and Biochemicals

Science & Nature

Sustainable Biorefining of Woody Biomass to Biofuels and Biochemicals explores various technologies and pathways for the valorization of woody biomass to produce sustainable biofuels and bioproducts. Focusing on commercialization, the book discusses woody biomass availability, including harvesting, transportation and storage, biomass structure, advanced biorefinery technologies, and the economic and environmental sustainability of woody biomass-based biorefineries. Various technologies are described and assessed from a commercial perspective and practical solutions to the latest challenges are provided. The last section of the book is dedicated to the commercialization aspects of biorefineries, providing details about the techno-economic viability and environmental impact of various biorefinery approaches.This book provides readers with a unique and comprehensive reference that will help students and researchers alike identify and overcome the challenges involved in woody-biomass biorefining for biofuels and biochemicals. It will also be of interest to researchers and professionals involved more broadly in bioenergy and renewable energy, and interdisciplinary teams working across biotechnology, chemistry and chemical engineering, environmental science, and plant sciences. - Presents the fundamental theory and technological details behind woody biomass fractionation in biorefineries, its structure and challenges in its valorization - Focuses on the commercialization aspects of biofuels from woody biomass-based biorefineries - Provides an analysis of the techno-economic viability and environmental impact of various biorefinery approaches - Discusses related policies and regulations

Biofuels and Bioproducts from Lignocellulosic Materials

Science & Nature

Biofuels and Bioproducts from Lignocellulosic Materials: Biofuels is Volume II of a comprehensive three-volume set that explores the various possibilities of adding value to lignocellulosic biomass materials by transforming them into bioproducts, biofuels and biomaterials. With an emphasis on microbial biotechnological solutions, each volume examines the use of renewable natural resources, agriculture waste management, and valorization of agro-wastes to sustainably produce energy and fuels, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biomaterials. Volume II addresses all aspects of biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials, covering technological challenges, international policies, marketability, techno-economic analysis & LCA studies, and challenges & future perspectives. The book highlights the recent advancements and challenges of lignocellulosic biomass conversion into biofuels within a biorefinery concept, and explains the technological approaches and the role of microorganisms and their mechanisms. Recent thermo-chemical and biotechnological approaches are explored, along with their mechanisms of action, for the development of biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, biobutanol, producer gas, syngas, hydrogen, dimethylfurane, bio-LPG, and gasoline. Chemical, enzymatic, and advanced microbial biotechnology approaches used in biomass pretreatment are explained, showing readers how to increase biofuel yields from lignocellulosic raw materials. Genetic and metabolic engineering methods that can improve biofuel production are also discussed. Biofuels and Bioproducts from Lignocellulosic Materials: Vol II Biofuels is a valuable reference for students, researchers, and professionals involved in processing lignocellulosic materials for the production of bioenergy, biomaterials, and bioproducts. - Links technological interventions and modern biotechnological methods to provide strategies for the development of biofuels using renewable lignocellulosic resources - Presents recent advanced techniques for biofuels' production from lignocellulosic biomass - Explores microbial biotechnological approaches and challenges in the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels - Explains advanced pretreatment and techno-economic analyses of lignocellulosic biomass - Identifies research gaps in existing and upcoming technologies in the valorization of lignocellulosic materials

The Great Upshift

Science & Nature

35 of the World's Leading Thinkers Map Your Path Forward to a Bright FutureThis vital book leads us beyond today's crisis- and conflict-prone world to a higher stage of our evolution. We have reached a historic turning point - a "point of bifurcation" - at which we must find new ways to upshift our individual and collective consciousness to ensure the desired resolution of these crises. Ervin Laszlo and David Lorimer, drawing on their holistic expertise and global network, have assembled a stellar cast of contributors who decode the big picture to offer exactly what we need now. The world-renowned scientists and visionaries who contribute to this book illuminate where are we today and where we can go from here. They focus on the most burning question of all: how can we upshift ourselves - our ways of healing, of thinking and feeling, and even of intuiting - to respond to the pressing requirements of our time? Their visions empower us to "be the change" we want to see in the world - to help others be a positive and critical part of the great upshift that has already started. This will be our salvation. This compendium of insights into solutions for our world troubled by climate change, conflict, and unsustainable conditions calls for the conscious participation of all of us to implement the verities within.

The Warming Papers

Science & Nature

Chosen for the 2011 ASLI Choice - Honorable Mention (History Category) for a compendium of the key scientific papers that undergird the global warming forecast. Global warming is arguably the defining scientific issue of modern times, but it is not widely appreciated that the foundations of our understanding were laid almost two centuries ago with the postulation of a greenhouse effect by Fourier in 1827. The sensitivity of climate to changes in atmospheric CO2 was first estimated about one century ago, and the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration was discovered half a century ago. The fundamentals of the science underlying the forecast for human-induced climate change were being published and debated long before the issue rose to public prominence in the last few decades.The Warming Papers is a compendium of the classic scientific papers that constitute the foundation of the global warming forecast. The paper trail ranges from Fourier and Arrhenius in the 19th Century to Manabe and Hansen in modern times. Archer and Pierrehumbert provide introductions and commentary which places the papers in their context and provide students with tools to develop and extend their understanding of the subject.The book captures the excitement and the uncertainty that always exist at the cutting edge of research, and is invaluable reading for students of climate science, scientists, historians of science, and others interested in climate change.

Homo Numericus

Science & Nature

«El ser humano está viviendo por encima de sus posibilidades psicológicas y ecológicas. Necesitamos recuperar urgentemente un horizonte común».Una nueva economía, nuevas sensibilidades e ideologías están reestructurando la sociedad de arriba a abajo. La revolución digital plantea un tremendo desafío social y psicológico. La desmaterialización y la gestión «eficiente» de las relaciones humanas, el aislamiento social y el control algorítmico de nuestras emociones, deseos o miedos está creando un homo numericus más irracional e impulsivo.En este conciso ensayo, el economista Daniel Cohen diagnostica los riesgos y las posibilidades, las luces y las sombras de este tiempo profundamente ambivalente. Sin catastrofismo y sin moralizar, pero con sentido crítico, Cohen explora nuestras posibilidades para resistir un sistema que promueve la adicción compulsiva y la vigilancia extrema. La buena noticia es que la tecnología todavía no controla por completo nuestras vidas. Aún tenemos margen para imaginar un futuro basado en valores compartidos.

The Book of Minds

Science & Nature

Popular science writer Philip Ball explores a range of sciences to map our answers to a huge, philosophically rich question: How do we even begin to think about minds that are not human?Sciences from zoology to astrobiology, computer science to neuroscience, are seeking to understand minds in their own distinct disciplinary realms. Taking a uniquely broad view of minds and where to find them—including in plants, aliens, and God—Philip Ball pulls the pieces together to explore what sorts of minds we might expect to find in the universe. In so doing, he offers for the first time a unified way of thinking about what minds are and what they can do, by locating them in what he calls the “space of possible minds.” By identifying and mapping out properties of mind without prioritizing the human, Ball sheds new light on a host of fascinating questions: What moral rights should we afford animals, and can we understand their thoughts? Should we worry that AI is going to take over society? If there are intelligent aliens out there, how could we communicate with them? Should we? Understanding the space of possible minds also reveals ways of making advances in understanding some of the most challenging questions in contemporary science: What is thought? What is consciousness? And what (if anything) is free will?Informed by conversations with leading researchers, Ball’s brilliant survey of current views about the nature and existence of minds is more mind-expanding than we could imagine. In this fascinating panorama of other minds, we come to better know our own.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Sustainable Production and Biotechnological Applications II

Science & Nature

This book overviews the sustainable production and diverse applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), with a special focus on agriculture, industry, and the environment. It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest strategies to overcome production challenges and enhance commercial feasibility. By exploring the potential of cost-effective raw materials and genetically engineered microbes, this volume highlights innovative approaches to ferment biowastes efficiently. The book also examines how blending different PHAs and modifying their chemical structures can expand their applications, making it a must-read for those interested in biotechnological advancements. Key concepts covered include the development of biosensors, bio-indicators, and biofuels, as well as the role of biopolymers in environmental bioremediation. The chapters are organized to provide insights into technological bioprocesses that can be translated into globally competitive business proposals. Readers will discover contributions from renowned scholars who probe critical questions about sustainable PHA production and its applications in various industries.This book is essential for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in biotechnology, environmental science, and agricultural engineering. It offers valuable information for those looking to develop eco-friendly solutions and sustainable business models. Whether you are an academic or a professional in the field, this volume provides the latest research and practical insights to help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of biopolymers.

Atmosphère : quel effet de serre !

Science & Nature

Nathan et Morgane partent en vacances en Bretagne chez leur Papy Louis, ancien chercheur à la retraite. Ils vont y faire un tas de découvertes sur l’effet de serre et notre atmosphère en général. Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans l’air ? L’effet de serre, comment ça marche ? D’où vient le dioxyde de carbone ? Qui rajoute du gaz carbonique dans l’atmosphère ? Peut-on limiter le réchauffement du climat ?

The Theory of Evolution

Science & Nature

Darwin’s nineteenth-century writings laid the foundations for modern studies of evolution, and theoretical developments in the mid-twentieth century fostered the Modern Synthesis. Since that time, a great deal of new biological knowledge has been generated, including details of the genetic code, lateral gene transfer, and developmental constraints. Our improved understanding of these and many other phenomena have been working their way into evolutionary theory, changing it and improving its correspondence with evolution in nature. And while the study of evolution is thriving both as a basic science to understand the world and in its applications in agriculture, medicine, and public health, the broad scope of evolution—operating across genes, whole organisms, clades, and ecosystems—presents a significant challenge for researchers seeking to integrate abundant new data and content into a general theory of evolution.This book gives us that framework and synthesis for the twenty-first century. The Theory of Evolution presents a series of chapters by experts seeking this integration by addressing the current state of affairs across numerous fields within evolutionary biology, ranging from biogeography to multilevel selection, speciation, and macroevolutionary theory. By presenting current syntheses of evolution’s theoretical foundations and their growth in light of new datasets and analyses, this collection will enhance future research and understanding.

Rosicrucian Doctrines and Tenets

Science & Nature

Trustworthy information is unavailable concerning the actual philosophical beliefs, political aspirations, and humanitarian activities of the Rosicrucian Fraternity. Today, as of old, the mysteries of the Society are preserved inviolate by virtue of their essential nature; and attempts to interpret Rosicrucian philosophy are but speculations, anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Es gibt Orte auf der Welt, an denen Regeln weniger wichtig sind als Freundlichkeit

Science & Nature

Newton und sein schwieriges Verhältnis zur Alchemie, Dantes Kosmologie und unser modernes Weltbild, der Schmetterlings-Forscher Nabokov und Lolita sowie die Zweifel des gar nicht so unfehlbaren Genies Einstein: Neben seinen Büchern, die ihn als Physiker zu Weltruhm aufsteigen ließen, hat Carlo Rovelli eine ganze Reihe kurzer Essays geschrieben, in denen er ungewöhnlichen Beziehungen der Wissenschaft zu Literatur, Geschichte, Philosophie, Politik nachgeht. Und immer geht es dabei auch um Humanität. Hier sind sie zum ersten Mal auf Deutsch zu lesen. Elegant geschrieben, abwechslungsreich, interessant und anregend, verschaffen sie seinen Leserinnen und Lesern einen Eindruck davon, was den wachen Geist des Physik-Stars bewegt.«Rovelli hat einen neuen Weg gefunden, über Wissenschaft zu sprechen, einfach und erhellend.» Paolo Giordano

Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Sustainable Production and Biotechnological Applications I

Science & Nature

This book highlights microbial biodiversity, biowastes, and innovative bioprocesses that contribute to creating these environmentally friendly biopolymers. The chapters discuss key concepts such as the occurrence and biosynthesis of natural and synthetic biopolymer composites, recent advances in using engineered E. coli and Pseudomonas as microbial factories revolutionizing biopolymer production, and the challenges and opportunities presented by cyanobacterial PHA research. Additionally, it investigates green synthesis methods that convert lignocellulosic biomass into PHAs and examines various feedstocks like sugar- and starch-rich waste for fermentation substrates. Researchers in biotechnology, environmental science, materials engineering, and related fields will find this book indispensable. It offers a comprehensive overview of current R&D activities to achieve sustainable PHA production. The book provides both theoretical perspectives and practical case studies, offers a wealth of knowledge to guide readers’ exploration of biopolymer production, making it a must-read for anyone dedicated to advancing eco-friendly materials science.

Uma Série de Felizes Coincidências

Science & Nature

Um relato divertido e inspirador sobre o poder das coincidências nas nossas vidas e no mundo Porque é o mundo como é? E como chegámos aqui? Será que tudo acontece por uma razão ou algumas coisas são fruto do acaso? Há milénios que filósofos e teólogos discutem estas questões, mas as descobertas científicas mais recentes revelam que vivemos num mundo criado pela aleatoriedade. Uma Série de Felizes Coincidências mostra-nos o incrível poder do acaso e de como este está na origem de toda a beleza e diversidade do mundo vivo.

From NWICO to WSIS

Science & Nature

Two major events have framed global media policies since World War II: the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) in the 1970s–80s and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2003–05. Yet they are rarely studied in their continuity/discontinuity and the intermediary period between the two phases is often ignored although it is a crucial factor in the debate over information flows and their international geopolitics. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is the first event of its kind within the United Nations to deal with the issue of information in the digital era. This book attempts to fill a gap in the current bibliography as it spans two historical periods that are usually treated separately: the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) on the one hand, and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) on the other. To encompass the two events, and assess the continuities and discontinuities between them, the analytical framework is diachronic, with the definition of three main phases. Their distinctive issues are developed in the three sections of the book: 1. The first phase (1970–80) deals with NWICO, especially in relation to information as news, related to the press and with few powerful actors at the global level. 2. The second phase (1980–2000) deals with the period where the NWICO outcomes are diluted while another view of information as data, related to the rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs), emerges in the political discourse. 3. The third phase (2000–) deals with WSIS both as a legacy of NWICO and as a proposal of a new global governance of media as a process rather than a structure within a single institution.

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