Science & Nature Books

Space Probes

Space Probes

Science & Nature

Space Probes: Pioneering Journeys of Discovery explores the captivating world of U.S. deep-space exploration, revealing how robotic missions led by NASA have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. The book traces the evolution of space technology, from propulsion systems to advanced instrumentation, highlighting how these innovations enable probes to traverse vast distances. Readers will discover how the Voyager probes, for example, conducted a grand tour of the outer planets, and how the Cassini-Huygens mission unveiled the mysteries of Saturn and Titan.The book progresses through three parts, first introducing the fundamental concepts and challenges of deep-space exploration. It then delves into specific missions, such as New Horizons' journey to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, examining their scientific findings and implications for planetary science, astrophysics, and cosmology.Finally, it assesses the broader impact of these endeavors, including their contributions to technological innovation and inspiration for future generations. By presenting information in a clear and accessible manner, Space Probes offers a comprehensive overview of robotic missions and their profound impact on our knowledge of the universe.

Science and Religion in Education

Science and Religion in Education

Science & Nature

This book brings together the latest research in education in relation to science and religion. Leading international scholars and practitioners provide vital insights into the underlying debates and present a range of practical approaches for teaching. Key themes include the origin of the universe, the theory of evolution, the nature of the human person, the nature of science and Artificial Intelligence. These are explored in a range of international contexts. The book provides a valuable resource for teachers, students and researchers in the fields of education, science, religious education and the growing specialist field of science and religion.Science and Religion in Education is a compelling read for current and future generations of academic researchers and teachers who wish to explore the fascinating intersect between science education and religious studies. The research findings and insights presented by these international scholars offer new dimensions on contemporary practice. - Vaille Dawson, Professor of Science Education, University of Western AustraliaScience and Religion in Education offers a fascinating and diverse collection of chapters surveying the current state of thinking about how science and religion can be understood in education. The book offers a wealth of thought-provoking material for anyone interested in the natures of science and religion, their relationship(s), or their representation within the curriculum. - Professor Keith Taber, University of CambridgeScience education and religious education are uncomfortable bedfellows. This book, written in part as a response to the – perhaps too clear – accounts of Ian Barbour, provides suitably nuanced pictures of how science and religion are dealt with in schools. Whatever the views of specialists, young people ‘receive’ an education in both science and religion: hearing their voices is refreshing in such a serious academic account. -Julian Stern, Professor of Education and Religion, York St John UniversityHumans have long endeavored to make sense of the world often using science and religion. Yet, these two great traditions are frequently seen as incompatible. This useful volume features thoughtful contributions from experts whose work straddles the divide and provides educators with arguments, engaging strategies and historical perspectives to help build a bridge and allow a fruitful discussion in schools. - William F. McComas, Distinguished Professor of Science Education, University of ArkansasEqual parts critical examination of existing models for the relationship between science and religion, scholarly exposition of newer models, and insights toward practical application in classrooms, this book is an invaluable resource for science and religion educators. If you have been thinking it is time we looked beyond Barbour’s taxonomy, you will want to read this book. If you havenot, I implore you to read this book. - Jason Wiles, Associate Professor of Biology and Science Education, Syracuse University

A Textbook of Sound

A Textbook of Sound

Science & Nature

Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing. The perception of sound in any organism is limited to a certain range of frequencies. For humans, hearing is normally limited to frequencies between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), although these limits are not definite. Sound also travels through plasma. Sound can propagate through solids as well, but there are additional modes of propagation). Sound that is perceptible by humans has frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. In air at standard temperature and pressure, the corresponding wavelengths of sound waves range from 17 m to 17 mm. During propagation, waves can be reflected, refracted, or attenuated by the medium.A useful book for those who are interested in the study of this subject. It may equally be liked by the general readers interested in studying the topic.

Nanofluid Heat Transfer

Nanofluid Heat Transfer

Science & Nature

Future-proof your thermal system designs with this essential guide, providing a comprehensive, cutting-edge exploration of nanofluids to drive innovation and efficiency in heat transfer. The development and application of nanofluids aligns with the broader trend towards miniaturization and higher efficiency in thermal systems. As industries continue to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency, the integration of nanofluids into thermal management solutions represents a forward-thinking approach that addresses these demands. In the context of disciplinary development, the study of nanofluids is situated at the intersection of nanotechnology, materials science, and thermal engineering. The unique properties of nanofluids have prompted extensive research aimed at understanding their behavior and optimizing their use in practical applications. This book contributes to this growing body of knowledge by providing comprehensive insights into the preparation, stability, and thermophysical properties of nanofluids. It also explores advanced computational models and experimental techniques essential for predicting and analyzing the heat transfer performance of nanofluids. This book, by providing a detailed exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of nanofluids, serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals aiming to harness the potential of this cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and efficiency in thermal systems.

Cartas a los filósofos, los artistas y los políticos

Cartas a los filósofos, los artistas y los políticos

Science & Nature

Bautizado el " Rousseau del siglo XIX ", Pierre Leroux (1797-1871) inventó la palabra "socialismo" y fue fuente de inspiración para un vasto conjunto de escritores, entre quienes se cuentan a Proudhon, Blanqui, Baudelaire, Heine, Renan, Durkheim y Marx, quien en 1843 no dudó en calificarlo de "genial". Es que con anterioridad a Marx y Engels, Leroux había ya iniciado sólidamente la crítica de la religión cristiana y de la economía política inglesa, como formas antiguas de concebir a la humanidad.Olvidado por las diversas ortodoxias socialistas, en los escritos de este "Pensador de la humanidad" –como también fue caracterizado-, se destila de manera original, una teoría que aúna un comunismo primitivo junto a la utopía de una sociedad libertaria. En estas reflexiones dirigidas A los filósofos, los artistas y los políticos, Leroux sitúa a la libertad moderna como el núcleo de una nueva síntesis de la humanidad, en la cual la igualdad habrá por fin de abarcar a la clase obrera y las mujeres.Un socialismo místico y feminista que coloca la cuestión de la emancipación como un acto a la vez filosófico, político, económico, religioso y estético. Se trata por medio de estos textos -como ha señalado Miguel Abensour- de retomar la cuestión de la emancipación, no para abandonarla sino para complicarla.

Gravitational Waves

Gravitational Waves

Science & Nature

On 14 September 2015, after 50 years of searching, gravitational waves were detected for the first time and astronomy changed for ever. Until then, investigation of the universe had depended on electromagnetic radiation: visible light, radio, X-rays and the rest. But gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space and time – are unrelenting, passing through barriers that stop light dead. At the two 4-kilometre long LIGO observatories in the US, scientists developed incredibly sensitive detectors, capable of spotting a movement 100 times smaller than the nucleus of an atom. In 2015 they spotted the ripples produced by two black holes spiralling into each other, setting spacetime quivering. This was the first time black holes had ever been directly detected – and it promises far more for the future of astronomy. Brian Clegg presents a compelling story of human technical endeavour and a new, powerful path to understand the workings of the universe.

Handbook of Algal Biofuels

Handbook of Algal Biofuels

Science & Nature

Handbook of Algal Biofuels: Aspects of Cultivation, Conversion and Biorefinery comprehensively covers the cultivation, harvesting, conversion, and utilization of microalgae and seaweeds for different kinds of biofuels. The book addresses four main topics in the algal biofuel value-chain. First, it explores algal diversity and composition, covering micro- and macroalgal diversity, classification, and composition, their cultivation, biotechnological applications, current use within industry for biofuels and value-added products, and their application in CO2 sequestration, wastewater treatment, and water desalination. Next, the book addresses algal biofuel production, presenting detailed guidelines and protocols for different production routes of biodiesel, biogas, bioethanol, biobutanol, biohydrogen, jet fuel, and thermochemical conversation methods. Then, the authors discuss integrated approaches for enhanced biofuel production. This includes updates on the recent advances, breakthroughs, and challenges of algal biomass utilization as a feedstock for alternative biofuels, process intensification techniques, life cycle analysis, and integrated approaches such as wastewater treatment with CO2 sequestration using cost-effective and eco-friendly techniques. In addition, different routes for waste recycling for enhanced biofuel production are discussed alongside economic analyses. Finally, this book presents case studies for algal biomass and biofuel production including BIQ algae house, Renewable Energy Laboratory project, Aquatic Species Program, and the current status of algal industry for biofuel production.Handbook of Algal Biofuels offers an all-in-one resource for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals working in the areas of biofuels and phycology and will be of interest to engineers working in renewable energy, bioenergy, alternative fuels, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Furthermore, this book includes structured foundational content on algae and algal biofuels for undergraduate and graduate students working in biology and life sciences. Provides complete coverage of the biofuel production process, from cultivation to biorefinery Includes a detailed discussion of process intensification, lifecycle analysis and biofuel byproducts Describes key aspects of algal diversity and composition, including their cultivation, harvesting and advantages over conventional biomass

Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate

Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate

Science & Nature

Prepared for the 2013 National Climate Assessment and a landmark study in terms of its breadth and depth of coverage, Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate is the result of a collaboration among numerous local, state, federal, and nongovernmental agencies to develop a comprehensive, state of the art look at the effects of climate change on the oceans and marine ecosystems under U.S. jurisdiction.This book provides an assessment of scientific knowledge of the current and projected impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on the physical, chemical, and biological components and human uses of marine ecosystems under U.S. jurisdiction. It also provides assessment of the international implications for the U.S. due to climate impacts on ocean ecosystems and of efforts to prepare for and adapt to climate and acidification impacts on ocean ecosystem, including·         Climate-Driven Physical and Chemical Changes in Marine Ecosystems·         Impacts of Climate Change on Marine Organisms·         Impacts of Climate Change on Human Uses of the Ocean·         International Implications of Climate Change·         Ocean Management Challenges, Adaptation Approaches, and Opportunities in a Changing Climate·         Sustaining the Assessment of Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine ResourcesRich in science and case studies, it examines the latest climate change impacts, scenarios, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity and offers decision makers and stakeholders a substantial basis from which to make informed choices that will affect the well-being of the region’s inhabitants in the decades to come.

Le pied des hominoïdes miocènes et des hominidés fossiles : architecture, locomotion, évolution

Le pied des hominoïdes miocènes et des hominidés fossiles : architecture, locomotion, évolution

Science & Nature

Le mode locomoteur des primates est intimement lié à l'architecture de leur pied. Or, la question de l'acquisition de station bipède est cruciale dans l'étude des processus de l'hominisation. La recherche présentée propose ainsi un diagnostic locomoteur à partir de l'analyse architecturale de vestige isolés de pied d'hominoïdes miocènes, d'Australopithèques, de Néandertaliens et d'hommes modernes. «Copyright Electre»

This Can't Be Happening

This Can't Be Happening

Science & Nature

In twenty short books, Penguin brings you the classics of the environmental movement.In the galvanising speeches and essays brought together in This Can't Be Happening, George Monbiot calls on humanity to stop averting its gaze from the destruction of the living planet, and wake up to the greatest predicament we have ever faced.Over the past 75 years, a new canon has emerged. As life on Earth has become irrevocably altered by humans, visionary thinkers around the world have raised their voices to defend the planet, and affirm our place at the heart of its restoration. Their words have endured through the decades, becoming the classics of a movement. Together, these books show the richness of environmental thought, and point the way to a fairer, saner, greener world.

Microbial Biotechnology in Food and Health

Microbial Biotechnology in Food and Health

Science & Nature

Microbial Biotechnology in Food and Health Science, volume one in the Applied Biotechnology Reviews series, offers two unique sections within the theme of genomics and bioprocessing and the bioengineering of microorganisms in the role of food science and human health. This volume provides review articles as the basis supporting biotechnological research useful to a wide scope of research initiatives. Important relevant information on genomics, proteomics and metabolomics are included as well as the emerging interdisciplinary area of synthetic biology which enables the metabolic engineering of microorganisms to produce pharmaceuticals. Applied Biotechnology Reviews is a series aimed at bringing all aspects of biotechnology as it is applied to food science – from agriculture through product processing into focus through topical volumes. Each volume will cover a relevant application approach in industrial biotechnology. - Covers the latest biotechnological research articles on applications of microbes for food and health science - Presents research articles to emphasize research methods and techniques useful for research outcomes - Analysis detoxification properties of microorganisms in foods - Includes methods of bioengineering of microbes to improve human insulin synthesis/recombinant protein

Cognitive Unconscious and Human Rationality

Cognitive Unconscious and Human Rationality

Science & Nature

Examining the role of implicit, unconscious thinking on reasoning, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and its neurocognitive basis, for a genuinely psychological conception of rationality.This volume contributes to a current debate within the psychology of thought that has wide implications for our ideas about creativity, decision making, and economic behavior. The essays focus on the role of implicit, unconscious thinking in creativity and problem solving, the interaction of intuition and analytic thinking, and the relationship between communicative heuristics and thought. The analyses move beyond the conventional conception of mind informed by extra-psychological theoretical models toward a genuinely psychological conception of rationality—a rationality no longer limited to conscious, explicit thought, but able to exploit the intentional implicit level.The contributors consider a new conception of human rationality that must cope with the uncertainty of the real world; the implications of abandoning the normative model of classic logic and adopting a probabilistic approach instead; the argumentative and linguistic aspects of reasoning; and the role of implicit thought in reasoning, creativity, and its neurological base.ContributorsMaria Bagassi, Linden J. Ball, Jean Baratgin, Aron K. Barbey, Tilmann Betsch, Eric Billaut, Jean-François Bonnefon, Pierre Bonnier, Shira Elqayam, Keith Frankish, Gerd Gigerenzer, Ken Gilhooly, Denis Hilton, Anna Lang, Stefanie Lindow, Laura Macchi, Hugo Mercier, Giuseppe Mosconi, Ian R. Newman, Mike Oaksford, David Over, Guy Politzer, Johannes Ritter, Steven A. Sloman, Edward J. N. Stupple, Ron Sun, Nicole H. Therriault, Valerie A. Thompson, Emmanuel Trouche-Raymond, Riccardo Viale

A Poison Like No Other

A Poison Like No Other

Science & Nature

“Informed, utterly blindsiding account.” - Booklist, starred reviewIt’s falling from the sky and in the air we breathe. It’s in our food, our clothes, and our homes. It’s microplastic and it’s everywhere—including our own bodies. Scientists are just beginning to discover how these tiny particles threaten health, but the studies are alarming.In A Poison Like No Other, Matt Simon reveals a whole new dimension to the plastic crisis, one even more disturbing than plastic bottles washing up on shores and grocery bags dumped in landfills. Dealing with discarded plastic is bad enough, but when it starts to break down, the real trouble begins. The very thing that makes plastic so useful and ubiquitous – its toughness – means it never really goes away. It just gets smaller and smaller: eventually small enough to enter your lungs or be absorbed by crops or penetrate a fish’s muscle tissue before it becomes dinner.Unlike other pollutants that are single elements or simple chemical compounds, microplastics represent a cocktail of toxicity: plastics contain at least 10,000 different chemicals. Those chemicals are linked to diseases from diabetes to hormone disruption to cancers.A Poison Like No Other is the first book to fully explore this new dimension of the plastic crisis, following the intrepid scientists who travel to the ends of the earth and the bottom of the ocean to understand the consequences of our dependence on plastic. As Simon learns from these researchers, there is no easy fix. But we will never curb our plastic addiction until we begin to recognize the invisible particles all around us.  

The Ice at the End of the World

The Ice at the End of the World

Science & Nature

A riveting, urgent account of the explorers and scientists racing to understand the rapidly melting ice sheet in Greenland, a dramatic harbinger of climate change“Jon Gertner takes readers to spots few journalists or even explorers have visited. The result is a gripping and important book.”—Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Sixth ExtinctionNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • The Christian Science Monitor • Library Journal Greenland: a remote, mysterious island five times the size of California but with a population of just 56,000. The ice sheet that covers it is 700 miles wide and 1,500 miles long, and is composed of nearly three quadrillion tons of ice. For the last 150 years, explorers and scientists have sought to understand Greenland—at first hoping that it would serve as a gateway to the North Pole, and later coming to realize that it contained essential information about our climate. Locked within this vast and frozen white desert are some of the most profound secrets about our planet and its future. Greenland’s ice doesn’t just tell us where we’ve been. More urgently, it tells us where we’re headed. In The Ice at the End of the World, Jon Gertner explains how Greenland has evolved from one of earth’s last frontiers to its largest scientific laboratory. The history of Greenland’s ice begins with the explorers who arrived here at the turn of the twentieth century—first on foot, then on skis, then on crude, motorized sleds—and embarked on grueling expeditions that took as long as a year and often ended in frostbitten tragedy. Their original goal was simple: to conquer Greenland’s seemingly infinite interior. Yet their efforts eventually gave way to scientists who built lonely encampments out on the ice and began drilling—one mile, two miles down. Their aim was to pull up ice cores that could reveal the deepest mysteries of earth’s past, going back hundreds of thousands of years. Today, scientists from all over the world are deploying every technological tool available to uncover the secrets of this frozen island before it’s too late. As Greenland’s ice melts and runs off into the sea, it not only threatens to affect hundreds of millions of people who live in coastal areas. It will also have drastic effects on ocean currents, weather systems, economies, and migration patterns. Gertner chronicles the unfathomable hardships, amazing discoveries, and scientific achievements of the Arctic’s explorers and researchers with a transporting, deeply intelligent style—and a keen sense of what this work means for the rest of us. The melting ice sheet in Greenland is, in a way, an analog for time. It contains the past. It reflects the present. It can also tell us how much time we might have left.

The World's Energy Supply: What Everyone Needs to Know

The World's Energy Supply: What Everyone Needs to Know

Science & Nature

The topic of energy is one of the most pressing issues across the globe. In this bundle, consisting of Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know, Nuclear Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know, and Hydrofracking: What Everyone Needs to Know, readers will explore everything from the the basic scientific concepts of energy to questions surrounding the specific ways we obtain it.

Hovercraft Science

Hovercraft Science

Science & Nature

"Hovercraft Science" explores the fascinating technology behind vehicles that glide over land and water. It delves into the air cushion technology that enables hovercrafts to float, examining the relationship between air pressure, lift, and skirt design. The book also highlights their innovative use in rescue missions, particularly in challenging environments like swamps and flood zones, where conventional vehicles struggle.The book progresses logically, starting with the fundamental physics principles governing lift and air pressure. It then moves into the engineering aspects of hovercraft design, analyzing components like the engine, fan, and control systems. Real-world applications are showcased through case studies and performance data, providing a balanced assessment of hovercraft technology's capabilities and limitations.Unique to this book is its focus on practical considerations, analyzing how hovercrafts perform in emergency response and transportation scenarios. It also touches on related fields like fluid dynamics and materials science, offering a comprehensive look at the science and engineering behind these innovative transportation technologies. The book culminates with the challenges and future directions of hovercraft technology.

Μαύρες τρύπες και στρεβλώσεις του χρόνου (Τόμος Α)

Μαύρες τρύπες και στρεβλώσεις του χρόνου (Τόμος Α)

Science & Nature

Από την εμφάνιση της γενικής θεωρίας της σχετικότητας, το 1915, έως σήμερα, ορισμένοι από τους λαμπρότερους επιστήμονες του 20ού αιώνα έχουν καταβάλει προσπάθειες να αποκρυπτογραφήσουν τα μυστήρια που μας κληροδότησε η εν λόγω θεωρία. Η κληρονομιά αυτή έχει ορισμένες απροσδόκητες συνέπειες, ώστε ακόμη και ο ίδιος ο Αϊνστάιν την αποποιήθηκε. Ποιο από τα παρακάτω αλλόκοτα αντικείμενα μπορεί πράγματι να υπάρχει στο Σύμπαν μας; • Οι μαύρες τρύπες, όπου μπορεί να εισέλθει οτιδήποτε, αλλά από όπου δεν μπορεί να εξέλθει τίποτε. • Οι κοσμικές σκουληκότρυπες, που αποτελούν στρεβλώσεις του χώρου και συνδέουν δύο περιοχές του Σύμπαντος. • Οι χωροχρονικές ανωμαλίες, στις οποίες ο χωρόχρονος στρεβλώνεται τόσο έντονα ώστε ο μεν χρόνος παύει να υπάρχει ο δε χώρος αντικαθίσταται από ένα είδος κβαντικού αφρού. • Τα βαρυτικά κύματα, τα οποία μεταφέρουν περιγραφές συγκρούσεων μαύρων τρυπών που έλαβαν χώρα δισεκατομμύρια χρόνια πριν. • Οι μηχανές του χρόνου, με τις οποίες μπορεί κανείς να ταξιδέψει τόσο στο παρελθόν όσο και στο μέλλον. Ο Kip Thorne (Βραβείο Νόμπελ Φυσικής για το 2017), παράλληλα με τους μεγάλους θεωρητικούς Stephen Hawking και Roger Penrose, πολλούς σοβιετικούς επιστήμονες αλλά και παλαιότερους φυσικούς, όπως οι Oppenheimer, Wheeler και Chandrasekhar, έχει βρεθεί στην καρδιά της αναζήτησης ασφαλών απαντήσεων για τα παραπάνω ερωτήματα. Σε αυτό το αριστοτεχνικά γραμμένο και εξαιρετικά ενημερωμένο βιβλίο, μέσα από έναν κομψό συνδυασμό επιστημονικών και ιστορικών στοιχείων, οδηγεί τους αναγνώστες στο μεγάλο ερώτημα: Ποιες αρχές διέπουν το Σύμπαν μας και γιατί είναι αυτό που είναι; • «Κανείς δεν έχει περιγράψει καλύτερα απ’ ό,τι ο Kip σε τούτο το βιβλίο —και, μάλιστα, με περισσότερη σαφήνεια, εγκυρότητα και απλότητα ύφους— τις σημαντικότερες στιγμές στην προσπάθεια των επιστημόνων να αποκρυπτογραφήσουν την πνευματική κληρονομιά τού Αϊνστάιν.» —John Archibald Wheeler, καθηγητής θεωρητικής φυσικής, Πανεπιστήμιο του Πρίνστον • «... Μοναδικό βιβλίο. Έτσι θα έπρεπε να έχουν γραφτεί όλα τα βιβλία που σχετίζονται με τη γενική θεωρία της σχετικότητας, τις μαύρες τρύπες και τα βαρυτικά κύματα, τα βιβλία που προσπαθούν να μας πληροφορήσουν γιατί το Σύμπαν μας είναι αυτό που είναι. Συνδυάζει στοιχεία από την ιστορία της επιστήμης με παραστατικές και επιμελημένες επιστημονικές περιγραφές και επεξηγηματικά σχόλια. Τα ανέκδοτα στοιχεία που παραθέτει, ειδικότερα εκείνα που αφορούν τη σοβιετική επιστήμη, είναι εξαιρετικά διαφωτιστικά. [...]» —Carl Sagan, καθηγητής αστροφυσικής και κοσμολογίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Cornell • «Παραστατική και κατανοητή περιγραφή της γενικής σχετικότητας και των επιδράσεών της στη σύγχρονη αστροφυσική και κοσμολογία από έναν εκ των κορυφαίων ειδικών...» —Roger Penrose, καθηγητής μαθηματικής φυσικής, Πανεπιστήμιο της Οξφόρδης • «Το βιβλίο του Kip Thorne, εκτός από πηγή επιστημονικών πληροφοριών, πιστεύουμε ότι στα χρόνια που έρχονται θα αποτελέσει και πηγή έμπνευσης για πολλούς αναγνώστες του.» —Physics Today