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Core: A Science-Backed Approach to Exercising and Understanding Our Central Anatomy
by Owen LewisA holistic, in-depth guide to understanding 'core' strength for therapists, movement professionals, and serious enthusiasts seeking advanced insights into functional training for mental and physical healthHealth magazines, gym-class instructors, and YouTube fitness experts frequently speak of the importance of a strong &“core,&” the muscles at our body&’s center that provide stability and support our movement. We know that improved core function can reduce symptoms of low back pain and pelvic pain, incontinence, and breathing issues. But while the core may be well-known, it is still poorly understood: there is no universally agreed-upon definition of the core or the muscles it comprises. Core adopts a holistic yet practical approach to demystifying the core, considering this crucial muscle group for its physical importance to bodily movement as well as our emotional and spiritual center. Physical therapist Owen Lewis digs into a wide range of metaphors and frameworks used to understand the core—from the Japanese concept of hara, a central storehouse of energy, to the set of specific muscles referenced in fitness studios everywhere. While physical therapy and core-exercise regimens tend to emphasize strength building and stable posture, Lewis argues for an approach that is also flexible, fluid, and adaptable: the same exercises may not be appropriate for every person, and may need to be changed up over time. In some cases, a &“weak&” core may be the result of muscles that are overworked and stressed, and &“good&” posture may create more pain than it prevents. Lewis clearly explains how the core works to manage and transfer the force of movement through the center of the body, building on principles of biotensegrity (how the tension and compression of different muscles creates a balanced structure which distributes stress and strain). The final chapters of the book provide a range of useful, functional training exercises suitable for lay readers but especially helpful as examples for therapists and trainers to use with clients.Lewis emphasizes functional training and underlying principles over a static list of exercises, providing the groundwork for tailored, individual training to improve core function. Supplemented throughout with color photos and a diverse range of models, Core makes it easy to understand the anatomy of this crucial region of the body, as well as key principles for more effective and safe exercises and training regimens.
The Bomb Doctor: A Scientist's Story of Bombers, Beakers, and Bloodhounds
by Kirk Yeager Selene YeagerA rare peek behind the curtain into boots-on-the-ground, in-the-lab scientific bomb forensics—told with humanity, heart, and even a bit of humor.This is not CSI. What you encounter as a true bomb detective—or &“Bomb Doctor,&” as some in the FBI call me—are fields of twisted metal containing soot-covered fragments intermingled with human remains. You have carnage and chaos. As you wade into that sea of wailing sirens and screaming survivors awash with the stench of diesel fuel and decaying bodies, your job is to ferret out forensic clues in a type of macabre scavenger hunt to ultimately reconstruct the scene and the explosive device and determine what happened and what the bomb looked like before it was torn asunder. None of this happens overnight. Nor does it happen in a timeframe that can be neatly packaged in an hour-long made-for-TV drama. The scavenger hunt can take months—or, in the case of the infamous Collar Bomber, seven painstaking years. The work is worth every second and every horrific image that etches itself into your brain because it helps prevent new horrors. Not all, obviously. We are not superheroes. But unlike shooters, who often just &“snap&” or seem to act out in random ways, bombers almost always have a story—one that follows an arc. In The Bomb Doctor, my goal is to explain that arc, explode myths, reconstruct reality, and build an understanding of the reason and means behind the mayhem, as well as pull back the curtain on the investigative process that brings bombers to justice.
Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats
by Dr. Rachel A. Page Dr. Dina K. Dechmann Dr. M. Teague O'Mara Dr. Marco Tschapka The Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteFeaturing incredible photography and insight from an international team with long-term ties to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Bat Island spotlights the unique beauty and environmental importance of the seventy-six species of bats on Panama&’s Barro Colorado Island.For decades, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where an astonishing seventy-six species coexist. Now, for the first time, Smithsonian scientists&’ expertise pairs with the stunning photography of National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures. Bats are unique among mammals: they have acquired true flight, provide essential ecosystem services, and represent the ecologically most diverse group of mammals worldwide. Synthesizing decades-worth of intensive study, Drs. Rachel Page, Dina Dechmann, Teague O&’Mara, and Marco Tschapka provide authoritative insight alongside 150 photographs that showcase bats&’ extraordinary environmental adaptations and rich natural history. OVER 150 STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS: National Geographic photographer and contributor Christian Ziegler has captured over a decade&’s worth of images of the myriad of bat species living on Barro Colorado Island that capture these elusive animals in a variety of settings, from night shots of flight through the tropical rainforest to closeups of their remarkable wings and feeding patterns. WRITTEN BY SMITHSONIAN SCIENTISTS: All chapters of Bat Island are written by scientists long affiliated with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, one of the world&’s leading tropical research organizations that spans a century. Topics include bats&’ diverse sensory abilities, foraging strategies, roosting ecologies, and social systems. DECADES OF CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH: Bat Island, published in partnership with the Smithsonian, presents fascinating insights from scientists working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which boasts decades of study of the hyperdiverse bat population on Barro Colorado Island in addition to the most comprehensive and long-term datasets on tropical bats. CALL FOR CONSERVATION: Drs. Page, Dechmann, O&’Mara, and Tschapka highlight how bats are threatened by habit fragmentation and land degradation, and communicate the initiatives needed to ensure the survival of these animals, which are critical to maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. RARE BEAUTY: Award-winning photojournalist Christian Ziegler&’s photography illuminates the unique beauty and allure of bats and the tropical rainforest in Panama.
The Beauties and The Beasts: Creatures At the Bottom of the Ocean
by Betty PfeifferWhen do you know someone best? When you read their biography or when you have a conversation with them? Of course, it&’s when you have a one-on-one visit. Go down in a submersible, the HOV (Human Occupied Vehicle) Alvin, to make the journey to their home. You&’ll meet the weird, the cute, the flashy, and the fierce creatures of the deep.In this book, you won&’t just read a bunch of facts about these remarkable animals—you can learn to know them personally. They&’ll talk to you about themselves, their relatives, and their enemies. As a surprise bonus, you will find out about the many ways your new friends are helping us solve some of our medical problems.Suppose you are interested in learning more about what happens in the ocean. In that case, two people (real people) will tell you what they were like at your age and what motivated them to make the ocean, which covers about 70 percent of the earth&’s surface, their life&’s work.
The Magnificent Book of Animals (The Magnificent Book of)
by Tom JacksonJourney into the wilderness to get up close to the world&’s most magnificent animals in this beautifully illustrated reference book filled with fascinating facts.The Magnificent Book of Animals takes you across the globe, from the Arctic tundra to the African savanna, to meet 36 fascinating animals. From the tiny Rondo dwarf bush baby to the massive white rhinoceros, this book depicts some of the world&’s most incredible animals in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn how a tiger marks its territory, why a polar bear isn&’t really white, and how long a giraffe&’s tongue actually is. This is the perfect book for animal lovers everywhere. 36 ANIMALS: Learn about dozens of animals from all over the world, from the snow leopard to the flying fox. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible animals to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read Layout that will excite animal lovers of all ages. MAP OF THE ANIMAL WORLD: A full-page color map shows where each animal originates. COLLECT THE SERIES: More beautifully illustrated collections for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Cats, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, The Magnificent Book of Horses, The Magnificent Book of Birds, and The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals.
The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs (The Magnificent Book of)
by Tom JacksonThe Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs takes you back to prehistoric times to meet 36 incredible beasts. From the terrifying T. rex to the speedy Velociraptor, this book depicts some of the most incredible dinosaurs in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn which is the largest land predator ever found, how the feathered Deinonychus kept its huge hooked claws sharp, and why Triceratops had a large bony frill. This is the perfect book for dinosaur-lovers everywhere. 36 DINOSAURS: Learn about dozens of dinosaurs from all over the world, from the stealthy Spinosaurus to the mighty Dreadnoughtus. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible beasts to back to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read Layout that will excite dinosaur-lovers of all ages. MAP OF THE DINOSAUR WORLD: A full-page color map shows where each dinosaur originates. COLLECT THE SERIES: More beautifully illustrated collections for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals, The Magnificent Book of Cats, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, The Magnificent Book of Horses, and The Magnificent Book of Birds.
Birds for Kids: A Junior Scientist's Guide to Owls, Eagles, Penguins, and Other Bird Species (Junior Scientists)
by Melissa MayntzExplore the wild and wonderful world of birds with the Junior Scientists series for kids ages 6 to 9From tiny hummingbirds to powerful eagles and everything in between—our planet is home to so many beautifully feathered friends! This big book of birds is packed with tons of cool facts and colorful photos that offer a fascinating peek into their lives. It's written especially for curious new readers, with engaging trivia and age-appropriate language that lets kids read and explore independently as they learn all about birds!35 birds to meet— Kids will discover a variety of bird species like flamingos, penguins, and barn swallows, and find out what they look like, where they live, what they eat, and more.Fun facts—Keep young readers fascinated with cool facts about how baby birds are born, if birds can get lost when they fly, and which water bird eats baby alligators!Learning in action— You'll even find some activities to try, like helping your child measure their own wingspan, build a nest, and spotting your backyard birds.Get ready for an exciting journey through the lives of our beaked buddies in this ultimate bird book for kids.
Eyes, Nose, Belly, Toes: My First Human Body Book
by Krupa Bhojani PlayforthAll about the human body for kids 1 to 3!"All kids will see themselves in this beautiful book, intentionally designed to help toddlers learn about the amazing things their bodies can do." — Emily Oster, CEO of ParentData and bestselling author of of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm.Learning how the human body works is an important skill for toddlers. This adorable kids anatomy book walks them through every major body part, with simple language and vibrant artwork that keep them engaged as they explore how they use their eyes to see, their nose to smell, their legs to move, and their arms to wave hello!Colorful illustrations—Read along with your child and explore exciting pictures that show kids the body parts they use at playtime, bathtime, snacktime, and more.Which body part is that?—Help your child learn to point out their belly button, count their fingers and touch their elbows!Learning and growing—Make it fun for kids to learn body vocabulary and start to discover all the amazing things their bodies can do.Get this book today and enjoy educational quality time with your child.
Real Outdoor Science Experiments (Real Science Experiments)
by Jenny BallifHypothesis: You'll love these real outdoor experiments for kids 8 to 12! Dive into the world's most exciting science project—the great outdoors! Covering everything from plants and trees to rocks and weather, this amazing book has real outdoor science experiments for kids, to immerse you in the wonders of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Discover STEAM outdoors—Learn how the scientific method can help you unlock the secrets of the natural world. Make nature your laboratory—Conduct 30 cool experiments like creating grass ropes, making ink from plants, calculating latitude by the stars, and more. Find answers to your questions—How do sinkholes form? Are leaves in the shade bigger or smaller than leaves in the sun? Get explanations for the science behind each experiment, plus ideas for taking your experiments even further. Get ready to explore the science happening all around you with Real Outdoor Science Experiments.
Remote Sensing with ArcGIS Pro
by Tammy E. Parece John A. McGeeRemotely sensed images are widely available and have countless potential applications. In the past, analyzing these images required specialized software. Esri’s ArcGIS® Pro software provides image analysis tools that both novice and experienced analysts can use. This manual provides a series of easy-to-understand, step-by-step tutorials to guide you through image acquisition and data analysis processes. By completing this series of tutorials, you will be able to: Search, select, and download satellite imagery from the USGS’s EarthExplorer Manipulate data in ArcGIS Pro Display Landsat 9 imagery (as well as imagery collected by other satellite and UAS platforms) Enhance and analyze remotely sensed imagery. Videos available through the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program / VirginiaView website (www.virginiaview.net) can be used as additional training resources to accompany this manual.
Newton's Laws: A Fairy Tale
by Sarah AllenSarah Allen is a fantasy novelist and professional math and physics tutor. In her Fairy Tale Physics series, Sarah has combined her talents into something you’ve never seen before. <p><p> Each Fairy Tale Physics book is a delightful illustrated story that introduces and explores physics concepts in a way that anyone can understand. <p><p> In Newton’s Laws: A Fairy Tale, you’ll read about young Kip, whose only inheritance from his father is a single apple. Always the optimist, Kip strikes out into the world to seek his fortune, and meets a wizard with mysterious plans… <p><p> Kip’s adventure is packed with situations that introduce us to some of the foundations of physics: Newton’s laws of motion. But not only will you learn physics alongside Kip – there’s a bonus section on problem solving at the end, with over 30 exercises that tie the lessons of the story concretely to what you might learn in a physics class in high school or college. Also included are links to Sarah’s favorite physics resources: videos, articles, and online simulations that you can play with to learn more. <p><p> Newton’s Laws: A Fairy Tale is for you if: <p> You are curious about physics. <p>You are a parent looking to introduce physics concepts to your child. <p>You are taking your first AP or college physics course. <p>You are intrigued by a fairy tale that holds something unique and special! <p><p>This is book one in the Fairy Tale Physics Series. It covers Newton's Three Laws, Free Body Diagrams, Net Force, Acceleration, and Forces. Enjoy!
The Narrative Gym for Science Graduate Students and Postdocs: Using the ABT Framework for Proposals, Papers, Presentations, and Life in General
by Randy Olson Marlis Douglas Keisha BahrIt’s ABT Time: Science consists of equal parts research and communication, AND if you do a good job with communication then your research will reach its full impact, BUT communication can’t be mastered in a day, THEREFORE get thee to the Narrative Gym with this book! <p><p> What is the ABT? Only the most important communications tool you’ll ever need. It provides the core of narrative structure, which is what makes the difference between whether you bore or confuse an audience versus interest and engage them. The ABT is about the three forces of narrative (agreement, contradiction, consequence) which are embodied in the three words of the ABT (and, but, therefore). <P><P> In this short, simple, practical book three scientists present what they have learned about the use of the ABT with science graduate students and postdocs. It provides an introduction to the ABT with an explanation of how to apply it to everything from proposals, papers and presentations to your life in general.
Life at the Extremes: The Science of Survival
by Frances AshcroftThe challenge of scaling the highest mountain, exploring the deepest ocean, crossing the hottest desert, or swimming in near-freezing water is irresistible to many people. Life at the Extremes is an engrossing exploration of what happens to our bodies in these seemingly uninhabitable environments. Frances Ashcroft weaves stories of extraordinary feats of endurance with historical material and the latest scientific findings as she investigates the limits of human survival and the remarkable adaptations that enable us to withstand extreme conditions. What causes mountain sickness? How is it possible to reach the top of Everest without supplementary oxygen, when passengers in an airplane that depressurized at the same altitude would lose consciousness in seconds? Why do divers get the bends but sperm whales do not? How long you can survive immersion in freezing water? Why don't penguins get frostbite? Will men always be faster runners than women? How far into deep space can a body travel?
Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine (Volume #1)
by Douglas L. Mann Douglas P. Zipes Peter Libby Eugene Braunwald Robert O. BonowVolume 1 of the two-part textbook.
Biology class 9 - MIE
by Mauritius Institute of EducationThe Grade 9 Biology textbook from the Mauritius Institute of Education covers four comprehensive units. The first unit delves into the intricacies of the human Blood Circulatory System, exploring the structure and functions of blood, the heart, and blood vessels. It addresses topics like blood cell types, pulse, and cardiovascular diseases. The Reproduction unit explores both asexual and sexual reproduction in living organisms, detailing the structures and functions of human male and female reproductive systems, fertilization, embryo development, and the significance of reproductive health. The Biodiversity unit introduces the concept's importance for survival, explaining how to estimate species using quadrats and addressing factors affecting biodiversity. The final unit, Nutrition in Plants, delves into photosynthesis, emphasizing factors like light, carbon dioxide, water, and chlorophyll, and includes practical demonstrations on starch presence in leaves.
Chemistry class 9 - MIE
by Mauritius Institute of EducationThe Grade 9 Chemistry textbook published by the Mauritius Institute of Education in 2023 covers five comprehensive units designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of key chemical concepts. Unit C1 delves into the composition of air, exploring topics like the greenhouse effect, global warming, and pollution, while also suggesting measures for environmental protection. Unit C2 focuses on mixtures and separation techniques, introducing methods like sublimation and crystallization. Unit C3 teaches the language of chemistry, encompassing symbols, valencies, and chemical equations. Unit C4 explores the properties and reactions of metals, introducing the reactivity series and displacement reactions. Finally, Unit C5 delves into the formation, classification, and properties of salts, including common examples. Each unit is rich with activities, diagrams, tables, and exercises to engage students and foster their understanding of these fundamental chemistry concepts.
Physics class 9 - MIE
by Mauritius Institute of EducationThe textbook offers a comprehensive overview of Grade 9 Physics from the Mauritius Institute of Education, specifically focusing on the Measurement in Science unit. It includes information on contributors involved in the textbook's creation and review, curriculum alignment with national standards, and an emphasis on incremental content development and scientific skills from previous grades. Learning tools provided encompass inquiry-based activities, summaries, "Find out" features, "Did you know?" sections, project work suggestions, unit summaries, and concept maps for effective learning and assessment. The unit itself covers the measurement of physical quantities such as length, volume, mass, time, and temperature, offering detailed explanations, error avoidance techniques, and practical activities to aid comprehension.
Sífilis: otra enfermedad que nos llegó de Europa la medicina y la sífilis en el Viejo Mundo
by Naranjo PlutarcoEntre marzo y abril de 1495, en Nápoles, se desató una terrible epidemia de sífilis que luego se propagó a Francia y desde aquí al resto de Europa. Durante los primeros cuarenta años de la epidemia nadie puso en duda el sitio dónde se originó y luego cuál país se convirtió en el foco de diseminación del mal venéreo que comenzó a llamarse el morbo gálico. Inesperadamente ciertos autores poco escrupulosos, del siglo XVI, afirmaron que la sífilis era originaria de América, continente al cual, sin quererlo, Europa había "exportado" todas las pestes del Viejo Mundo. Existe un dicho popular: "favor con favor se paga", parafraseándolo en sentido inverso, parecería que se trataba de demostrar que hubo un intercambio epidémico y que en "reciprocidad" de las enfermedades que Europa envió a América, ésta exportó al Viejo Continente la sífilis.
Los héroes de la bodega y otras crónicas forenses
by Hugo Rodríguez AlmadaA lo largo de once intensas historias de muertes violentas el médico Hugo Rodríguez cuenta su experiencia como forense.En estas muertes el escritor-médico médico-escritor reflexiona sobre la vida, la muerte, la pobreza, la violencia y el ser humano. Un texto potente para leerlo en distintos niveles. El escritor y grado 5 en Medicina Legal Hugo Rodríguez Almada convive con la muerte y la tragedia, es su trabajo. A lo largo de veinticinco años de ejercicio de la profesión, este escritor-médico ha lidiado con casos donde el papel principal no lo tiene la muerte, lo tiene el contexto. La pobreza, la violencia de género, el egoísmo y la sociedad son algunos de los personajes principales que sobrevuelan estas historias particulares y comunes. Cinco años después de haber publicado Crónicas forenses. Historias de personas, el autor se propone «reivindicar la Medicina Legal y las Ciencias Forenses, igualmente maltratadas por la práctica tolerada del intrusismo y de los vendedores de humo. Rescatarlas de la mentira, tantas veces festejada por la credulidad del público y siempre funcional al sistema, para colocarlas en el lugar cierto de lo inexacto, lo incompleto y lo falible». Y también «contar historias que, por alguna razón, se quedaron en mí. Y que, a la vez, me parece de utilidad social darlas a conocer, desvistiéndolas, hasta donde sea posible, de lo críptico y las jergas técnicas». Con gran sentido narrativo y documentado, conoceremos qué hay detrás de once casos que muestran al ser humano, la muerte y la vida.
Einstein en Uruguay: Crónica de un viaje histórico
by Diego MoraesUn exhaustivo trabajo de investigación en el que Diego Moraes reconstruye el viaje de uno de los personajes más importantes en la historia de la humanidad y un Uruguay a la vanguardia de la cultura y el pensamiento. En 1925 el famoso físico alemán Albert Einstein realizó una histórica visita al Uruguay. Casi cien años han pasado desde entonces pero, en la actualidad, ¿qué sabemos los uruguayos sobre aquel episodio? Una estatua ubicada en la Plaza de los Treinta y Tres, en el Centro montevideano, recuerda el momento más famoso de aquella visita: el célebre encuentro mantenido en ese mismo sitio entre Einstein y el filósofo Carlos Vaz Ferreira. Sin embargo, es poco más lo que se conoce, en términos generales. ¿Qué vino a hacer Einstein al Uruguay? ¿Quién lo invitó a nuestro país y por qué? ¿Qué personajes prominentes de la sociedad uruguaya conoció durante su estadía? ¿Dónde se alojó? ¿Qué actividades realizó durante la semana que permaneció en suelo uruguayo? ¿Qué impresión dejó entre los compatriotas de 1925? E, inversa mente, ¿qué opinión guardó luego de su paso por estas tierras? Estas son solo algunas de las preguntas que este libro aspira a responder.
La ciencia es cosa de mujeres
by Margarita MicheliniLas once científicas uruguayas retratadas en este libro cuentan sus sueños, su día a día, sus logros y sus peajes. No es casualidad que en el nivel más alto del Sistema Nacional de Investigadores haya una mujer por cada 3,4 varones. Tampoco que en los grados iniciales la participación femenina se equipare a la de ellos. Habla de una lógica de obstáculos y prejuicios, más o menos conscientes y vastamente estudiados, que lentamente va cambiando. Las once científicas uruguayas retratadas en este libro cuentan sus sueños, su día a día, sus logros y sus peajes. Estas páginas guardan la esperanza de contagiar a quienes se plantean seguir sus pasos y a los lectores todos, para que puedan darle a su labor el lugar que merece. Sin ellas, la ciencia tendría otro tinte. Trabajan con pasión, la mayoría en silencio, en temas que parecen lejanos y sin embargo repercuten en la vida de todos. Productos naturales que contrarres-ten el uso de plaguicidas, sistemas de información para cuidar el ambiente, el amor por partículas tan imperceptibles como poderosas, el tesón de una loca idea, la estadística aplicada para modelar el comportamiento del SARS-CoV-2 y la carrera para fabricar en Uruguay un kit para detectarlo se cruzan con una científica emprendedora, una doctora del clima especialista en enfrentar temporales, una experta en mecatrónica que hace hablar a las máquinas o una jugadora de elite en las matemáticas. Cuando la creatividad y las neuronas se conjugan con entrega, el resultado no tiene límites.
Plutón y otras anécdotas: Historias mínimas de la humanidad contadas a través de los planetas menores
by Julio Ángel Fernández«Quienes gustamos de la ciencia alguna vez leímos a Carl Sagan. Carl Sagan leía a Julio Fernández.» Leo Lagos, editor de la sección Ciencia de la diaria En Plutón y otras anécdotas. Historias mínimas de la humanidad contadas a través de los nombres de los planetas menores el autor se destaca, además de por su fortaleza divulgativa, como un gran contador de historias. El lector se encontrará ante relatos profundamente humanos desde la política, el deporte, la cultura y, obviamente, la ciencia. Al terminar estas páginas podremos darnos cuenta de que los nombres de esos «planetas menores» hablan más de nuestro pasado, presente y futuro de lo que creemos. «A Julio Ángel Fernández lo caracteriza una humildad tan profunda como su humanismo, un humanismo que desborda en estas páginas que, más que hablar de astronomía, hablan de cómo la humanidad se busca en los cielos. Quienes gustamos de la ciencia alguna vez leímos a Carl Sagan. Carl Sagan leía a Julio Fernández.» Leo Lagos, editor de la sección Ciencia de la diaria
Sem ar: A corrida da ciência para derrotar um vírus mortal
by David QuammenDavid Quammen, um dos mais conceituados jornalistas científicos, traz-nos toda a verdade sobre o SARS-CoV-2, uma narrativa cativante e essencial para perceber a origem da pandemia que moldou a atualidade. Em 2020, o hemisfério ocidental foi surpreendido por um novo coronavírus e uma crise pandémica com consequências globais. No entanto, para os cientistas que conheciam e estudavam os vírus zoonóticos, o aparecimento do SARS-CoV-2 não foi inesperado. Há muito que alertavam inequivocamente para a probabilidade muito elevada de uma pandemia.Com base em entrevistas a mais de 90 virologistas, epidemiologistas e outras autoridades, David Quammen, um dos mais reputados jornalistas científicos da atualidade, explora as consequências da ação humana na passagem do vírus dos animais para a nossa espécie e analisa com objetividade as hipóteses sobre a sua origem, rejeitando conspirações e teorias pouco fundamentadas. Explica ainda como é provável que os humanos tenham de adaptar-se para conviver em permanência com o SARS-CoV-2, a circular entre nós e a atormentar-nos com as suas intermináveis mutações. Sem ar reflete o espírito colaborativo da ciência, ao traçar um retrato fulgurante do esforço que uniu a comunidade científica em todo o mundo para decifrar a natureza do vírus que redefiniu a atualidade, parar a sua propagação e impedir que se repita. Os elogios da crítica: «Empolgante e assustador. Um relato apaixonado e esclarecedor sobre a crise definidora da atualidade.» The New York Times «Sem ar, tal como o vírus que retrata, é o culminar dramático da ideia […] de que a história da ecologia viral, na sua vertente científica, poderá facilmente tornar-se na maior história do planeta Terra.» The Atlantic «Três anos depois do início da pandemia, Quammen, prolífero autor e jornalista científico, desvela os mais variados detalhes sobre o esforço para investigar a propagação da covid-19 e identificar o que a tornou tão ameaçadora… Uma crónica de investigação científica, escrita de modo envolvente.»The Wall Street Journal «Sem ar apresenta uma abrangente história científica da pandemia, ligando as peças do puzzle que, à época, pareciam tão desconexas.» Science News «Uma nova história credível da covid-19 e dos seus antecessores… [Quammen] constrói um retrato exímio da evolução viral que culminou na covid-19. Informação perturbadora sobre saúde pública comunicada com brilhantismo por um perito.» Kirkus Reviews «Uma leitura essencial para quem queira perceber melhor a pandemia.» Publishers Weekly«Há poucos escritores que consigam compreender as cadeias de aminoácidos que dão a estes vírus os seus códigos particulares, muito menos os que conseguem relacioná-los com outros vírus SARS. E são ainda mais raros os que têm os dons literários necessários para tornar a genómica compreensível para um leigo. Felizmente, David Quammen […] é um deles.» The Guardian
Buracos brancos
by Carlo RovelliDo autor de Sete breves lições de Física, uma indagação sobre um tema absolutamente misterioso e inovador: os buracos brancos. «chegamos à borda do horizonte de um buraco negro, entramos, descemos ao fundo, onde o espaço e o tempo se fundem, atravessamo-lo, ressurgimos no buraco branco, onde o tempo se inverte, e daí emergimos no futuro. comecemos, pois, a nossa viagem em direção aos buracos brancos.»Depois de uma aturada investigação sobre os buracos negros, Carlo Rovelli, físico italiano, dedicou-se à possibilidade de estes se transformarem em buracos brancos. Mas o que são os buracos brancos? Existem, de facto? Que mudanças no espaço e no tempo, no cerne de um buraco negro, os tornam possíveis? Poderá o tempo mudar de direção? Rovelli, um dos mais consagrados físicos da atualidade, guia-nos pelas suas respostas a estas indagações e pelo caminho, entre a inquietação e o entusiasmo, que percorreu até as encontrar. Uma ode ao método científico, Buracos brancos explora estes esquivos objetos e as suas implicações para a nossa perspetiva do que é o tempo. Os elogios da crítica: «Rovelli, físico de prestígio internacional, entretece Dante, Einstein e arte numa escrita de tal modo enfeitiçante que o leitor tem prazer em se deixar levar.» The Bookseller «O novo Stephen Hawking.»The Sunday Times «Rovelli é um génio, um comunicador incrível.» Neil Gaiman
Elon Musk
by Walter IsaacsonDo autor de Steve Jobs e outras biografias de sucesso, chega-nos a história surpreendentemente íntima de um dos inovadores mais controversos e fascinantes da atualidade - um visionário avesso a regras que levou o mundo para a era dos carros elétricos, da exploração espacial de iniciativa privada e da inteligência artificial. Ah, e comprou o Twitter. Entrega a partir de 12 de Setembro de 2023.Durante a sua infância, na África do Sul, Elon Musk foi vítima de bullying. Um dia, foi empurrado de umas escadas de cimento abaixo e pontapeado no rosto até este ficar uma massa ensanguentada e inchada. Ficou internado durante uma semana. Mas as mazelas físicas eram insignificantes quando comparadas com as feridas emocionais infligidas pelo seu pai, um carismático e engenhoso fantasista que agia por conta própria. Quando Elon teve alta do hospital, o pai repreendeu-o. «Tive de ficar de pé uma hora a ouvi-lo gritar comigo, a chamar-me idiota e a dizer-me que era um inútil», recorda. O impacto do pai na sua psique permaneceria. Transformou-se num homem-criança duro, apesar de vulnerável, com uma tolerância extraordinariamente alta ao risco, sedento de drama e com um sentido épico de missão e uma obstinação maníaca, tão insensível quanto, por vezes, destrutiva. No início de 2022 ? depois de um ano marcado pelo lançamento e colocação em órbita de 31 foguetes da SpaceX, pela marca de um milhão de carros vendidos pela Tesla e de se tornar o homem mais rico do mundo ?, Musk falou com pesar sobre a sua compulsão para criar dramas. «Preciso de mudar de mentalidade, sair do modo de crise, que é como tenho funcionado nos últimos catorze anos, pelo menos, se não a maior parte da minha vida», disse. Foi um comentário melancólico, não uma resolução de Ano Novo. Ao mesmo tempo que se comprometia a mudar, comprava, em segredo, ações do Twitter, o maior recreio do mundo. Ao longo dos anos, sempre que se encontrava num lugar mais sombrio, voltava a ser aquela criança agredida no recreio. Agora, tinha a oportunidade de ser o dono do recreio. CRÍTICAS A STEVE JOBS, DE WALTER ISAACSON "Fascinante." - The New York Times "Hipnotizante" - LA Times "Vibrante." - Kirkus Reviews "Um retrato vasto e complexo - mas incrivelmente consistente - do homem que criou a Apple." - The Verge "Uma narrativa franca e cativante" - Publishers Weekly