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What's Gotten Into You: The Story of Your Body's Atoms, from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner
by Dan LevittFor readers of Bill Bryson, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Siddhartha Mukherjee, a wondrous, wildly ambitious, and vastly entertaining work of popular science that tells the awe-inspiring story of the elements that make up the human body, and how these building blocks of life travelled billions of miles and across billions of years to make us who we are.Every one of us contains a billion times more atoms than all the grains of sand in the earth’s deserts. If you weigh 150 pounds, you’ve got enough carbon to make 25 pounds of charcoal, enough salt to fill a saltshaker, enough chlorine to disinfect several backyard swimming pools, and enough iron to forge a 3-inch nail. But how did these elements combine to make us human? All matter—everything around us and within us—has an ultimate birthday: the day the universe was born. This informative, eye-opening, and eminently readable book is the story of our atoms’ long strange journey from the Big Bang to the creation of stars, through the assembly of Planet Earth, and the formation of life as we know it. It’s also the story of the scientists who made groundbreaking discoveries and unearthed extraordinary insights into the composition of life. Behind their unexpected findings were investigations marked by fierce rivalries, obsession, heartbreak, flashes of insight, and flukes of blind luck. Ultimately they’ve helped us understand the mystery of our existence: how a quadrillion atoms made of particles from the Big Bang now animate each of our cells.Shaped by the curious mind and bold vision of science and history documentarian Dan Levitt, this wondrous book is no less than the story of life itself.
What's in Your Genes?
by Katie MckissickA crash course in genetics! Everyone knows that if you come from a family of brunettes, you're likely to be born with brown hair. But did you know your hair color may also affect how often you get sunburned? Or how often you need to take vitamin supplements? What's in Your Genes? goes beyond Gregor Mendel and dominant/recessive genes to show you all the ins and outs of what determines your DNA. Each entry provides you with a sneak peek into your DNA sequence and teaches you exactly how your body is able to create that wonderful you-ness that no one else has. From your tastebuds to your eye color to your obsession with clinical-strength deodorants, this book not only guides you through the history and study of genetics, but also shows you how those four little letters in your DNA make you who you are. Complete with imaginative illustrations, What's in Your Genes? reveals all there is to know about heredity--like the science behind vibrant red hair, perfect teeth, and your ability to see in color.
What's in Your Genes?: From the Color of Your Eyes to the Length of Your Life, a Revealing Look at Your Genetic Traits
by Katie MckissickA crash course in genetics!Everyone knows that if you come from a family of brunettes, you're likely to be born with brown hair. But did you know your hair color may also affect how often you get sunburned? Or how often you need to take vitamin supplements?What's in Your Genes? goes beyond Gregor Mendel and dominant/recessive genes to show you all the ins and outs of what determines your DNA. Each entry provides you with a sneak peek into your DNA sequence and teaches you exactly how your body is able to create that wonderful you-ness that no one else has. From your tastebuds to your eye color to your obsession with clinical-strength deodorants, this book not only guides you through the history and study of genetics, but also shows you how those four little letters in your DNA make you who you are.Complete with imaginative illustrations, What's in Your Genes? reveals all there is to know about heredity--like the science behind vibrant red hair, perfect teeth, and your ability to see in color.
What's in Your Genome?: 90% of Your Genome Is Junk
by Laurence A. MoranWhat’s in Your Genome? describes the functional regions of the human genome, the evidence that 90% of it is junk DNA, and the reasons this evidence has not been widely accepted by the popular press and much of the scientific community. The human genome contains about 25,000 protein-coding and noncoding genes and many other functional elements, such as origins of replication, regulatory elements, and centromeres. Functional elements occupy only about 10 percent of the more than three billion base pairs in the human genome. Much of the rest is composed of ancient fragments of broken genes, transposons, and viruses. Almost all of this is thought to be junk DNA, based on evidence that dates back fifty years. This conclusion is controversial. What’s in Your Genome? describes the arguments on both sides of the debate and attempts to explain the reasoning behind those different points of view. The book corrects a number of false narratives that have arisen in recent years and examines how they have affected the debate over junk DNA. In addition, Laurence A. Moran focuses on scientific misconceptions and misinformation and on how the junk DNA controversy has been incorrectly portrayed in both the scientific literature and the popular press. Tracing the earliest indications of junk DNA back to the 1960s, the book explains the success of nearly neutral theory and the importance of random genetic drift, which gave rise to the view that evolution produces sloppy genomes full of junk DNA. What’s in Your Genome? aims to offer the most accurate and current account of the human genome.
What's in Your Pocket?: Collecting Nature's Treasures
by Heather L. MontgomeryCharles Darwin, George Washington Carver, and Jane Goodall were once curious kids with pockets full of treasures!When you find something strange and wonderful, do you put it in your pocket? Meet nine scientists who, as kids, explored the great outdoors and collected "treasures": seedpods, fossils, worms, and more. Observing, sorting, and classifying their finds taught these kids scientific skills--and sometimes led to groundbreaking discoveries. Author Heather Montgomery has all the science flair of a new Bill Nye. Book includes the Heather's tips for responsible collecting.
What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & Butterflies (What's Inside)
by Rachel IgnotofskyWith warm and heart-fluttering illustrations, discover the next nonfiction picture book about butterflies and moths from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science!Butterflies soar in the sunlight. While moths flutter under the moon and stars.Find out more about these mysterious and majestic insects similarities and differences, and their awestrucking metamorphosis! Rachel Ignotofsky's distinctive art style and engaging, informative text clearly answers any questions a child (or adult) could have about butterflies and moths in this nonfiction picture book series.
What's Inside A Bird's Nest?: And Other Questions About Nature & Life Cycles (What's Inside)
by Rachel IgnotofskyDiscover the next nonfiction picture book about eggs, nests, and birds from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science, Rachel Ignotofsky! Want to learn more about the bird that chirps outside your window? Ignotofsky crafts a perfect read out loud with a touch of humor and compassion for our friends with wings in the sky!Find out more from the moment they hatch, to how they create their homes in this perfectly detailed and soon-to-be springtime favorite read!Rachel Ignotofsky's beautiful, distinctive art style and engaging, informative text clearly answers any questions a child (or adult) could have about birds, eggs, and nests in this nonfiction picture book series.
What's Inside A Flower?: And Other Questions About Science & Nature (What's Inside)
by Rachel IgnotofskyFrom the creator of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science, comes a new nonfiction picture book series ready to grow young scientists by nurturing their curiosity about the natural world--starting with what's inside a flower.Budding backyard scientists can start exploring their world with this stunning introduction to these flowery show-stoppers--from seeds to roots to blooms. Learning how flowers grow gives kids beautiful building blocks of science and inquiry.In the launch of a new nonfiction picture book series, Rachel Ignotofsky's distinctive art style and engaging, informative text clearly answers any questions a child (or adult) could have about flowers.
What's Left of Human Nature?: A Post-Essentialist, Pluralist, and Interactive Account of a Contested Concept (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology)
by Maria KronfeldnerA philosophical account of human nature that defends the concept against dehumanization, Darwinian, and developmentalist challenges.Human nature has always been a foundational issue for philosophy. What does it mean to have a human nature? Is the concept the relic of a bygone age? What is the use of such a concept? What are the epistemic and ontological commitments people make when they use the concept? In What's Left of Human Nature? Maria Kronfeldner offers a philosophical account of human nature that defends the concept against contemporary criticism. In particular, she takes on challenges related to social misuse of the concept that dehumanizes those regarded as lacking human nature (the dehumanization challenge); the conflict between Darwinian thinking and essentialist concepts of human nature (the Darwinian challenge); and the consensus that evolution, heredity, and ontogenetic development result from nurture and nature.After answering each of these challenges, Kronfeldner presents a revisionist account of human nature that minimizes dehumanization and does not fall back on outdated biological ideas. Her account is post-essentialist because it eliminates the concept of an essence of being human; pluralist in that it argues that there are different things in the world that correspond to three different post-essentialist concepts of human nature; and interactive because it understands nature and nurture as interacting at the developmental, epigenetic, and evolutionary levels. On the basis of this, she introduces a dialectical concept of an ever-changing and “looping” human nature. Finally, noting the essentially contested character of the concept and the ambiguity and redundancy of the terminology, she wonders if we should simply eliminate the term “human nature” altogether.
What's My Cat Thinking?: Understand Your Cat to Give Them a Happy Life
by Jo LewisHave you ever wondered why your cats behave the way they do? This authoritative guide has all the answers! Cats are weird, and sometimes their behavior can leave you scratching your head. Discover what&’s really behind those things cats do – whether they&’re amusing, irritating or just downright bizarre.What&’s My Cat Thinking will help cat lovers unlock the secret code of cats for a deeper connection with the feline in your life. Inside, you&’ll find: • Accurate descriptions of behavior will help you understand your cat&’s body language nuances and act accordingly. • Covers a range of breeds. • A fun book for cat people that delivers practical, helpful advice from acknowledged experts on a range of tricky or puzzling cat behaviors. Have you ever wondered why your cat sleeps on your keyboard, why they bully the dog or why they insist on drinking from the bathroom tap — or if they even like you? Cats (unlike the dogs they look down on) are not always easy to understand. This cat psychology book will show you that they do show their feelings, albeit subtly, in the way they relate to you, other animals and their home environment. Stunning illustrations of a wide range of breeds and informative text will help you understand your cat's body language, so you know when they are happy and when they aren&’t! Aside from learning to understand your cat, this guide includes &“catwatching&” spreads that provide helpful tips and advice on dealing with some common kitty challenges like moving home and introducing a new cat into the family. So when they are sitting on your head at 4 a.m., you will at least know why!
What's New? The Zoo!: A Zippy History of Zoos
by Kathleen KrullWith friendly facts, funny pictures, and animals galore, What's New? The Zoo! is history to roar for!Did you know . . . * The first zoo was established forty-three hundred years ago in what is now Iraq?* Aztec King Moctezuma II had such an incredible collection of animals that it took six hundred men and women to care for them?* Children across Great Britain wrote to Queen Victoria when Jumbo the elephant was sold away from the London Zoo?* Fifty buffalo passed through Grand Central Station in 1907 on their way to the Bronx Zoo?* Zoos now play a crucial role in animal conservation?Kathleen Krull and Marcellus Hall bring witty insight, jazzy style, and a globe-trotting eye to our millennia-long history of keeping animals -- and the ways animals have changed us in turn.
What's Next? Dispatches on the Future of Science
by Max BrockmanIn 'What's Next?', 18 young scientists present the futuristic ideas they are pursuing that just might change the way we look at the world, even the way we live. From climate change to cutting-edge physics, from hard-wired morality to modifying our brains or even our genome, 'What's Next?' will give its readers a head start on comprehending what may well be in store for all of us in the next few decades.
The Whats of a Scientific Life (Global Science Education)
by John HelliwellThis book completes a scientific life trilogy of books following on from the Hows (i.e. skills) and the Whys is now the Whats of a scientific life. Starting with just what is science, then on to what is physics, what is chemistry and what is biology the book discusses career situations in terms of types of obstacles faced. There follow examples of what science has achieved as well as plans and opportunities. The contexts for science are dependencies of science on mathematics, how science cuts across disciplines, and the importance of engineering and computer software. What science is as a process is that it is distinctly successful in avoiding or dealing with failures. Most recently a radical change in what is science is the merger of the International Council of Scientific Unions and the International Social Sciences Council. Key Features: Dissects what is science and its contexts Provides wide ranging case studies of science and discovery based directly on the author’s many decades in science The author has outstanding experience in mentoring and career development, and also in outreach activities for the public and students of all ages The world of science today involves a merger of ‘the sciences’ and the ‘social sciences’
What's Older Than a Giant Tortoise?
by Robert E WellsIf medals were awarded to animals for living a long time, then a giant tortoise would certainly win one. Some giant tortoises have lived for more than 150 years! Still, there are things on this planet much older than giant tortoises. Some of the giant sequoia trees that grow in California would be more than 3,000 years old. But the trees aren't that old compared to the Barringer Crater in Arizona--that was made about 49,000 years ago. And it's almost impossible to imagine that 65 million years ago, the T. rex dinosaur roamed this planet--but we have the skeletons to prove it!
What's On The Food Chain Menu? (My Science Library)
by Julie LundgrenIntermediate Readers Explore Who's Eating Who And Where.
What's Out There? A Book About Space (Reading Railroad)
by Lynn WilsonWhat is the sun made of? What causes night and day? Why does the moon change shape? An easy-to-understand text bring planets, stars, comets, and the wondrous things out there in space right down to earth in a simple introduction to the solar system for young armchair astronauts.
What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?
by Robert E WellsA pygmy shrew is among the tiniest of mammals. A ladybug is even smaller. But in this book you will find small things you could not ordinarily see.
What's So Good About Biodiversity?: A Call for Better Reasoning About Nature's Value
by Donald S. MaierThere has been a deluge of material on biodiversity, starting from a trickle back in the mid-1980's. However, this book is entirely unique in its treatment of the topic. It is unique in its meticulously crafted, scientifically informed, philosophical examination of the norms and values that are at the heart of discussions about biodiversity. And it is unique in its point of view, which is the first to comprehensively challenge prevailing views about biodiversity and its value. According to those dominant views, biodiversity is an extremely good thing - so good that it has become the emblem of natural value. The book's broader purpose is to use biodiversity as a lens through which to view the nature of natural value. It first examines, on their own terms, the arguments for why biodiversity is supposed to be a good thing. This discussion cuts a very broad and detailed swath through the scientific, economic, and environmental literature. It finds all these arguments to be seriously wanting. Worse, these arguments appear to have consequences that should dismay and perplex most environmentalists. The book then turns to a deeper analysis of these failures and suggests that they result from posing value questions from within a framework that is inappropriate for nature's value. It concludes with a novel suggestion for framing natural value. This new proposal avoids the pitfalls of the ones that prevail in the promotion of biodiversity. And it exposes the goals of conservation biology, restoration biology, and the world's largest conservation organizations as badly ill-conceived.
What's that Edison Boy Up to Now?
by Ruth Spencer JohnsonWhen Thomas Edison was a boy, he loved performing experiments and coming up with new inventions. His curiosity sometimes got him in trouble, though, like when he accidentally burned down his dad’s barn! By the time he turned 12, he had found ways to make a living by learning how to print newspapers and send telegraphs in Detroit, Michigan. Imagine what he did as an adult!
What's that Flower?: A Beginner's Guide to Wildflowers (DK What's That?)
by DKStop and smell the roses with this delightful flower spotter guide.Know your geraniums from your pansies! This beautiful flower identification book features over 150 flower species found east of the Mississippi along with a simple, visual approach to help you tell them apart with absolute ease.With its compact, portable format, this nature book is designed for ease of use anywhere — ideal for nature lovers everywhere. Here&’s what&’s inside: • Similar flower species are shown together for quick comparison and identification • Fully-illustrated introductions explain the basics of flower identification — what to look for and how to tell the difference between similar wildflower species or specimens • Overview pages on main features give readers more detailed information on how to make an accurate identification • The at-a-glance finder section at the back shows thumbnails of the species grouped in an intuitive way for ease of reference Calling all flower enthusiasts! Are you interested in identifying the wildflowers you encounter on your walks along the coast or in the mountains, woodlands or fields? Look no further than What's That Flower? Authoritative text, beautiful photographs and detailed illustrations show different parts of the flower — from the stem to the petals. Flower type overviews show you what to look for where and similar flowers are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification. It's the perfect flower encyclopedia for beginners, but also a handy reference guide for the more seasoned flower lovers.
What's That Sound? (Science Solves It!)
by Mary LawrenceSolve kid-sized dilemmas and mysteries with the Science Solves It! series. These fun books for kids ages 5–8 blend clever stories with real-life science. Why did the dog turn green? Can you control a hiccup? Is that a UFO? Find the answers to these questions and more as kid characters dive into physical, life, and earth sciences. Two weeks in the country—it&’s the perfect summer getaway for Amy and Tim&’s family. But the house looks haunted, and they hear spooky sounds everywhere. Creaks and squeaks, rattles and rumbles. Could Amy and Tim be sharing their summer spot with a ghost? Books in this perfect STEM series will help kids think like scientists and get ahead in the classroom. Activities and experiments are included in every book! (Level One; Science topic: Sound)
What's that Tree?: A Beginner's Guide (DK What's That?)
by DKLearn more about the beautiful trees around you with this identification guide, perfect for beginners, featuring over 150 common tree species. If you want to know the difference between a Serbian spruce and a silver birch or how different trees change through the seasons then What&’s that Tree? is the ideal guide for you. Species overviews show you what to look for where and related trees are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification.Clear photography of leaves will help you to directly compare the tree you&’re looking at with those in the guide and will assist you with specific features of the leaf to help identify the tree. This quick-reference guide also includes information on bark, flowers, and seeds. The perfect pocket guide for beginners but also a handy reference for the more seasoned naturalist, What&’s that Tree? will help you to become an expert tree-spotter in no time.
What's the BIG Idea?: Amazing Science Questions for the Curious Kid
by Vicki CobbWhy don't we feel the Earth move? Why does an ice cube float? Why can't you unscramble an egg? Why can't we live forever? These are all questions that a curious kid might ask. In What's the BIG Idea?, renowned juvenile science educator Vicki Cobb answers these and other fascinating questions to help kids learn more about the world through the wonders of science.A big idea is one that has no simple or easy answer, and there are four big ideas in this book: motion, energy, matter, and life. The motion of nonliving objects--rolling balls, falling stones, the moon and stars--seems so ordinary and familiar that most people take it for granted. Matter, on the other hand, comes in so many different forms--solids, liquids, gases, metals, nonmetals, living material--that it is hard to imagine anything that all matter has in common. Energy is an idea that is in the news just about every day, yet most people couldn't tell you what the big idea of energy is. And life--what life is--seems mind-boggling and infinitely complicated. How do we bend our brains around it?Scientists learn by asking questions. And this book, now in paperback, is designed to make young readers stop and think about each of the questions before reading what scientists have learned that answers each question. They'll be able to do simple things to see for themselves, and they will build their own scientific knowledge in the process. By the time they've finished this book, they'll get the big picture of what science is all about.
What's the Big Idea?
by Tracey TurnerHave you ever wondered what capitalism is? How about feminism, ecology, epidemiology or astronomy? Well, this book will give you straightforward, easy-to-understand answers to all your troublesome-word questions WITHOUT going on and on for ages OR using even BIGGER words to explain them. Informative, bite-sized explanations alongside beautiful, eye-catching illustrations will help readers aged 8+ understand crucial concepts, giving them the power to take part in the most important conversations on the planet. Perfect for inquisitive minds, this book will appeal to fans of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, Big Ideas for Curious Minds and beyond.More than 100 big words and ideas, simply explained.