Over the past 50 years, scientists have made incredible progress in the application of genetic research to human health care and disease treatment. Innovative tools and techniques, including gene therapy and CRISPR-Cas9 editing, can treat inherited disorders that were previously untreatable, or prevent them from happening in the first place. You can take a DNA test to learn where your ancestors are from. Police officers can use genetic evidence to identify criminals—or innocents. And some doctors are using new medical techniques for unprecedented procedures. Genomics: A Revolution in Health and Disease Discovery delves into the history, science, and ethics behind recent breakthroughs in genetic research. Authors Whitney Stewart and Hans Andersson, MD, present fascinating case studies that show how real people have benefitted from genetic research. Though the genome remains full of mysteries, researchers and doctors are working hard to uncover its secrets and find the best ways to treat patients and cure diseases. The discoveries to come will inform how we target disease treatment, how we understand our health, and how we define our very identities.
Containing 97 percent of Earth's water supply, the ocean plays a huge role in regulating global temperatures, supporting plant and animal life, and contributing to the livelihoods of millions of people. But in spite of all this, the ocean remains drastically unexplored, and the details of its impact on human lives aren't fully understood. Scientists from around the world are realizing that to address issues plaguing the ocean, such as dead zones, coral bleaching, and climate change, we need to better understand this incredible, unique feature of our planet. With a range of impressive, cutting-edge technologies at their disposal, oceanographers have set out to measure, sample, and analyze at every turn. Every day, mysteries about the ocean are being solved, and every day, new questions come to light. The more scientists learn, the better they are able to answer these new questions. What lies in the deep? And who is at the forefront of these exciting discoveries? The scientists and research included in this book shed light on the most pressing issues currently facing oceanographers and point us in the right direction to solving these challenges.
In January 2009, a mysterious software developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, exchanged a specially designed code with another developer. The code was a digital currency that Nakamoto had proposed several months before in a paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” This was the first Bitcoin transaction. Since then, Bitcoin has become the face of a tech revolution in digital cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology. Its success has sparked a tech revolution that could fundamentally change global economics. Delve into the world of coders, libertarians, criminals, financial regulators, and crypto-detectives to understand what digital cryptocurrencies have to offer, their limitations and potential pitfalls, security issues, and how they may affect government and financial regulations in the future.
On April 22, 1970, an estimated twenty million people held in a teach-in to show their support for environmental protections. This new celebration, Earth Day, brought together previously fragmented issues under the same banner. It was the largest nationwide event ever, and lawmakers took notice. But one day didn't change everything. Fifty years after the first Earth Day, climate change remains a dire concern. The divide between political parties continues to widen, and environmental policy has become an increasingly partisan issue. The spread of disinformation has also made climate change a debatable idea, rather than scientific fact. A new generation of advocates continue the fight to make environmental policy a top priority for the United States and for nations around the globe
The best part about coding is that anyone with a computer can learn how to do it. From education to healthcare to entertainment, software touches almost every aspect of twenty-first century life. Take a high-level perspective on the types of people who create that software—including many jobs that do not involve writing code at all. Learn about the software development cycle and the huge variety of skills developers draw on, including psychology, mathematics, and art, to create amazing apps and programs. Explore why diversity is needed to prevent bias in design. Learn about the different coding languages and what they are used for, how developers choose a language, and tools that simplify coding. Jennifer Connor-Smith breaks down stereotypes about coding as a career that is open only to technology-obsessed gamers, revealing ways people use software to improve medical care, nurture dementia patients, promote social justice, and more. Hands-on activities show you how easy it is to learn to think like a coder. The next generation of coders will require diverse teams, creativity, and ethical codes of conduct to create the best and most successful software. Will you be one of them?
We cannot prevent volcanic eruptions, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This interesting book examines what scientists know about eruptions, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each one. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict volcanic eruptions and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot always prevent landslides and avalanches, but we can learn how to minimize their impact on humans. This informative book examines what scientists know about the sudden movement of earth or snow, whether we can predict these slides, and how we learn from each event. By studying the harm they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict landslides and avalanches and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent heat waves or droughts, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This important book examines what scientists know about extreme heat events, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each one. By studying the harm they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict extreme weather and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent blizzards and ice storms, but we can learn how to minimize their impact on humans. This informative book examines what scientists know about extreme ice and snowfalls, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict winter storms and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own transportation hub. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model transportation hub needs, including a helicopter, cable cars, and roadways.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own theater and movie set. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model theater and movie set needs, including sets, trap doors, and special effects.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own space center! This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model space center needs, including a rocket and launch pad, Mars rover, and satellite.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own castle! This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions on how to make every element a model castle needs, including battlements, jousting grounds, and secret rooms, which are fun to build.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own amusement park! This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions on how to make every element a model amusement park needs, including a merry-go-round, ferris wheel, and roller coaster.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own biosphere and mini garden. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model biosphere and mini garden needs, including a dome, water fountain, and pathways.
Did you know the first recorded chemist in history was a woman? Tapputi-Belatekallim lived about 1200 BCE and was the head perfumer for the King of Babylon—a big deal in ancient times when perfume was used in medicine and important ceremonies. This informative book offers an overview of the amazing, and often hidden or forgotten achievements of women in science, who developed vaccines and cancer treatments, and unlocked the secrets of nuclear power and DNA—the building blocks of life.
We’ve all heard of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, but very few female inventors are household names. This fascinating book illuminates the history of women who used their brainpower and skills to produce important items we use ever day. Meet Hedy LaMarr, a famous Hollywood actress by day and inventor of a radio guidance system for torpedos by night. Marvel at the cleverness of Ng Mui, who developed the martial art known as Wing Chun, which later developed into kung fu.
We use it every day in products as varied as prescription drugs, toys, and toothbrushes. In less than a century, plastics have become integral to our daily lives. But plastic waste also clogs Earth’s oceans and other water bodies. Research has shown that microplastics have even accumulated in our bodies. This timely book investigates our increasingly problematic use of plastics in all areas of our lives and how our attempts to curb use and mitigate the harm of plastics are not working fast enough.
In twelve dioramic scenes, discover how warships have changed from the sail and oar power of ancient Greek triremes and 19th century ships of the line to iron warships of the early 20th century and today’s modern aircraft carriers and stealth missile destroyers.
From the Mark I to the powerful turreted tanks of World War Two and the modern missile-firing, troop-carrying light tanks of today’s armies, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how the invention of the tank during World War One changed the face of warfare forever.
From the early human-powered submarines of the American Civil War to the U-boats of both world wars and the modern nuclear-powered missile platforms of the Cold War, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how submarines have become one of the most dangerous weapons of war.
From the first rockets used to fire arrows to modern computer-controlled cruise missiles and wire-guided High Explosive Anti-Tank Missiles, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how rockets and missiles have gradually become the primary weapons of mechanized warfare.
From the wood and canvas biplanes of World War One to the latest vertical takeoff stealth fighters and pilotless drones of the world’s air forces, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how combat aircraft have gradually become the sophisticated stealth machines of today.
From the first observation and medical helicopters of World War Two and the Korean War to the Air Cavalry of Vietnam and the missile-armed attack helicopters of today’s armies, twelve dioramic scenes reveal how helicopters have introduced a new dynamic into the way warfare is waged.
This engaging journey through the continent of Europe helps show how humans affect, and are affected by, the environments in which they live. Readers will gain an understanding of the continent's various landforms, resources, and human activities. Examples featured include traveling by train through a tunnel in the Alps, riding a water bus in the canals of Venice, and cycling along the Danube River.
