New Books
Human Physiology: An Open Textbook
This text welcomes learners to human physiology, focusing on key systems commonly taught in a single undergraduate semester. It is tailored for University of San Francisco students but is also helpful for anyone studying human physiology or biology. The book applies Universal Design for Learning principles, offering multiple formats and dividing chapters into short, clear sections for easy learning. It is accessible for first-year students and includes review questions with instant feedback, glossaries, and flashcards in each section to reinforce understanding and aid study. No prior experience in anatomy or physiology is required to engage with the material.
To Have or to Hold: Nature's Hidden Relationships
Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing, To Have or To Hold by Sophie Pavelle journeys across the British Isles to explore eight remarkable symbiotic relationships in nature. Through low-carbon travel, Pavelle reveals how alliances—whether spectacular or strange—hold ecosystems together, bolstering resilience amid climate and biodiversity crises. From rainforests to tidal pools, she uncovers the evolution of cooperation and exploitation, celebrating nature’s inventiveness while questioning our role in it. Are humans partners or parasites in the natural world? Pavelle challenges us to cherish and protect what remains, forging a more restorative coexistence with the planet’s intricate web of life.
Lone Wolf: Walking the Line Between Civilization and Wildness
In Lone Wolf, Adam Weymouth retraces the thousand-mile journey of Slavc, a Slovenian wolf whose epic trek across the Alps led to the region’s first wolf pack in a century. As Weymouth follows Slavc’s GPS trail, he investigates the return of wolves after centuries, the challenges and hopes faced by rural communities, and the broader issues of immigration, politics, and climate change. The book blends natural history with cultural and political exploration, prompting reflection on our relationship with nature, borders, and one another, and revealing the courage needed to accept change in a transforming world.
Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World
Stephen S. Hall’s Slither reexamines snakes as awe-inspiring creatures, exploring their biological traits, mythological symbolism, and cultural impact across history, art, and science. Each chapter blends naturalistic study with scientific insights and new research on snake evolution, revealing why snakes provoke both fear and fascination. Through stories of ancient deities, poetic inspiration, and cutting-edge discoveries, Hall shows how snakes’ movement, venom, and reputation have shaped human imagination and even health research, inviting readers to reconsider snakes with curiosity rather than disgust.
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the World: A Guide to Their Diversity
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the World is an illustrated guide that celebrates the remarkable diversity and ecological significance of these insects. Highlighting hundreds of vivid species, the book explains their evolution and essential role as indicators of planetary health, with adults excelling as aerial hunters and nymphs relying on freshwater habitats. It characterizes all families and major subgroups, explores unique adaptations and behaviors, and discusses their importance for biodiversity. The guide also shows how human interest influences their protection and popularization, making it a valuable resource for anyone intrigued by nature’s vibrant species.
What the Body Knows: A Guide to the New Science of Our Immune System
What the Body Knows by John Trowsdale offers an accessible exploration of the immune system, revealing how this complex network of cells, proteins, and chemicals protects us—and occasionally harms us. Capable of fighting infections, detecting cancers, and even influencing brain function, immunity is essential but imperfect. Trowsdale explains how it shapes aging, manages recurring diseases, and impacts chronic conditions like heart disease and dementia, while also accounting for allergies and autoimmune disorders when it misfires. Blending science with vivid insight, this book shows how the immune system underpins nearly every aspect of human life, for both survival and vulnerability.
The Social Genome: The New Science of Nature and Nurture
The Social Genome by Dalton Conley challenges the long-standing nature versus nurture debate, arguing that the real question is how genes and environment interact to shape human development. Introducing the field of sociogenomics, Conley explores how advances in molecular genetics, paired with social science, illuminate the dynamic ways DNA and environment influence one another. Using tools like the polygenic index, researchers can now estimate traits such as education, height, and health outcomes from genetic material. Conley shows how genes affect not only individuals but also families, peers, and partners, raising profound ethical questions about a future transformed by genetic knowledge.
The Philosophy of Evolutionary Theory: Concepts, Inferences, and Probabilities
This book by Elliott Sober goes beyond core evolutionary concepts like natural selection and adaptation, to address a wide range of philosophical questions central to evolutionary biology. Sober examines topics such as fitness, altruism, chance, taxonomy, phylogenetic inference, operationalism, reductionism, conventionalism, null hypotheses, instrumentalism versus realism, the principle of parsimony, causality, determinism, and the knowability of past events. Through clear analysis, the book explores key arguments and methods of inference, offering deeper understanding of both Darwinian and contemporary evolutionary theory. It serves as a valuable resource for readers interested in the philosophical foundations of evolutionary biology.
The Evolution of Imperfection: The Science of Why We Aren't and Can't Be Perfect
The Evolution of Imperfection by Laurence Hurst challenges the assumption that evolution is a process of continual improvement by highlighting the many flaws embedded in our genetic makeup. From high rates of genetic disease to seemingly pointless stretches of DNA, Hurst shows how such imperfections arise from two forces: the unique risks of pregnancy and the historically small size of human populations. These factors increase genetic chance, mutation, and incompatibility. Exploring how genetic medicine now addresses some of these vulnerabilities, Hurst argues that embracing imperfection offers a deeper understanding of evolution and a fuller perspective on what it means to be human.
The Network of Life: A New View of Evolution
Evolution is not just a family tree of branching species, but a dynamic network where interconnections—like horizontal gene transfer, interbreeding, and coevolution—shape all life. David Mindell’s The Network of Life explores how this networked view of evolution offers new insights into species health, adaptation, and the impact of climate change and technology. Mindell argues that embracing the complexity of evolutionary networks is essential for safeguarding the health of humans, other species, and ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.
Everything Evolves: Why Evolution Explains More Than We Think, from Proteins to Politics
In Everything Evolves, Mark Vellend explores evolution as a universal force shaping both life and culture. Beyond biology, he argues that evolution—alongside physics—is a fundamental science that explains phenomena from viruses and giraffes to languages, economies, technologies, and artificial intelligence. By broadening the scope beyond Darwin, Vellend shows how principles of evolution drive human innovation, social systems, and solutions to global challenges like food security and AI development. Offering a sweeping tour of natural and social sciences, the book presents evolution as a unifying framework for understanding the modern world and navigating the complexities of the Anthropocene.
Fantastic Fungi: How Mushrooms Can Heal, Shift Consciousness, and Save the Planet
Fantastic Fungi is the richly illustrated companion to Louie Schwartzberg’s acclaimed documentary, which brought global attention to the power of mushrooms and fungi. Edited by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets and featuring contributions from experts like Michael Pollan, Dr. Andrew Weil, and Eugenia Bone, the book explores fungi’s potential to heal the planet, improve human health, and expand consciousness. With over 400 stunning photographs, it highlights the hidden beauty of the mycelial world while presenting groundbreaking research on fungi as medicine, environmental solution, and cultural catalyst—inviting readers to join a transformative movement rooted in nature’s most extraordinary organisms.
Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth
In Intraterrestrials, biologist Karen Lloyd uncovers the hidden world of life deep beneath Earth’s surface. From ocean methane seeps and Arctic permafrost to Andean volcanoes and Central American jungles, she reveals how newly discovered microbes—thriving in boiling water, acid, or even rock—are reshaping our understanding of life’s possibilities. These “intraterrestrials” breathe rocks, endure for millennia, and illuminate early evolutionary pathways. Blending vivid field accounts with cutting-edge science, Lloyd shows how studying Earth’s deep biosphere not only redefines the limits of life on our planet but also guides the search for extraterrestrial life and humanity’s future resilience.
On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters
Bonnie Tsui’s On Muscle, by the bestselling author of Why We Swim, is a wide-ranging exploration of what muscles are and what they mean to us. Blending science, culture, and personal narrative, Tsui examines how cardiac, smooth, and skeletal muscles sustain life, shape health, and influence ideals of beauty and strength. Through stories of athletes, researchers, and her own family, she reveals muscle’s role in resilience, endurance, and identity. From feats of lifting and running to Double Dutch and healing science, Tsui uncovers the surprising connections between body and mind, showing the poetry in our physical being.
Color in Nature
Color in Nature is a richly illustrated exploration of how color shapes life in the natural world and human experience. Drawing on discoveries in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, psychology, and design, it explains the physics, chemistry, and genetics of color, as well as how animals perceive and use it for communication, reproduction, defense, and survival. The book also examines colors invisible to humans, the evolution of visual strategies, and phenomena like color blindness. Bridging science and art, it reveals both nature’s and humanity’s creative uses of color, offering fresh insight into the vibrant patterns that shape perception and behavior.
The Trouble with Ancient DNA: Telling Stories of the Past with Genomic Science
The Trouble with Ancient DNA by Anna Källén examines how scientific methods and cultural forces shape the stories told about our ancient ancestors. While ancient DNA (aDNA) research offers groundbreaking insights, Källén reveals how narratives about migration, appearance, and identity—like those of Cheddar Man—are influenced by politics, media, and popular curiosity. She critiques the ethical risks of sensationalized interpretations and the privileging of certain questions over others, showing how science, storytelling, and power intersect. This thought-provoking work challenges readers to question which genetic histories we accept and the responsibilities scientists bear in shaping them.
Gain of Function
Gain of Function by Nicholas Evans examines the small but controversial subset of life science experiments that enhance viruses with new traits—such as increased transmissibility or lethality—raising concerns for health, security, and ethics. Tracing debates from early 2010s virology studies to the COVID-19 political firestorm, Evans explains what gain-of-function research is, how it’s regulated, and why it provokes intense scrutiny. Blending science, policy, and ethics, he explores the origins of public concern, the limits of regulation, and the stakes for the future of scientific inquiry and public health, offering a clear guide to one of biology’s most contested frontiers.
Extinctions: From Dinosaurs to You
Extinctions by Charles Frankel explores whether past mass extinctions can teach us how to avoid future planetary catastrophe. Using geological history—from asteroid impacts to Ice Age die-offs—Frankel reveals how ecosystems collapse and considers whether such tides could be slowed or reversed. Drawing parallels to today’s climate crisis and loss of biodiversity, he argues that human survival depends on curbing destructive consumption and conserving remaining species. Blending science and history, Frankel offers both a warning and a call to action: life is fragile, but with conscious change, we can shape a new evolutionary future instead of awaiting inevitable disaster.
The Science of Cooking: Understanding the Biology and Chemistry Behind Food and Cooking
The Science of Cooking: Understanding the Biology and Chemistry Behind Food and Cooking (Second Edition) uses the universal language of food to teach core concepts in chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. Designed for both science and non-science majors, it breaks down molecular-level processes into accessible explanations, supported by over 30 hands-on, inquiry-based activities and cooking labs that can be done in classrooms or at home. New chapters on foundational chemistry and biochemistry, real-world recipes paired with scientific insights, and enhanced learning tools make it ideal for future chefs, dietitians, scientists, and curious learners seeking to connect culinary practice with scientific understanding.
Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA
Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins by geneticist and anti-racism educator Shoumita Dasgupta delivers a science-based challenge to misconceptions about human difference. Drawing on history, current events, and cutting-edge research, Dasgupta dismantles myths about the genetic basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and class. She reveals how biology is often misrepresented—by doctors, scientists, and the public alike—to justify bias, and offers tools for interpreting science responsibly. With an intersectional lens, the book disentangles fact from prejudice, showing that our identities are shaped far more by society than by DNA—an empowering resource for combating misinformation and fostering equity.
Victorian Nightshades: How the Solanaceae Shaped the Modern World
Victorian Nightshades traces the 19th-century rise of the Solanaceae—a plant family long feared in England for its poisonous and psychoactive traits—into cultural and economic prominence. From the ominous belladonna and bittersweet to potatoes, tobacco, petunias, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes, Campbell explores how these plants shifted from symbols of witchcraft and danger to staples of beauty, cuisine, and commerce. Through the lens of science, medicine, evolutionary theory, and popular culture, the nightshades’ story reveals Victorian tensions between superstition and knowledge, morality and desire—ultimately reflecting the era’s transformation from fear of the unfamiliar to embrace of modernity.
Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird
Starlings by Mike Stark chronicles the European starling’s controversial journey in America. Released in Central Park by an aristocrat hoping to enrich birdlife, the species spread nationwide within sixty years, reaching over 200 million. Reviled for crop damage and urban invasions, starlings faced an eccentric war involving dynamite, bounties, fake owls, and more—yet persisted through remarkable adaptability. While many saw them as pests, others admired their dazzling aerial murmurations, mimicry of sounds from birds to car alarms, and survival instincts. Blending history, science, and irony, Stark offers a love-hate portrait of one of America’s most notorious—and misunderstood—avian invaders.
Smithson's Gamble: The Smithsonian Institution in American Life, 1836-1906
Smithson’s Gamble by Tom D. Crouch traces the Smithsonian Institution’s first 60 years, from James Smithson’s unlikely bequest to its rise as the world’s largest museum and research complex. Evolving from a small, focused entity into a leader in disciplines from astrophysics to zoology, it shaped America’s identity, advanced conservation, and even birthed the national weather service. Through political intrigue, controversy, and scientific triumphs, Crouch’s account reveals how curiosity and exploration drove progress, fueled by dedicated researchers and citizen scientists. Rich with characters, drama, and innovation, it captures how Smithson’s vision became a cornerstone of American cultural and scientific life.
Shimmer: Flying Fox Exuberance in Worlds of Peril
In her final book before her death in 2018, Deborah Bird Rose reflects on years of research with flying‑foxes, blending multispecies ethnography, wildlife conservation, and Aboriginal knowledge in eastern Australia. Immersed in the beauty, complexity, and vulnerability of these creatures, she witnesses both hope and heartbreak in efforts to save them from extinction. Through encounters of passion, cruelty, generosity, and wild wonder, Rose reveals how living with flying‑foxes illuminates urgent questions about life on Earth. She advocates for an “ethics of attention” — a mindful, everyday practice of care — rooted in connection, transformation, and the shimmering interdependence of all life.
Sex Is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary
Sex Is a Spectrum by Agustín Fuentes challenges the binary view of sex, revealing that human biology and identity are far more complex than simply male or female. Drawing on evolutionary biology, anthropology, and current science, Fuentes explores the diverse ways sex exists in nature and throughout human history, from our ancestors’ varied gender roles to today’s lived experiences. Addressing debates in sports, medicine, and culture, he explains why XX or XY chromosomes don’t fully define us. This engaging, evidence-based work argues for embracing a biocultural spectrum of human variation, showing that rigid binaries misrepresent—and can harm—our understanding of humanity.
Feminism in the Wild: How Human Biases Shape Our Understanding of Animal Behavior
Feminism in the Wild by Ambika Kamath and Melina Packer explores how dominant cultural biases—such as sexism, racism, capitalism, and ableism—have shaped the study of animal behavior. The book critiques how scientists often project human norms onto animals, reinforcing oppressive systems by labeling them as “natural.” Drawing on feminist, antiracist, queer, disability justice, and Marxist thought, the authors challenge assumptions in evolutionary biology and propose more inclusive, critical approaches. Blending science with social critique, this collaborative work invites readers to rethink how we study animals—and why it matters for creating a more just world.
The Concise Book of the Moving Body
The Concise Book of the Moving Body, Second Edition is a fully illustrated guide to human anatomy, focusing on the musculoskeletal system, joints, and nerves. With over 500 color drawings and detailed charts, it’s ideal for students, therapists, and athletes. Organized into nine accessible chapters, it covers bones, muscles, tissues, and functional movement in daily life. New to this edition are chapters on the peripheral nervous system and the musculoskeletal system in motion, including everyday activities like walking and running. Designed for beginners in anatomy, it’s a valuable resource for bodywork, physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, and more.
Virality Vitality
Virality Vitality examines the history and present of virology, highlighting how viruses challenge our definitions of life and blur boundaries between self and other. Drawing on Derrida and biodeconstruction, the book explores the intertwined agency of viruses and living beings, questioning established scientific and philosophical concepts. It offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between the living and the nonhuman, showing how the borders between them are artificial, shifting, and open to interpretation—inviting new ways of thinking in science, philosophy, and ecocriticism.
Understanding and Addressing Misinformation about Science
In today’s digital age, misinformation about science spreads rapidly, making it difficult for individuals to discern accurate information. This issue poses risks at personal, community, and societal levels. Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science analyzes how misinformation arises—both intentionally and unintentionally—and its wide-ranging impacts. It emphasizes the importance of improving access to reliable scientific information to counteract misinformation. It offers evidence-based guidance on interventions and policies, considering the broader historical and social context. Ultimately, it provides a comprehensive framework for tackling misinformation and fostering trust in science across diverse populations.
Epigenetics in Ecology and Evolution
Epigenetics in Ecology and Evolution traces the history and molecular mechanisms of epigenetics, highlighting its growing importance in biology, medicine, and agriculture. The book explores how epigenetic processes influence ecology and evolution in plants and animals, and their broader societal impacts. By examining epigenetics at cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels, it makes complex concepts accessible to students, professionals, and curious readers alike. The goal is to foster a critical, informed understanding of how genetics and epigenetics interact to shape life across diverse scales and applications.
The Risks and Ethics of Human Gene Editing: A Philosophical Guide to the Arguments
The Risks and Ethics of Human Gene Editing: A Philosophical Guide to the Arguments explores the ethical and philosophical challenges of editing the human germline—heritable changes to embryos or germ cells. The book maps the current scholarly debate, critically examines key arguments, and considers whether germline editing is uniquely problematic or justifiable in certain cases. Applying an ethics of risk perspective, it advocates for a morally cautious approach to human gene editing. This guide is essential for anyone seeking a clear, balanced overview of the complex risks and ethical questions surrounding the future of human genetic modification.
Seaweeds of the World: A Guide to Every Order
Seaweeds of the World is a richly illustrated guide exploring the diversity of seaweeds, from tiny microscopic forms to giant kelps. Highlighting their vital ecological roles and uses in food and fuel, the book explains their biology, distinguishing the three main groups—red, green, and brown algae—and their complex life cycles. With nearly 250 color photos, diagrams, and maps, it covers every major family and genus, offering an accessible and comprehensive introduction to these fascinating, often overlooked marine organisms.
Stand Out with Your Scientific Poster: A Step by Step Approach
This book provides you with a step-by-step guide to making a scientific poster that has real impact. Are you a researcher who struggles when it comes to creating scientific posters? Or do you simply want to get better at it? This book provides you with a step-by-step guide to making a poster that has real impact to ensure you stand out from the crowd at your next poster fair. A practical guide that gives you answers to questions like: what to put on a poster (and mainly: what not to)? How do you come up with a title that immediately grabs people's attention? What are the best images to use? How many words can you include on your poster? And much, much more... Everything you need to get started step-by-step and quickly achieve the best result.
Phenology
Phenology explores the timing of seasonal events in plants and animals—like leafing, blooming, migration, and hibernation—and how these patterns are shifting due to climate change. Theresa Crimmins explains how everyday observations connect us all to the science of phenology, highlighting both visible and hidden seasonal changes. The book emphasizes the importance of tracking these events, not only for personal enjoyment and mental health, but also to contribute valuable data that supports climate action. Ultimately, it encourages readers to become “everyday phenologists” and help document nature’s changing rhythms.
Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth
“Infinite Life” by Jules Howard explores the often-overlooked significance of eggs in Earth’s biological history. Eggs are the origin of 90% of Earth’s organisms, found from deep-sea volcanoes to space. Howard argues that eggs deserve more attention in evolutionary studies, as they can provide unique insights into Earth’s history and natural selection. The book examines eggs from their earliest forms to fossilized discoveries, covering topics like yolk evolution, dinosaur eggshells, and animals that both lay eggs and give birth to live young. Through this comprehensive exploration, Howard highlights the diversity and impact of eggs on life on Earth.
Do Plants Know Math?: Unwinding the Story of Plant Spirals, from Leonardo Da Vinci to Now
“Do Plants Know Math?” explores the fascinating world of botanical spirals and the scientists who studied them. From Darwin to da Vinci to Turing, great minds were captivated by Fibonacci patterns in nature. The book delves into the history of this obsession, presenting a new geometrical solution to explain regular and irregular spiral patterns in plants. It covers related plant geometries like fractals and leaf folding, accompanied by stunning illustrations. The book aims to inspire readers to see botanical patterns with fresh eyes, offering hands-on activities and recipes to engage with these intriguing natural phenomena.
One Man in his Time: A Memoir
Nicholas Borodin, a prominent Russian microbiologist, navigated a successful career during Stalin’s era, cooperating with the Soviet regime and even the Secret Police. However, during a 1948 UK trip, he became acutely aware of the intellectual suppression in his homeland. This realization led him to commit treason by renouncing his Soviet citizenship. “One Man in his Time” chronicles Borodin’s journey from a revolutionary childhood through his scientific pursuits amidst the purges, offering a candid portrayal of life under totalitarianism and his collaboration with Soviet authorities.
Into the Great Wide Ocean: Life in the Least Known Habitat on Earth
“Into the Great Wide Ocean” explores the mysterious world of open ocean life and the scientists who study it. Sönke Johnsen describes how marine organisms adapt to unique challenges like darkness, pressure, and finding food and mates in this vast environment. The book highlights the diverse creatures inhabiting this realm, from giant squid to bioluminescent anglerfish. Johnsen intertwines scientific insights with personal stories of researchers, emphasizing the joys and difficulties of studying this alien world. The author also addresses the threats facing this ecosystem due to human activity, underlining the urgency of understanding and preserving this crucial part of Earth’s biosphere.
Macroevolutionaries: Reflections on Natural History, Paleontology, and Stephen Jay Gould
“Macroevolutionaries” by Bruce S. Lieberman and Niles Eldredge pays homage to paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould through a series of essays on natural history. The authors, who were Gould’s colleagues and friends, explore major evolutionary concepts like punctuated equilibria and mass extinctions. They connect paleontology to popular culture, philosophy, and the history of science, while also sharing personal anecdotes about Gould. The book demonstrates the continued relevance of Gould’s perspective on evolutionary theory and its place in contemporary life, offering an engaging blend of scientific insight and cultural commentary for readers interested in paleontology and evolutionary biology.
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth
“The Light Eaters” by Zoë Schlanger explores the hidden world of plants, revealing their remarkable abilities to communicate, remember, and adapt. This groundbreaking work challenges our understanding of intelligence and consciousness in the plant kingdom. Schlanger takes readers on a global journey, examining cutting-edge botanical research and the scientists behind it. The book highlights plants’ ingenious survival methods, from mimicry to social behavior, and questions our place in the natural hierarchy. It also delves into the ethical implications of these discoveries, prompting readers to reconsider their relationship with the green world. This critically acclaimed bestseller offers a fresh perspective on plant life, blending scientific insight with captivating storytelling.
The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human
“The Song of the Cell” by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a critically acclaimed book that explores the history and significance of cellular biology. It traces the discovery of cells in the 1600s by Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and how this revolutionized our understanding of living organisms. Mukherjee explains how cells form the basis of human physiology and how cellular dysfunction leads to various diseases. The book also delves into modern cellular therapies and their potential to transform medicine. With vivid storytelling and scientific depth, Mukherjee presents a comprehensive view of cellular biology and its impact on human health.
Dr. Calhoun's Mousery: The Strange Tale of a Celebrated Scientist, a Rodent Dystopia, and the Future of Humanity
“Dr. Calhoun’s Mousery” by Lee Alan Dugatkin explores the fascinating work of John Bumpass Calhoun, an ecologist who conducted experiments on rodent populations to study the effects of overpopulation. Calhoun’s “Mouse Universe 25” and other rodent cities initially provided utopian environments but eventually devolved into chaotic, dysfunctional societies. His research gained widespread attention, influencing urban planning, literature, and discussions on human overpopulation. The book delves into Calhoun’s rise to scientific stardom, his concept of “behavioral sinks,” and the cultural impact of his work during the 1960s and 1970s. Dugatkin’s biography offers a compelling look at Calhoun’s life, the changing nature of scientific research, and the potential lessons animal behavior can teach us about human society.
What's in Your Genome?: 90% of Your Genome Is Junk
“What’s in Your Genome?” explores the human genome’s composition, highlighting that only 10% consists of functional elements like genes and regulatory regions. The book argues that 90% is junk DNA, comprising broken genes, transposons, and viral remnants. It examines the controversial debate surrounding this conclusion, addressing misconceptions in scientific literature and popular media. The author, Laurence A. Moran, traces the concept of junk DNA to the 1960s, explaining how nearly neutral theory and genetic drift support the idea of genomes containing non-functional DNA. The book aims to provide an accurate, up-to-date understanding of the human genome’s content.
The San Joaquin Kit Fox: Biology, Ecology, and Conservation of an Endangered Species
The San Joaquin Kit Fox, a small wild canid native to central California, faces significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss from development. Brian L. Cypher’s book synthesizes biological and ecological data on this endangered species, detailing its evolutionary history, distribution, habitat preferences, and mortality sources. The author explores the complex relationship between the fox, humans, and land use, documenting historical and contemporary conservation efforts. This accessible and illustrated reference serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and conservationists working to secure the future of this charismatic creature and similar species.
Life As No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence
“Life as No One Knows It” by Sara Imari Walker presents a groundbreaking scientific theory on the nature and emergence of life. Walker argues that current definitions of life are inadequate and proposes a new paradigm to understand life’s origins and potential forms beyond Earth. The book explores the work of innovative scientists tackling this complex problem and introduces a novel theory for identifying and classifying life universally. Walker’s approach aims to bridge the gap between physics and biology, offering a fresh perspective on one of science’s most challenging questions.
The Biology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
“The Biology Book” is a comprehensive guide that explores key discoveries and theories in biology. Part of the Big Ideas series, it presents complex topics in an accessible format through vibrant graphics and diagrams. The book covers over 95 crucial ideas in biology and life sciences, including DNA, genetic inheritance, vaccines, cloning, neuroscience, human evolution, and gene editing. It introduces influential scientists like Linnaeus, Lamarck, Darwin, and Mendel. With its visual approach and easy-to-follow text, this book serves as an excellent resource for both novices and experts, offering a fresh perspective on biology and its core concepts.
The Secret Life of the Universe: An Astrobiologist's Search for the Origins and Frontiers of Life
“The Secret Life of the Universe” by Nathalie A. Cabrol explores humanity’s quest to find extraterrestrial life. This comprehensive guide delves into the origins of life on Earth, the potential for life on Mars and icy moons in our solar system, and the search for habitable exoplanets. Cabrol, an astrobiologist and director of the Carl Sagan Center at SETI, presents cutting-edge research and recent astronomical discoveries that suggest the possibility of widespread life in the universe. The book offers an authoritative and awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos, addressing one of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone?
Transformer: The Deep Chemistry of Life and Death
Nick Lane’s “Transformer” explores the Krebs cycle, a fundamental metabolic process, as the key to understanding life and death. The book challenges the focus on genetic information in biology, emphasizing the importance of our inherited metabolic network. Lane argues that the same simple chemistry driving the Krebs cycle both sustains life and leads to our demise. He investigates how this cycle, operating in reverse, created the building blocks for life’s origin, while its forward operation powers our cells and contributes to aging. “Transformer” connects cellular metabolism to broader questions about life’s origin, aging, and consciousness, presenting metabolism as the deep logic underlying biological phenomena.
The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life's Deepest Secrets
“The Catalyst” by Thomas R. Cech highlights RNA’s pivotal role in biology, challenging DNA’s dominance as the “secret of life.” The book explores RNA’s significance in life’s origins, human uniqueness, and health. Cech traces RNA’s journey from a passive DNA servant to a central player in cellular reactions. He discusses its involvement in aging, diseases, and groundbreaking therapies like CRISPR and mRNA vaccines. The author presents RNA as key to understanding life’s mysteries and shaping the future of medicine, offering insights into potential life-extending technologies.
The Story of Nature: A Human History
“The Story of Nature: A Human History” by Jeremy Mynott explores humanity’s evolving relationship with the natural world from prehistory to the present. The book traces our understanding of nature through various eras, from cave paintings to the Romantic period’s landscape discovery, culminating in today’s climate crisis. Mynott examines how human perceptions of nature have shaped our interactions with it, revealing deep-rooted desires to control the environment. As we face ecological challenges, the author suggests that human imagination and wonder can play a crucial role in restoring our connection to nature and understanding its significance in our lives.
Serendipity: The Unexpected in Science
“Serendipity” by Telmo Pievani explores the role of unexpected discoveries in scientific progress. The book delves into the concept’s origins, presents a taxonomy of serendipitous findings, and examines the conditions that foster such discoveries. Pievani argues that serendipity is not mere luck but a combination of curiosity, sagacity, and imagination. He illustrates this through various examples beyond common ones like penicillin or X-rays. The author emphasizes that serendipity reveals the vastness of human ignorance and highlights how the human brain, evolved within the world it investigates, is uniquely suited to make these unexpected connections.
The Genetic Book of the Dead: A Darwinian Reverie
Richard Dawkins' new book presents a novel perspective on living organisms, viewing them as documents describing ancient worlds. He argues that an animal's body, behavior, and genes can be read like a book, revealing its ancestral history. This approach allows scientists to decode the evolutionary past of species, uncovering how they adapted to their environments and developed similar solutions to life's challenges. Dawkins illustrates this concept with examples like a camouflaged lizard whose skin "paints" its ancestral landscape. The book offers a groundbreaking exploration of Darwinian evolution's power to illuminate the past, providing a vivid and nuanced view of evolutionary history.
Lost Frogs and Hot Snakes: Herpetologists' Tales from the Field
"Lost Frogs and Hot Snakes," edited by Martha L. Crump, offers a captivating glimpse into the world of herpetology through 50 field biologists' essays. From Peru's beaches to China's mountains, readers experience the excitement and challenges of studying amphibians and reptiles in their natural habitats. The collection recounts mishaps, discoveries, and rare encounters, providing insight into the daily life of field biologists. With warmth and humor, these stories highlight the importance of engaging with nature and underscore the critical role of amphibians and reptiles in our planet's ecosystem.
The Scientific Legacy of Har Gobind Khorana: Total Synthesis and the Genetic Code
Har Gobind Khorana's scientific biography traces his remarkable journey from rural poverty in India to becoming a Nobel Prize-winning chemist in the United States. The book chronicles his education in Britain and Switzerland, followed by his career in Canada and the US. It details Khorana's groundbreaking achievements, including deciphering the genetic code, synthesizing the first functional gene, contributing to PCR technology, and studying the structure-function relationship of biological macromolecules in membranes. The biography emphasizes Khorana's unwavering dedication to science and explores his enduring legacy, offering inspiration for future generations of scientists.
From Chromosomes to Mobile Genetic Elements: The Life and Work of Nobel Laureate Barbara Mcclintock
Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), a Nobel Laureate in cytogenetics and evolutionary biology, is the subject of this comprehensive biography. The book traces her scientific journey from her early years through her groundbreaking discovery of transposable elements in the mid-1940s, which eventually earned her the Nobel Prize. It contextualizes McClintock's life and work within the social and scientific landscape of her time, debunking myths and misinterpretations surrounding her career. The biography covers her family background, education, research in Nazi Germany, and her significant contributions to the field long before her Nobel-winning discovery. It offers a well-documented, demystified account of McClintock's life and her lasting impact on genetics.
Of Cockroaches and Crickets: Learning to Love Creatures That Skitter and Jump
Entomologist Frank Nischk's book challenges our perceptions of "nasty" insects, particularly cockroaches. Through humorous and captivating anecdotes, he reveals the fascinating world of these often-misunderstood creatures. Nischk's journey from hummingbird research to cockroach studies leads to surprising discoveries about their resilience, parenting skills, and adaptability. His adventures in Ecuador's insect-rich jungles and encounters with various species showcase the diversity and importance of insects in our ecosystem. The book offers a fresh perspective on bugs, encouraging readers to appreciate their beauty and significance in the natural world.
The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall
Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies embark on a 3,000-mile migration from Canada to Mexico, captivating butterfly enthusiasts along the way. This book explores the monarch's incredible journey, its rise to public attention following a 1976 National Geographic article, and the subsequent conservation efforts. The author, Monika Maeckle, delves into the butterflies' history, current challenges, and the community of scientists and advocates working to protect them. The book also examines broader issues of climate change and the balance between advocacy and scientific accuracy, encouraging readers to appreciate and preserve the natural wonders around them.
Dissection Photography: Cadavers, Abjection, and the Formation of Identity
In "Dissection Photography: A Cultural History," the author explores a shocking genre of late 19th and early 20th-century photography where medical students posed with cadavers. The book unveils previously unseen images and anecdotes, examining the visual culture of death in anatomy labs from both photographic and medical viewpoints. It delves into how these photographs became an expression of student identity and evolved into a transgressive ritual that eventually superseded the act of dissection itself. This unique cultural history sheds light on a little-known aspect of medical education and the complex relationship between death, science, and photography during this period.
Octopus Biology and Ecology
"Octopus Biology and Ecology" offers a comprehensive exploration of these remarkable creatures, covering their origins, life cycles, behaviors, and habitats. The book features detailed accounts of 21 species worldwide, accompanied by vibrant images. It delves into the potential impacts of climate change on octopuses and highlights emerging research areas, including cognition, citizen science, and deep-sea studies. This invaluable resource serves marine biologists, students, and professionals in fisheries and aquaculture. As octopuses become increasingly important for human consumption, the book provides crucial information to support sustainable exploitation and conservation efforts.
Slippery Beast: A True Crime Natural History, with Eels
Ellen Ruppel Shell's "Slippery Beast" explores the enigmatic world of eels, blending true crime, natural history, and economics. The book delves into the eel's 200-million-year history, their recent population decline, and their culinary appeal as unagi. Shell investigates the mysterious life cycle of eels, their valuable elvers, and the billion-dollar illegal trade surrounding them. She follows the eel's journey from Maine to the Sargasso Sea, uncovering poaching operations and exploring potential solutions like America's first commercial eel farm. This captivating narrative offers a unique perspective on an often-overlooked creature that reveals as much about human nature as it does about eels themselves.
Female Biology
USF professor Jennifer Dever's textbook derives from a course called "Female Biology" developed over 20 years ago to address a gap in undergraduate biology education. The course focuses on the evolutionary aspects of being female and women's specific health issues, topics often overlooked in traditional male-centric biology textbooks. It highlights the unique biological aspects of females, inequities faced by female scientists, and covers topics such as sex evolution, gender identity, sexuality, reproduction, anatomy, and physiology. The course also addresses healthcare disparities among marginalized female and transgender populations, aiming to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to biology education.
Book summaries composed with AI-assistance.