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Nature and Science December 2017
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| Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone by Juli BerwaldEven as acidification, pollution, and overfishing continue to take a heavy toll on the world's oceans, jellyfish appear to be thriving. But why? Fascinated by these mysterious creatures, science writer Juli Berwald investigates their unique biology as well as the crucial role they play in marine ecosystems. Whether interviewing scientists and fisherman or engaging in some hands-on research (for example, their culinary uses), Berwald reveals the hidden and little-studied world of jellyfish. |
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| The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian... by Lindsey FitzharrisUntil the mid-19th century, surgery was a bloody business with a sky-high mortality rate, primarily due to post-operative infections. Then Quaker surgeon Joseph Lister took Louis Pasteur's germ theory and applied it to surgery, utilizing antiseptics, sterilizing instruments, and laying the groundwork for a medical revolution. Not for the squeamish, historian and blogger Lindsey Fitzharris' engaging biography simultaneously entertains and enlightens readers interested in the history of medicine. |
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| Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott KellyWhat does space smell like? Sparklers on the Fourth of July, according to astronaut Scott Kelly, whose candid memoir provides an often surprising look at life in orbit. Focusing on his year aboard the International Space Station (during which time his twin brother Mark, also an astronaut, remained on Earth as part of a unique research study), Kelly describes his day-to-day experiences in microgravity while reflecting on his decades-long career at NASA. |
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Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
by Barbara J. King
In recent years, scientific advances in our understanding of animal minds have led to major changes in how we think about and treat animals in zoos and aquariums. We are slowly coming to understand that animals like apes, elephants, and dolphins have not just brains, but complicated inner and social lives. Barbara J. King asks us to think hard about our meat eating--and how we might reduce it. Rooted in the latest science, Personalities on the Plate is an unforgettable journey through the world of animals we eat.
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| Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary RoachChicken guns are pretty much what you'd expect, but what about HRVs? That stands for "human research volunteers," by the way, and they're an essential part of keeping soldiers alive, what with testing shark-repellent, flying fighter jets while blindfolded, and injecting themselves with snake venom. Steering clear of the battlefield, bestselling science writer Mary Roach instead focuses on the unsung heroes of military science while tackling, in her signature witty and irreverent style, the quirkier aspects of feeding, clothing, cleaning, and healing members of the armed forces. |
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| Secret Warriors: The Spies, Scientists, and Code Breakers of World War I by Taylor DowningAlthough the trenches of the Western Front dominate the popular imagination, World War I was responsible for some astonishing advances in science and technology. Divided into five loosely connected sections, this book examines developments in aviation, communication, intelligence, weapons, and medicine, all of which played crucial roles in the war effort. For those unfamiliar with the conflict, a glossary of terms and abbreviations, as well as a "Who's Who" section provide context. |
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Terrors and Marvels: How Science and Technology Changed the Character and Outcome of World War II
by Tom Shachtman
The dreadful global conflagration known as the Second World War was more than the clashing of great armies on bloody battlefields. A different kind of war was being waged in the secret laboratories on both sides of the conflict--a war that would alter the course and determine the outcome of the bitter hostilities, forever changing our world and future. Tom Shachtman gives us a riveting chronicle of World War II's forgotten combatants: the engineers, physicists, chemists, and academics whose contributions to the war effort were as important as the noble sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who bravely risked their lives.
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| The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of The Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise KiernanAlthough Oak Ridge, Tennessee, boasted a population of 75,000 and used as much electricity as New York City, the military-constructed town didn't appear on a single map during its World War II heyday. Many of its residents were women, recruited for a variety of positions, sworn to strict secrecy protocols, and told only that their work would ensure a swift, final World War II victory. The nuclear blast at Hiroshima at last revealed their hidden roles, for better or worse. Drawn from interviews with women who lived and worked in Oak Ridge in their youth, The Girls of Atomic City brilliantly illuminates an overlooked chapter of both World War II and women's history. |
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| Predator: The Secret Origins of the Drone Revolution by Richard WhittleBefore 9/11, the drone -- a.k.a. UAV, RPV, and numerous other abbreviations -- was mostly relegated to reconnaissance missions and target practice. In this eye-opening military history, journalist Richard Whittle traces its journey from "niche technology" to mainstream weapons platform. In addition to describing the technical aspects of drones, Whittle also interviews some of the key players in their development and deployment. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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