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Nature and Science October 2021 |
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Subtract : the untapped science of less
by Leidy Klotz
Drawing from his own pioneering research and scientific research throughout history, the author examines cultural, political, and economic trends underlying our neglect of subtraction, asserting that we have billions of years of evidence showing that lifeforms are perfectly capable of subtracting to improve.
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Nerve : Adventures in the Science of Fear by Eva HollandFrozen in terror during a mountain descent, award-winning journalist Eva Holland reaches her breaking point. Since childhood, she's been gripped by two debilitating phobias: fear of losing her mother, and fear of heights. The worst has already happened: Eva's mother died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2015. But now--after an arduous, embarrassing, and tearful finale to her ice-climbing expedition--Eva decides, enough. Fear may define her past, but she won't let it dictate her future.Thus begins Holland's quest to renegotiate her inhibiting relationship with fear. In stirring, raw prose, she reveals what it's like to live in the clutches of paralyzing dread. And with remarkable courage, she tests the limits of what one can do to live less fearfully--from engaging in daring adventure to cutting-edge research: She confronts her acrophobia by jumping out of an airplane, explores the lives of rare individuals who feel little or no fear, and meets with scientists working to eliminate phobias with a single pill.Of course, one doesn't have to go out of the way to face fear; by horrible coincidence, a series of freak accidents leaves Holland deeply shaken. Determined to stay the course, she seeks out a surprisingly effective treatment involving eye movement--to reckon with lingering trauma and anxiety to rid herself of intrusive memories and panics while driving.Ultimately, Holland's odyssey sheds light on universal questions: How do we feel fear, and why? Is fear necessary? Is it rooted in the body or the mind? And it brings her ever closer to knowing: Is there a better way to feel afraid? Finding the nerve to face down her fears, Holland not only shows us how to grapple with our own, but invites us to embrace them as a way to live happier and feel more alive.
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Immunity : the science of staying well : the definitive guide to caring for your immune system by Jenna MacciochiStrengthen your immunity for good. In this groundbreaking book, expert immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi unravels the new science around immunity and decodes exactly what it takes to be well in the modern day. Offering simple, clear and educated advice, and debunking popular myths along the way, Immunity explores the secrets of people who never seem to get ill, why autoimmune disease is more prevalent than ever and how germs are actually good for us. Covering nutrition, exercise, sleep and even mental health, this fascinating book shows us the importance of cultivating long-term health and how to do it.
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Brave New Humans : The Dirty Reality of Donor Conception by Sarah DingleJournalist Sarah Dingle was 27 when she learnt that her identity was a lie. Over dinner one night, her mother casually mentioned Sarah had been conceived using a sperm donor. The man who'd raised Sarah wasn't her father; in fact, she had no idea who her father was. Or who she really was. As the shock receded, Sarah put her professional skills to work and began to investigate her own existence. Thus began a ten-year journey to understand who she was - digging through hospital records, chasing leads and taking a DNA test - that finally led her to her biological origins. What she discovered along the way was shocking: hospital records routinely destroyed, trading of eggs and sperm, women dead, donors exploited, and hundreds of thousands of donor-conceived people globally who will never know who they are. But there's one thing this industry hasn't banked on: the children of the baby business taking on their makers. In a profoundly personal way, Brave New Humans shines a light on the global fertility business today - a booming and largely unregulated industry that takes a startlingly lax approach to huge ethical concerns, not least our fundamental human need to know who we are, and where we come from.
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Getting Closer : Rediscovering Nature Through Bird Photography by Paul SorrellGetting Closer is a beautifully illustrated discussion of photography as a way of achieving greater intimacy with the natural world. With a focus on birds, the book is directed primarily at photographers (of all levels of skill and experience), but also at birders, people interested in the outdoors, and those who would simply like to achieve a deeper connection with the natural world. The introduction makes the case for reconnecting with nature in a way that will draw in a wide range of readers, not just photographers. We have to reconnect, as most of us have lost the spontaneous bond with nature we enjoyed as young children and, in the face of impending ecological disaster, reconnecting with nature is our most urgent task. The author offers a simple, practical path for readers to begin to 'rewild' themselves. This is the focus of the second part of the book, where the author explores ways of becoming attentive to the natural world around you, wherever you may live. Through self-contained spreads on topics ranging from 'the four seasons' and 'winds and tides' to 'flight shots' and 'colour and texture', he introduces basic, hands-on techniques that, with practice, will enable readers to both deeply connect with their environment and become proficient wildlife photographers. 'Top tips' on each spread provide technical information aimed at more serious photographers.
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The Heartbeat of Trees : Embracing Our Ancient Bond With Forests and Nature by Peter WohllebenIn an era of mobile phone addiction and ever-expanding cities, many of us fear we've lost our connection to nature - but Peter Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the natural world remain alive and intact. Whether we observe it or not, our blood pressure stabilises near trees, the colour green calms us and being in the forest sharpens our senses. Drawing on new scientic discoveries, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can have with nature, exploring the language of the forest, the consciousness of plants and the eroding boundary between flora and fauna. Wohlleben shares how to see, feel, smell, hear and even taste your journey into the woods. Above all, he reveals a wondrous cosmos where humans are part of nature, and where conservation is not just about saving trees - it's about saving ourselves, too.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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