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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Human biology & related topics > General
These two volumes demonstrate the role of cellular mechanisms in the production of the many specialized traits defining primates. By exploring gene activity transforming into evolutionary change through the work of cellular mechanisms, the goal is to encourage others to adopt evolutionary cell biology as an approach to the genotype-phenotype map of the diversification of primates, human variation, and human evolution. Contributors highlight how genetic analysis, visualization of cells and tissues, and merging Evo-Devo with evolutionary cell biology combine to answer questions central to understanding the human and primate evolution. Key Features Explores the developmental basis of characteristics that define the primate lineage Documents cellular mechanisms associated with everything from skin and eneregetics to the brain and communication. Chapters by a team of leading international researchers
Surnames are inherited in much the same way as are biological traits. Since surnames were generally adopted - in Europe during Medieval times - their distribution has become very uneven: analysis of the present geographic patterns provides an insight into the kind of redistribution of genes that has resulted from all the migrations of the intervening years. Using non-technical language and a minimum of mathematics, this book presents a lucid description and evaluation of these studies of the genetic structure of human populations. A special feature is the appendix which presents computer-generated maps and distribution diagrams of 100 common surnames in England and Wales.
Originally published in 1976, this introduction to hearing was intended to provide a sufficient introduction to each of several subareas of hearing so that the serious student can read the more advanced treatments with greater appreciation and understanding. It was intended for upper graduate and graduate students. It assumes some mathematical sophistication - calculus for example, but there is some review of more basic concepts, such as logarithms. There is also a brief treatment of the necessary material from the different disciplines - physics, physiology, psychology, anatomy and mathematics - that a student of hearing will need to know.
This book discusses the European Union's approach to governance reform in its development assistance relationships with various groups of developing countries. A group of expert authors outline the general features of the position on governance taken by the EU, which is currently the major multilateral donor of development assistance, and discuss the implementation of EU policies in a set of cases: the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, the Euro-Mediterranean, Latin America and fragile states. The contributions to the book argue that the EU's position on governance reform, particularly since the adoption of the European Consensus on Development in 2005, has had distinctly neoliberal overtones. The EU's governance-related strategies have been instrumental to deepening market-based reform in aid-receiving countries. Policies on state-building adopted by the EU reflect mainly the interests of and ideas embraced by the EU and its member states. To an important extent, the rhetoric accompanying EU policies does not match with the political and social dynamics inherent in governance structures on the ground in many of its aid-recipient partner countries. This book was published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.
It has become received wisdom that our world is doomed, that we live in the End of Days. Bleak predictions by psychics and scientists alike portend extreme weather, droughts, famines and floods that will overtake humanity within the century, or sooner. If not global warming, then supervolcanoes, meteoric impacts, nuclear war, bioterrorism, or natural plagues will get us. But whatever happens, Michael Hanlon believes that humankind will go on...and on. The shape of things to come will be strange, and somewhat terrifying, but will very likely seem banal to the people who inhabit it in the future. Humankind may be thrown back to the Stone Age on hundreds of occasions and may come close to extinction. But recovery will follow--each time more rapidly than the last. The world of 10,000 years hence, let alone 100,000,000 years hence, will be strange and almost unrecognizable. But no matter how battered and re-born, it will still be "our" world, populated by "us" through eternity.
This proceedings volume describes the current state of research dealing with biological shape analysis. The quantitative analysis of the shape of biological organisms represents a challenge that has now seen breakthroughs with new methodologies such as elliptical Fourier analysis, quantitative trait loci analysis (QTLs), thin plate splines, etc. The volume also illustrates the diversity of disciplines that are actively involved in the characterization and analysis of the biological shape. Some of the papers deal with the need to relate the underlying genome responsible for the actual observed characteristics of form. Moreover, many of the papers focus on the relationship of the shape to the processes that determine the biological form, an issue of major continuing concern in biology.This volume brings together for the second time practitioners from a variety of disciplines who have been concerned with the necessity of applying new methods to the analysis of biological shape. Previous methodologies based on the conventional metrical approach (distances, angles and ratios), have not been able to adequately capture - in quantitative terms - the subtleties and complexities of biological form due to its irregularity. This volume represents an initial attempt to quantitatively characterize the biological form in both two- and three-dimensions, as it is actually perceived.There is no volume available that deals with the subject matter of these Proceedings. The papers represent, as in the first proceedings, a unique look at: (1) new methodologies developed and used quantitatively describe the biological form; (2) the need to relate the observed biological shape to the underlying processes that determine the shape; and (3) the tremendous diversity of disciplines actively involved in the characterization and analysis of biological shapes. These range from physical anthropology, anatomy, genetics, botany, entomology, forensics, to applied mathematics, etc.
'A new approach to mental disorder. Randolph Nesse's insightful book suggests that conditions such as anxiety and depression have a clear evolutionary purpose ... This intriguing book turns some age-old questions about the human condition upside down' Tim Adams, Observer One of the world's most respected psychiatrists provides a much-needed new evolutionary framework for making sense of mental illness With his classic book Why We Get Sick, Randolph Nesse established the field of evolutionary medicine. Now he returns with a book that transforms our understanding of mental disorders by exploring a fundamentally new question. Instead of asking why certain people suffer from mental illness, Nesse asks why natural selection has left us with fragile minds at all. Drawing on revealing stories from his own clinical practice and insights from evolutionary biology, Nesse shows how negative emotions are useful in certain situations, yet can become excessive. Anxiety protects us from harm in the face of danger, but false alarms are inevitable. Low mood prevents us from wasting effort in pursuit of unreachable goals, but it often escalates into pathological depression. Other mental disorders, such as addiction and anorexia, result from the mismatch between modern environments and our ancient human past. Taken together, these insights and many more help to explain the pervasiveness of human suffering, and show us new paths for relieving it. Good Reasons for Bad Feelings will fascinate anyone who wonders how our minds can be so powerful, yet so fragile, and how love and goodness came to exist in organisms shaped to maximize Darwinian fitness.
Essential Computational Modeling for the Human Body presents key contributions selected from the volume in the Handbook of Numerical Analysis: Computational Modeling for the Human Body Vol. 12 (2005). Computational (Mathematical) Modeling is used by scientists and
researchers with various applications in chemical, biological,
behavioral, environmental sciences, etc. This guide presents
essential research techniques for analysis and essential concrete
examples of computational models, while supplying a wide range of
commonly used methods and applications, followed by various
numerical simulations. Provides various viewpoints of methods and applications are available for researchers to chose and experiment with; Numerical analysis and open problems useful for experimentation; Computational Models useful for surgery simulations;
Until the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, the prevailing theory on 'the species question' was that humans were made up of five separate species, created at different times and in different places. This view - known as the 'polygenic theory' - was particularly favoured by naturalists of the early nineteenth-century 'American School' as it provided a scientific justification for slavery. Darwin's Origin demolished this view. This work fills a gap in recent studies on the history of race and science. Focusing on both the classification systems of human variety and the development of science as the arbiter of truth, Brown looks at the rise of the emerging sciences of life and society - biology and sociology - as well as the debate surrounding slavery and abolition.
Microbiota are a promising and fascinating subject in biology because they integrate the microbial communities in humans, animals, plants, and the environment. In humans, microbiota are associated with the gut, skin, and genital, oral, and respiratory organs. The plant microbial community is referred to as "holobiont," and it is influential in the maintenance and health of plants, which themselves play a role in animal health and the environment. The contents of Microbiome-Host Interactions cover all areas as well as new research trends in the fields of plant, animal, human, and environmental microbiome interactions. The book covers microbiota in polar soil environments, in health and disease, in Caenorhabditis elegans, and in agroecosystems, as well as in rice root and actinorhizal root nodules, speleothems, and marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents. Moreover, this book provides comprehensive accounts of advanced next-generation DNA sequencing, metagenomic techniques, high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing, and understanding nucleic acid sequence data from fungal, algal, viral, bacterial, cyanobacterial, actinobacterial, and archaeal communities using QIIME software (Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology). FEATURES Summarizes recent insight in microbiota and host interactions in distinct habitats, including Antarctic, hydrothermal vents, speleothems, oral, skin, gut, feces, reproductive tract, soil, root, root nodules, forests, and mangroves Illustrates the high-throughput amplicon sequencing, computational techniques involved in the microbiota analysis, downstream analysis and visualization, and multivariate analysis commonly used for microbiome analysis Describes probiotics and prebiotics in the composition of the gut microbiota, skin microbiome impact in dermatologic disease prevention, and microbial communities in the reproductive tract of humans and animals Presents information in a reachable way for students, teachers, researchers, microbiologists, computational biologists, and other professionals who are interested in strengthening or enlarging their knowledge about microbiome analysis with next-generation DNA sequencing in the different branches of the sciences
Harry Baker and Rosalind Ridley have done an admirable job in assem bling this collection of articles that describe the methodology frequently used to study a group of CNS illnesses often referred to as the "prion diseases." Research on prions and the disorders that they cause has progressed relatively rapidly over the last decade since the discovery of the prion protein (PrP) that allowed the application of modem molecular biological and genetic tools. The power of these techniques is awesome and their use in deciphering the once mysterious prion diseases has brought a wealth of new information. Although prions are unprecedented pathogens, appearing to consist only of PrPSc molecules, the diseases that they cause are no less remarkable. The prion diseases in animals include scrapie of sheep and goats as well as "mad cow" disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In the United King dom, the epidemic of BSE has heightened public awareness of this previously obscure group of diseases such that any work in the field is likely to stir up interest in the media and become a subject of public debate. It has been diffi cult for British investigators to work on prion diseases without being involved in these controversies. As such, several chapters have been included that deal with political and social issues surrounding prion diseases. The human prion diseases present an equally fascinating saga in which these CNS degenerations present as genetic, sporadic, and infectious illnesses."
In "Body Parts," E. Richard Gold examines whether the body and materials derived from it -- such as human organs and DNA -- should be thought of as market commodities and subject to property law. Analyzing a series of court decisions concerning property rights, Gold explores whether the language and assumptions of property law can help society determine who has rights to human biological materials. Gold observes that the commercial opportunities unleashed by advances in biotechnology present a challenge to the ways that society has traditionally valued the human body and human health. In a balanced discussion of both commercial and individual perspectives, Gold asserts the need to understand human biological materials within the context of human values, rather than economic interests. This perceptive book will be welcomed by scholars and other professionals engaged in questions regarding bioethics, applied ethics, the philosophy of value, and property and intellectual property rights. Given the international aspects of both intellectual property law and biotechnology, this book will be of interest throughout the world and especially valuable in common-law (most English-speaking) countries.
'Thrilling and eye-opening' Lewis Dartnell 'Unpicks everything we thought we knew... Mind blowing' Cal Flyn 'A revelation' Sathnam Sanghera Humans did not make history - we played host. According to the accepted narrative of progress, a few great humans have bent the arc of history. But in this revelatory book, Dr Jonathan Kennedy argues that germs have done more to shape humanity at every stage, from the first success of Homo sapiens over the equally intelligent Neanderthals to the fall of Rome and the rise of Islam. How did an Indonesian volcano help cause the Black Death, setting Europe on the road to capitalism? How could 168 men extract the largest ransom in history from an opposing army of eighty thousand? And why did the Industrial Revolution lead to the birth of the modern welfare state? The latest science reveals that infectious diseases are not just something that happens to us, but a fundamental part of who we are. Indeed, the only reason humans don't lay eggs is that a virus long ago inserted itself into our DNA, and there are as many bacteria in your body as there are human cells. We have been thinking about the survival of the fittest all wrong: evolution is not simply about human strength and intelligence, but about how we live and thrive in a world dominated by microbes. By exploring the startling intimacy of our relationship with infectious diseases, Kennedy shows how they have been responsible for some of the seismic revolutions of the past 50,000 years. Provocative and brimming with insight, Pathogenesis transforms our understanding of the human story, revealing how the crisis of a pandemic can offer vital opportunities for change.
Offers an original and fertile way to integrate spiritual and scientific views of human evolution. It offers a new and refreshing alternative to the way we think about our origins: random mutation (mechanistic neo-Darwinism), Genesis (God did it all personally), and Intelligent Design (God personally does what we can't otherwise account for). The result is an invigorating perspective on how our best qualities -- our capacity for love, our appreciation of beauty, our altruistic capability, our creativity and intelligence -- have come into being and evolved. How we think about our origin matters: if we think we are machines living among other machines, we will act accordingly. By showing evolution as a creative and intelligent process with its own inherent logic, THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN NATURE resolves the dilemma of how to have, at the same time, both truth and ethics. Instead of starting in an imagined remote and 'uncertain past' and moving to the present, this book starts at the certain and 'immediate present' and works back. That consciousness, creativity, and intelligence exist is certain. The question is: how can these have evolved? Dr Albert Low has made a study of human nature throughout his life. To write this book he draws on his prolonged meditations on creativity and the human condition, his years of providing psychological and spiritual counseling, and a wide-ranging knowledge of Western psychology, philosophy, and science.
The biology of people in the past is a rapidly expanding field of historical study. Our capacity to understand the biology of historical populations is experiencing remarkable developments on both theoretical and analytical fronts. Human Biology and History weaves together the fields of biology, archaeology, and anthropology in an exchange of methods and theoretical perspectives that exemplify the interaction between human biology and history. The book presents methods developed for the analysis of biological material that can be applied to historical specimens to reveal the lifestyles and environments of individuals who lived thousands of years ago. Historical data sources are used to reveal the biology and population structure of past civilizations, while biological methods are used to interpret historical patterns and processes. This multi-disciplinary volume presents a unique interlacing of human biology and history to illustrate how individuals and societies have evolved over time. It is an insightful reference for human biologists, historians, and students interested in the intriguing connections that can be made when scientific techniques are applied within a historical context.
For courses in human biology Explore Human Biology in Relation to Current Issues, in the Text and Online Through his teaching, his textbook, and his online blog, award-winning teacher Michael D. Johnson sparks interest in human biology by connecting basic biology to real-world issues that are relevant to your life. Using a storytelling approach and extensive online support, Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues, 8th Edition not only demystifies how the human body works but also drives you to become a better, more discerning consumer of health and science information. Each chapter opens with Johnson's popular "Current Issues" essays, and within each chapter, "BlogInFocus" references direct readers to his frequently-updated blog for breaking human biology-related news. Also available with Mastering Biology Mastering (TM) Biology is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment product proven to improve results by helping you to quickly master concepts. Benefit from opportunities to practice basic science literacy skills, using interactive resources that create engaging learning experiences. Effective activities in Mastering Biology help further visualize and understand complex biological processes. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with Mastering Biology, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. NOTE: You are purchasing a standalone product; Mastering Biology does not come packaged with this content. If you would like to purchase both the physical text and Mastering Biology search for: 0134042239 / 9780134042237 Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues Plus MasteringBiology with eText -- Access Card Package Package consists of: 0134254902 / 9780134254906 Mastering Biology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues 0134042433 / 9780134042435 Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues, 8th Edition is also available via Pearson eText, a simple-to-use, mobile, personalized reading experience that lets instructors connect with and motivate students - right in their eTextbook. Learn more.
A provocative and timely case for how the science of genetics can help create a more just and equal society In recent years, scientists like Kathryn Paige Harden have shown that DNA makes us different, in our personalities and in our health-and in ways that matter for educational and economic success in our current society. In The Genetic Lottery, Harden introduces readers to the latest genetic science, dismantling dangerous ideas about racial superiority and challenging us to grapple with what equality really means in a world where people are born different. Weaving together personal stories with scientific evidence, Harden shows why our refusal to recognize the power of DNA perpetuates the myth of meritocracy, and argues that we must acknowledge the role of genetic luck if we are ever to create a fair society. Reclaiming genetic science from the legacy of eugenics, this groundbreaking book offers a bold new vision of society where everyone thrives, regardless of how one fares in the genetic lottery.
Evolutionary Medicine is based upon the view that many contemporary social, psychological, and physical illnesses are related to an incompatability between current human lifestyles and environments and the conditions under which human biology developed. This book, featuring contributions from many of the leading workers in this devloping area, provides a good introduction and overview to this emerging field.
The major significance of the German naturalist-physician Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (1752-1840) as a topic of historical study is the fact that he was one of the first anthropologists to investigate humankind as part of natural history. Moreover, Blumenbach was, and continues to be, a central figure in debates about race and racism. How exactly did Blumenbach define race and races? What were his scientific criteria? And which cultural values did he bring to bear on his scheme? Little historical work has been done on Blumenbach's fundamental, influential race work. From his own time till today, several different pronouncements have been made by either followers or opponents, some accusing Blumenbach of being the fountainhead of scientific racism. By contrast, across early nineteenth-century Europe, not least in France, Blumenbach was lionized as an anti-racist whose work supported the unity of humankind and the abolition of slavery. This collection of essays considers how, with Blumenbach and those around him, the study of natural history and, by extension, that of science came to dominate the Western discourse of race.
The twenty-first century presents an increasing number of
environmental problems, including toxic pollution, global warming,
destruction of tropical forests, extinction of biological
diversity, and depletion of natural resources. These environmental
problems are generally due to human behavior, namely
over-consumption of resources and overpopulation. Designing
effective policies to address these problems requires a deep
understanding of human behavior as well as ecology. This in turn
requires considerations of human nature, and the evolutionary
"design" of the human mind.
The twenty-first century presents an increasing number of
environmental problems, including toxic pollution, global warming,
destruction of tropical forests, extinction of biological
diversity, and depletion of natural resources. These environmental
problems are generally due to human behavior, namely
over-consumption of resources and overpopulation. Designing
effective policies to address these problems requires a deep
understanding of human behavior as well as ecology. This in turn
requires considerations of human nature, and the evolutionary
"design" of the human mind.
In our fast-paced world of technology and conveniences, the biological origins of women's inequality can be forgotten. This book offers a richer understanding of gender inequality by explaining a key cause-women's reproductive and lactation patterns. Until about 1900, infants nursed every fifteen minutes on average for two years because very frequent suckling prevented pregnancy. The practice evolved because it maximized infant survival. If a forager child was born before its older sibling could take part in the daily food search, the older one died. This practice persisted until the modern era because until after the discovery of the germ theory of disease, human milk was the only food certain to be unspoiled. Lactation patterns excluded women from the activities that led to political leadership. During the twentieth century the ancient mode declined and women entered the labor market en masse. Joan Huber challenges feminists toward a richer understanding of biological origins of inequality-knowledge that can help women achieve greater equality today. |
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