Science : Biology

A brain scientist’s journey from a debilitating stroke to full recovery becomes an inspiring exploration of human consciousness and its possibilities. On the morning of December 10, 1996 Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist experienced a massive stroke when a blood vessel exploded in the left side of her brain. A neuroanatomist by profession, she observed her own mind completely deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life, all within the space of four brief hours. As the damaged left side of her brain – the rational, grounded, detail and time-oriented side – swung in and out of function, Taylor alternated between two distinct and opposite realties: the euphoric nirvana of the intuitive and kinesthetic right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace; and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized Jill was having a stroke, and enabled her to seek help before she was lost completely. In My Stroke of Insight, Taylor shares her unique perspective on the brain and its capacity for recovery, and the sense of omniscient understanding she gained from this unusual and inspiring voyage out of the abyss of a wounded brain. It would take eight years for Taylor to heal completely. Because of her knowledge of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and most of all an amazing mother, Taylor completely repaired her mind and recalibrated her understanding of the world according to the insights gained from her right brain that morning of December 10th. Today Taylor is convinced that the stroke was the best thing that could have happened to her. It has taught her that the feeling of nirvana is never more than a mere thought away. By stepping to the right of our left brains, we can all uncover the feelings of well-being and peace that are so often sidelined by our own brain chatter. A fascinating journey into the mecha more...

Price: $19.96

The Dictionary of Human Biology and Evolution is a must-have volume for anyone interested in human biology, primatology or evolution. Packed with 13000 descriptions of terms, specimens, and sites, it also includes word roots, taxonomies and reference tables for extinct and extant primates, and illustrations of landmarks, bones and muscles. more...

Price: $56.00

This book examines the nature of medical knowledge, how it is obtained, and how it can be used for decision support. It provides complete coverage of computational approaches to clinical decision-making. Chapters discuss data integration into healthcare information systems and delivery to point of care for providers, as well as facilitation of direct to consumer access. more...

Price: $93.95

The broad definition of ecology is the study of organisms in relation to their surroundings. This book presents marine ecology as a coherent science, providing undergraduate students with an essential foundation of knowledge in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. The fourth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to meet the needs of today's courses. A new chapter 'Human impact on the marine environment' focuses on issues such as marine pollution, global warming, ocean management, marine nature reserves, and the effects of fisheries and aquaculture. New material has also been added on deep-sea hydrothermal vents and coral reefs, features such as El Nino, and ocean processes including the microbial loop, dissolved organic matter (DOM), and dimethyl sulphide (DMS). more...

Price: $50.95

This clear and concise introduction to bioinformatics will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students in the life sciences, as well as researchers wishing to develop their knowledge of bioinformatics tools. All key areas are covered including biological databases, sequence alignment, genes and promoter prediction, molecular phylogenetics, structural bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics. more...

Price: $48.00