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Why Beauty is Truth: The History of Symmetry
by Ian StewartAt the heart of relativity theory, quantum mechanics, string theory, and much of modern cosmology lies one concept: symmetry. <P><P> In Why Beauty Is Truth, world-famous mathematician Ian Stewart narrates the history of the emergence of this remarkable area of study. Stewart introduces us to such characters as the Renaissance Italian genius, rogue, scholar, and gambler Girolamo Cardano, who stole the modern method of solving cubic equations and published it in the first important book on algebra, and the young revolutionary Evariste Galois, who refashioned the whole of mathematics and founded the field of group theory only to die in a pointless duel over a woman before his work was published. Stewart also explores the strange numerology of real mathematics, in which particular numbers have unique and unpredictable properties related to symmetry. He shows how Wilhelm Killing discovered "Lie groups" with 14, 52, 78, 133, and 248 dimensions-groups whose very existence is a profound puzzle. Finally, Stewart describes the world beyond superstrings: the "octonionic" symmetries that may explain the very existence of the universe.
Why Biodiversity Matters (Changing Planet)
by Nigel DudleyAll life on Earth has the right to exist, but as we teeter on the verge of a sixth extinction this book discusses why biodiversity matters and why we should care if species go extinct. We are witnessing the largest and fastest rate of extinction in the history of the planet. While the concept of rights is a human one, all plants and animals strive to survive, and this book argues for their rights to continue doing so without being driven into premature extinction by human actions. Acknowledging and describing the practical reasons for conserving biodiversity, this book argues that these should not overshadow the compelling ethical reasons to care about the future of species other than our own. However, the issues are complex. What do we do when faced with an immediate ethical choice where biodiversity rights, animal rights, human rights, economic development and ecosystem survival all get mixed up together? There are seldom hard and fast answers, but thinking about and understanding a variety of points of view will help us make informed trade-offs. Drawing on his vast practical experience, the author presents insightful perspectives and real-world examples with the hope that this book will instigate a much-needed rethink about why and how we practise conservation. This book is essential reading for all those concerned with sustaining our planet, and all who inhabit it, in the face of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and ecological collapse.
Why Birds Matter: Avian Ecological Function and Ecosystem Services
by Christopher J. Whelan Daniel G. Wenny Çağan H. Şekercioğlu, Daniel G. Wenny, and Christopher J. WhelanFor over one hundred years, ornithologists and amateur birders have jointly campaigned for the conservation of bird species, documenting not only birds’ beauty and extraordinary diversity, but also their importance to ecosystems worldwide. But while these avian enthusiasts have noted that birds eat fruit, carrion, and pests; spread seed and fertilizer; and pollinate plants, among other services, they have rarely asked what birds are worth in economic terms. In Why Birds Matter, an international collection of ornithologists, botanists, ecologists, conservation biologists, and environmental economists seeks to quantify avian ecosystem services—the myriad benefits that birds provide to humans. The first book to approach ecosystem services from an ornithological perspective, Why Birds Matter asks what economic value we can ascribe to those services, if any, and how this value should inform conservation. Chapters explore the role of birds in such important ecological dynamics as scavenging, nutrient cycling, food chains, and plant-animal interactions—all seen through the lens of human well-being—to show that quantifying avian ecosystem services is crucial when formulating contemporary conservation strategies. Both elucidating challenges and providing examples of specific ecosystem valuations and guidance for calculation, the contributors propose that in order to advance avian conservation, we need to appeal not only to hearts and minds, but also to wallets.
Why Brains Don't Compute
by Dale PurvesThis book examines what seems to be the basic challenge in neuroscience today: understanding how experience generated by the human brain is related to the physical world we live in. The 25 short chapters present the argument and evidence that brains address this problem on a wholly trial and error basis. The goal is to encourage neuroscientists, computer scientists, philosophers, and other interested readers to consider this concept of neural function and its implications, not least of which is the conclusion that brains don’t “compute.”
Why Can't Elephants Jump?
by New ScientistFrom the editors that brought you Why Don't Penguin's Feet Freeze? and Do Sparrows Like Bach?,an exploration of the weird and wonderful margins of science--the latest in brilliant New Scientist series What's the storage capacity of the human brain in gigabytes? Why is frozen milk yellow? Why do flamingos stand on one leg? And why can't elephant's jump? Is it because elephants are too large or heavy (after all, they say hippos and rhinos can play hopscotch)? Or is it because their knees face the wrong way? Or do they just wait until no one's looking? Read this brilliant new compilation to find out. This is popular science at its most absorbing and enjoyable. The previous titles in the New Scientist series have been international bestsellers and sold over two million copies between them and here is another wonderful collection of wise, witty, and often surprising answers to a staggering range of science questions.
Why Can't Elephants Jump?: And 113 Other Tantalizing Science Questions Answered
by New Scientist<P> From the editors that brought you Why Don't Penguins' Feet Freeze? and Do Sparrows Like Bach?, an exploration of the weird and wonderful margin of science—the latest in the brilliant New Scientist series. What’s the storage capacity of the human brain in gigabytes? Why is frozen milk yellow? Why do flamingos stand on one leg? And why can’t elephants jump? Is it because elephants are too large or heavy (after all, they say hippos and rhinos can play hopscotch)? Or is it because their knees face the wrong way? Or do they just wait until no one’s looking? Read this brilliant new compilation to find out. This is popular science at its most absorbing and enjoyable. <P> The previous titles in the New Scientist series have been international bestsellers and sold over two million copies between them. Here is another wonderful collection of wise, witty, and often surprising answers to a staggering range of science questions.
Why Can't I Get Better?: Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease
by Richard I. HorowitzFrom one of the country's foremost doctors comes a ground-breaking book about diagnosing, treating and healing Lyme, and peeling away the layers that lead to chronic disease. You may not know that you have Lyme. It can mimic every disease process including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions like MS, psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety, and cause significant memory and concentration problems, mimicking early dementia. It is called the "Great Imitator," and inaccurate testing-combined with a fierce, ongoing debate that questions chronic infection-makes it difficult for sufferers to find effective care. When Dr. Richard Horowitz moved to the Hudson Valley over two decades ago to start his own medical practice, he had no idea that he was jumping into a hotbed of Lyme disease. He would soon realize that many of the chronic disease diagnoses people were receiving were also the result of Lyme-and he would discover how once-treatable infections, in the absence of timely intervention, could cause disabling conditions. In a field where the number of cases is growing exponentially aroundthe world and answers remain elusive, Dr. Horowitz has treated over 12,000 patients and made extraordinary progress. His plan represents a crucial paradigm shift, without which the suffering will continue. In this book, Dr. Horowitz: - Breaks new ground with a 16 Point Differential Diagnostic Map, the basis for his revolutionary Lyme treatment plan, and an overarching approach to treating all chronic illness. - Introduces MSIDS, or Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome, a new lens on chronic illness that may prove to be an important missing link. - Covers in detail Lyme's leading symptoms and co-infections, including immune dysfunction, sleep disorders, chronic pain and neurodegenerative disorders - providing a unique functional and integrative health care model, based on the most up-to-date scientific research, for physicians and health care providers to effectively treat Lyme and other chronic illnesses. Cutting through the frustration, misinformation and endless questions, Dr. Horowitz's enlightening story of medical discovery, science and politics is an all-in-one source for patients of chronic illness to identify their own symptoms and work with their doctors for the best possible treatment outcome.
Why Cats Do That
by Karen AndersonWHY DO CATS PURR? WHY DO CATS GET stuck in trees? Why do they bring us their latest catch? Why do cats always land on their feet? Learn the fascinating and sometimes surprising facts about these and 36 other curious cat behaviors - light-heartedly explained and beautifully illustrated in this book. Author Karen Anderson and illustrator Wendy Christensen are both sincere cat-lovers whose admiration and devotion to their feline companions are sure to strike a chord with everyone who has a cat (or many cats!) in their midst. Illustrations are described by the scanner.
Why Cats Land on Their Feet: And 76 Other Physical Paradoxes and Puzzles
by Mark LeviHow to use physical reasoning to solve surprising paradoxesEver wonder why cats land on their feet? Or what holds a spinning top upright? Or whether it is possible to feel the Earth's rotation in an airplane? Why Cats Land on Their Feet is a compendium of paradoxes and puzzles that readers can solve using their own physical intuition. And the surprising answers to virtually all of these astonishing paradoxes can be arrived at with no formal knowledge of physics.Mark Levi introduces each physical problem, sometimes gives a hint or two, and then fully explains the solution. Here readers can test their critical-thinking skills against a whole assortment of puzzles and paradoxes involving floating and diving, sailing and gliding, gymnastics, bike riding, outer space, throwing a ball from a moving car, centrifugal force, gyroscopic motion, and, of course, falling cats.Want to figure out how to open a wine bottle with a book? Or how to compute the square root of a number using a tennis shoe and a watch? Why Cats Land on Their Feet shows you how, and all that's required is a familiarity with basic high-school mathematics. This lively collection also features an appendix that explains all physical concepts used in the book, from Newton's laws to the fundamental theorem of calculus.
Why Chimpanzees Can't Learn Language and Only Humans Can (Leonard Hastings Schoff Lectures)
by Herbert S. TerraceIn the 1970s, the behavioral psychologist Herbert S. Terrace led a remarkable experiment to see if a chimpanzee could be taught to use language. A young ape, named “Nim Chimpsky” in a nod to the linguist whose theories Terrace challenged, was raised by a family in New York and instructed in American Sign Language. Initially, Terrace thought that Nim could create sentences but later discovered that Nim’s teachers inadvertently cued his signing. Terrace concluded that Project Nim failed—not because Nim couldn’t create sentences but because he couldn’t even learn words. Language is a uniquely human quality, and attempting to find it in animals is wishful thinking at best. The failure of Project Nim meant we were no closer to understanding where language comes from.In this book, Terrace revisits Project Nim to offer a novel view of the origins of human language. In contrast to both Noam Chomsky and his critics, Terrace contends that words, as much as grammar, are the cornerstones of language. Retracing human evolution and developmental psychology, he shows that nonverbal interaction is the foundation of infant language acquisition, leading up to a child’s first words. By placing words and conversation before grammar, we can, for the first time, account for the evolutionary basis of language. Terrace argues that this theory explains Nim’s inability to acquire words and, more broadly, the differences between human and animal communication. Why Chimpanzees Can’t Learn Language and Only Humans Can is a masterful statement of the nature of language and what it means to be human.
Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design
by Michael ShermerA creationist-turned-scientist demonstrates the facts of evolution and exposes Intelligent Design's real agendaScience is on the defensive. Half of Americans reject the theory of evolution and "Intelligent Design" campaigns are gaining ground. Classroom by classroom, creationism is overthrowing biology.In Why Darwin Matters, bestselling author Michael Shermer explains how the newest brand of creationism appeals to our predisposition to look for a designer behind life's complexity. Shermer decodes the scientific evidence to show that evolution is not "just a theory" and illustrates how it achieves the design of life through the bottom-up process of natural selection. Shermer, once an evangelical Christian and a creationist, argues that Intelligent Design proponents are invoking a combination of bad science, political antipathy, and flawed theology. He refutes their pseudoscientific arguments and then demonstrates why conservatives and people of faith can and should embrace evolution. He then appraises the evolutionary questions that truly need to be settled, building a powerful argument for science itself.Cutting the politics away from the facts, Why Darwin Matters is an incisive examination of what is at stake in the debate over evolution.
Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Unintended Consequences of Our Obsession With Weight Loss
by Sandra Aamodt"If diets worked, we'd all be thin by now. Instead, we have enlisted hundreds of millions of people into a war we can't win." What's the secret to losing weight? If you're like most of us, you've tried cutting calories, sipping weird smoothies, avoiding fats, and swapping out sugar for Splenda. The real secret is that all of those things are likely to make you weigh more in a few years, not less. In fact, a good predictor of who will gain weight is who says they plan to lose some. Last year, 108 million Americans went on diets, to the applause of doctors, family, and friends. But long-term studies of dieters consistently find that they're more likely to end up gaining weight in the next two to fifteen years than people who don't diet. Neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt spent three decades in her own punishing cycle of starving and regaining before turning her scientific eye to the research on weight and health. What she found defies the conventional wisdom about dieting: ·Telling children that they're overweight makes them more likely to gain weight over the next few years. Weight shaming has the same effect on adults. ·The calories you absorb from a slice of pizza depend on your genes and on your gut bacteria. So does the number of calories you're burning right now. ·Most people who lose a lot of weight suffer from obsessive thoughts, binge eating, depression, and anxiety. They also burn less energy and find eating much more rewarding than it was before they lost weight. ·Fighting against your body's set point--a central tenet of most diet plans--is exhausting, psychologically damaging, and ultimately counterproductive. If dieting makes us fat, what should we do instead to stay healthy and reduce the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other obesity-related conditions? With clarity and candor, Aamodt makes a spirited case for abandoning diets in favor of behaviors that will truly improve and extend our lives.From the Hardcover edition.
Why Diggers Dig
by Angela MurockWhy are so many old things buried in the ground—and who finds them?
Why Dinosaurs Matter (TED Books)
by Kenneth LacovaraWhat can long-dead dinosaurs teach us about our future? Plenty, according to paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara, who has discovered some of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth.By tapping into the ubiquitous wonder that dinosaurs inspire, Lacovara weaves together the stories of our geological awakening, of humanity’s epic struggle to understand the nature of deep time, the meaning of fossils, and our own place on the vast and bountiful tree of life. Go on a journey––back to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth––to discover how dinosaurs achieved feats unparalleled by any other group of animals. Learn the secrets of how paleontologists find fossils, and explore quirky, but profound questions, such as: Is a penguin a dinosaur? And, how are the tiny arms of T. rex the key to its power and ferocity? In this revealing book, Lacovara offers the latest ideas about the shocking and calamitous death of the dinosaurs and ties their vulnerabilities to our own. Why Dinosaurs Matter is compelling and engaging—a great reminder that our place on this planet is both precarious and potentially fleeting. “As we move into an uncertain environmental future, it has never been more important to understand the past.”
Why DNA?: From DNA Sequence to Biological Complexity
by Andrew TraversInformation is central to the evolution of biological complexity, a physical system relying on a continuous supply of energy. Biology provides superb examples of the consequent Darwinian selection of mechanisms for efficient energy utilisation. Genetic information, underpinned by the Watson-Crick base-pairing rules is largely encoded by DNA, a molecule uniquely adapted to its roles in information storage and utilisation.This volume addresses two fundamental questions. Firstly, what properties of the molecule have enabled it to become the predominant genetic material in the biological world today and secondly, to what extent have the informational properties of the molecule contributed to the expansion of biological diversity and the stability of ecosystems. The author argues that bringing these two seemingly unrelated topics together enables Schrödinger's What is Life?, published before the structure of DNA was known, to be revisited and his ideas examined in the context of our current biological understanding.
Why Do Boys Have Nipples?: And 73 other weird questions that only science can answer
by New ScientistWhy aren't there any green mammals?Is eating bogeys bad for you?Do dolphins and whales get thirsty?Why can't you tickle yourself?Where do astronauts put their dirty underwear?Children make excellent scientists - they're inquisitive, keen to learn and have open minds. And they especially love to learn about all the gross stuff and all the weird facts - this book is packed full of them. In Why Do Boys Have Nipples?, kids will discover how to extract iron from breakfast cereal; that fish communicate by farting; how to turn fried eggs green; why tigers have stripes, not spots; and much, much more.Behind each surprising question and answer or wacky experiment is a scientific explanation that will teach kids more about biology, chemistry and physics, and the world around them.
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?: 324 Questions and Answers to Astound and Amaze
by Matrin M. GoldwynHave you ever wondered how the planets came into being? Or what causes some people to have freckles? Ever wanted to know why mosquito bites itch and swell? Over his long career as a high school science teacher, Martin M. Goldwyn kept track of the smartest, most challenging questions his students ever asked him. <P><P>Now the answers are all in your hands: What is the oldest living thing on the planet? Do fish ever go to sleep? What exactly is a brain wave? Can a single tree grow more than one kind of fruit? What causes people to have nightmares? Illustrated with original cartoons by Ted Enik, this book will have curious readers of all ages laughing and learning with every turn of the page.
Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? and Other Imponderables of Everyday Life
by David FeldmanA collection of answers to those questions that millions of fans recognize immediately as 'imponderables' such as: why are gondolas black? why are peaches fuzzy? how do kangaroos clean their pouches? and many more
Why Do Dogs Like Balls?: More Than 200 Canine Quirks, Curiosities, and Conundrums Revealed
by D. Caroline Coile Margaret H. BonhamDo dogs believe pictures of dogs are real? Why do dogs turn in a circle before they lie down? Can you trust someone your dog hates? Dog owners have questions; here are the answers to more than 200 of them, provided by two of the most knowledgeable writers in the field. Fun to read, eye-opening, and filled with important facts that every fan of Fido should know, it encompasses topics ranging from doggie intelligence (Can dogs learn to read?) to canine behavior, body, and senses (Can a dog sniff out cancer?). Find out if blind dogs are sad, whether dogs should be allowed to roam, why they lick you, and why they wag their tails. You'll gain a better, deeper understanding of your best friend.
Why Do Elephants Need the Sun?
by Robert E WellsThere are trillions of stars in the universe, but we rely on our sun to provide (or contribute to) most of what we need to survive and thrive: heat, light, plants, animals, wind, and water. Complete with fun, cartoon illustrations, Robert Wells's new book gives kids plenty of information about our sun in an easy-to-read-and-digest format. By focusing on the needs of an elephant, Wells makes clear just how important the sun is to life on Earth.
Why Do Golf Balls Have Dimples?: A Book of Weird and Wonderful Science Facts
by Wendy SadlerHave you ever wondered why golf balls have dimples or why your hair goes frizzy in the rain? Scientist Wendy Sadler has the answers in her book of Weird and Wonderful facts. Broken down into user-friendly chapters like sport, going out, the great outdoors, food and drink and the downright weird, Wendy gives the scientific answers to life's intriguing questions, like Why toast always lands butter side down Why you can't get (too) lost with a satnav.
Why Do Golf Balls Have Dimples?: A Book of Weird and Wonderful Science Facts
by Wendy SadlerHave you ever wondered why golf balls have dimples or why your hair goes frizzy in the rain? Scientist Wendy Sadler has the answers in her book of Weird and Wonderful facts. Broken down into user-friendly chapters like sport, going out, the great outdoors, food and drink and the downright weird, Wendy gives the scientific answers to life's intriguing questions, likeWhy toast always lands butter side downWhy you can't get (too) lost with a satnav.
Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 Of The Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, And Befuddling Behaviors
by Marty BeckerSo you think you know horses? This book is just what you need to give you even more horse sense.Whether you live to ride or just admire horses, you'll get the inside track on all things equine in this must-read compendium. From breeding and behaviour to medical tips and trivia, plus historical and contemporary facts, you really can't do without this book. *How long does it take a foal to learn to stand?*What's the difference between a pony and a horse?*Why can't a horse wear a cast on a broken leg? *How do directors get horses to fall down in films?*Does a horse know if it's won a race?*How much horsepower does a horse really have? *Do horses have good memories?This book is another reason to celebrate the mutual love, trust and devotion between humans and horses.
Why Do Men Have Nipples?: Things You’d Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Gin ‘n’ Tonic
by Billy Goldberg Mark LeynerYou know how it is . . . you're at a party, you've had a drink or two and then someone introduces you to a friend. He's a doctor. And it seems like the perfect time to ask all those strange questions you've always wondered about, but never had the courage to ask:Can poppy seeds make you test positive for heroin?What are goosebumps?Why does asparagus make your wee smell?Why do old people get hairy ears?Is it possible to lose your contact lenses inside your head for ever?Why do some people have an 'outie' belly button and some people an 'innie'?Does warm milk really help you sleep?Is it actually possible to get scared to death?This book gives the answers to these and many more questions - pretty much everything you've ever wanted to know - but never had enough Dutch courage to ask!
Why Do Onions Make Me Cry?: Answers to Everyday Science Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask
by Jay IngramDiscovery Channel host and acclaimed writer Jay Ingram helps you find the answers to questions you've never really settled, like “What is déjà vu?” “Why do we blink?”, “Why are yawns contagious?” and the perennial “Do we really use only 10% of our brains?” Note that this book is a combined and abridged edition of The Science of Why and The Science of Why2.Have you ever wondered if people really do weird things during the full moon? How about whether fingernails grow faster than toenails? And do we really dream in color? Jay Ingram is here to put these and many other long-lived scientific uncertainties to rest in this whimsically illustrated guide to the science of everyday life. Combining the wit of What If? by Randall Munroe and the accessible science smarts of ASAP Science, this new collection features answers to common queries with part sections that address the supernatural, the human body, the animal kingdom, the natural world, and more. It includes fun facts, myth busters and line drawings, all with the end goal of delighting and surprising your inner science geek. Whether these questions have been on your mind constantly, or occasionally resurface like the myth of Loch Ness (Is it real?), whether they’re silly (Why does my pee smell like asparagus?) or serious (Why does time speed up as I age?) or just plain frustrating (Why do mosquitoes love me?), Ingram will settle them once and for all.