The use of unnatural metals - which have been introduced into human biology as diagnostic probes and drugs - is another active area of tremendous medical significance.

"Deadly germs sprayed in shopping malls, bomblets spewing anthrax spores over battlefields, tiny vials of plague scattered in Times Square - these are the poor man's hydrogen bombs, hideous weapons of mass destruction that can be made in a simple laboratory." "In this work of investigative journalism, Judith Miller, Stephen Engelberg, and William Broad of The New York Times uncover the truth about biological weapons and show why bio-warfare and bio-terrorism are fast becoming our worst national nightmare." "Germs also shows how a small group of scientists and senior officials persuaded President Bill Clinton to launch a controversial multibillion-dollar program to detect a germ attack on U.S. soil and to aid its victims - a program that, so far, is struggling to provide real protection." "Based on hundreds of interviews with scientists and senior officials, including President Clinton, as well as on recently declassified documents and on-site reporting from the former Soviet Union's sinister bio-weapons labs, Germs shows us bio-warriors past and present at work at their trade. There is the American scientist who devoted his professional life to perfecting biological weapons, and the Nobel laureate who helped pioneer the new biology of genetically modified germs and is now trying to stop its misuse. We meet former Soviet scientists who made enough plague, smallpox, and anthrax to kill everyone on Earth and whose expertise is now in great demand by terrorists, rogue states, and legitimate research labs alike."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Explores the discovery, nature, and role of genes in evolution and development.

Essential Biochemistry, 5th Edition is comprised of biology, pre-med and allied health topics and presents a broad, but not overwhelming, base of biochemical coverage that focuses on the chemistry behind the biology. This revised edition relates the chemical concepts that scaffold the biology of biochemistry, providing practical knowledge as well as many problem-solving opportunities to hone skills. Key Concepts and Concept Review features help students to identify and review important takeaways in each section.

This new edition gives an up-to-date account of the principles of protein structure, with examples of key proteins in their biological context, illustrated in colour to illuminate the structural principles described in the text.

This text provides a balanced presentation of the concepts of physical chemistry and their applications to biology and biochemistry. Written to straddle the worlds of physical chemistry and the life sciences, it shows students how the tools of physical chemistry can elucidate biological questions.

Updated to reflect the latest discoveries in the field, the Fifth Edition of Hartl's classic text provides an accessible, student-friendly introduction to contemporary genetics. Designed for the shorter, less comprehensive introductory course, Essential Genetics: A Genomic Perspective, Fifth Edition includes carefully chosen topics that provide a solid foundation to the basic understanding of gene mutation, expression, and regulation. New and updated sections on genetic analysis, molecular genetics, probability in genetics, and pathogenicity islands ensure that students are kept up-to-date on current key topics. The text also provides students with a sense of the social and historical context in which genetics has developed. The updated companion web site provides numerous study tools, such as animated flashcards, crosswords, practice quizzes and more! New and expanded end-of-chapter material allows for a mastery of key genetics concepts and is ideal for homework assignments and in-class discussion.

Examines each of these parameters in crucial depth and makes the argument that life forms we would recognize may be more common in our solar system than many assume. Considers exotic forms of life that would not have to rely on carbon as the basic chemical element, solar energy as the main energy source, or water as the primary solvent and the question of detecting bio- and geosignatures of such life forms, ranging from earth environments to deep space. Seeks an operational definition of life and investigate the realm of possibilities that nature offers to realize this very special state of matter. Avoids scientific jargon wherever possible to make this intrinsically interdisciplinary subject understandable to a broad range of readers.

Although they are highly intelligent, ruthless predators, carnivores are increasingly rare. From the dwarf mongoose to the polar bear, carnivores are at once respected and misunderstood, invoking both fear and curiosity in the humans with whom they share their world. Ronald M. Nowak celebrates these fascinating mammals in Walker's Carnivores of the World. This comprehensive guide, featuring 225 illustrations, covers the world's eight terrestrial families of carnivores. Each generic account comprises scientific and common names, number and distribution of species, physical attributes, measurements, hunting and social activity, reproduction, habitat, population dynamics, longevity, and status of threatened species. A thought-provoking overview by David W. Macdonald and Roland W. Kays is packed with results of the latest field and laboratory research on topics ranging from evolutionary history to the adaptive value of fur patterns. Emphasizing the interplay of social life, morphology, and predatory behavior, it provides an up-to-date panorama of the world's carnivores.

The author draws on his background in physics to suggest a scientific approach to aspects of human behaviour which have been traditionally described as cultural or social.