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Venom brings readers face to face with some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet, including jellyfish, snakes, and wasps, as it uncovers the story of venom. The book explores how venom is used for predation, defense, competition, and communication by an incredible diversity of species. It examines the unique methods that these species have evolved to create and deliver their deadly toxins. The book traces venom back to its origin in early jellyfish and sea anemones, and reveals how venoms have evolved dozens of times independently all across the animal kingdom since that time. And finally, it examines the relationships between these dangerous creatures and humans. Humans have not only learned to live with them, but also to benefit from them: scientists increasingly are harnessing the power of venom to create new drugs, treatments, and anti-venoms.
Is there life in the clouds of Venus? How could Indigenous burning practices stave off catastrophic bushfires? What do horseshoe bats, raccoon dogs and pet cats have to do with the global pandemic? Science writing tells the stories of life and human endeavour in all its marvellous – often messy – complexity. Now in its eleventh year – and with a foreword by Australia’s Chief Scientist, the renowned physicist Cathy Foley – The Best Australian Science Writing 2021 is a collection that showcases the nation’s best science writing. New voices join prominent science writers and journalists, taking us to the depths of the ocean, the fuels of the future, and to the Ryugu asteroid and back. The collection also brings us straight to the heart of complex ethical dilemmas and the calamitous crises challenging scientists and writers alike. Includes the shortlisted entries for the 2021 UNSW Press Bragg Prize and the 2020 UNSW Press Bragg Student Prize winning essay.
The ultimate visual journey into the beautiful and complex world of wasps Wasps are far more diverse than the familiar yellowjackets and hornets that harass picnickers and build nests under the eaves of our homes. These amazing, mostly solitary creatures thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth, and their influence on our lives is overwhelmingly beneficial. Wasps are agents of pest control in agriculture and gardens. They are subjects of study in medicine, engineering, and other important fields. Wasps pollinate flowers, engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, and create architectural masterpieces in the form of their nests. This richly illustrated book introduces you to some ...
This unique book will provide an up to date and comprehensive account of the potential of peptides and proteins from animal venoms as possible therapeutics. The pharmaceutical industry has become increasingly interested in biologics from animal venoms as a potential source for therapeutic agents in recent years, with a particularly emphasis on peptides. To date six drugs derived from venom peptides or proteins have been approved by the FDA, with nine further agents currently being investigated in clinical trials. In addition to these drugs in approved or advanced stages of development, many more peptides and proteins are being studied in varying stages of preclinical development. Topics cove...
An informed and heartfelt tribute to commonly unappreciated plants, insects, and other tiny creatures that reconsiders humanity's relationship to nature "Put aside that can of Raid for the short time it takes to read this book."--Natural History Named a Favorite Book of 2020 by The Progressive Fruit flies, silverfish, dandelions, and crabgrass are the bane of many people and the target of numerous chemical and physical eradication efforts. In this compelling reassessment of the relationship between humans and the natural world, John Hainze--an entomologist and former pesticide developer--considers the fascinating and bizarre history of how these so-called invasive or unwanted pests and weeds have coevolved with humanity and highlights the benefits of a greater respect and moral consideration toward these organisms. With deep insight into the lives of the underappreciated and often reviled creatures that surround us, Hainze's accessible and engaging natural history draws on ethics, religion, and philosophy as he passionately argues that creepy crawlies and unwanted plants deserve both empathy and accommodation as partners dwelling with us on earth.
This book explores how narratives have been and can be used to facilitate radical transformations towards a more sustainable future. Scholars from various disciplines have been increasingly utilizing social and cultural narratives to understand personal, social, and cultural transformations. These narratives offer guiding principles for achieving personal, social, and cultural transformations. Drawing on various fields such as psychoanalysis, psychology, sociology, technology, cultural studies, and related areas, this book presents different perspectives on narratives in situations of transformation, exploring both commonalities and differences. The interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary re...
This book highlights the importance of traditional medicines, focuses on the standardization of herbal medicine and evaluates opportunities for advancing drug research. It addresses issues in utilization of medicinal plants and shares the importance of herbs in neutraceutics. It provides most competitive techniques being used in research.
Sie kennen sicher die jährliche Warnung im Frühling, ja nicht Bärlauch und Maiglöckchen zu verwechseln – denn letztere sind giftig. Und sie sind damit nicht allein: Wer bei giftigen Tieren zuallererst an Australien denkt, liegt zwar nicht falsch, aber auch die Fauna und Flora hier zu Lande bietet so manche unangenehme Erfahrung. Dabei sollte man allerdings nicht vergessen, dass Toxine in der Medizin nicht nur behandlungsbedürftig sind, sondern selbst neue Anwendungsmöglichkeiten eröffnen, und das für verschiedenste Beschwerden. Aus dem Inhalt (u.a.) - Toxine: Die tödlichsten Waffen der Natur - Wie man einen giftigen Falter futtert - 10 unserer giftigsten Tiere in Deutschland
This book provides a comprehensive view of metabolomics, from the basic concepts, through sample preparation and analytical methodologies, to data interpretation and applications in medicine. It is the first volume to cover metabolomics clinical applications while also emphasizing analytical and statistical features. Moreover, future trends and perspectives in clinical metabolomics are also presented. For researches already experienced in metabolomics, the book will be useful as an updated definitive reference. For beginners in the field and graduate students, the book will provide detailed information about concepts and experimental aspects in metabolomics, as well as examples and perspectives of applications of this strategy to clinical questions.
Venom research and technology has advanced greatly, rapidly transforming our knowledge of reptile venoms. Research advances, like the development of molecular systematics, provide the framework necessary to reconstruct the evolutionary history of glands and fangs. Such research developments have expanded our understanding of venom's evolution and its usefulness in therapeutic development. The results of this punctuated toxin molecular evolutionary expansion include protein neofunctionalization. While these changes may impact antivenom efficacy, this molecular diversity also facilitates their usefulness in the development of novel drug therapies. Venomous Reptiles And Their Toxins brings toge...