The Epigenetics Revolution

Author: Nessa Carey
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231530714
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 353

Book Description
Epigenetics can potentially revolutionize our understanding of the structure and behavior of biological life on Earth. It explains why mapping an organism's genetic code is not enough to determine how it develops or acts and shows how nurture combines with nature to engineer biological diversity. Surveying the twenty-year history of the field while also highlighting its latest findings and innovations, this volume provides a readily understandable introduction to the foundations of epigenetics. Nessa Carey, a leading epigenetics researcher, connects the field's arguments to such diverse phenomena as how ants and queen bees control their colonies; why tortoiseshell cats are always female; why some plants need cold weather before they can flower; and how our bodies age and develop disease. Reaching beyond biology, epigenetics now informs work on drug addiction, the long-term effects of famine, and the physical and psychological consequences of childhood trauma. Carey concludes with a discussion of the future directions for this research and its ability to improve human health and well-being.

Minerals and Gems

Author: American Museum of Natural History
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781558592735
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 335

Book Description
An introduction to the American Museum of Natural History's collection, and a concise guide to minerals and gems. The book displays 300 specimens from the museum's collection while also explaining the fundamental properties of minerals and gems.

The Natural History Museum Book of Gemstones

Author: Robin Hansen
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780565092245
Category : Gems
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
"Gemstones have been a source of fascination for Millenia, from the icy brilliance of diamond and the soft iridescence of pearl, to the deep red garnets treasured by ancient Egyptians and Victorians alike. They are used for their natural beauty in jewellery, worn for protection as talismans, associated with romance and power. They are also of scientific importance, forming over billions of years and containing secrets to the inner earth. This book examines the world's most commonly encountered gemstones, exploring their unique beauty, rarity, and durability. It reveals how these gem materials formed, where they are mined, how they are identified by their physical and optical properties, their enhancements and imitations. Travelling through each gem's history and use in adornment, it is filled with fascinating facts for the curious to the professional. With sumptuous colour photographs, Gemstones is a dazzling insight into the world of the rare and valuable"--Back cover.

The Smithsonian National Gem Collection—Unearthed

Author: Jeffrey Edward Post
Publisher: Abrams
ISBN: 1683359402
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 376

Book Description
The scandals, mysteries, and human stories behind the world’s greatest gems are brought to life by the curator of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, curator of the National Gem Collection for more than 25 years, separates fact from fiction in an all-new and original book, revealing fresh information and regaling the reader with anecdotes and tales of some of the world’s greatest and most famous gemstones. Dr. Post is the author of the now out-of-print book The National Gem Collection (Abrams, 1997), which has sold more than 50,000 copies. In this brand-new book, he tells the stories of the Smithsonian’s most famous gems, including the Hope Diamond, Star of Asia Sapphire, Carmen Lucia Ruby, Hooker Emerald, and Blue Heart Diamond—and also presents the tales, details, and fascinating facts surrounding rarely displayed gems from the Smithsonian vault and additions made to the collection since 1997. Not only a resource for learning about rare and beautiful gems, the book also presents the stories of the people who once owned or were associated with these jewels—from ordinary people to kings, emperors, maharajas, celebrities, and captains of industry.

The Natural History Museum Book of Rocks & Minerals

Author: Chris Pellant
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780565095055
Category : Minerals
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Book Description
A comprehensive, illustrated identification guide for beginners and serious collectors alike, featuring special color photography of specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London. Rocks and minerals are naturally occurring compounds formed by intense geological processes in the Earth's crust such as volcanic eruptions. With striking color photography of rocks and minerals from around the globe, this detailed and easy-to-use guide is designed to help readers identify specimens and begin collecting. Fully fact-checked by the Department of Mineralogy at the Natural History Museum, London, this guide will give you geological knowledge at your fingertips.

Gems and Gemstones

Author: Lance Grande
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226305112
Category : Design
Languages : en
Pages : 387

Book Description
"Gems and Gemstones" features nearly 300 color images of cut gems, precious and semiprecious stones, gem-quality mineral specimens, and fine jewelry to be unveiled in the new Grainger Hall of Gems at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Gem

Author: DK
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0744084873
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 442

Book Description
Prepare to be dazzled by this shining and sumptuous visual guide to the world's greatest treasures. Feast your eyes on glittering gemstones, kaleidoscopic minerals, and famous trinkets in this comprehensive exploration of Earth's finest jewels. Following a foreword from Aja Raden, hundreds of pages take a lavish look at precious stones, precious metals, and organic gems in all their natural wonder. From agate to zoisite, everything under the Sun is encapsulated in spectacular photography and accessible text. Trace the history of gemmology and get the inside story on our planet's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fabergé eggs. Find out their physical properties, check the price tags, and discover the most remarkable record-breakers. This exceptionally extravagant book is a picture-packed, fact-filled celebration guaranteed to bring sparkle to your life and your library.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Unforgettable Behaviour

Author: Rosamund Kidman Cox
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780565094119
Category : Animals
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Book Description
These are the most memorable images of animal behaviour from the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. They have been specially selected for this unique book from the hundred of thousands of images received over the last 50 years. From a flamingo courtship dance to Amazon river dolphins playing water polo, the images show extraordinary, surprising and often deeply moving acts of animal behaviour. Each photograph is accompanied by a short story describing how the picture came to be taken and its importance both photographically and as a record of an unforgettable moment. The collection gives us a glimpse into an often hidden world of love, death, survival and joy, and many of these award-winning images have inspired photographers and others to better understand the lives of our fellow animals. Capturing animal behaviour as it has rarely been seen before, this beautiful book is a must-have for photographers and all those with a passion for animals.

How Wildlife Photography Became Art

Author: Rosamund Kidman Cox
Publisher: Wildlife Photographer of the Y
ISBN: 9780565095130
Category : Photography
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Book Description
Featuring many of the greatest nature photographs of all time, this book charts the development of nature photography, from the first hand-held cameras and the color film revolution of the 1960s, to the increasingly sophisticated photographs of wild animals and unexplored places that are taken today. The prize-winning images include ground-breaking portraits, breathtaking aerial shots, underwater photography, close-up imagery, and much more. The images are accompanied by captions that put the photographs in context, explaining their importance, and revealing the vision, talent, passion, and technique of the world's leading wildlife photographers. All those who are passionate about photography and who have followed this compelling competition since its inception 55 years ago will treasure this magnificent volume.

Curators

Author: Lance Grande
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022619275X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 431

Book Description
Natural history museums have evolved from being little more than musty repositories of stuffed animals and pinned bugs, to being crucial generators of new scientific knowledge. They have also become vibrant educational centers, full of engaging exhibits that share those discoveries with students and an enthusiastic general public. Grande offers a portrait of curators and their research, conveying the intellectual excitement and the educational and social value of curation. He uses the personal story of his own career-- most of it spent at Chicago's Field Museum-- to explore the value of research and collections, the importance of public engagement, changing ecological and ethical considerations, and the impact of rapidly improving technology.