Scientific American

"Genetic engineering refers to the ability to manipulate DNA, and ever since its invention in the 1970s it has been a source of controversy. Some argue that it allows scientists to 'play God,' which could have unintended negative consequences. However, genetic engineering also offers the potential to significantly advance the fields of medicine and agriculture. Through modifying genes, certain types of diseases and conditions could potentially be prevented or treated in a process known as gene therapy. In agriculture, genetic engineering has enabled the development of genetically modified (GM) crops, which can be more resistant to pests and extreme weather. This volume looks at the science and controversy surrounding this timely issue"--Provided by publisher.

"Research suggests that almost every region of the brain is affected when you listen to music. It has a profound impact on emotional response, cognition, sensory experience, and motor function. This volume considers the role of brain anatomy and neuroscience in relation to music, music's role in social and emotional connection, and its potential to assist in treating brain injuries and neurological disorders. Through this volume, readers will gain a stronger understanding of the complex and fascinating relationship between music and the brain"--Provided by publisher.

"The number of women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industry has grown considerably in recent decades, but for many years there were far fewer opportunities for women in the field, and the accomplishments of women in science were often underappreciated or even ignored. This volume looks at the many contributions women have made in various scientific fields both in the past and the present. These women have changed the course of various scientific fields-astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, medicine, and everything in between. Through the articles presented in this title, readers will gain a better understanding of the essential role women have played in science throughout history"--Provided by publisher.

"With the introduction of new technologies in the industrial era, warfare--along with most other areas of life--went through a major change. During the American Civil War and World War I, advances in transportation, communication, and weaponry changed the way wars were fought. In the decades since World War I, warfare has continued to evolve. This title examines the history of modern warfare and how technology shapes war today, exploring topics such as drone warfare, cyberattacks and social media propaganda, and the role chemical weapons, nuclear weapons, and artificial intelligence play in twenty-first century warfare"--Provided by publisher.

"The massive global impacts of COVID-19 made the issue of pandemics and epidemics a major concern among the public, politicians, doctors, and scientific researchers. However, it is far from the first pandemic, and experts suggest that it almost certainly will not be the last. The articles in this volume consider past pandemics and epidemics to explain how certain diseases are able to spread on such a massive scale. They explain the medical advancements that have helped prevent some diseases from having the devastating impacts they did in the past while also considering why some infections are more difficult to control. Writers and experts also offer predictions on the types of pandemics and epidemics that may occur in the future and what can potentially be done to stop them"--Provided by publisher.

"Today, society exults those who 'work on themselves' and commit to self-improvement through changing habits, either by breaking bad ones or making good ones. New Year's resolutions are a major tradition in American culture, and everywhere you look there are articles and social media influencers promising ways to help create healthy habits in diet and exercise, improve concentration, fix relationships, and boost mental health. The articles in this volume consider how habits are created or broken from a scientific perspective, offering psychological insight into the processes involved in self-improvement and why it can be so challenging to change habits"--Provided by publisher.

"It is commonly understood that sleep in some form or another is an almost universal phenomenon among animals, including humans. However, the specific reasons why we need sleep are not as clear. The articles in this volume explain what sleep is, the benefits it has on the mind and the body, and its role in cognitive and biological functions. It examines disorders that disturb normal sleep and what these disorders tell us about our need for sleep. It also considers what researchers have yet to discover about sleep and the methods they are using to try to improve our understanding"--Provided by publisher.

"With the changing political climate around reproductive rights, many wonder what effect limiting access to abortion and other forms of birth control may have on women's health from a medical and scientific perspective. The debate surrounding reproductive rights has also raised questions about the role politicians, doctors, and pharmacists should have in determining what options are available for reproductive care, as well as the relationship between moral beliefs and medicine. This title gives readers access to a wide variety of perspectives on this timely debate from members of the scientific and medical community"--Amazon.

"Less than a century ago, the prognosis for those diagnosed with cancer tended to be bleak. However, in recent decades massive strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of cancer. This volume examines the advancements that have occurred in cancer research, including recent studies on the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, new therapies to help treat different types of cancer, and updated opinions on the role screenings and other preventative care can play in preventing cancer. It also explains exciting new research that could lead to quicker, less invasive, and more effective cancer treatments, or perhaps even stop certain types of cancer from developing at all"--Provided by publisher.

"When people say they feel stressed out, what exactly do they mean? This volume looks at the topic of stress from physiological and psychological perspectives to explain what processes in the body and mind create this feeling of stress. It considers research on the negative impacts stress can have on the brain and the body over time, and explores some of the common causes of stress, including trauma. While research shows that chronic stress can have a wide range of adverse health impacts, experts also offer advice on how to manage stress and prevent it from having these negative effects"--Provided by publisher.