Science & Technology

Goldacre shares that all people should be able to understand precisely how data manipulation works and how research misconduct on a global scale affects everyone. This is the pharmaceutical industry as it has never been seen before.

This book aims to address the dramatic issue of the acceleration of extinction of species on Earth as the result of human intrusion. In its unique format, it navigates surrounding concepts of biodiversity: the state of our knowledge; the diversity of life on Earth; where most life forms are found; the human impacts; the current status of extinctions; the potential of preserving biodiversity and its implications for human civilizations and what should be tried to preserve the diversity of life on Earth. Key concepts of sustainable development are explored through a series of essays. Indeed, human activities are the main threat to biodiversity. As such, implementing more sustainable development models is key in reducing the impacts on biodiversity though modifications, among others, in our use of energy sources, the built environment and water management

Singapore′s journey during the past 45 years is an outstanding example that, in spite of multiple hardships, pragmatic policies, clear visions, long-term planning, forward-looking strategies and political will, as well as a relentless urge to improve, can result in strong foundations for sustainable development. This book describes the journey of Singapore′s development and the fundamental role that water has had in shaping it. What makes this case so unique is that the quest for self-sufficiency in terms of water availability in a fast-changing urban context has been crucial to the way development policies and agendas have been planned throughout the years. The authors analyse plans, policies, institutions, laws and regulations, water demand and water supply strategies, water quality and water conservation considerations, partnerships and importance of the media. They assess overall how all these issues have evolved in response to the dynamic needs of the city-state. The study of Singapore shows how a dynamic society can address development without losing its focus on the environment. In the city-state, environmental concerns in general, and water concerns in particular, have played a major role in its transformation from a third word to a first world country. How and why this transformation took place is the main focus of this authoritative book.

In this book, Bill Dodson explores China's reincarnation from a closed, agrarian nation into a modern, high-tech superpower bent on literally cleaning up its act. It presents an on-the-ground survey and analysis of China's renewable and clean energy sector that identifies the kinds of projects and technologies Chinese enterprises and local governments are hungry for. It Includes a discussion on how successful Chinese companies are developing their brands to go head-to-head with the world's best-known companies, and discusses how central government conflicts of interest are actually foiling corporate and official drives to innovation across a range of sectors.

2013 second edition of the 2010 illustrated introduction to promoting wellbeing through traditional Chinese medicine is underpinned by the author's years of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in China and the US. With case material, graphics and photoinsets, advice is given on ways of managing and balancing emotions in today's unbalanced, pressured world. The basic systems of TCM analyses are explained and related to a patient's symptoms and the remedial goods or medicinal herbs prescribed. With diagnostic and remedy tables.

These magnificent photostudies of some of the world's most rare and least known species of wildlife are fruits of 30 years' work by the celebrated Chinese conservationist and photographer Xi Zhinong. Two international zoologists introduce the volume which focuses on three of China's wildlife zones: the Tibetan Highlands alpine region; Xinjiang-Inner Mongolia dry land; and the monsoon region of Eastern China; with a separate chapter on migrating birds. Descriptions and habitat information complement the photographs which include previously unknown species such as the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey and the Przevalski Parrotbill, thought to be extinct. With details of 30 of China's Nature Reserves, and index.

Through this superbly illustrated, multi-faceted and adventure-filled opus, Danum's mysterious rain forest is brought to life - from its simple strength as some of the last pristine landscapes still guarding the evolutionary secrets of nature, awesome mass flowering re-enacted through captivating aerial photography, to glimpses into a spectacular diversity of life forms, both animal and plant, and numerous scholarly insights into its environment and ecological networks. Solidly based on a quarter-century of research by a small army of eminent scientists, this highly readable book weaves together the findings of a considerable volume and variety of scientific journal papers, books, as well as PhD and MSc theses. In essence, the cream of the work of numerous scientists, explorers and conservationists now comes within easy reach of everyone lured by the tropical rain forest.

This volume recounts Singapore's remarkable water story. Although surrounded by water, the island of Singapore is one of the world's most water-stressed countries. Singapore's water system involves a delicate balancing act on two fronts. First, the country seeks to maintain its imported water supply from Malaysia, while ceaselessly exploring alternative sources through technology and public mobilisation. Second, it has to balance land requirements for water catchments with competing needs for housing and industry. This study also examines how Singapore achieved a paradigm shift in its water management by using new technologies, such as membranes and desalination, new drainage and flood control systems, as well as innovations such as building reservoirs in urban areas.

Singapore's transport policies have moved in tandem with the city's development. This study presents the dynamics, processes and institutional framework involved in resolving these issues. It presents a historical account of transport policy changes in Singapore, while highlighting how the twin policy dilemmas - between public and private transport, as well as between roads and other uses of land - have resulted in policy challenges and innovations over the years.

The medicinal use of plants was of course always traditional in Malay rural society. Part One of this illustrated softback is an account of Malay traditional medicine and discussion of plant usages and the manufacture of plant medicines and liniments, and also the role of male and female practitioners in village society. Part Two gives botanical, habitat, usage details, photographs and black-and-white line drawings of some 100 medicinal plants with notes of the findings of recent scientific analyses. With a register of scientific and local names and a register of ailment, uses and plants.

This detailed and extensively illustrated study of hornbills and their dramatic appearance shows how in the Singapore Hornbill Project, with international and local conservationist support, the National Parks Board helps perhaps some 50 hornbills (apart from those in the Bird Park) to live and pay flying visits here. Details are given of the aims, staffing, programmes and practical policies of the Hornbill Project since 2004 including details of the artificial nests and tele-surveillance which have shed new light on the habits of the species. Major ecological issues, regional conservation efforts, education, and ornithological research are among the matters discussed and illustrated by biographical information about several "named" individual hornbill couples. With summary information about successful conservation projects elsewhere, details of photographic techniques, bibliography, index and DVD.

The Speed of Time is the most unusual book on popular science that you will read. Are the trillions of atoms that make you, nothing but vibrations in 10 dimensions? Is it true that we are all connected with each other? The Speed of Time approaches the most complex and esoteric theories of science in lucid, clear and simple language and in the style of a thriller, leaving you wanting more while addressing questions through the enigmatic theories in Physics such as Quantum Mechanics, Einstein's Theory of Relativity, Time, Chaos, and much more.

What ails Mother Earth? The answer can be found in the propensities of Man, her most gifted, but alas, also her most prodigal son. Man has harnessed science and technology and also the new science of economics to bring about unprecedented prosperity, growth and amenities of life. All this, however, has come at a grievous cost to nature in the anthropogenic maladies that we, in our reckless quest for progress and comfort, have inflicted on the mother planet. The symptoms, the diagnostics and the line of cure, are all presented in this volume of highly readable and comprehensive analysis by an ecologist who has embraced Save the Earth as his mission in life.

Water has been dubbed the "oil of the 21st century" because of its increasing global scarcity. In Southeast Asia, water resources have been strained by the greater demand from different sectors such as agriculture, industry and domestic users. This situation is only likely to worsen in the future if active measures are not taken now. This publication draws from regional and country studies of the Mekong Basin, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines to understand the political and socio-economic dynamics involved in water management.

Beautifully photographed, in rarely seen settings, the authors explain what makes the panda such a lovable icon, and why the public cannot have enough of this symbol of quiet hope for survival in a fast-changing planet. This book has detailed information about the panda's behaviour, including how it rears its young, and also describes, in words and vivid photography, other species in its habitat such as the red panda and snow leopard. The issue of 'pandaplomacy' is also addressed, with the arrival of pandas in Singapore in 2012 and their likely arrival in Malaysia in 2013. Finally the book assesses the chances of survival for the giant panda, and the efforts being made to preserve its habitat.

The Science Centre and Public Utilities Board have together produced this pocket guide to the freshwater phytoplankton found in Singapore reservoirs. These are present in any sunlit freshwater; microscopic in size they are of great importance as environmental monitors, indicating water change and pollution levels. They are also used to absorb heavy metals, and in sewage conversion. Magnifiers have produced these photographs of some 80 species cyanobacteria, green algae and other groups. With glossary, references, and species index.

The widely used Science Centre/BP series of pocketbooks now includes this guide to local snails and other non-marine molluscs. After an illustrated introductory section on identification, on gastropods, their sub-groupings and their basic ways of life, scientific details and illustrations are given for some 55 terrestrial gastropods of various sub-species, some 15 aquatic gastropods and 6 bivalves. With glossary and index of scientific names.

The proposition that migration as a result of climate change has consequences for regional and global security has become prominent in public discourse over the last few years. Yet much of that debate in the Southeast Asian context is not sufficiently well informed by current knowledge on the demographics of migration and the kinds of choices that people and communities make about mobility; nor does it pay adequate attention to the human insecurities that result from climate change in general and climate change-induced migration in particular. This volume seeks to overcome some of those limitations, drawing on insights from international relations, international law, demography, public policy, geography, environmental studies and climate science. It shows how a human security approach can sustain the tactical attractions of a security discourse in bringing urgent attention to a problem such as climate change and migration, while also redirecting security policy to protecting and empowering those who are most vulnerable to the threats of climate change.

Don't know your isosceles from your equilateral? Forgotten what actually happened in 1066? Any idea why the sky is blue? This bestselling bible of old-school knowledge for grown-ups has all the answers.

Being one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Planet Earth, the tropical rainforest used to cover most of Singapore. Unfortunately, much of Singapore's original jungle has been lost to human civilisation. Although small in size, these remnant pockets harbour rich plant and animal life, which, despite two centuries of study, still hold secrets and surprises that are still being revealed to this very day. Following the style and philosophy of the three earlier books in this "Private Lives" series, this book consists of a collection of short stories and anecdotes about the life and times of the various organisms in Singapore's tropical rainforest. These are accounts of how they have adapted to the environment, about how they interact with each other, and rely on one another to survive. It is hoped that the reader will be entertained by these fascinating tales of the cast of real-life charactres, and become aware of the plight faced by them, and the efforts made to protect the tropical rainforest.