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PÚTAVÉ SKÚMANIE NESPOČETNÝCH SPÔSOBOV, AKO PARAZITY OVPLYVŇUJÚ MYSLENIE, POCITY A KONANIE ŽIVÝCH TVOROV VRÁTANE ĽUDÍ TIETO MALÉ ORGANIZMY MÔŽU EXISTOVAŤ LEN v tele iných zvierat, a ako prezrádza Kathleen McAuliffe, na to, aby riadili správanie svojho hostiteľa, majú mnoho evolučných pohnútok. Títo manipulátori dirigujú vzájomné pôsobenie medzi predátormi a ich korisťou oveľa častejšie, ako si myslíme. Parazity toho dokážu veľa. So zarážajúcou presnosťou nahovoria potkany, aby sa priblížili k mačkám; pavúkov, aby zmenili vzor svojich pavučín, a ryby, aby na seba pritiahli pozornosť vtákov, ktoré sa potom ponoria a zožerú ich. Ani my ľudia nie sme proti výraznému vplyvu parazitov imúnni. Existuje silné podozrenie, že organizmy, ktorými sa zvykneme nakaziť od vlastných domácich miláčikov, dokážu meniť naše osobnostné vlastnosti. Pod ich vplyvom sme nedbanlivejší, impulzívni, ba dokonca máme samovražedné sklony. Mikróby v našich črevách majú vplyv na naše emócie a menia nervové spoje v našom mozgu. Vírusy spôsobujúce prechladnutie a chrípku dokážu meniť naše správanie ešte skôr, ako sa u nás prejavia príznaky. Parazity ovplyvňujú náš druh aj na kultúrnej úrovni. Ako zaznamenáva autorka tejto knihy, podvedomý strach z nákazy ovplyvňuje doslova každý aspekt nášho života, od sexuálnej príťažlivosti a spoločenských kruhov, až po našu morálku a politické názory. Odvolávajúc sa na početné výskumy argumentuje, že strach z nákazy sa u nás vyvinul ako obrana proti parazitom a je to dvojsečná zbraň. Pocity hrôzy a odporu z ľudí, ktorí sa nám zdajú chorí alebo špinaví, nám síce pomohli k vzniku civilizácie, môžu však byť aj príčinou výrazných rozdielov v spoločnostiach, ktoré pretrvávajú dodnes. Podľa vzoru knihy Jareda Diamonda Guns, Germs, and Steel (Zbrane, mikróby a oceľ ) a Neila Shubina Your Inner Fish (Ryba v nás) je Mozog pod vplyvom parazitov dobrodružstvom, ktoré nás zavedie za najnovšími poznatkami vedy, ale aj inšpiratívnou prehliadkou plnou vysvetlení, čo to znamená byť človekom. KATHLEEN McAULIFFE je autorkou článku z časopisu Atlantic z roku 2012 s názvom How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy (Ako z vás mačka robí šialenca). Jej práce sa objavili v zborníku The Best American Science Writing (Najlepšie americké vedecké diela) a vo viac ako tucte národných časopisov, vrátane Discover, New York Times Magazine a Smithsonian. Žije v Miami na Floride. Fascinujúci opis nezvyčajného súboru biologických javov, ktoré vyšli na svetlo len nedávno a preukázali, že ak bude mať prirodzený výber dostatok času a dostatok vyvíjajúcich sa druhov, s ktorými môže pracovať, dokáže dosiahnuť takmer čokoľvek. EDWARD O. WILSON emeritný profesor, Harvardská univerzita. Autor knihy Consilience (Súčinnosť) Táto kniha má všetky prvky kriminálneho thrilleru: násilie, krv, jatky, naháňačka a sex. V role kriminálnikov tu vystupujú parazity. Autorka rozpráva pútavý, hoci niekedy až hrozivý príbeh votrelcov, ktorí riadia náš mozog i správanie. Spolu s najlepšími autormi vedeckej literatúry nám dokazuje, že realita môže byť niekedy oveľa zaujímavejšia ako fi kcia. VALERIE CURTISOVÁ riaditeľ ka skupiny zdravotníkov Environmental Health Group Londýnskej vysokej školy hygieny a tropickej medicíny. Autorka knihy Dont Look, Dont Touch, Dont Eat (Nepozerajte sa, nedotýkajte sa, nejedzte) Buď te pripravení zahodiť všetky svoje domnienky o fungovaní života. Vtipné, inšpiratívne i hrozivé toto je nákazlivé čítanie, ktoré pokračuje v tradícii velikánov ako Robert S. Desowitz a Jared Diamond. MICHAEL A. HUFFMAN mimoriadny profesor, Inštitút pre výskum primátov, Kjótska univerzita

A gigantic book full of tiny monstrous creatures that are not scary, but rather make the reader laugh, all created by Agnese Baruzzi. The young reader must search out a monster, a skull, a ghost, a witch... counting how many times they appear in the double-page spreads and noting the correct number in the box. An original and amusing way to practice numbers and at the same time to improve observation skills.

Zajímá vás, kam se posunula logika od dvacátého století? Kde všude se logika uplatňuje? Co obnáší spojení logiky a lingvistiky nebo logiky a psychologie? V rukou budete držet srozumitelného průvodce historií a hlavně současností logiky a jejích záludností. Co je nového v logice zaručuje snadnou orientaci v této obtížné disciplíně. Pozor pouze po přečtení!

Už od dob Eukleida, který žil před více než dvěma tisíci lety, si všichni mysleli, že geometrie je jen jedna. To se však radikálně změnilo s novými matematickými objevy, které v zakřivených prostorech odhalily nové, alternativní geometrie. Možná se vám to zdá neuvěřitelné, ale v této knize se dozvíte, že všechny tyto vesmíry skutečně existují, a navíc že v nich všichni žijeme. Autor se v každé kapitole soustředí na jednu neeukleidovskou geometrii a srozumitelně vysvětluje její význam a vlastnosti s využitím praktických příkladů od renesančních maleb, přes teorii relativity, až po umělou inteligenci.

From the world-famous couple who lived alongside a three-generation wolf pack, this book of inspiration, drawn from the wild, will fascinate animal and nature lovers alike. For six years Jim and Jamie Dutcher lived intimately with a pack of wolves, gaining their trust as no one has before. In this book the Dutchers reflect on the virtues they observed in wolf society and behavior. Each chapter exemplifies a principle, such as kindness, teamwork, playfulness, respect, curiosity, and compassion. Their heartfelt stories combine into a thought-provoking meditation on the values shared between the human and the animal world. Occasional photographs bring the wolves and their behaviors into absorbing focus.

A hunt for the world's most elusive bees leads Dave Goulson from Poland to Patagonia as well as closer to home, amongst the secret places hidden right under our noses: the abandoned industrial estates where great crested newts roam; or the rewilded estate at Knepp Castle, where, with the aid of some hairy, bluebell-eating Tamworth pigs, nightingale song has been heard for the first time in generations. Whether he is tracking great yellow bumblebees in the Hebrides or chasing orchid bees through the Ecuadorian jungle, Dave Goulson's wit, humour and deep love of nature make him the ideal travelling companion.

Tato kniha je o parazitech… a lidech, samozřejmě. Hned na úvod si musíme něco ujasnit: tato planeta je planetou parazitů a parazitický způsob života je nejrozšířenější životní strategií na Zemi. Přesto se zdá, že jsou paraziti vzácní, ale to je tím, že žijí skrytě v tělech svých hostitelů. Proč nás paraziti tak moc zajímají? Proč se lidé parazitů bojí? A existuje vůbec důvod mít z parazitů strach? Na tyto a další otázky odpovídá tato kniha. Představuje lidské i zvířecí parazity a způsob jejich života z různých úhlů, od lékařského a veterinárního přes biologický až po historický a umělecký. Život ohrožující paraziti se na našem území vyskytují vzácně, ti méně nebezpeční jsou však stále běžní a mít vlastního cizopasníka není žádná vzácnost: většina dětí se nakazí vešmi a i roupi jsou v dětských kolektivech častí, přibližně pětina populace je infikována prvokem toxoplasmou. V tropech a subtropech jsou paraziti dodnes velmi vážným zdravotním problémem, na druhé straně se uvažuje i o jejich pozitivním přínosu pro naše zdraví a imunitu, a dokonce se používají k léčbě. Máme se jich tedy bát? Nepřeceňujeme je nebo nepodceňujeme? Nejdůležitější je náležitá informovanost a právě o tom je tato kniha. O parazitech… a lidech, samozřejmě.

'Highly recommended' Financial Times Today we know of only a single planet that hosts life: the Earth. But across a Universe of at least 100 billion possibly habitable worlds, surely our planet isn't the only one that, like the porridge Goldilocks sought, is just right for life? Astrobiologists search the galaxy for conditions that are suitable for life to exist, focusing on similar worlds located at the perfect distance from their Sun, within the aptly named 'Goldilocks Zone'. Such a place might have liquid water on its surface, and may therefore support a thriving biosphere. What might life look like on other worlds? It is possible to make best-guesses using facts rooted in science, and by studying `extremophiles' - organisms such as the near-indestructible water bears, which can survive in the harshest conditions that Earth, and even space, can offer. Goldilocks and the Water Bears is a tale of the origins and evolution of life, and the quest to find it on other planets, on moons, in other galaxies, and throughout the Universe.

Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Plate Tectonics is an accessible and authoritative introduction to the fundamental theory of how our dynamic planet works. Written by the celebrated geologist, academic and popular science presenter Iain Stewart, Plate Tectonics explores the Earth as a planetary machine and celebrates the people and ideas that changed the way we look at the world. You'll learn about the puzzle pieces that make up the Earth today, monsoon-like currents in our planet's radioactive interior, magnetic force lines and how the ocean would look without water. Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture. For an adult readership, the Ladybird Expert series is produced in the same iconic small hardback format pioneered by the original Ladybirds. Each beautifully illustrated book features the first new illustrations produced in the original Ladybird style for nearly forty years.

Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, The Big Bang is an accessible, authoritative, and entertaining introduction to the greatest discovery in the history of science: that the universe has not existed forever but was born. There was a day without a yesterday. Written by award-winning writer and former astrophysicist Marcus Chown, The Big Bang details how 13.82 billion years ago all matter, energy, space - and even time - erupted into being in a titanic fireball. This mind-bending book addresses the big questions: What was the Big Bang? What drove the Big bang? And what happened before the big bang? The evidence for the Big Bang, it turns out, is all around us... Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture. For an adult readership, the Ladybird Expert series is produced in the same iconic small hardback format pioneered by the original Ladybirds. Each beautifully illustrated book features the first new illustrations produced in the original Ladybird style for nearly forty years.

This book will take readers on a flying visit round the world, scouring the seven continents for the biggest, brightest and best birds on the planet. Urban Jungle creator Vicky Woodgate perfectly captures the brilliance of the bird world, each chapter taking us to a new continent and introducing birds from hummingbirds to hawks, and parrots to penguins. With a vintage travelogue feel, vibrant artwork and fascinating annotations, it is a book that will appeal to wildlife lovers from 7 to 70!

Květiny patří k tomu nejkrásnějšímu, co příroda vytvořila. Rozmanitých, prostých i roztodivných druhů rostlin naleznete na lukách, v lesích i v zahrádkách nespočetně. Ponořte se s námi do jejich kouzla a prožijte květinový rok! Věřte, že pro úplný a celistvý zážitek, stačí pro každý měsíc v roce jedna rostlinka, ať je to měsíček, levandule, pampeliška, mateřídouška či obyčejná kopřiva. Květinový rok doplnil osvědčenými „dědkovskými radami“ a zajímavými postřehy ze světa filmu i literatury spisovatel Pavel Taussig.

Květiny patří k tomu nejkrásnějšímu, co příroda vytvořila. Rozmanitých, prostých i roztodivných druhů rostlin naleznete na lukách, v lesích i v zahrádkách nespočetně. Ponořte se s námi do jejich kouzla a prožijte květinový rok! Věřte, že pro úplný a celistvý zážitek, stačí pro každý měsíc v roce jedna rostlinka, ať je to měsíček, levandule, pampeliška, mateřídouška či obyčejná kopřiva. Květinový rok doplnil osvědčenými „dědkovskými radami“ a zajímavými postřehy ze světa filmu i literatury spisovatel Pavel Taussig.

Karin Bojs grew up in a small, broken family. At her mother's funeral she felt this more keenly than ever. As a science journalist she was eager to learn more about herself, her family and the interconnectedness of society. After all, we're all related. And in a sense, we are all family. My European Family tells the story of Europe and its people through its genetic legacy, from the first wave of immigration to the present day, weaving in the latest archaeological findings. Karin goes deep in search of her genealogy; by having her DNA sequenced she was able to trace the path of her ancestors back through the Viking and Bronze ages to the Neolithic and beyond into prehistory, even back to a time when Neanderthals ran the European show. Travelling to dozens of countries to follow the story, she learns about early farmers in the Middle East and flute-playing cavemen in Germany and France, and a whole host of other fascinating characters. This book looks at genetics from a uniquely pan-European perspective, with the author meeting dozens of geneticists, historians and archaeologists in the course of her research. The genes of this seemingly ordinary modern European woman have a truly fascinating story to tell, and in many ways it is the true story of Europe. At a time when politics is pushing nations apart, this book shows that, ultimately, our genes will always bind us together.

Named a Top Ten Science Book of Fall 2016 by Publishers Weekly Although mammals and birds are widely regarded as the smartest creatures on earth, it has lately become clear that a very distant branch of the tree of life has also sprouted higher intelligence: the cephalopods, consisting of the squid, the cuttlefish, and above all the octopus. In captivity, octopuses have been known to identify individual human keepers, raid neighboring tanks for food, turn off lightbulbs by spouting jets of water, plug drains, and make daring escapes. How is it that a creature with such gifts evolved through an evolutionary lineage so radically distant from our own? What does it mean that evolution built minds not once but at least twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter? In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how subjective experience crept into being?how nature became aware of itself. As Godfrey-Smith stresses, it is a story that largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared. Tracking the mind’s fitful development, Godfrey-Smith shows how unruly clumps of seaborne cells began living together and became capable of sensing, acting, and signaling. As these primitive organisms became more entangled with others, they grew more complicated. The first nervous systems evolved, probably in ancient relatives of jellyfish; later on, the cephalopods, which began as inconspicuous mollusks, abandoned their shells and rose above the ocean floor, searching for prey and acquiring the greater intelligence needed to do so. Taking an independent route, mammals and birds later began their own evolutionary journeys. But what kind of intelligence do cephalopods possess? Drawing on the latest scientific research and his own scuba-diving adventures, Godfrey-Smith probes the many mysteries that surround the lineage. How did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? What is it like to have eight tentacles that are so packed with neurons that they virtually “think for themselves”? What happens when some octopuses abandon their hermit-like ways and congregate, as they do in a unique location off the coast of Australia? By tracing the question of inner life back to its roots and comparing human beings with our most remarkable animal relatives, Godfrey-Smith casts crucial new light on the octopus mind?and on our own.

Icy, rocky, sometimes dusty, always mysterious - comets and asteroids are among the Solar System's very oldest inhabitants, formed within a swirling cloud of gas and dust in the area of space that eventually hosted the Sun and its planets. Locked within each of these extra-terrestrial objects is the 4.6-billion-year wisdom of Solar System events, and by studying them at close quarters using spacecraft we can coerce them into revealing their closely-guarded secrets. This offers us the chance to answer some fundamental questions about our planet and its inhabitants. Exploring comets and asteroids also allows us to shape the story of Earth's future, enabling us to protect our precious planet from the threat of a catastrophic impact from space, and maybe to even recover valuable raw materials from them. This cosmic bounty could be as useful in space as it is on Earth, providing the necessary fuel and supplies for humans as they voyage into deep space to explore more distant locations within the Solar System. Catching Stardust tells the story of these enigmatic celestial objects, revealing how scientists are using them to help understand a crucial time in our history - the birth of the Solar System, and everything contained within it.

We can see them fly gracefully from flower to flower with their multi-coloured wings: they are butterflies, the most admired and collected of insects; like bees, they are vital for plant pollination, which is why we have recently started protecting them as their numbers are significantly dwindling. Through this book you will get to know them better, explore their physiology, their defence and reproduction mechanisms and their most noteworthy features, and uncover the secrets behind the complicated patterns and amazing colours that characterize their appearance. We will also focus on the dangers that these wonderful insects face today due to pollution and human intervention that is putting at serious risk the life ofa species that we need to protect at any cost, for example by following the instructions at the end of the book that explain how to set out your garden or balcony in order to attract - and help - these most heavenly insects.

Bees have always been friends to man, even way back in prehistoric times. They feed on nectar and pollen and transform them into honey, a delicious substance that besides being a tasty food, it's a key ingredient for many beauty products, and a synonym for pleasant and nourishing pampering. But the importance of bees goes far beyond this. These special insects play a role of primary importance in the pollination of flowers and plants, which are at the base of the food chain of a great many animals. This book gives you the chance to get to know them from up close, and to explore their fascinatingly complex society, showing you how everything is perfectly organized, from the cleanliness of the hive to its defence, from gathering nectar to caring for the larvae. The book pays special attention to the dangers these hard-working insects currently face due to pollution and harmful human behaviour that risk interfering heavily with the life of a species that ought to be defended at all costs!

Take a journey through the seasons in this beautiful book, made entirely from hand-pressed plants. Artist Helen Ahpornsiri transforms petals, leaves and seeds into bounding hares, swooping swallows and fluttering butterflies. Turn the page to watch flowers unfold, see birds take flight or peek inside animal homes. Marvel at the magic of each moment and rediscover the wonders of a year in the wild . . .