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Orthogenesis versus Darwinism
By Igor Popov. 2018
This book reviews the convoluted history of orthogenesis with an emphasis of non-English sources, untangles relationships between various concepts of…
directed evolution and argues whether orthogenesis has something to offer modern biology. Darwinism claims that evolution occurs by selection from an extensive random variability. An alternative viewpoint—that the material for variability is limited and organisms are predisposed to vary in certain directions—is the essence of evolutionary concepts that can be grouped together under the name of orthogenesis. Dating back to Lamarck, orthogenesis has existed in many guises. Branded as mystical and discarded as unscientific, it keeps re-emerging in evolutionary discussions.End of the Megafauna: The Fate Of The World's Hugest, Fiercest, And Strangest Animals
By Peter Schouten, Ross D MacPhee. 2019
The fascinating lives and puzzling demise of some of the largest animals on earth. Until a few thousand years ago,…
creatures that could have been from a sci-fi thriller—including gorilla-sized lemurs, 500-pound birds, and crocodiles that weighed a ton or more—roamed the earth. These great beasts, or “megafauna,” lived on every habitable continent and on many islands. With a handful of exceptions, all are now gone. What caused the disappearance of these prehistoric behemoths? No one event can be pinpointed as a specific cause, but several factors may have played a role. Paleomammalogist Ross D. E. MacPhee explores them all, examining the leading extinction theories, weighing the evidence, and presenting his own conclusions. He shows how theories of human overhunting and catastrophic climate change fail to account for critical features of these extinctions, and how new thinking is needed to elucidate these mysterious losses. Along the way, we learn how time is determined in earth history; how DNA is used to explain the genomics and phylogenetic history of megafauna—and how synthetic biology and genetic engineering may be able to reintroduce these giants of the past. Until then, gorgeous four-color illustrations by Peter Schouten re-create these megabeasts here in vivid detail.The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophy
By Paige Williams. 2018
In 2012, a New York auction catalogue boasted an unusual offering: "a superb Tyrannosaurus skeleton." In fact, Lot 49135 consisted…
of a nearly complete T. bataar, a close cousin to the most famous animal that ever lived. The fossils now on display in a Manhattan event space had been unearthed in Mongolia, more than 6,000 miles away. At eight-feet high and 24 feet long, the specimen was spectacular, and when the gavel sounded the winning bid was over $1 million. Eric Prokopi, a thirty-eight-year-old Floridian, was the man who had brought this extraordinary skeleton to market. A onetime swimmer who spent his teenage years diving for shark teeth, Prokopi's singular obsession with fossils fueled a thriving business hunting, preparing, and selling specimens, to clients ranging from natural history museums to avid private collectors like actor Leonardo DiCaprio. But there was a problem. This time, facing financial strain, had Prokopi gone too far? As the T. bataar went to auction, a network of paleontologists alerted the government of Mongolia to the eye-catching lot. As an international custody battle ensued, Prokopi watched as his own world unraveled. In the tradition of The Orchid Thief, The Dinosaur Artist is a stunning work of narrative journalism about humans' relationship with natural history and a seemingly intractable conflict between science and commerce. A story that stretches from Florida's Land O' Lakes to the Gobi Desert, The Dinosaur Artist illuminates the history of fossil collecting--a murky, sometimes risky business, populated by eccentrics and obsessives, where the lines between poacher and hunter, collector and smuggler, enthusiast and opportunist, can easily blur. In her first book, Paige Williams has given readers an irresistible story that spans continents, cultures, and millennia as she examines the question of who, ultimately, owns the past.Click and Jane: Dinosaur Hunters
By Rob McClurkan. 2018
Click, Jane, and CeCe go digging for dinosaur bones. When they finally dig up a bone, Click and CeCe are…
sure it’s a dinosaur bone but Jane thinks it is too small. Cloo teaches them something surprising – dinosaurs were all different sizes!Flipping the Paleontology Classroom: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies (Elements of Paleontology)
By Matthew E Clapham. 2018
Lecturing has been a staple of university pedagogy, but a shift is ongoing because of evidence that active engagement with…
content helps strengthen learning and build more advanced skills. The flipped classroom, which delivers content to students outside of the class meeting, is one approach to maximize time for active learning. The fundamental benefit of a flipped class is that students learn more, but ensuring student preparation and engagement can be challenging. Evaluation policies can provide incentives to guide student effort. Flipping a class requires an initial time commitment, but the workload associated with evaluating student work during the course can be mitigated. The personal interactions from active learning are extremely rewarding for students and instructors, especially when class sizes are small and suitable room layouts are available. Overall, flipping a course doesn't require special training, just a willingness to experiment, reflect, and adjust.Confronting Prior Conceptions in Paleontology Courses (Elements of Paleontology)
By Margaret M Yacobucci. 2018
People hold a variety of prior conceptions that impact their learning. Prior conceptions that include erroneous or incomplete understandings represent…
a significant barrier to durable learning, as they are often difficult to change. While researchers have documented students' prior conceptions in many areas of geoscience, little is known about prior conceptions involving paleontology. In this book, data on student prior conceptions from two introductory undergraduate paleontology courses are presented. In addition to more general misunderstandings about the nature of science, many students hold incorrect ideas about methods of historical geology, Earth history, ancient life, and evolution. Of special note are student perceptions of the limits of paleontology as scientific inquiry. By intentionally eliciting students' prior conceptions and implementing the pedagogical strategies described in other Elements in this series, lecturers can shape instruction to challenge this negative view of paleontology and improve student learning.Hands-on learning in paleontology, and geology in general, is fairly common practice. Students regularly use rocks, fossils, and data in…
the classroom throughout their undergraduate career, but they typically do it sitting in a chair in a lab. Kinesthetic learning is a teaching model that requires students to be physically active while learning. Students may be involved in a physical activity during class or might be using their own bodies to model some important concept. This book briefly discusses the theory behind kinesthetic learning and how it fits into a student-centered, active-learning classroom. It then describes in detail methods for incorporating it into student exercises on biostratigraphy, assessment of sampling completeness, and modeling evolutionary processes. Assessment data demonstrates that these exercises have led to significantly improved student learning outcomes tied to these concepts.Student-Centered Teaching in Paleontology and Geoscience Classrooms (Elements of Paleontology)
By Robyn Mieko Dahl. 2018
Research on learning and cognition in geoscience education research and other discipline-based education communities suggests that effective instruction should include…
three key components: a) activation of students' prior knowledge on the subject, b) an active learning pedagogy that allows students to address any existing misconceptions and then build a new understanding of the concept, and c) metacognitive reflections that require students to evaluate their own learning processes during the lesson. This Element provides an overview of the research on student-centered pedagogy in introductory geoscience and paleontology courses and gives examples of these instructional approaches. Student-centered learning shifts the power and attention in a classroom from the instructor to the students. In a student-centered classroom, students are in control of their learning experience and the instructor functions primarily as a guide. Student-centered classrooms trade traditional lecture for conceptually-oriented tasks, collaborative learning activities, new technology, inquiry-based learning, and metacognitive reflection.The Neotoma Paleoecology Database: A Research Outreach Nexus (Elements of Paleontology)
By John W Williams, Carol Ormond, James S Oliver, Amy Myrbo, Shane Loeffler, Russell Graham, Simon James Goring. 2018
Paleoecological data from the Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago to present) provides an opportunity for educational outreach for the…
earth and biological sciences. Paleoecology data repositories serve as technical hubs and focal points within their disciplinary communities and so are uniquely situated to help produce teaching modules and engagement resources. The Neotoma Paleoecology Database provides support to educators from primary schools to graduate students. In collaboration with pedagogical experts, the Neotoma Paleoecology Database team has developed teaching modules and model workflows. Early education is centered on discovery; higher-level educational tools focus on illustrating best practices for technical tasks. Collaborations among pedagogic experts, technical experts and data stewards, centered around data resources such as Neotoma, provide an important role within research communities, and an important service to society, supporting best practices, translating current research advances to interested audiences, and communicating the importance of individual research disciplines.Dinosaurs: A Catalyst for Critical Thought (Elements of Paleontology)
By Darrin Pagnac. 2018
University dinosaur courses provide an influential venue for developing aptitude beyond knowledge of terrestrial Mesozoic reptiles. Passion for dinosaurs, when…
properly directed, can trigger interest in science and be used to develop critical thinking skills. Examination of dinosaur paleontology can develop competence in information analysis, perception of flawed arguments, recognition of persuasion techniques, and application of disciplined thought processes. Three methods for developing critical thought are outlined in this book. The first uses dinosaur paleontology to illustrate logical fallacies and flawed arguments. The second is a method for evaluating primary dinosaur literature by students of any major. The final example entails critique of dinosaur documentaries based on the appearance of dinosaurs and the disconnect between scientific fact and storytelling techniques. Students are owed more than dinosaur facts; lecturers should foster a set of skills that equips students with the tools necessary to be perceptive citizens and science advocates.Integrating Macrostrat and Rockd into Undergraduate Earth Science Teaching (Elements of Paleontology)
By Shanan Peters, Rowan Lockwood, Phoebe A Cohen. 2018
New online resources are opening doors for education and outreach in the Earth sciences. One of the most innovative online…
earth science portals is Macrostrat and its mobile client Rockd - an interface that combines geolocated geological maps with stratigraphic information, lithological data, and crowd-sourced images and descriptions of outcrops. These tools provide a unique educational opportunity for students to interact with primary geological data, create connections between local outcrops and global patterns, and make new field observations. Rockd incorporates an aspect of social media to its platform, which creates a sense of community for users. This book outlines these resources, gives instructions on how to use them, and provides examples of how to integrate these resources into a variety of paleontology and earth science courses.Integrating Active Learning into Paleontology Classes (Elements of Paleontology)
By Alison N Olcott. 2018
The educational benefits of replacing in-class lectures with hands-on activities are clear. Such active learning is a natural fit for…
paleontology, which can provide opportunities for examining fossils, analyzing data and writing. Additionally, there are a number of topics in the field that are exciting to geology majors and non-majors alike: very few can resist the lure of dinosaurs, huge meteor impacts, vicious Cretaceous sharks or a giant Pleistocene land mammal. However, it can seem difficult to introduce these techniques into a large general education class full of non-majors: paleontological specimens provide a natural starting point for hands-on classroom activities, but in a large class it is not always practical or possible to provide enough fossil material for all students. The book introduces different types of active learning approaches, and then explains how they have been applied to a large introductory paleontology class for non-majors.Dozens of Dinos
By Mike Weinstein, Kirsten Guerin. 2018
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand next to a real dinosaur? Millions of years ago,…
Dinosaurs ruled the earth and left their fossils behind for us to find all over the world. These fossils help archaeologists and paleontologists learn about what dinosaurs may have looked like. Some were really big and some were really small. In this story, you will learn all of the different shapes & sizes of your favorite dinosaurs before they went extinct. How will you measure up next to your favorite dinosaur?Evolution and Development of Fishes
By Martha Richter, Charlie Underwood, Zerina Johanson. 2019
Fish, or lower vertebrates, occupy the basal nodes of the vertebrate phylogeny, and are therefore crucial in interpreting almost every…
feature of more advanced vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Recent research focuses on combining evolutionary observations - primarily from the fish fossil record - with developmental data from living fishes, in order to better interpret evolutionary history and vertebrate phylogeny. This book highlights the importance of this research in the interpretation of vertebrate evolution, bringing together world-class palaeontologists and biologists to summarise the most interesting, current and cutting-edge topics in fish evolution and development. It will be an invaluable tool for researchers in early vertebrate palaeontology and evolution, and those particularly interested in the interface between evolution and development.Caregiver's Survival Guide: Caring for Yourself While Caring for a Loved One
By Ellie Crowe. 2018
Caregiver's Survival Guide is based on Dr. Robert Yonover's personal experiences. While struggling to become a successful scientist and inventor,…
he also was primary caregiver for his paralyzed wife for more than twenty years and raised their two children. Yonover takes you into the throes of his life as a caregiver, husband, and father, offering guidance and hope through his story. He provides advice on: Dealing with heavy news Handling day-to-day challenges Holding on to the foundation of your relationship Taking stock of finances Adapting and enjoying life Staying sane Maintaining a social life Fighting for your rights Through Caregiver's Survival Guide, Dr. Yonover will equip other caregivers who face similar physical, mental, social, and financial challenges with tips and guidelines from his own experiences and other experts to help make their situation survivable.The Everything Kids' Dinosaurs Book: Stomp, Crash, And Thrash Through Hours of Puzzles, Games, And Activities! (Everything® Kids)
By Kathi Wagner, Sheryl Racine. 2005
Stomp, crash, and thrash through hours of puzzles, games, and activities!The Everything Kids' Dinosaur Book combines exciting and educational facts…
about dinosaurs with super-cool puzzles and awesome activities that will keep kids roaring, stomping and leaping for more. Inside they'll find out about the different types of dinosaurs, where they came from, how they lived and a ton (or two) more!With The Everything Kids' Dinosaur Book, kids can:Learn about what paleontologists studyManeuver through swampy amphibian mazesCreate big dino fun with crafty art and cooking projectsHunt for hidden dinosaurs in the most unlikely placesDiscover modern-day fun facts about fossilsPart educational tool, part activity book, The Everything Kids Dinosaur Book is guaranteed to keep kids entertained--and learning--for hours at a time.Backbone: Living with Chronic Pain without Turning into One
By Karen Duffy. 2017
An inspirational, powerful, and funny manual for coping and living with devastating pain. For two decades, Karen Duffy —New York…
Times bestselling author, former MTV VJ, Revlon model, and actress— has managed to live an enriching life despite living in a state of constant pain. Duffy has sarcoidosis, a disorder that causes the growth of inflammatory cells on different organs of the body. In her case, her sarcoidosis is located in her brain, causing her unimaginable pain. In this powerful, inspirational, funny, and important manual for surviving pain, Duffy draws on her experience as a patient advocate, certified recreational therapist, and hospital chaplain to illuminate gratifying methods people can use to cope with chronic pain and reinforces the sentiment that "circumstances determine our lives, but we shape our lives by what we make of circumstances" (Sir John Wheeler Bennet). More than one-third of the US population—nearly 113 million Americans—is currently living with chronic pain, while another 133 million Americans live with some form of chronic illness. Half of the US population lives with the challenges of these invisible illnesses where their symptoms are not always obvious to the casual observer. Addressing a country ravaged by both chronic pain and opioid addiction, Backbone offers a salve of self-sufficiency, spunk, and perseverance. With a light tone, deft wordplay, and interactive gems such as the Bill Murray Pain Scale, Mastectomy Paper Dolls, and a crown to wear just for getting out of bed, Duffy's serious—and seriously funny—book is for the massive population living with chronic pain who are eager to be understood and helped, and sends the message that despite the pain, there is a way to a good life.Your Body's Brilliant Design: A Revolutionary Approach to Relieving Chronic Pain
By Karen Gabler. 2017
Want to know the key to eliminating chronic pain from your life? It’s not more rigorous exercise, medical interventions, or…
expensive therapies. It turns out you have had the key all along—your body and its natural brilliant design!For years we have been overlooking a crucial element of the body—fascia—that holds the key to allowing you to live pain-free. Many of us think of the human body as a static, mechanical system of muscles attached to a skeleton. What is missing from this picture is the tissue that unites all the parts: the fascia, a seamless web of dynamic connective tissue that surrounds all muscles, bones, organs, and even cells. When one part of the fluid fascial web moves, the rest of the body responds. When we learn how to connect to this system through subtle movements, we open up a world of understanding of how our bodies are designed to work with us, not against us, to support an easy and pain-free life.This book will teach you how to feel and embody this new anatomy by connecting to your dynamic center of gravity, or the Core Hug, and to a vertical line of muscles and fascia that runs deep through the body: the Vertical Core. When you connect to the Core Hug and the deep Vertical Core using movement, your body is able to suspend itself and sustain that suspension over time.Your body is already brilliantly designed to support you. The architecture is within you. The key is to access that brilliant design and work with it. Through stunning imagery and simple movement techniques, this book teaches you how to use the natural architecture of your body (bones, fascia, and movement) to align, balance, and support you so that you can move with ease and live without pain.An Insider's Guide to Orthopedic Surgery: A Physical Therapist Shares the Keys to a Better Recovery
By Jared Foran, Elizabeth Kaufmann. 2018
Nearly two million Americans undergo elective orthopedic surgery each year. And the numbers keep growing—hip replacements are projected to double…
over the next fifteen years, and knee replacements will quadruple. When you are ready for your procedure, you’ll want a copy of An Insider’s Guide to Orthopedic Surgery at your side. It is the only book that will help you prepare yourself (and your home) for a quicker and more thorough recovery. As a physical therapist who has spent more than seventeen years helping patients through recovery, author Elizabeth Kaufmann discusses the things that your surgeon won’t cover. You’ll get detailed, practical instruction on: • Preparing your home for the equipment you’ll need upon return • Understanding what will happen at every step of your hospital stay, from arrival through surgery to release (which will likely be sooner than you expect) • Getting the best care from therapists and other hospital and rehab staff members • Dealing with pain throughout the healing process • Building a support network to help provide care during recovery You’ll also learn the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist; be ready for that first session; and find out the advantages of home therapy, sub-acute rehab, and outpatient therapy. If you have been suffering from chronic pain in the shoulder, knee, or hip, joint replacement can offer a second chance at restoring the life you desire. An Insider’s Guide to Orthopedic Surgery will help you get ready for it.La paleontología en 100 preguntas (100 Preguntas esenciales)
By Adriana Oliver. 2018
Las respuestas de la ciencia a las preguntas fundamentales sobre el origen de la vida y el origen del ser…
humano. Desde las primeras bacterias -3.800 millones de años- y los primeros organismos, plantas y vertebrados, hasta la conquista de la tierra, la era de los dinosaurios, los mamíferos y la aparición de los homínidos en el mioceno hace 7 millones de años. ¿Son primas las ballenas y las vacas?, ¿Cómo eran las primeras formas de vida?, ¿Cómo afectaron los cambios climáticos a la vida?, ¿Cómo pudo surgir la primera célula?, ¿Qué es la explosión cámbrica?, ¿Por qué salieron los anfibios del agua?, ¿Es cierto que los dinosaurios tenían miedo a los ratones?, ¿Cómo perdieron las ballenas las patas traseras?, ¿Estamos llegando a la 6º extinción?, ¿Cuáles fueron los primeros europeos?, ¿Cuándo apareció el lenguaje?, ¿Existen fósiles vivientes? ¿Quién no se ha preguntado alguna vez por la aparición de los primeros seres vivos, los dinosaurios que habitaban la Tierra o el origen del ser humano? La paleontología, a través del estudio de los fósiles nos propone un emocionante viaje para conocer los seres vivos que habitaron la Tierra en las diferentes eras geológicas. En este libro te invitamos a bucear entre la historia de la vida en la Tierra y descubrir sus grandes momentos como la aparición de las primeras bacterias hace 3.800 millones de años, pasando por los primeros organismos acorazados, las primeras plantas terrestres, los primeros vertebrados, la conquista de la tierra, los primeros bosques, la era de los dinosaurios, la aparición de los mamíferos, la aparición de las plantas con flor o la aparición de los homínidos. ¿Te animas a descubrir cómo eran?