Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)

With more than 1,400 species, bats are an incredibly diverse and successful group of mammals that can serve as model systems for many unique evolutionary adaptations. Flight has allowed them to master the sky, while echolocation enables them to navigate in the dark. Being small, secretive, nocturnal creatures has made bats a challenge to study, but over the past 50 years, innovative research has made it possible to dispel some of the mystery and myth surrounding them to give us a better understanding of the role these animals play in the ecosystem.

The structure of the book is based on several broad themes across the biological sciences, including the evolution of bats, their ecology and behavior, and conservation of biodiversity. Within these themes are more specific topics on important aspects of bat research, such as morphology, molecular biology, echolocation, taxonomy, systematics, threats to bats, social structure, reproduction, movements, and feeding strategies.

Given its scope, the book will appeal to the wider scientific community, environmental organizations, and government policymakers who are interested in the interdisciplinary aspects of biology and nature.

The word stress is everywhere and highly overused. Everyone is stressed, it seems, all the time. Looking into the meaning of stress in the natural science and the humanities, this book explores cellular stress as cause of and in correlation with what humans experience as stress. When do we psychologically feel stress and when do we show physiological evidence of stress in our brain? 

The book is written for anyone interested in stress, its causes and consequences, and its relationship to poverty. 

The book addresses life science and business professionals as well as national authorities who are interested in biobanking in general and in setting up a biobank in particular.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) also known as sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations have been the focus of global attention. Most importantly, LGBT populations have been addressed in the context of human rights in multiple reports and other activities by the United Nations and other international organizations. There is great variation among countries in the recognition of LGBT individuals’ human rights. A global focus on LGBT populations’ health is still limited, with the notable exception of HIV research. This book on LGBT populations and cancer in the global context is, therefore, an important step in that it will broaden the focus on LGBT populations’ health.

Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Cancer morbidity and mortality are increasing disproportionately among populations in lower-income countries. A review conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that of the 82% of member states (158) countries, only 35% of the national cancer control plans addresses vulnerable population, including LGBT populations. These findings reflect an increasing awareness about equity when addressing cancer prevention and control, including LGBT populations.

The evolution of genome’s modification by genetic engineering was characterized by a major technological breakthrough with the discovery of CRISPR in 2012. A distinction is now made between first-generation biotechnologies developed in the 20th century and current second-generation biotechnologies, NGT or New Genomic Techniques, including genome editing. How do we consider these genomic modifications compared to those that occur spontaneously in nature? What are the applications of these techniques in the fields of plants, animals, and human health? What prospects in terms of development and independence for countries and at least what regulations are in force on the different continents?

The book questions what GMOs are, genome editing products and the place of genomic transformations today and tomorrow in our societies. It tries to give some geostrategic and regulatory benchmarks on biotech products in order to better understand the current issues.

This comprehensively updated new edition provides patients and their physicians (especially non-oncologist healthcare providers) with a clear and concise introduction to cancer immunotherapy. Unlike traditional forms of cancer therapy, immunotherapy acts by boosting the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer; immunotherapy's unique features make its management, monitoring and side-effects different from those of traditional cancer therapy. Especially novel are the side effects of cancer immunotherapy, necessitating greater awareness for both patients and physicians in order to minimize complications and maximize benefits.

The patient-friendly and state-of-the-art knowledge presented in this book will inform patients and their care providers about the benefits and risks of cancer immunotherapy, and help them to understand how immunotherapy would control their unique disease. Researchers and academic professionals in the field of cancer immunotherapy will also find clear, useful information to help them communicate with patients and address unresolved issues. Key features include:

Expertise. Editors and authors are scientists and oncologists specializing in cancer immunotherapy, involved in scientific discovery from the early stage of immune-checkpoint inhibitors to today's patient care. Their insights, expertise and experience guarantee high quality and authority in the science, medicine and practice of cancer immunotherapy.

Patient-friendly. This book is written specifically for cancer patients considering or undergoing immunotherapy. As an educational tool, this book will help the reader to understand the underlying science, balance the risks and benefits based on both research and clinical facts, and make an informed decision regarding their treatment options. 

Disease Specificity. Cancer is a complicated disease involving multiple stages and pathology. Its response to immunotherapy is individualized and varies depending on cancer types. The authors’ expertise in treating different types of cancers, including melanoma, lung, kidney, bladder, breast, and lymphoma, provides disease-specific insights in applying immunotherapy to each disease.

State-of-the-Art. This edition has been comprehensively updated to reflect recent advances, including detailed coverage of the latest therapies like CAR-T, TIL, immune checkpoint inhibitors and bispecific T cell engaging antibodies, and dedicated chapters on breast cancer, solid organ transplant recipients, GI and genitourinary malignancies, and resistant cancer.

Aimed at patients and non-oncologist care providers as a resource when seeking immunotherapy as a treatment option

Detailed focus on various cancers provides disease-specific insights, clinical studies, and risk/benefit analysis

Comprehensively updated to address the latest immunotherapies and expanded coverage of disease-specific scenarios
 

 This book addresses the social benefits of physical activity and sport in promoting the social and educational inclusion of refugees living in Europe in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4, 10 and 16. It provides a theoretical framework supported by evidence obtained from a case study in the Spanish context.

The book demonstrates how universities and formal and non-formal educational institutions, by means of service-learning activities managed by physical and social educators, enable refugees and students to practice physical activity, develop further learning and establish stable social networks. It shows how a pedagogical approach to physical activity can improve relationships between students and refugees and promote inclusion of all. It discusses the value of diversity in education and educational research, as well as transdisciplinarity in new educational and research approaches.

To avoid any misunderstandings: this book is not about spiders as pets, but about those spiders that live in our houses and apartments as lodgers. Mostly ignored and sometimes (wrongly) feared, there is hardly a building in the world that does not harbour some species of spider. What is fascinating is that we always find the same species. These spiders must have special adaptations, because the humidity in our homes is far too low, they are too clean, and the food supply is usually scarce. However, those spiders that have made the leap into our four walls are rewarded with a worldwide right to stay. This, in turn, is due to people's eagerness to trade and migrate worldwide: Humans tirelessly transport their belongings and an endless stream of goods around the world in sacks, parcels and containers. And our domestic spiders, as stowaways, travel just as tirelessly and unrecognized. It is therefore possible to present domestic spiders found throughout the world in a single book, as they are essentially the same everywhere. The 50 or so most important species and species groups are presented here in a generally understandable way, with a detailed profile, photos and distribution maps.

The authors of this book are experts who work at museums, universities and in administration in Europe and North America. They are not only recognized scientists, but have also been avowed spider fans for decades.

This book discusses indigenous practices and obstacles faced by farmers conducting shifting cultivation (jhum) in North-east India and suggests methods of soil fertility improvement through e.g. microbial-mediated rejuvenation of forest fallows as a sustainable approach for mitigating deteriorating jhum lands and enhancing their productivity. Shifting cultivation has experienced a decline in crop productivity due to high population density and shortened fallow length that has impacted upon farmers' socio-economic status, and raised concerns regarding food security and environmental conservation. As shifting cultivation is conducted in moist tropical forests globally supporting millions of people, there is the potential to benefit many populations. This book is suitable for researchers, policy makers, development agencies, NGOs and farmers to formulate strategies that conserve the biodiversity, environment, soil health and traditions of tribal farming communities.

Animal-based foods are an important source of essential nutrients for people worldwide. Advances in processing technology and engineering, fermented food and microbiological aspects, digitization, AI tools, traceability, non-bovine milk and more are crucial to facing the challenge of building a sustainable food system for the future of our planet.

Trends in Animal-Based Foods focuses on the exploitation of animal-based products through extensive research, analysis, and technological advancement. With a vision for improving the quality and functionality of meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, this book will cover advanced biotechnological tools and techniques for animal product identification, including emerging dairy processing, waste and by-product utilization, biotechnological potential, yoghurt fortification, detection methods of milk powder adulteration, and sensor technology.

Unlike the existing literature on animal products, this book focuses on the latest research areas, technological advancement, and sustainable biotransformation of these foods. In addition, the book provides theoretical and practical information to present the various aspects of animal-based foods and some alternatives. Trends in Animal-based Foods will be a valuable resource for researchers, dairy technologists, food technologists, students, and professionals working on sustainable and effective utilization of animal-based products as well as their wastes and by-products.

Antimicrobial resistance is a generally recognized threat to public health. Usage of antibiotics unavoidably leads to development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This is the generally believed assumption. This multi-author book addresses the question how antibiotics can be applied to combat infections in livestock, while minimizing the build-up of resistance. This information is not only essential for veterinarians and farmers, but also for policymakers and law enforcement agencies in the agricultural sector.

The main message of this book is that with well-designed measures and optimal strategies for application, antibiotics can be used with reduced collateral damage in the form of antimicrobial resistance. All authors are experts on the different aspects of antimicrobials in the framework of veterinary applications. The various chapters review the state-of-the-art on reduction of usage, the consequences for the environment, driving factors for development and spreading, and the legal aspects of antimicrobials in the framework of food production. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific opinions on antimicrobial resistance in the veterinary sector.

In addition to summarizing the science, this book also provides practical and implementable suggestions for veterinarians and others involved in raising livestock to improve daily practice in order to prevent unnecessary selection of resistance. In countries where these principles of good practice are applied the resistance of livestock related microorganisms has stabilized and sometime even decreased over the years. This is an important message to spread globally, because if it is applied worldwide, antimicrobials will remains the reliable tool for healthcare that the have been in the past decades.

This book addresses significant gaps in our understanding of how watershed microbial structures and functions respond to the pressures of urbanization. It consolidates rapidly evolving, yet often fragmented, global data on watershed microbiomes, providing critical insights into the impacts of urban pollution, human health risks, and long-term ecological consequences.

Featuring the latest technological advancements in biological monitoring, microbial source-tracking technologies, and strategies for effective watershed management, this volume serves as a comprehensive and reliable source for the current state of urban watershed microbiology. It examines the unique challenges urbanization presents to ecosystems, especially in terms of atmospheric chemistry, hydrology, vegetation, and how these factors disrupt microbial communities that mediate essential ecosystem services like water purification, nutrient recycling, and degradation of pollutants.

Together the two-volume work delves into the mechanisms behind the urban watershed syndrome—ecological degradation of streams—and explores many unanswered questions that hinder progress in understanding urban watershed microbiomes. With original research articles, reviews, and perspectives, this collection is a key resource for microbiologists, environmental scientists, engineers, and professionals involved in water quality, ecosystem management, and land-use planning. The hope is that this volume will inspire new breakthroughs, drive further research, and ultimately help shape effective strategies for addressing the ecological challenges of urban watersheds.

This book explores the evolution of the human brain, highlighting the critical role of diet, particularly micronutrients, in shaping our cognitive development. By examining the evolutionary path of our ancestors, it sheds light on how dietary practices have influenced brain growth and function. This provides valuable insights into modern health and lifestyle choices. Thus, the book makes an essential contribution to evolutionary medicine and to our understanding of the relationship between evolution and health.

The chapters cover topics such as the importance of micronutrients in brain development in the context of evolution and cognitive development in children, mental decline in the elderly (dementia), ADHD, Hidden Hunger, and obesity. Special attention is given to the impact of environmental change on dietary evolution and the role of the hippocampus in processing sensory and ecological information. The book offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between diet and cognitive health, and the author presents a strong case that nutritional quality, rather than quantity, has been a driving force in the evolution of Homo sapiens and the human brain. Nutritional quality continues to play an important role in brain development and function, as demonstrated by various examples. 

Throughout the book, complex concepts are explained with simple, colorful illustrations. References to implications for modern humans complement the main content.
By exploring the links between ancient dietary practices and modern health, the book invites readers to rethink their approach to diet and lifestyle and offers practical insights for maintaining cognitive health throughout life. As such, it is intended for anyone interested in these topics, whether you are a scientist or an interested layperson.

This comprehensive volume gathers foremost experts on the coral reefs of Cuba who represent a spectrum of disciplines, including biology, conservation ecology, economics and geology. The volume is organized along general themes including the Cuban Reef biota, reefs occurring in the Mesophotic and Eutrophic zones, ecology, conservation, management and the economic importance of the coral reefs of Cuba. The combination of case studies, new and previously published research, historical overview and examples of the ways in which research has contributed to the management and conservation of Cuban coastal resources provides a unique reference for graduate students and professionals holding a wide range of interests and expertise related to coral reef systems.