Kara Rogers: 25 books

About half of all species under threat of extinction in the world today are plants. The loss of plant biodiversity is disturbing for many reasons, but especially because it is a reflection of the growing disconnect between humans and nature. Plants have been used for millennia in traditional systems...

In the United States and Canada, thousands of species of native plants are edging toward the brink of extinction, and they are doing so quietly. They are slipping away inconspicuously from settings as diverse as backyards and protected lands. The factors that have contributed to their disappearance...

Although much is now known about the biology of reproduction, a great deal remains to be discovered about the diseases and disorders that can damage the reproductive system. Ethical concerns surrounding the issues of birth control and abortion have also provoked much discussion in recent times. This...

Outbreaks of infectious disease pose some of the greatest public health risks to humans across the globe. Although an increasing number of preventative measures and cures are available against a number of these threats, many are still untreatable or have no remedy. However, the human response to these...

Fungi, protists, and algae are among the most diverse life forms on the planet. Tiny protists range from plants to animals. Algae range from single celled plants to 60-foot-long kelp. Fungi occupy a kingdom of their own. Although their place in nature—neither truly plants or animals—may make them...

Though only about the size of a clenched fist, the human heart bears the immense burden of sustaining human life and activity. Functioning to circulate blood throughout the body, the heart is an organ on which all others intimately depend. This volume relates the anatomy of the heart and the effects...

Debates on nature versus nurture rage on and the question of identity looms large for almost everybody at some point in their lives. Thanks to continuing developments in genetics research, some of those questions can be put to bed—or at least, better understood. Moreover, studies of the genome can...

The human eye has been the subject of endless fascination. Indeed, the very nature of sensory perception is shaped by the visual cues the brain receives, thus rendering the eye one of the most crucial elements in our comprehension of the world. The structures and functions of the eye are examined...

Consumed for a wide range of reasons, substances that alter a person’s mood and mind are widespread in most societies. Although many such substances initially had been valued for their medicinal properties, their usage can have health-endangering consequences, including habit formation. The misuse...

Even a quick look at the surface of human skin reveals its many complexities. Much more than a simple shell for the human body, the skin helps protect internal organs and, working in conjunction with connective tissue, allows the human body to function as a unit. This comprehensive volume examines...

The interconnectedness of the ear, nose, and throat is evident when you consider how the smell of garlic cloves on the grill or chocolate chip cookies in the oven can affect your perception of their taste, or how a runny nose and scratchy throat can lead to an ear infection. In addition to enabling...

From a young age we have been told to take our vitamins, eat our fruits and vegetables, and limit sugar and fat. Readers examine what makes certain foods better nutritionally than others and how various foods affect the human body, including the role they can play in disease and illness. Tables in the appendix provide quick reference on vitamins and common food-related illnesses.

Responsible for managing the body’s waste and regulating the balance of water and electrolytes, the kidneys and renal system, in a sense, make up the body’s plumbing network. When any part of the system fails or does not function properly, the body may be subject to unnatural concentrations of...

The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease remains a challenging undertaking as emerging disorders and pandemics are constantly presenting new opposition. Behind the practice of medicine is a treasury of great minds and healers who have endeavored tirelessly at the forefront of disease management....