Books with author Christine Wilcox

A thrilling tale of encounters with nature’s masters of biochemistry“A fitting tribute to one of nature’s most sinister creations of all.” ―Carl Zimmer, author of Parasite RexIn Venomous, the molecular biologist Christie Wilcox investigates venoms and the animals that use them, revealing how they work, what they do to the human body, and how they can revolutionize biochemistry and medicine today.Wilcox takes us from the coast of Indonesia to the rain forests of Peru in search of the secrets of these mysterious animals. We encounter jellyfish that release microscopic venom-packed darts known to kill humans in just two minutes, a two-inch caterpillar with toxic bristles that trigger hemorrhaging throughout the body, and a stunning blue-ringed octopus with saliva capable of inducing total paralysis. How could an animal as simple as a jellyfish evolve such an intricate, deadly poison? And how can a snake possess enzymes that tear through tissue yet leave its own body unscathed? Wilcox meets the fearless scientists who often risk their lives studying these lethal beasts to find out, and puts her life on the line to examine these species up close. Drawing on her own research on venom chemistry and evolution, she also shows how venom is helping us untangle the complex mechanisms of some of our most devastating diseases.Venomous reveals that the animals we fear the most actually hold the keys to a deeper understanding of evolution, adaptation, and immunity. Thrilling and surprising at every turn, Venomous will change the way you think about our natural world.

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today's most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; Lucent Books' contemporary biography series profiles the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent newsmakers. Whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner pu; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well

This contemporary biography series profiles the lives of some of today’s most prominent newsmakers; whether covering contributions and achievements or notorious deeds, books in this series examine why these well-known people garner public attention.; This book is a biography of athlete Shaun White. To sports fans the world over, the name Shaun White is synonymous with snowboarding. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is the most successful snowboarder in the history of the sport, earning more than $10 million a year in competition prizes and endorsement deals. Also a top professional skateboarder, his competition record is a series of “firsts”—he was the first to compete in both the summer and winter X Games; he is the only athlete to win both the summer and winter Dew Cup; and he is the first person to successfully land a host of extremely complex snowboarding and skateboarding tricks, including two of his own invention—the double McTwist 1260 and the Armadillo. As snowboarding’s most vocal—and most recognizable—advocate, his dynamic performances have brought the sport into the mainstream of popular culture.; Offering insight into the lives of people who have made an impact in the modern era, People in the News volumes are sure to be of interest to students researching current topics and popular culture. Through quotations from the individual profiled as well as from friends, supporters, and critics, readers learn how these men and women view themselves as well as how other regard them. Each book in this series includes sidebars, photographs, annotated bibliographies, timelines, and comprehensive indexes.