Books published by publisher Joseph Henry Press (2006-04-30)

In Search of the Lost Cord is a scientific detective story, the stuff of science fiction en route to science fact. People trapped by the limitation of paralyzed limbs, rendered useless by devastating, catastrophic injuries to their spinal cords, may one day walk again. If the research is successful . . . if the scientists hit on the right strategy for approaching the problem, we may yet see miracles happen.In her new book, science journalist Luba Vikhanski profiles the rapidly developing field of spinal cord injury research. She explains the field’s greatest scientific challenges and introduces us to the pioneers who are working toward what would be a startling breakthrough. Perhaps the most riveting aspect of this international effort is the fact that each of these scientists is approaching the problem in very different ways. In the worldwide race to claim the prize of a cure, we witness a drama in the making.Who will cross the finish line first? Will it be the Swiss scientist Martin Schwab, who has actually managed to heal spinal cords in rats and has restored their ability to walk? Will it be Wise Young, a Rutgers scientist who is pinning his research hopes on drug therapies? Or could Lars Olson of the Swedish Karolinska Institute hold the key to success in his efforts to construct a bridge of slender nerve filaments to connect a once-severed spinal cord? His rats are already flexing their legs.These scientists, and others with unique and creative approaches of their own, have dared to tackle this seemingly unsolvable problem of spinal cord regeneration. Like all major medical and scientific breakthroughs, the “Eureka” moment often seems obvious in hindsight. Perhaps we’ll have the same perspective when the puzzle of spinal cord regeneration is solved and the nerves are indeed healed. Until that time, there’s a race to the finish line, and suspense is building. In Search of the Lost Cord is a trackside seat.

Adriana Ocampo grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, dreaming about exploring planets. She never doubted that all her dreams would come true someday. How did Adriana land a job with NASA, the U.S. space agency, while still in her teens? How did a robot parked on Mars make her fall in love with rocks and instantly decide to become a planetary geologist? Adriana's imagination and can-do attitude have led her to a life of science adventures. Adriana helped find the missing Crater of Doom, a hole blasted out of Earth by a killer space rock 65 million years ago, when the dinosaurs died out. Now she's searching the world for the stuff that came from that crater. Between rock digs she explores other planets through the electronic eyes of NASA's robotic spacecraft. How did an imaginative young girl with a dream of space exploration become a planetary geologist? Author Lorraine Jean Hopping makes the woman and her science come to life on every page, delighting readers of all ages. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Los Suenos (Dreams)

Mimi Koehl tinkers with machines. Some are so tiny they can’t be seen by the naked eye, and some disappeared millions of years ago. But Mimi isn’t a mechanic. She’s a biomechanist. Mimi Koehl uses engineering and physics to study the designs of living things that fly, swim, drift, and crawl. She loves solving riddles about how creaturesâ€"from feathered dinosaurs to flying frogsâ€"live and move. Mimi’s curiosity has led her into all kinds of natural neighborhoods. She has braved turbulent waters to explore how giant green sea anemones survive crashing waves. In Chile, while studying seaweeds, a rogue wave washed Mimi off one cliff and slammed her into another one. But nothing stops her desire for discovery. To uncover answers, Mimi has attached leashes to microscopic animals and created ingenious models using raspberry gelatin and even Silly Putty. Today Mimi searches the worldâ€"and her imaginationâ€"for answers to life’s challenging mysteries. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Hope Calling

Inez Fung forecasts the futureâ€"a future when Earth could look and feel a lot different than it does now. Why care about climate change? Because it affects every living thing on Earth, including you. What if the climate where you live began to change dramatically? What if a warmer climate caused the polar ice caps to melt and sea levels to rise? Inez Fung is a climate scientist, someone who studies the causes of weather patterns and how they change over time. Inzez investigates why climate changes happen and how we can prepare for them, using data about the planet's land masses, oceans, and atmosphere to create computer models of Earth. Even gas and dust embedded in polar ice half a millions years ago can tell Inez about climates of the pastâ€"and give clues about Earth's climate future. Forecast Earth takes readers on a tour of the planet with a brilliant scientist as our guide. How did a quiet girl from Hong Kong grow up to become one of the world's most respected climate scientists? The life story of Inez Fung makes it clear that there are opportunities out there for everyone. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Meet Inez Fung

Marta Tienda sees life stories in numbers. She is a sociologist, a scientist who studies human society. Numbers are the tools she uses to uncover fascinating information about people and their behavior. As the daughter of an illegal Mexican immigrant, Marta Tienda understands the pain of growing up poor. When her family had to pick crops to earn money, Marta saw firsthand the tough conditions that migrant workers had to endure. It was an experience she would never forget. Marta vowed to use her creativity, strong spirit, and positive attitude to empower those who are less fortunate. Today Marta’s expertise is helping government leaders create equal opportunities for millions of people, using numbers to understand why some people have more than others, like a better job, a college education, or a nicer house. People Person is the fascinating story of a Mexican American girl raised in a home without books who grew up to become one of the world’s leading sociologists. Marta Tienda’s life story bursts with bravery and determinationâ€" it will surely affect readers of all ages. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Sociology of the Soul

Shirley Ann Jackson sees the unseen. She's an expert in the invisible particles that make up everything in the universe, including you. Shirley Ann Jackson is a theoretical physicist, a scientist who studies the subatomic world using only paper, pencils, computers, and the most important tool of all: her imagination. Her passion for science blossomed during her childhood, with bumblebee experiments and go-cart races. But it's her talent for math and her drive to succeed that have taken her career in amazing directions. Shirley uses her knowledge of electrons, neutrinos, and other particles of matter to better the lives of others - from solving important technology problems to teaching college physics to making nuclear power plants safer. A born leader, Shirley has always seized opportunities and broken down racial barriers, not only for herself but for others. "Strong Force" is the compelling story of an African American trailblazer and her science. Compelling and captivating, this true story of adventure traces the life of a young bee collector who lived her dream of becoming a world-renowned physicist.