It's National Science Week! Here's a round-up of some great scientific reads from our collection.
Wind Turbine Syndrome: A Communicated Disease by Simon Chapman and Fiona Crichton examines the claims made by anti-windfarm activists and explores the psychology behind public health scares.
'an important and timely book. Wind power is an essential element of our response to climate change. This book shows that the spread of the technology has been slowed by misinformation, misunderstanding and barefaced lies. Everyone concerned about the need to slow climate change should read this book and use it to counter the dishonest campaign against renewable energy.’ Ian Lowe
Cane Toads: A Tale of Sugar, Politics and Flawed Science by Nigel Turvey reveals the scientific, economic and political factors behind the 1935 introduction of cane toads to Australia, and asks what lessons we can learn from it.
'Turvey has produced a fascinating exploration into the history of a biological disaster. He has made excellent use of historical records to gain insight into the decision-making processes of the time, and of scientific publications to catalogue the stat of current research in cant toad biology and control.' Adele Haythornthwaite, Australian Zoologist
Camouflage Australia: Art, Nature, Science and War by Ann Elias tells the once-secret story of how scientists, artists, architects and designers collaborated with the Australian military to prepare Australia for potential attack during the Second World War.
'an eloquent work ... Ann Elias gives us much more than a hidden history of artists, scientists and soldiers. She tells us about the contest of knowledge in modern Australia, and provides an insight into the contested domain of civil–military relations.' Ben Wadham, Journal of Sociology
Ecologies of Invention, edited by Andy Dong, John Conomos and Brad Buckley, considers what we mean by 'inventiveness' and challenges conventional distinctions between 'artistic' and 'scientific' invention.
'This is a challenging book which confronts traditional thinking around creativity and inventiveness, and raises issues that need serious debate.’ Barry Jones
Archibald Liversidge, FRS: Imperial Science under the Southern Cross by Roy MacLeod describes Liversidge's fascinating life in science, from his arrival at the University of Sydney as a reader in geology in 1872 through his role in establishing the faculty of science and his contribution to the development of the Australian Museum and what is now the Powerhouse Museum.
'This book is essential reading for those interested in the development of science in colonial Australia' Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales
Veterinary Research at the University of Sydney: The First Century, edited by John Egerton, charts the story of vet science research at the University of Sydney, from the enrolment of its first few undergraduates in 1910 to the expansion of research into a remarkably rich array of topics, and shows how veterinary scientists have contributed to our understanding of human medical issues including genetic disorders, skin cancer, infertility, infections, infestations and immunity.
