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The Wrong Ape for Early Human Origins by
The Wrong Ape for Early Human Origins highlights the pervasive impact of the chimpanzee referential model on paleoanthropological theory. This work suggests the need to re-imagine the last common ancestor of chimps and humans based on a more generalized Miocene ape platform and the reliance of early hominins on epigenesis and creative niche construction.
Integrity of Scientific Research by
This book provides a scientific and ethical approach to all forms of fraud and misconduct focusing on a scholarly however practice-oriented description of the problems, roots and potential solutions. Organized in dedicated parts, an international team of experts systematically analyzes the most prevalent forms of misconduct, ghost writing, pseudo-science, dubious trials, predatory journals, fake news, mistreatment and harassment, in research, publications, at academic institutions, and in the professional and healthcare environment. A special focus is given to corrective interventions and the role of prevention, education and training. Comprehensive in its scope, the book offers an easy-to-read overview along with a number of real cases for experienced and novice personnel alike. The significance of scientific integrity and research ethics increased during the last couple of years and ethic committees and offices have become an integral part at universities, hospitals, research institutions, government agencies and major private organizations all over the world. Thus, this book provides an indispensable, comprehensive overview across disciplines and for everybody working in research and affiliated institutions. Chapter 37 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
In the Herbarium by
How herbaria illuminate the past and future of plant science Collections of preserved plant specimens, known as herbaria, have existed for nearly five centuries. These pressed and labeled plants have been essential resources for scientists, allowing them to describe and differentiate species and to document and research plant changes and biodiversity over time--including changes related to climate. Maura C. Flannery tells the history of herbaria, from the earliest collections belonging to such advocates of the technique as sixteenth-century botanist Luca Ghini, to the collections of poets, politicians, and painters, and to the digitization of these precious specimens today. She charts the growth of herbaria during the Age of Exploration, the development of classification systems to organize the collections, and herbaria's indispensable role in the tracking of climate change and molecular evolution. Herbaria also have historical, aesthetic, cultural, and ethnobotanical value--these preserved plants can be linked to the Indigenous peoples who used them, the collectors who sought them out, and the scientists who studied them. This book testifies to the central role of herbaria in the history of plant study and to their continued value, not only to biologists but to entirely new users as well: gardeners, artists, students, and citizen-scientists.