New Releases by Toney Allman

The new science of stem cell research offers much hope for people who have terrible diseases. Scientists have already made progress but the most promising area of this research is mired in controversy. It involves human embryos. Many people oppose this work. Finding a balance may be the toughest challenge of all.

Young people are insatiable consumers of music that can be downloaded over the Internet, however, downloading can be either legal or illegal. Peer-to-peer file sharing is the free, fun, often illegal, way to download that is used by millions of people every day. Downloading music has created a fire-storm of controversy over rampant copyright violations. What are the legal and moral issues involved? Will these issues change the way we buy and listen to music in the future?

Most beetles live a short life, only a year, but they are a marvel of Mother Nature. Underneath a very hard sectioned shell lies a very animated little creature, with things to do and places to go. A majority of beetles have wings that can''t help them fly, but they''re there nonetheless. This colorful, engaging book tells a story of biomimicry, or how scientists and inventors have tried to imitate something in nature in an effort to create better, stronger, safer tools, and processes for everyday life. Readers will be surprised at how the quiet power of the beetle has changed technology.

Discusses how scientists have used the wings of insects as patterns for flyng robots.

Discusses what medical examiners do.

Examines stem cells and the research that may one day be used to cure diseases and heal injuries.

Poisonous spiders live everywhere, threatening the well-being and even the lives of people who are bitten. Real stories of people who have survived a spider attack illustrate the importance of spider identification, the prevention and treatment of spider bites, and the wonderful lifesaving drama of anti-venom development.