Daredevils and Daydreamers or The Proteus Effect

Daredevils and Daydreamers: New Perspectives on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Author: Barbara D Ingersoll

Not so long ago, people thought attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder was a condition that only affected children— whirling dervishes who careened through life leaving a path of destruction in their wake. We now know, however, that there is a sizeable group of quiet daydreamers whose inability to organize themselves and focus on the task at hand makes it impossible for them to meet the demands of everyday life. And we know that many children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults. But this increased knowledge has sometimes contributed more confusion than clarification.

In Daredevils and Daydreamers, Ingersoll—one of the foremost clinicians and researchers in the field—looks at what we've learned in a decade. From obtaining a good diagnosis through the most recent, cutting edge medical and psychological solutions offered, Ingersoll's examples and research have an immediacy missing from the other books in the field. In addition, she tackles a number of peripheral issues other books ignore such as the problem of the ADHD child in adoptive families, divorced families and step-families, and she handles "real-world" issues (like soiling and bed-wetting) that others disregard.

New interesting textbook: Medical Botany or The Darkest Days of My Life

The Proteus Effect: Stem Cells and Their Promise for Medicine

Author: Ann B Parson

"The story of stem cell technologies is at once compelling, controversial, and remarkable. Part detective story, part medical history, The Proteus Effect describes early scientific discoveries that date back as far as 1740 before proceeding into the present to recount the incredible events leading to the discovery of stem cells in animal tumors, in the blood of mice, in the brains of canaries, in human embryos, and then in the skin, liver, and other organs of grown humans. It looks at the explosive potential of these special cells for the future of medicine." Ann B. Parson chronicles a scientific discovery in progress, exploring the ethical debates, describing the current research, and hinting at a spectacular new era in medicine.

Publishers Weekly

Arguably the most exciting, promising and controversial medical research being performed today explores the potential of stem cells, unique cells that, when dividing, can produce either more cells like themselves or other specialized cells, such as heart cells, skin cells and neurons. Since President Bush's highly publicized excursion into bioethics in the summer of 2001, when he limited government funding of stem-cell research, stem cells have been thrust into the public consciousness, bringing the promise of regenerative medicine and miracle cures for such conditions as multiple sclerosis, blindness, heart damage and male pattern baldness. Though most of what's written on the science and ethics of stem-cell research focuses on the cutting edge, in this study, science journalist Parson takes us through its history, ranging from 18th-century natural philosophers' discovery of seemingly immortal organisms to the exploration, two centuries later, of curious mouse tumors, called teratomas, that may unlock the secrets of the human embryo. If anything, the book is too thorough, and the never-ending succession of new scientists and new breakthroughs means that few, if any, stick in the reader's mind as particularly memorable. The real focus is the scientific process itself, with its incremental and distributed march forward. While not for the casual reader, this book will satisfy those looking to immerse themselves in the finer points of stem-cell history. Agent, Doe Coover. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

In this engaging and well-researched account of stem-cell research, science journalist Parson (coauthor, Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease) describes the history of regeneration, embryology, and developmental biology research. She recounts how the search for stem cells in animals eventually led to embryonic and fetal stem-cell research, which in turn brought up the myriad ethical and political problems. Parson is sympathetic to the dilemmas faced by researchers who want to study stem cells for developmental and medical reasons. While human trials are still not conclusive, Parson discusses possible medical uses for stem cell: cures for Parkinson's disease, juvenile onset diabetes, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, and many other conditions. Most current books on stem-cell research are technical, somewhat biased, or told from one point of view. Parson has presented a fair, well-rounded view of the subject. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Margaret Henderson, formerly with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Lib., NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

1	Plant or animal?	13
2	Mouse strain 129	25
3	The purple cell	47
4	Mystery in a dish	67
5	The embryo experiments	83
6	The canary's song	101
7	After the birth of Louise Brown	123
8	Monkeys to humans	133
9	Epic upon epic	155
10	Marrow to brain?	179
11	The art of cell replacement	205
12	After tomorrow	235