Published March, 2014
By Peter S. Ungar
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Available

Teeth are a vital component of vertebrate anatomy and a fundamental part of the fossil record. It was the evolution of teeth, associated with predation, that drove the evolution of the wide array of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and then mammals. Peter S. Ungar looks at how, without teeth, none of these developments could have occurred.

---

Published February, 2013
By Charles Foster
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Available

Everyone has an opinion about the core issues of medical law; from clinical negligence and organ transplantation to abortion, confidentiality, and euthanasia - it deals with matters of life and death. Using case studies to explore the key principles, Charles Foster presents a fascinating Very Short Introduction to medical law.

---

Published April, 2012
By Aidan O'Donnell and Aiden O'Donnell
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Available

What do anaesthetists do? How do anaesthetics work? What are the risks? And how does the anaesthetist know if you are really asleep? Anaesthesia is a mysterious and sometimes threatening process. In this Very Short Introduction, Aidan O'Donnell takes the reader on a tour through the whole of the modern anaesthetic practice.

---

Published March, 2012
By Paul Slack
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP Oxford)
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating: 1.00
Availability: Not available (reason unspecified)

In this Very Short Introduction, Paul Slack explores the historical impact of plague over the centuries. Looking at the ways in which it has been interpreted, and the powerful images it has left behind in art and literature, he considers how it was fought and controlled, and the impact it had on our modern notions of public health.

---

Published March, 2012
By Steven W. Lockley and Russell G. Foster
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Available

Why do we need sleep? What happens when we don't get enough? From the biology and psychology of sleep and the history of sleep in science, art, and literature; to the impact of a 24/7 society and the role of society in causing sleep disruption, this Very Short Introduction answers everything you've ever wanted to know about sleep.

---

Published February, 2012
By Jonathan Slack
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP Oxford)
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating: 1.00
Availability: Not available (reason unspecified)

There is much public interest in stem cells, but also much confusion and misinformation. In this Very Short Introduction, developmental biologist Jonathan Slack explains the biology behind stem cells; what they are, what scientists do with them, what stem cell therapies are available today, and what can be expected to happen in the future.

---

Published July, 2011
By Dorothy H. Crawford
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP Oxford)
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating: 1.00
Availability: Not available (reason unspecified)

From modern pandemics such as HIV, swine flu and SARS, to stories of vaccination and antiviral drugs, this Very Short Introduction charts man's struggle against viruses. Outlining their origins, structure, and method of infection, Dorothy Crawford explores the vast variety of viruses, asking if we can live in harmony with them in the future.

---

Published May, 2011
By Nick James
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Not available (reason unspecified)

Cancer is a problem that touches virtually everyone either directly or indirectly. As one of the biggest killers in the Western world it is feared by many people. In this Very Short Introduction, Nick James examines the trends and treatment of cancer, looking at efforts to develop treatments, research into cures, and the future of cancer care.

---

Published February, 2010
By Rodolfo Saracci
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating: 1.00
Availability: Available

Epidemiology is the study of the changing patterns of disease. It is a vital field, central to the health of society, to the identification of causes of disease, and to their management and prevention. This Very Short Introduction dispels some of the myths relating to clinical trials, vaccination campaigns, and statistics concerning disease.

---

Published October, 2008
By Uta Frith
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Series: Very Short Introductions
Rating:
Availability: Available

What causes autism? Is it a genetic disorder, or due to some unknown environmental hazard? Are we facing an epidemic? What are the main symptoms, and how does it relate to Asperger syndrome? This Very Short Introduction answers the key questions and offers a clear statement on what is currently known about autism and Asperger syndrome.

---