Tales of Discovery : Delving Into the World of Biology and Medicine

Research data sharing has traditionally been addressed to other peer researchers. Nowadays there is general awareness that putting research at the disposal of society is beneficial and necessary. However, the popularization of science is a hard endeavor. It must deal with transmission of transcendental knowledge with the appealing adornment of a good story, but avoiding the risk of falling into banality. This book consists in a series of individual stories delving into the world of biology and medicine . Some topics included in this volume consist in the explanation of basic biological concepts like the origin of modern eukaryotic cells, the importance of mutations as the driving force behind evolution, the molecular ins and outs of the nervous system, or the relevance of microorganisms to humans and science including food and energy industries. Others rather lean to a more biomedical perspective and constitute popular cases that have been, to some extent, trending in global media outlets: the divulgation of some current under-reckoned non-infectious pandemics like obesity and chronic pain, the presence of longer-living populations around the world named blue zones , the American (and African) opioid crisis, or the discovery and development of CRISPR-Cas as a promising genetic editing tool. All chapters are depicted with accompanying illustrations thoroughly elaborated by professionals of Fine Arts to make it easier to understand for the non-experts... but may perhaps also proof that the scientific method and multidisciplinary work are not unique to natural sciences, but also shared by other apparently distant disciplines like arts. Foreword Preface Contents Editor, Illustrators and Contributors About the Editor About the Illustrators Contributors Gaia: A Planet Dominated by Bacteria A World of Daisies The Origin of Life: Much More Than a Single Theory Bibliography Me, Myself and My Microbiota The Origin of the Eukaryotic Cell: Evolution by Bartering? Cellular Associations. Unity Is Strength Skin Surface External Ear Ocular Conjunctiva Respiratory System Genitourinary System Gastrointestinal Tract The Factors that Affect Our Microbiota also Shape Its Character Accompanied by the Microbial Universe, in Health and Disease Bibliography Bovine Belching as an Alternative Source of Energy The (Large) Ecological Footprint of Livestock Farming Methane as a Waste Substance? Methane Eating Bacteria How to Convert Methane into Food and Energy Bibliography The Secret Life of Mushrooms Energy Is Neither Created Nor Destroyed Yeasts as a Source of Food Production and Transformation Bread Making Beer Brewing Winemaking Preparation of Soy Sauce Cocoa Processing Fungi as a Source of Antibiotics Use of Fungi in Decontamination and Pest Control Bibliography Obesity-Induced Diabetes Can Cost You an Arm and a Leg... or a Kidney What is a Kidney for? Obesity Damages the Kidneys Consequences of an Obese Kidney Treatment for the Improvement of Obesity-Associated Kidney Damage Towards a New Horizon Bibliography The Science of Living Longer Longevity: A Question of Environment or Genetics? Cells also Age Calorie Restriction as a Key to Living Longer Bibliography Food Behavior: A Breadcrumb Trail to Addiction Multiple Crumbs Make Their Way How Did We Get to Addiction? Bibliography Global Opioid Crisis: Two Sides of the Same Coin Different Opioids, Different Pharmacology Opioid Crisis in America: A Story of Epidemic and Shortage Opioid Crisis in Africa: The Tale of the African Peach Tree that Takes Away the Pain Bibliography The Curious Case of the Mutations of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Mr. Hyde; the Dark Side of Mutations Dr. Jekyll and Evolution; the Kind Face of Mutations Bibliography Evolution, Sex and Pain. Multiple Faces of the Dice dTRP, A Complicated Acronym for Feeling Pain The Platypus and Its Surprising Sexual Chromosome System Bibliography Flies Do Not Like Wasabi TRP or Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels Chili, Garlic, Wasabi, and Menthol: The “Nouvelle Cuisine” in the Treatment of Pain Bibliography The Glia: Squires of the Nervous System Discovering the Glia Not Everything is What It Seems Bibliography Cajal's Cramps Role of Nitric Oxide in the Enteric Nervous System The Enteric Nervous System Beyond Gastrointestinal Movement Biblography CRISPR/Cas: Photoshopping DNA The Magic of How CRISPR/Cas Works However, Can the New Molecular “Photoshop” CRISPR/Cas Help in the Cure of Diseases? Other Applications that Can Benefit from the Use of CRISPR CRISPR/Cas and Today's Ethical Reality Bibliography Spinach for Crystal Bones: Popeye Children The Crystal Armor of Bones Personalized Medicine to the Rescue Different Country’s Genetic Background Implies Different (Pathogenic) Gene Variants Spinach for Everyone Bibliography Olive Oil: A Seasoning and Something More Grandma Was Right Science Explains It Do We Have Leads to Develop a New Drug? Bibliography