Deep in the jungles of Thailand, Gareth Pike awoke one sunny morning in 2007. As he was getting dressed, he reached down to grab a pair of shorts off his floor. Suddenly, Gareth felt a horrible stinging pain in his thumb. Then he spotted a deadly black scorpion scurrying away. “I was in dreadful pain,” said Gareth. Would he survive his encounter with a venomous scorpion? Learn all about venomous scorpions in this engrossing new narrative nonfiction book for young readers. It’s packed with exciting wildlife encounters, cutting-edge science, and loads of info about venom and its deadly effects.

In recent years, the field of Toxinology has expanded substantially. On the one hand it studies venomous animals, plants and micro organisms in detail to understand their mode of action on targets. While on the other, it explores the biochemical composition, genomics and proteomics of toxins and venoms to understand their three interaction with life forms (especially humans), development of antidotes and exploring their pharmacological potential. Therefore, Toxinology has deep linkages with biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy and pharmacology. In addition, there is a fast developing applied subfield, clinical toxinology, which deals with understanding and managing medical effects of toxins on human body. Given the huge impact of toxin-based deaths globally, and the potential of venom in generation of drugs for so-far incurable diseases (for example, Diabetes, Chronic Pain), the continued research and growth of the field is imminent. This has led to the growth of research in the area and the consequent scholarly output by way of publications in journals and books. Despite this ever growing body of literature within biomedical sciences, there is still no all-inclusive reference work available that collects all of the important biochemical, biomedical and clinical insights relating to Toxinology. The Handbook of Toxinology aims to address this gap and cover the field of Toxinology comprehensively.

Scorpions of Southern Africa, the go-to guide for identifying southern Africa’s rich scorpion fauna, has now been freshly designed, updated and expanded. It includes 12additional species, new images and distribution maps, and a chapter on how to go about identifying scorpions. An invaluable guide for the amateur naturalist and professional alike, this accessible book describes: scorpion anatomy and behavior; the strategies that enable scorpions to survive harsh conditions; their use of venom and other aspects of their successful existence over millions of years. A fascinating introduction to the biology and behaviour of scorpions; a photograph and distribution map for each species; concise information to enable identification; debunks myths and legends about these little-known and misunderstood creatures.

"The book celebrates the intrinsic worth of all plants and animals in order to motivate people in a unified effort to preserve the Earth's rich array of life forms."--Cover.

Cysticercosis, an infection caused by the cystic larvae of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is one of the most frequent parasitic infections of the human nervous system (neurocysticercosis). It is endemic in most of Latin America, the sub-Saharan Africa, and vast parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent. It has also been increasingly diagnosed in developed countries because of migration of people from endemic zones and exposure in travelers. The life cycle involves the development of the adult tapeworm in the human small intestine (after ingesting infected pork with cysts) and larval infection in pig tissues (after ingesting human stools containing the eggs of the tapeworm). Humans get infected by the fecal-oral route, most often from a direct contact with an asymptomatic Taenia carrier. Most common clinical presentations are seizures (particularly late-onset seizures), chronic headaches, and intracranial hypertension. However, cysticerci can locate anywhere in the human nervous system, thus potentially causing almost any neurological syndrome and making clinical diagnosis a difficult task. Neuroimaging is the main diagnostic tool, and specific serology confirms the diagnosis and helps to define the diagnosis when images are unclear. Factors such as location (extraparenchymal versus intraparenchymal), number, size and evolutive stage of the parasites determine the clinical manifestations, therapeutic approach, and prognosis. Management includes symptomatic drugs (analgesics, antiepileptic drugs, anti-inflammatory agents) and in many cases cysticidal drugs, either albendazole or praziquantel. In recent years, efforts have focused on transmission control and potential elimination in endemic regions.

'I was lost in the desert. Without transport. Without water. Without a hope.' Sam Fox is on a caving expedition in the desert when the roof collapses, trapping his brother Nathan beneath tonnes of rubble. Nathan is in a bad way, and Sam's his only hope. But when he reaches the cave exit, Sam discovers a sea of huge, angry scorpions! And that's just the first deadly obstacle he will have to face if he's to get his brother out alive . . . An action-packed rollercoaster ride, Scorpion Sting is the fourth book in a thrilling new series! Visit puffin.com.au/extreme for more.