The Science of Sleep
From the Set Scientific American Explores Big Ideas
It is commonly understood that sleep in some form or another is an almost universal phenomenon among animals, including humans. However, the specific reasons why we need sleep are not as clear. The articles in this volume explain what sleep is, the benefits it has on the mind and the body, and its role in cognitive and biological functions. It examines disorders that disturb normal sleep and what these disorders tell us about our need for sleep. It also considers what researchers have yet to discover about sleep and the methods they are using to try to improve our understanding.
SLJ Review of Scientific American Explores Big Ideas
These titles each collect articles on a common topic, and the articles within each book are grouped by theme. For instance, articles on cyberattacks cover big data, infrastructure attacks, white hat hackers, and other areas of interest. Several features make these books useful in the classroom. Reading speed and available time can be accommodated by selecting from the various lengths of articles (ranging from one to 18 pages). Another strength that makes them perfect for classroom debate and discussion is the variety of viewpoints presented. An introduction, a glossary, and a list of sources for further information support each collection. Author information is included with some articles, providing readers with the background and expertise of the writer(s) and their particular perspective on the issue. VERDICT A useful collection for discussion, debate, or research on different aspects of the various topics.