Archives de catégorie : Popular Science

LIGHTS OUT de Lauren Collee

Ever since the Enlightenment we have associated light with reason. In this groundbreaking book, Lauren Collee defends darkness and argues that we need to learn to understand and appreciate it.

LIGHTS OUT: Learning to Love the Dark
by Lauren Collee
Text Publishing (Australia), May 2027

Our world is unnaturally bright. Over eighty percent of us live under night skies polluted with light. Scientists are concerned about the impact on nocturnal creatures; researchers worry about the effects of our screens on our circadian rhythms.

Ever since the Enlightenment we have associated light with reason. In this groundbreaking book, Lauren Collee defends darkness and argues that we need to learn to understand and appreciate it.

Throughout history, conversations about dark and light have been entangled with other binary systems, such as gender and race. Now the discussion is about excess: saturation, media overload, endless consumption, incessant speed. The search for darkness is also the search for a lost world: for the authentic self in an age of artificiality, and the search for rest in an age of overstimulation.

Through reportage, interviews and personal stories, Lauren explores what a transformative relationship with darkness and light might look like. With its profound appeal to the mystery of the human spirit, this extraordinary debut will appeal to fans of Annie Dillard, Jenny Odell and Robert Macfarlane, to everyone who cares about our relationship with technology, nature and culture.

Lauren Collee’s essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, Real Life and the Sydney Review of Books. She lives in Tasmania.

SPIT de Staci Whitman

« Dr. Staci uncovers a game-changing truth: the mouth is not just the mirror of health, it’s the command center. This book will transform the way you think about disease prevention and longevity. » –James Nestor, bestselling author of Breath

SPIT:
How the Secrets of the Oral Microbiome Could Save Your Life
by Staci Whitman
Crown Trade, spring 2027

Dr. Staci Whitman’s SPIT explores the oral microbiome as a critical, yet often ignored, driver of whole-body health. Bringing her pioneering work in functional dentistry to the forefront, she connects oral health to major systems in the body, from the heart and hormones to digestion and immunity. With a dynamic blend of science, storytelling, and cultural insight, the book reframes the mouth as a powerful ecosystem that can influence everything from chronic disease to overall vitality.

If GUT opened the door and BREATH ushered readers into an entirely new understanding of the body, then SPIT delivers the next big idea in wellness. This is a surprising and essential book about one of the most overlooked yet powerful ecosystems in the human body.

Dr. Staci Whitman is a powerhouse. A trailblazer in functional dentistry, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and one of only a handful of IFM-certified practitioners in her field, she is an entrepreneur, innovator, and educator with a vision to make the world cavity-free. She has founded the first pediatric functional dental practice in the United States, launched two health-focused product lines, and is leading the development of the first certification program that trains dentists to treat oral health through a systemic lens. She is also earning a master’s degree in functional medicine and nutrition while treating patients and building a national education platform. Her energy is remarkable. Her clarity and purpose are inspiring.

Dr. Staci is also a savvy, strategic, and ambitious partner. With over 200K followers across platforms and a robust email list, she’s intentionally investing in growing her audience further and is hiring a dedicated social growth strategist in advance of publication. She’s already appeared on Andrew Huberman’s podcast and is receiving interest from the biggest names in the podcasting world—from the Joe Rogan Experience to Mel Robbins, Dr. Mark Hyman, Liz Moody, and Max Lugavere.

What is most exciting, though, is the quality and originality of the work. SPIT is a beautifully written, deeply researched, and wildly entertaining journey into a realm of science most people have never considered. This is not just a book about brushing your teeth better. It is about how the oral microbiome connects to inflammation, heart disease, hormonal balance, the brain, digestion, sleep, immunity, and even fertility. With a warm, witty, and thoroughly accessible voice, Dr. Staci blends cutting-edge science, patient stories, and cultural history to show readers how their mouths can be the key to their health and vitality. It is timely, important, and full of potential.

Dr. Staci Whitman is the co-founder of The Institute for Functional Dentistry, an allied partner of The Institute for Functional Medicine. She’s pioneering the first certification program that trains dentists in the oral-systemic connection. She founded Bloom Kids Dentistry in Portland, Oregon, the first functional pediatric dental practice in the U.S., with national expansion underway. This practice takes a whole-body, holistic approach to dentistry, grounded in science and driven by compassion. Dr. Staci is also an entrepreneur, creating Happi Floss (the world’s first truly sustainable floss pick) and co-creating Fygg (Feed You Good Guys), an oral healthcare line dedicated to protecting and supporting the oral microbiome. She earned her DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and later completed a pediatric dentistry certification at Oregon Health and Science University, where her research focused on improving airway assessments in children. A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry since 2012, she’s a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

WALK: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT de Courtney Conley & Milica McDowell

Step into a world where walking isn’t just a leisurely activity or a form of personal transportation, but a vital component of human existence. In WALK: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT we dive deep into the undeniable truth that walking is as essential to our well-being as breathing and sleeping.

WALK: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
by Dr. Courtney Conley, DC & Dr. Milica McDowell, DPT
Balance/Hachette, 2026
(via Mendel Media Group)

With a blend of scientific rigor and accessible language, we shatter the misconception that walking is merely exercise or an optional pastime. Instead, we present a compelling case for walking as a physiological necessity, crucial for both thriving and surviving in the modern world.

Despite its myriad benefits for physical and mental health, walking remains one of society’s most under-prescribed medicines. We confront the paradox: if walking is so beneficial, why are participation rates plummeting? The 10,000-step mantra, once hailed as the gold standard for health, has inadvertently deterred many from even attempting to step out. We dissect this myth and unveil the numerous barriers—pain, time constraints, inappropriate footwear—that hinder widespread adoption of walking.

Our book is a beacon of clarity amidst the complexity of scientific discourse. We distill intricate concepts into actionable strategies, empowering readers to embrace walking confidently and safely.

But WALK: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT is more than a guide to walking—it’s a journey through human evolution, exploring how our bodies were designed for movement. We uncover the stark realities of modern walking deficits and the alarming impact of footwear on our sedentary lifestyles.

Armed with evidence from global scientific studies, we reveal the transformative power of walking to combat common physical and mental health conditions and enhance overall well-being. From reducing depression to increasing longevity, each step contributes to a healthier, happier life

As readers walk through each chapter, they’ll find themselves increasingly inspired to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. We provide practical “Movement Snacks,” micro-actions that make walking more accessible and enjoyable. Our goal is simple: to ignite a global movement towards personalized walking practices, unlocking the boundless benefits for mind, body, and community.

WALK: YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT isn’t just a book—it’s a rallying cry for a healthier, more active world.

Dr. Courtney Conley is a distinguished figure in the field of foot and gait specialization. She holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine as well as two bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology and Human Biology. She has worked with many professional athletic teams in the US. In addition to being featured on numerous websites, interviews, providing consultation work to private clients and organizations, Dr. Conley was the featured guest on Dr. Peter Attia’s podcast The Drive on April 1, 2024. She is widely published digitally, with content spanning walking, gait, footwear, and foot mechanics. She is the founder of Gait Happens, a global enterprise that is leading a paradigm shift in digital foot health education, offering innovative solutions to reclaim optimized foot function and economical gait mechanics.

Dr. Milica McDowell, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, has held various professional roles in adult and medical education throughout her career. She served as a university faculty member in Human Performance for nearly a decade, has developed numerous medical education curricula and has been an invited speaker on many national stages, including the American Physical Therapy Association and American College of Sports Medicine’s conventions. She has been an invited presenter for numerous professional organizations, and she has delivered over 300 educational lectures at state, regional, and national levels. She is currently a product spokesperson for a $50MM health and fitness product company alongside retired NFL Quarterback Drew Brees.

HOW TO AI de Christopher Mims

A frank, hands-on guide to harnessing AI and leveling up your business, revealing the tools that companies of every size are relying on and how they can dramatically alter your bottom line and free up your time—from a Wall Street Journal tech columnist.

HOW TO AI
by Christopher Mims
Crown Currency, January 2026

Imagine a freelancer suddenly having access to a sophisticated legal team for red-lining contracts; a data analyst on a small team who can suddenly transform spreadsheets full of numbers into sophisticated, bulleted insight; a mini-business consultant to help them adapt in the face of changing market conditions. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize our workplaces, our day-to-day realities, and our lives. But you can’t just ask AI to do these things for you—in fact, you can’t even know what it’s capable of. Most of the abilities of AI have been discovered through trial and error. Users may be surprised by how improbably, magically good today’s best AIs can be at some things—and how terrible they can be at others.

Christopher Mims argues that it is this tension between the power and inscrutability of today’s AI tools that is at the heart of people’s awe and befuddlement at just how to incorporate AI into their work. HOW TO AI resolves that tension: it’s an accessible, narrative guide to how regular people are getting the most out of these systems, from the flashiest forms of generative AI to the dozens of other flavors that are often overshadowed. Brought to life by hundreds of interviews with people who rely on AI in their work, as well as Mims’ in-depth case studies of a trio of handpicked businesses, readers will see how everyone from construction companies to independent lawyers to healthcare startups are using AI tools to transform their businesses.

Animated by the humor and brilliant explanatory power that have earned Mims’ columns a devoted following, HOW TO AI will arm readers to become a part of the AI revolution—and, more importantly, give them the tools to make it work for them.

Christopher Mims writes Keywords, a weekly technology column, for the Wall Street Journal. Before joining the Journal in 2014, he was the lead technology reporter for Quartz, and has written on science and tech for MIT Technology Review, Smithsonian, Wired, Atlantic, and Scientific American, among other outlets. He is the author of Arriving Today (Harper Business, 2021).

OCTOPUS X de Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

A fascinating narrative about “citizen science” and the discovery of the mysterious creature that has been called “the Bigfoot of Octopuses” – perfect for readers of Sy Montgomery and Ed Yong

OCTOPUS X
by Kenna Hughes-Castleberry
Island Books, 2026
(via The Martell Agency)

OCTOPUS X will be an exploration of passionate “citizen science” in the person of diver and artist Arcadio Rodaniche, who, along with his mentor and famed cephalopod behavioralist Martin Moynihan, found a mysterious colony of social octopuses off the coast of Panama. These octopuses were unlike any previously described, as they lived in mated pairs, constantly laid eggs, mated beak-to-beak, and exhibited unique hunting strategies, all of which went against the norm for octopus behavior.

Fascinated by these creatures, Rodaniche studied them at his Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) laboratory. He tried to present his findings at a Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) symposium but was laughed out of the event as few believed his claims about this bizarre octopus (it didn’t help that he didn’t have an academic background in cephalopod research but instead had an electrical engineering degree). Rejected, his paper and findings sat untouched for decades, with only his drawing of the animal accompanying them, adding to the allure of this creature.

Then, some years later, a team of researchers at U.C. Berkeley obtained samples of Rodaniche’s mysterious octopus, and their observations validated everything Rodaniche found. They asked Rodaniche to co-author their paper, and in 2016, they released their findings to the world. Even with this validation, Rodaniche’s story has never been fully told. Unfortunately, Rodaniche died only five months after seeing his work validated.

Currently, this octopus (known commonly as the Larger Pacific Striped Octopus or LPSO) is being genetically analyzed by a separate team from U.C. Berkeley working to classify it as its own species scientifically. If this happens, the lead researcher, Dr. Gul Dolen, plans to name the animal Octopus rodaniche, giving a further victorious ending to Rodaniche’s story. Kenna also plans to highlight ongoing research to study the LPSO in its wild habitat, which has never been done before.

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Science Communicator at JILA (a world-leading physics research institute established by CU Boulder and NIST) and a freelance science journalist. She focuses on animal intelligence, specifically in corvids and cephalopods. Her work has appeared in such publications as National Geographic, Scientific American, New Scientist, and Discover Magazine. She holds several degrees, including undergraduate degrees in English and Biology from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree in Science Communication from Imperial College London.