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Science Reference Center
Full-text articles to support research in applied sciences, biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and energy. Includes the Science Image Collection, a database of high-quality science images from National Geographic, UPI, Getty, NASA, and Nature Picture Library.
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In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a popular belief system known as Spiritualism took the world by storm. People sought other realms of existence through mediums, séances, and other parapsychological means. While many of popular figures in the Spiritualist world were proven to be frauds, their practices have left their mark-in entertainment, in popular culture, and on true believers. This comprehensive title dives into the spirit world to...
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Everybody has seen it in movies and on television: A hypnotist swings a pocket watch and, like that, an audience member falls into a deep trance. But is hypnosis real? Does it work? This skeptical approach explores the history of hypnotic practices and trance-like states, differentiating between real therapeutic techniques and hypnosis as entertainment. The facts are presented, without eschewing an appreciation for the role myths have played in solidifying...
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Bigfoot, Nessie, and mermaids: what do these cryptids share in common? No matter how doubtful we are of their existence, a part of us persists in asking, "Could they be real?" With a skeptical tone, this title tracks the most popular cryptozoological creatures from their mythological origins to modern attempts to prove their existence. Scientific explanations-including archaeological records and alleged physical evidence-are presented and assessed....
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Humans have been fascinated by miraculous works since time immemorial. In the Hebrew Bible, they proved the power of an almighty God. In early Christianity, they were the mark of Jesus's divinity. In Islam, the Qur'an itself is considered a great miracle. Later, the Enlightenment and rationalism called miracles into question, but believers still wonder, "Could some miracles be real?" This comprehensive text presents the history of miracles in the...
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For nearly a century, big-screen tales of zombies have fascinated viewers, shambling their way from horror films to action thrillers and comedies. In recent years, there have even been news reports of real zombie-like behavior. But few know the truth behind Haitian folklore's biggest contribution to global imagination. These pages get to the bottom of the origins of the zombie legend and its changes and development over time. The possible sources...
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Belief in magic has been around since early human civilization. Whether ancient black magic or medieval witchcraft, practices believed to call upon supernatural forces are part of nearly every culture. Even in secular societies, stage magic and children's series such as Harry Potter hold a respected place as a form of entertainment. In this title, the history of magic-both paranormal and performative-is explored in all its facets. Readers will be...
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Hear "abominable" and you may well think disgusting, detestable, disagreeable. Hear "snowman" and you think adorable. But put the two words together-Abominable Snowman-and you get a mystery. In this page-turner, students will read about people who claim to have seen the creature-even to have preserved body parts. Yikes. Other people and groups included in this book aim to debunk what they see as baseless myths. Readers will learn about both views...
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This authoritative title takes an academic approach to one of the most popular religious concepts of all time-angels and demons. Included is an in-depth examination of the characteristics and source texts on angels and demons in the three major Abrahamic religions as well as parallels in Eastern traditions, as is treatment of how these beliefs have developed and changed historically. Following is a discussion of possible scientific explanations of...
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Given the vastness of the universe, it is not difficult to imagine the possibility of life-even intelligent life-beyond Earth. Yet whether any extraterrestrial beings have ever made contact with us and if any evidence of this contact exists, remains widely debated. Evaluating tales of alien encounters and UFO sightings with a critical eye, this absorbing volume considers the possibility of extraterrestrial life by carefully separating scientific fact...
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For millennia, tales of lost civilizations have captivated humanity, and foremost among them is the legend of Atlantis. In this guide to Atlantis and other lost lands, readers will learn to sort through fact and fiction, learning about the historical origins of lost-city legends, the lessons they teach us, archaeological digs for the truth, and-perhaps closest to home-their place in popular culture. The main focus is on the tale of Atlantis, with...
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