RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Hepatitis B: The Hunt for a Killer Virus | Paperback

by Baruch S. Blumberg (Author)

List Price:

$24.95

Available:

Usually ships in 24 hours

Binding:

Paperback

Publisher:

Princeton University Press

Page Count:

264 Pages

Publication Date:

October 27, 2003

Sales Rank:

1,071,654st

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Product Description
About 375 million people are infected with the hepatitis B virus. It has killed more people than AIDS and also causes millions of cases of liver cancer. The discovery of this deadly virus and the vaccine against it--a vaccine that is sharply decreasing the infection rate worldwide and is probably the first effective cancer vaccine--was one of the great triumphs of twentieth-century medicine. And it almost didn't happen. With wit and insight, this scientific memoir and story of discovery describes how Baruch Blumberg and a team of researchers found a virus they were not looking for and created a vaccine for a disease they previously knew little about--work that took the author around the world and won him the Nobel Prize. Blumberg and his collaborators were investigating relationships between gene distribution and disease susceptibility, research that was yielding interesting data but no real breakthroughs. Many viewed their work as more field trip than science. But, through decades of hard work and investigative twists and turns, their pursuit led to the hepatitis B antigen, the elusive virus itself, and, ultimately, the vaccine. As he takes the reader through the detective work that culminated in his incredible discovery, the author recounts with immediacy exciting moments in the lab and in the field--from a hair-raising flight to Africa to an unpleasant encounter with Alaskan sled dogs. The hepatitis B story is more than a fascinating chronicle of a major discovery. What Blumberg followed to the virus was a trail of remarkable "accidents" that happen when scientists seek answers to interesting questions. Those events, combined with the investigator's determined persistence, resulted in studies that generated a pharmaceutical industry, have far-flung public-health applications, and saved millions of lives.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 1 review)

great book-how hepatitis b virus discovered by S. Patel

5 Stars
June 21, 2008
Very interesting, exciting journey leads to discovery of hepatitis B virus, its test and vaccine. Must read for any researcher

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	Dictionary of Epidemiology by Miquel Porta (Author) The new, completely revised, and updated edition of this classic text --sponsored by the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) and previously edited by John Last-- remains the definitive dictionary in epidemiology worldwide. In fact, with contributions from over 220 epidemiologists and other users of epidemiology from around the globe, it is more than a dictionary: it includes explanations and comments on both core epidemiologic terms and on other scientific terms relevant to all...
	Epidemiology: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Gordis, Epidemiology) by Leon Gordis MD MPH DrPH (Author) This popular book is written by the award-winning teacher, Dr. Leon Gordis of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. He introduces the basic principles and concepts of epidemiology in clear, concise writing and his inimitable style. This book provides an understanding of the key concepts in the following 3 fully updated sections: Section I: The Epidemiologic Approach to Disease and Intervention; Section II: Using Epidemiology to Identify the Causes of Disease;...
	Kuby Immunology (Kindt, Kuby Immunology) by Thomas J. Kindt (Author), Barbara A. Osborne (Author), Richard A. Goldsby (Author) The only textbook written for undergraduates by teachers of the course, this bestseller presents the most current concepts in an experimental context, conveying the excitement of scientific discovery, and highlighting important advances while providing unsurpassed pedagogical support for the first-time learner. The new edition is thoroughly updated, including most notably the new chapter on innate immunity.
	Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice by Karen Glanz (Editor), Barbara K. Rimer (Editor), K. Viswanath (Editor) This fourth edition of the classic book, Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice provides a comprehensive, highly accessible, and in-depth analysis of health behavior theories that are most relevant to health education. This essential resource includes the most current information on theory, research, and practice at individual, interpersonal, and community and group levels. This edition includes substantial new content on current and emerging theories of health...
	Basic Biostatistics: Statistics for Public Health Practice by B. Burt Gerstman (Author) Basic Biostatistics is a concise, introductory text that covers biostatistical principles and focuses on the common types of data encountered in public health and biomedical fields. The text puts equal emphasis on exploratory and confirmatory statistical methods. Sampling, exploratory data analysis, estimation, hypothesis testing, and power and precision are covered through detailed, illustrative examples. The book is organized into three parts: Part I addresses basic concepts and...