We humans pride ourselves on our capacity to have ideas, but perhaps this pride is misplaced. Perhaps ideas have us. After all, ideas do appear to have a life of their own. Many biologists have already come to the opinion that our genes are selfish entities, tricking us into helping them to reproduce. Is it the same with our ideas? Jonnie Hughes, a science writer and documentary filmmaker, investigates the evolution of ideas in order to find out. Adopting the role of a cultural Charles Darwin, Hughes heads off, with his brother in tow, across the Midwest to observe firsthand the natural history of ideas--the patterns of their variation, inheritance, and selection in the cultural landscape. In place of Darwin's oceanic islands, Hughes visits the "mind islands" of Native American tribes. Instead of finches, Hughes searches for signs of natural selection among the tepees.--From publisher description.

"Diabetes is the catalyst for a whole host of chronic complications that can appear as a result of the disease, such as: diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcers, kidney failure, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Diabetes management is changing rapidly, and powerful new agents, including some that may modify the natural history of diabetes and its complications, continue to be introduced, as both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes increase in prevalence and impact worldwide. This brief guide summarizes the specific information needed for clinical treatment of diabetic patients"--Provided by publisher.