The Weekly Newsmagazine Of Science

You might think that science is boring or maybe you think you just can’t understand it. You’ve taken High School Biology, and you’re over it. Well, don’t give up on science just yet. Science News is the publication for you.

Science News is a weekly magazine that pulls together important information from many prominent scholarly journals such as Science, Nature, and numerous medical and technical journals. It condenses those impossible-to-understand articles into concise news briefs. The articles are easy to read, and they cut through all of the gibberish that scholarly journals are known for.

You may be surprised at how interested you are in the subjects that Science News covers. New developments in medicine, such as the latest drugs, steps towards cures for previously incurable conditions, and the latest technology will have you amazed at all the progress the medical field is making. Articles on the latest astronomical or geological discoveries will pique your interest in the natural world around you. The latest developments in computer technology will have you wondering what the future will hold. This is the most important information in the world of science. It’s easy to find on most newsstands, in most public libraries, and if you have access to EbscoHost, you can get it in full-text right from your home computer. Don’t miss a single issue!

Reviewed by R & RC Staff Member - Robin Dodge

Japanese Design is a compilation of images and culture from journalist Sarah Lonsdale’s career in Tokyo and fascination with Japan . Japan’s cultural identity is a mix between old and new and it is evident walking down a busy street and seeing it’s neon signs next to an elegantly designed shrine and passing newsstands selling manga to older businessmen and kids without discrimination. Lonsdale’s book is full of colorful images that take you through a tour of the city and its merchandise with brief text detailing the sometimes confusing or surreal photos.

It is divided into design sections for easy reference starting with fashion. This section shows traditional work wear and school uniforms alongside Japan ’s notorious street fashions. The book shows illustrates for the reader how white face makeup is used by performers in kabuki theatre as well as a Japanese teenager in an Alice in Wonderland inspired outfit. This section also covers popular international designers like Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe as well as technological textiles.

The architecture and interiors section further illustrates the traditional vs. modern theme of Japanese culture. There are tall chrome skyscrapers that tower over the city and traditional houses and inns that are complete with beautiful gardens and Koi ponds.

There are additional sections that cover food and drink, transportation, products like toys and cars, house wares and most interesting advertising, communications and packaging. Japan ’s eclectic mix of ancient and modern graphics has created something very different and attractive to consumers around the world. Remember the Pokemon craze? Before that it was Hello Kitty and even now advertisers search for new ways to use traditional Asian inspired packaging- the new beauty line Miso-Pretty is an excellent example of this. The Japanese put extra detail into the whole product and with their advanced technology the end result is something that transcends language barriers.

The country places genuine value on aesthetically pleasing images and structures and can be counted on as helpful to design students of all disciplines.



Reviewed by R & RC Staff Member - Rodriguez - Orange County