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Ever wondered how vaccines work, why whales strand themselves or if luck really exists? The Explainer: From Déjà Vu to Why the Sky is Blue and Other Conundrums is a collection of straightforward, accessible, and engaging explanations from those in the know on those everyday concepts that may have made you stop and wonder.

Written by academic experts with deep subject expertise, the book shares knowledge on diverse topics: from animals and agriculture, climate and energy, the body and medical myths, technology and more. Curious readers will discover accessible answers to questions such as: what is gravity? Can you pay-off a sleep-debt? What is dreaming, forgetting, depression?

Managing Editor of The Conversation, Misha Ketchell, said: “This book makes the knowledge of academic experts available to everyone. It’s full of fascinating facts that can inform public debate or just be enjoyed for their own sake. The Explainer is perfect for indulging curiosity, settling bets or sparking a conversation.”

CSIRO’s Dr Mark Lonsdale said: “Armed with this book you can do more than simply start the discussion – you can marshal the explanatory information to help inform it.”

The book is a collaboration between CSIRO PUBLISHING and The Conversation, Australia’s largest independent news and commentary sites, where the articles were originally published.

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