Itch: A Novel

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Abstract Recent reports claimed that glucosylsphingosine GS is highly accumulated and specifically evoking itch-scratch responses in the skins of atopic dermatitis AD patients. Images from this publication. See all images 4 Free text. C Representative pseudocolor microscopic images of cells at initial a and peak b time points denoted in B.

Glucosylsphingosine Activates Serotonin Receptor 2a and 2b: Implication of a Novel Itch Signaling Pathway. Supplemental Content Full text links. Even readers not at all interested in physics will probably look forward to the sequel and Itch's next adventure. Nov 06, Tiff rated it really liked it Shelves: Lets just take a moment to appreciate THAT cover! Such an attractive design that will grab JF-YA readers of both genders. Their first question and mine: What is an element hunter? Itchingham Lofte is science obsessed. When he is not causing small explosions in his bedroom, he is tracking down elements from the periodic table.

So far his growing collection has been stored under his bed but after losing his eyebrows in an 'experiment', Mum insists it is all bound for the shed. After accidentally poisoning his class at school, Itch thinks it might be time to take a break from his elements but then something comes to him that changes everything The rock takes Itch and his cousin Jack on a race against time culminating in a fight for their lives. An interesting, action packed, edge-of-your-seat, pulse-raising read.

If you loved this, the adventures of Itchington Lofte continue in Itch Rocks! I've been recommending Itch to a few older students who I think would appreciate the sciencey stuff but would also be able to handle the dead body stuff, because let me put this to you straight: Like, serious bloody violence, graphic description of group vomiting, detailed process of radiation poisoning - it is serious shit.

Definitely age 14 and up, unless there are some hardy kids out there. I think it is a cool way to get students thinking more about science in a hobby way rat I've been recommending Itch to a few older students who I think would appreciate the sciencey stuff but would also be able to handle the dead body stuff, because let me put this to you straight: I think it is a cool way to get students thinking more about science in a hobby way rather than a school way.

I'd probably give this 3 stars - good because good plotline, driving force and well-researched, bad because of the whole nausea thing that stayed with me pretty much throughout.

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It's cleverly science--themed Itch is an element collector and manages to outline a lot of 'real science' along with a mile-a-minute chase plot. Clever plotting, interesting and mostly believable characters, and a unique premise add to the quality of the book - and if you've got an iPad or iPhone, don't miss out on the very clever app which you can get from App Store search for itch book - it's very clever This, the first novel by Radio presenter and DJ Simon Mayo, is simply excellent stuff. Clever plotting, interesting and mostly believable characters, and a unique premise add to the quality of the book - and if you've got an iPad or iPhone, don't miss out on the very clever app which you can get from App Store search for itch book - it's very clever!

In the end, the scene is set for a sequel, and I, for one, will be looking forward to it! Apr 15, Jabiz Raisdana rated it liked it Shelves: This book was not for me. I found it slow, predictable and mired in a boring plot with characters that I didn't care for. There is some adventure and science and it is pretty well written, but never feels like it goes anywhere. It takes a while to get going and then the climax and adventure scenes left me unsatisfied. The whole time I was looking forward to finishing it.

Curious what you think. Jun 27, Luvish rated it it was amazing Recommended to Luvish by: This is a really good book! It might seem a bit long but the plot moves really fast and is accessible for most readers. The language and content is also pretty easy to understand and most people won't have a problem with it.

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I really loved this book because it was about mystery and adventure that I really like and I also was interested in the science content. If you are interested in mystery, adventure and science fiction, this is a very good book for you. Sep 15, Alex B. It was a great book, but it got a little bit confusing at the end.

Dec 12, Rachel rated it really liked it Shelves: Really enjoyable and exciting! Looking forward to the sequel! Jan 20, Lewis rated it it was amazing.

A very nice book. A bit slow to begin with but it does pick up. Not as good as the Alex Rider series but a good follow up book and hopefully the whole series. Jul 06, Dylan Tsao rated it it was ok. I didn't really like this book even after pages. This book isn't my type of genre. The book is slow and it didn't catch my attention. Sep 08, Emma rated it really liked it.

Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter

I different read, but really good. Apr 21, GamerGirl12 rated it liked it. A good sci-fi book with a lot of action. Itch has caused explosions with his elements before. But when an accident involving blowing off his eyebrows happens his mum bans the elements from the house. But taking them to school will be alright, won't it?

Then a load of events lead up to some very dangerous rocks in Itch's hands. Itch must protect them with people coming for them and get them to a safe place. I really enjoyed this book, partly because it taught me so much about the 3. I really enjoyed this book, partly because it taught me so much about the periodic table. The characters were friendly and genuinely nice. The book was well-written and action-packed but maybe a bit too much for some people.

Itch may have been a bit stupid, but he certainly had the right ideas when it came down to it. The reasons I gave it less than I normally do was because no one seemed to know how to fight back. Itch just let himself get punched and beaten. Has everyone just lost all sense? Then there was the ending. I actually stopped reading for a bit near the end because it just got so confusing and I lost track of what was even happening.

I picked up some good books on my Kindle and read those for a bit then went back to Itch. I finished it, finally understanding what had happened. But, after not having done this for a long time, I felt kinda relieved I had finished it. I did enjoy it, maybe other people that are better at a lot of action would enjoy it more. Sep 25, David Humphrey rated it really liked it Shelves: A boy who is an element hunter ie. He collects all of the chemical elements of the periodic table.

It turns out to be very radioactive and after testing, unique. Possession of this potentially world changing rock begins to corrupt people around hims and Itch and his friends find themselves targets for corporations, governments, authorities and even terrorists.

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 mediates itch: a novel pathway for pruritus in human skin.

Its a good science based adventure and has a good slice of danger. Occasionally the text in the first few chapters could sometimes seem repetitive but its an enjoyable tale and there is good dialogue and genuine humour. Not all loose ends are resolved in this book and feels like it is a seen setter for the next books.

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May 11, Grrlscientist rated it really liked it. Perhaps another child can help? There was, he thought, no point in collecting anything else; this was everything else. It was the catalogue of everything that existed in the universe, stripped down to its basic ingredients.

If Itch was honest, part of him was relieved that most people just left him to get on with it. How boring to be the same as everyone else. Did the world need another football fan? But one day, Itch purchases a rock, an ominously warm rock, that baffles him. He shows this rock to his geology teacher who realises it is a new element; element Soon, Itch finds himself pursued by this strange man, as well as several other villains, some from a corrupt corporation and others from a shady government agency.

They all want his hot rock: What follows are a number of madcap adventures, including late night theft, radiation poisoning, flooded mine shafts, hospitals and vomiting … lots of vomiting. In addition to Itch, we also meet his younger sister, Chloe, and his cousin, Jack Jacqueline , who is the same age as he is. Together, this trio find themselves tangled in a shadowy web of mystery and action punctuated with brief forays into chemistry.

Several things about this book puzzled or surprised me: Instead of being appropriately cautious, he carries the radioactive clock hands radium and the radioactive rocks around in his rucksack, exposing himself and the public to this health hazard. It seems a xenon canister would be quite heavy, especially if Itch was carrying enough to anaesthetise a carload of criminals.

The names in this book mystified me, too. Seriously, where did that come from? That name definitely stands out from all the other character names in this book. The writing is generally engaging, but the plot is uneven. Despite its flaws, I really enjoyed this book and stayed up all night reading it. It was fast-paced, interesting and, at times, educational. In addition to Itch, the story featured strong female characters who were intelligent and resourceful, the dialogue was convincing and the kids used a variety of modern innovations such as email, facebook chat, and texting that add authenticity.

Overall, this is a fun book that kids of all ages will enjoy. Originally published at The Guardian on 3 June Oct 30, Richard rated it liked it Shelves: The story kept my son interested, and he has now started collecting elements. He's going about it with a bit more nous than Itch, though, by actually learning about the elements, rather than being surprised when bad things happen, and having some rigour in what compounds are allowed. I felt the book was hit and miss. Some good writing, but it could have sorely done with a decent editor. Also, there were factual errors peppering the book.

For instance, you don't surf between the red and yellow flags, what actually happens when sodium meets water, and what happens when you get phosphorous burns.

Supplemental Content

The many really dumb decisions Itch makes would have lead to 2 stars, however a book that rekindle's a boy's love of chemistry gets an extra star. May 26, Sue rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoyed this story which involved a boy who was fascinated by the periodic table and was collecting as many of the elements as he could.

The writing is generally engaging, but the plot is uneven. After an explosive beginning the story generally maintains its momentum until the final five chapters, which were somewhat boring, predictable, and ponderous -- skillful editing could have reduced these to two or perhaps three tight and gripping chapters.

After finishing the book, several questions remain unanswered, such as; how could Itch blow up part of his parents' house without being arrested as a "terrorist" or, at the very least, without receiving any sort of police attention? Why does there appear to be a rift between Itch's parents? Why did Itch's father return to his job after learning some dangerous truths about his employer?

Why does there seem to be a rift between Itch's parents and his cousin Jack's parents? Despite its flaws, I really enjoyed this book and stayed up all night reading it. It was fast-paced, interesting and, at times, educational. I didn't find any errors in the chemistry, although some of the scenarios were a bit over-the-top. In addition to Itch, the story featured strong female characters who were intelligent and resourceful, the dialogue was convincing and the kids used a variety of modern innovations such as email, facebook chat, and texting that add authenticity.

Overall, this is a fun book that kids of all ages will enjoy. Read the first three chapters of Itch. He lives in London with his wife, two sons and one daughter. Itch is his first novel. GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist and freelance science writer who writes about the interface between evolution, ethology and ecology, especially in birds.

Invited to be a judge to help select the shortlist for the Royal Society's Young People's Science Book Award, she also has a deep passion for good books, especially good science books, which she reviews with some regularity. Turn autoplay off Turn autoplay on. Jump to content [s] Jump to comments [c] Jump to site navigation [0] Jump to search [4] Terms and conditions [8]. News Science Periodic table.

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