West Nile Virus Maps - 2002
http://cindi.usgs.gov/hazard/event/west_nile/west_nile.html
The US Geological Survey Center for Integration of Natural Disaster Information has provided these maps of reported occurrences of West Nile Virus (WNV). "The West Nile Virus Surveillance System is intended to monitor the geographic and temporal spread of WNV over the contiguous United States." Maps include 2002 surveillance data for birds, humans, mosquitoes, sentinel chicken flocks, and data submitted by veterinarians. Maps from previous years are available, including comprehensive maps through 2000, and maps of 2001 data. It is unclear whether the 2002 maps are based on 2002 data alone, or include all data through June of 2002. Brief background on WNV and surveillance activities help make this site appealing to a broader audience. [AL]
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Journal of Biology
http://jbiol.com/
This new online journal published by BioMed Central is a free publication of "research articles of exceptional interest, with associated commentary." Articles and commentaries can be viewed by abstract, full text, or in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format for printing. Current and back issues will be available for browsing, and the search function allows users to search not only this journal, but also the entire BioMed Central and PubMed collections. This site is also reviewed in the July 12, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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HIV Molecular Immunology Database
http://hiv-web.lanl.gov/content/immunology/index.html/index.html
The HIV Molecular Immunology Database, associated with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of California, and the US Department of Energy, "is an annotated, searchable collection of HIV-1 cytotoxic and helper T-cell epitopes and antibody binding sites." Links are provided to a number of other tools, as well as the associated HIV Immunology Database Compendia, which is downloadable in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. The search functions are fairly easy to use with several drop down boxes to select the fields of interest. [AL]
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Bibliography of Articles on the Effects of Air Pollution on Trees and Forests
http://www.cnie.org/nle/treebib/treetop.htm
The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment has provided this bibliography, focusing mainly on the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the eastern US. The bibliography is conveniently organized both alphabetically and by type of publication. Although the bibliography has not been updated for a few years, it still provides a valuable compilation of literature on the subject of air pollution's effects on vegetation. [AL]
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Hypomyces
http://nt.ars-grin.gov/taxadescriptions/hypomyces/
This Web site is part of the National Science Foundation's Partnerships to Enhance Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET) program and is developed by both the US Department of Agriculture's Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University's Department of Plant Pathology. The site provides a broad overview of the genus Hypomyces, which are generally found growing on fruit bodies of fungi. The site includes information on various stages and habitats for each of the taxa included, as well as basic nomenclature. A large number of images help make this an informative Web site. [AL]
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DPDx: Identification and Diagnosis of Parasites of Public Health Concern
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/Default.htm
This Web site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Parasitic Diseases has a goal of "using the internet to strengthen diagnosis of parasitic diseases." The site provides information about the cause, life cycle, and treatment (among other things) for a number of parasites, listed in alphabetical order and categorized by location of residence. The image library contains a number of images for each parasite. Laboratory researchers and medical professionals may also benefit from the site's Diagnostic Assistance feature, where digital images and data about the parasite can be emailed to DPDx for diagnosis. [AL]
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BioProtocol.com
http://bioprotocol.bio.com/protocolstools/index.jhtml
This compendium of online laboratory protocols is provided by BioProtocol, Inc., a company founded by three postdocs from at the University of California, Berkeley. A host of procedures are included in a number of browseable categories. Users can develop a customized set of protocols as just one of the benefits of completing the free registration. Each protocol "has gone through a meticulous editorial process to ensure that it is complete, follows a uniform format, and instructions are clear and unambiguous." BioProtocol.com is part of the larger Bio.com site that offers many additional features. [AL]
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CDC Wonder
http://wonder.cdc.gov/
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides this Web site as a "single point of access to a variety of CDC reports, guidelines, and numeric public health data." Site visitors can log on to the site as an anonymous user, or complete the free registration to enhance the site's features. Data sources are conveniently listed and described, making the site's variety of topics easy to browse; additionally, users looking for information on a specific topic may appreciate the search function. [AL]
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Tiger Homes Sanctuary
http://www.tigerhomes.org/
This privately owned animal sanctuary hosts a number of live cameras with which site visitors may view the sanctuary's big cats and lemurs. Several camera angles are provided for each species to increase the opportunities to view the animals. The educational center includes general information about lions, tigers, and lemurs, as well as more specific information about each of the animals featured in the live cameras. Some of the sanctuary's animals were featured on Discovery Channel; those videos can also be viewed online. One disappointment, however, is that the site does not provide any information about where the sanctuary is located or how the animals were obtained. [AL]
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Open Heart
http://www.cosi.org/onlineExhibits/openHeart/heart.html
This Web site from the Columbus Medical Association Foundation provides a number of hands-on activities for visitors to "learn how the heart works, how the heart gets into trouble, what can be done to rescue it, and what you can do to keep your heart healthy." This is a robust site that is easy to navigate, and the interactive nature is attention grabbing. The medical glossary is a handy learning tool available at the bottom of each page. The subject matter is fairly advanced and is most suitable for high school and college students. [AL]
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Gulf of Maine Aquarium
http://octopus.gma.org/
The Gulf of Maine Aquarium Web site is an abundant resource on marine ecosystems. From communication strategies of marine mammals to coral reefs in Belize, the site uses descriptive text and vivid photos to explore a variety of topics related to ocean life. With each menu expanding into a number of further selections, the site is a maze of topics that allows users to navigate through a vast amount of information based on their own interests. Several of the sections include some classroom activities to make the site more useful for teachers. [AL]
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Sharkology
http://www.wallerkautsky.com/sharkology/index.html
Although this new site was developed by an unnamed source, it may be a useful site for those interested in learning about sharks. The site is available in both Swedish and English. The Biology section is the most extensive, with relatively brief text and diagrams of several topics, and numerous links for further reading. The Species section currently only features two species, the Great White Shark and Megamouth Shark. Another useful feature is the dictionary of terms, which makes the site more useful to a broad audience. [AL]
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ExplorA-Pond
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/pond/
ExplorA-Pond is an online opportunity for collaborative science among classrooms from around the world. Classrooms that register with the site can adopt a local pond and submit the results of one or more of the Pond Activities/ Lesson Plans. Regardless of whether your classroom chooses to register, the activities and lesson plans designed for K-6th graders provide a hands-on approach to science and math lessons. A virtual pond option is even provided in the event that it is impractical for classrooms to visit and survey a real local pond. [AL]
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The Virtual Body
http://medtropolis.com/VBody.asp
The Virtual Body from MEDtropolis.com is an interactive overview of some of the basic structure and function of the human body. The site, available in both English and Spanish, is a mix of information and activities focused on four areas -- the brain, skeleton, heart, and digestive tract. The site's extensive array of diagrams and images, as well as its interactive nature, enhance the site's appeal and educational potential. [AL]
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The Wild Ones
http://www.thewildones.org/index.html
This Web site from the Children's Education Program of Wildlife Trust has much to offer students and teachers. Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, students can find information about animals, their habitats, and the scientists who study them. The Wild Ones network provides an opportunity for members to communicate with each other, contribute curriculum activities, and share ideas and resources. The Curriculum Library in the teachers section is one of the most beneficial parts of the Web site, with its numerous lesson plans mainly directed towards K-6th grades. [AL]
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Wolves At Our Door [.pdf]
http://www.digisys.net/users/marshaz/wolves/
This online curriculum, developed by an education professional, is a 10-day lesson plan for 3-5th graders. The main focus is wolves and their habitat, but the integrated curriculum also presents opportunities for learning assessment in other subject areas. Several Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf) files are included for download, including lesson plans for each of the 10 days. The section directed towards students is a useful place to have students begin their wolf research as it provides appropriate facts, links, and search tools. [AL]
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Expeditions in Conservation: Mesoamerican Reef [Flash, Real Player]
http://www.worldwildlife.org/expeditions/reef/index.html
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently completed this expedition of the largest coral reef system in the Atlantic Ocean and has provided an opportunity for Web users to share some of what they experienced. Visitors can view spectacular photos and videos to learn about the reef and the creatures that reside there, as well as read the daily reports of the expedition. The site offers much more in terms of learning about coral reefs, the people who study them, and the threats that face these unique ecosystems. [AL]
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Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
http://sofserv.forestry.auburn.edu/samuelson/dendrology/
Those who are interested in trees commonly found in the Southeastern US will appreciate this Web site provided by Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. The site uses many photographs of different parts of each tree to help the user with proper identification. The site includes trees from 47 different families, and a helpful section on plant terminology that increases understanding. A search feature is an added dimension of the site, allowing users to find all information the site offers on one particular tree. [AL]
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William H. Calvin Books and Articles
http://williamcalvin.com/index.html#books
The full-text of several books authored by University of Washington professor William H. Calvin are available online. His newest book A Brain for All Seasons (A Scientific American book of the month) is about "what sudden climate flips did to human evolution over the last 2.5 million years." Most of his other books also focus on the subjects of the brain and human evolution. The hyperlinked table of contents makes browsing these texts more manageable. This Web page also includes other information about Calvin, including research, lectures, and shorter articles. [AL]
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Facts and Answers: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/factsanswers.htm
The US Department of Agriculture's Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine has made this index of children's health information available online. Frequently asked questions on children's nutritional topics are indexed alphabetically by category, along with links to short articles and fact sheets. Written for a general audience, this is a worthwhile site for anyone interested in children and nutrition. [AL]
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Bioactivities, Bioactive Compounds, and Chemical Constituents of Mangrove Plants
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/mangroves/mangrove-biocom.html
This new page from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a brief introduction to the mangrove ecosystem. The site uses non-scientific language to explain what mangroves are and how they function. A series of detailed sketches add a significant amount of understanding to the text, and the site also links to a number of additional AIMS pages focusing on mangroves. [AL]
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BirdSource
http://www.birdsource.org/
Associated with the Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, BirdSource is a Web site that allows Web users to participate in bird conservation and data gathering. By participating in bird identification and counts, citizens can help ornithologists determine species distribution and ranges. In addition to maps showing results from several public bird surveys, the site contains a great deal on identifying birds, conservation articles, and information for attracting birds to your feeder. This is a well rounded and attractive site for the bird enthusiast that offers data gathering opportunities throughout the year. [AL]
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CardioVascular Genetics: An Online Guide for Patients and their Families
http://www.geocities.com/anaivette_morales/CVG/Page_1x.html
This Web site from Brandeis University focuses on the relationship between congenital heart disease and genetics. The predominantly text site is written for a general audience of patients and their families with little background in genetics. In addition to explaining congenital heart disease and some genetic disorders that cause it, the site also touches on the role of genetic testing and counseling. This site is a good primer for those interested in cardiovascular disease and practical genetics. [AL]
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The Fungi of California
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/intro.html
This site was developed by two individuals with a strong interest in fungi and is intended to augment published field guides with numerous color photos of each species and frequent updates to taxonomy and nomenclature. The site includes only species that are found in California; however, many of these species may be found in other parts of North America. The site's current 357 species are easy to navigate through its alphabetical listing of scientific name. Those users unfamiliar with scientific names will appreciate the simplified key that uses diagrams and descriptions to identify groups of fungi fitting certain characteristics. [AL]
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Orchids
1. OrchidWeb
http://orchidweb.org/
2. The Family Orchidaceae
http://www.esf.edu/resorg/rooseveltwildlife/Research/Orchid/Fam/Family.htm
3. Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia
http://www.orchidspecies.com/
4. Native Orchids of Canada
http://www.rbg.ca/orchids/orchids2.html
5. BibliOrchidea
http://www.bibliorchidea.net/main.php
6. Discover Orchids
http://www.si.edu/gardens/orchids/start.htm
7. Orchid Kingdom
http://library.thinkquest.org/25368/e_whatorchid.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0710
8. Orchid Smuggling and Conservation
http://www.american.edu/TED/ORCHID.HTM
The home page for the American Orchid Society, OrchidWeb (1) is a robust source of information on orchids, how to grow them, their conservation status, and facts for orchid enthusiasts. The next Web page, offered by the Roosevelt Wild Life Station (2), is a brief introduction to the family of flowering plants known as Orchidaceae and what makes them unique. The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia (3) includes an alphabetical listing of a very large number of orchid species, complete with photos and characteristics. Several orchids that are native to Canada (4) are identified by the Royal Botanical Gardens; its site includes photos, location, habitat, and description. BibliOrchidea (5) allows users to search the bibliographic database with more than 105,000 citations specific to orchids. The next exhibit, from the Smithsonian Institute and US Botanic Garden (6), includes a large number of photos and general information on a number of orchid related topics. This ThinkQuest site (7) provides a more detailed look at orchids from a botanical perspective. The Trade Environment Database (8) provides this case study about the international problem of orchid smuggling. [AL]
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Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The NSDL Scout Report for the Life Sciences.
The single phrase below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing any portion of this report, in any format:
From The NSDL Scout Report for Life Sciences, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
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Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-2002. The Internet Scout Project (http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
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