A Practical Guide to Containment: Greenhouse Research with Transgenic Plants and Microbes [.pdf]
http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/greenhouse_manual.cfm
This publication that can be viewed either online or in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format is new from Information Systems for Biotechnology (ISB), part of the US Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. ISB's goal is to provide "a balanced view of the potential benefits and concerns" of agricultural biotechnology. This 60-page guide is intended as a resource for greenhouses that conduct research involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Helping them understand the practical and regulatory implications of handling GMOs, the Web siteoffers guidance on levels of biosafety containment, strategies for containment, proper handling of GMOs, and more. Written plainly and easy to navigate, the guide is a useful resource. [AL]
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Rat Genome Map
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/Entrez/maps.cgi?ORG=rat
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has added a new organism to its chromosome Map Viewer. The Rat Map Viewer shows the locations of simple sequence length polymorphism markers for genetic and radiation hybrid maps. Data can be searched by marker name, marker alias, or chromosome position. There is a useful help file to orient users to the Web page, but this is certainly a Web sitefor those users with a strong background in genetics. Genome maps for seven other organisms can also be viewed through the NCBI site. [AL]
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Births: Final Data for 2000 [.pdf]
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr50/nvsr50_05.pdf
The National Center for Health Statistics recently released this 102-page report containing data on the 4 million US births in 2000. The report states that the birth rate increased by 3 percent in 2000, marking the first time in almost 30 years that "the total fertility rate was above 'replacement.'" Information about demographic characteristics, maternal lifestyle and health, medical services utilization, and infant health are discussed. The report is provided in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format and includes data collection methods, references, and many data tables. [AL]
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The National Children's Study
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/despr/cohort/
The National Children's Study is an ongoing study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. This new Web siteprovides comprehensive information about the study, including background, an overview of the study, information from previous meetings, and a list of people involved in coordinating and conducting the study. [AL]
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Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine
http://search.nap.edu/books/0309076307/html/
Partially an outgrowth of a June 2001 workshop of leading stem cell researchers, The Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research has authored this report available from National Academy Press (NAP) to address the potential of stem cell research. Various scientific, ethical, legal, and public policy issues surrounding stem cell research were considered in the authors' attempts to make recommendations on the use of stem cells in research and to clarify "what is known about the scientific potential of stem cells and how that potential can best be realized." This site is also reviewed in the March 8, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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Biocompare
http://www.biocompare.com
Biocompare bills itself as a "neutral source for life-science product information." The Web siteprovides searchable and browseable product information for various types of biological research. In addition to listing products and features, users may view side-by-side comparisons of selected items, request information from vendors, or read product reviews. Many other features are provided by this site, including subject-specific newsletters that help users stay updated on the latest technologies in their field and money-saving tools like links to pages about used lab equipment or potential discounts for new labs. [AL]
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Research Abstracts from the DOE Genome Contractor-Grantee Workshop IX
http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis/publicat/02santa/index.html
Research abstracts from a recent Department of Energy (DOE) genomics workshop are now available online. Researchers presented updates on DOE-funded genome research at this January 2002 workshop. Abstracts can be viewed within topical categories or by author name. Abstracts include title of the talk, author name, and contact information. [AL]
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Ex Situ Gene Conservation for Conifers in the Pacific Northwest [.pdf]
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr528.pdf
This current report from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station evaluates the genetic resource status of several Pacific Northwest timber species. The 60-page report can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. The report finds that species like ponderosa pine, noble fir, and western hemlock have "extensive genetic resources in ex situ forms," while the resources for red cedar are more limited. [AL]
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The Flying Turtle: Science and Technology Exploration Site
http://www.ftexploring.com/index.html
This educational Web siteexplores topics that relate energy and life. Some of the many topics include energy flows through plants and animals, photosynthesis, and the amazing strength of insects. The section Ask Dr. Galapagos provides answers to various questions about the aerodynamics of flying creatures, deep diving sperm whales, and the difference between independent and dependent variables. The most recent additions include an energy pyramid, a brilliant question about plants and carbon dioxide, and Web links. This award winning site covers an amazing range of topics with great information and a bit of humor. [AL]
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Putting a Finger on It: The Loops and Whorls of Biometrics
http://www.science.org.au/nova/064/064key.htm
We're all familiar with the use of fingerprinting to determine or verify identity, but technology is rapidly increasing the range of potential biometric identification tools. Biometrics is the application of statistical analysis to biological features. This Web sitefrom NOVA, the Australian Academy of Science online news site (last mentioned in the March 3, 1999 Scout Report for Science & Engineering), discusses some current biometric technologies and provides useful links and publications for users wanting to explore the topic more fully. Several fun activities will help students understand the concept of biometrics, and although the activities section is geared for students, this site has information that should appeal to a more general audience. [AL]
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Reef Education Network
http://www.reef.edu.au/default.htm
The University of Queensland's Reef Education Network (REN) is a wonderful introduction to the amazing world of coral reefs. REN has some cool images as well as information about reef research, current problems threatening coral reefs, and the many fascinating organisms that reside within a coral reef. The Life And Times section provides a nice overview of what a reef is, while the Ask A Brain Coral section gives some introduction to biotic and abiotic relationships that occur within reefs. A unique feature is the notebook, where students can record and organize information as they navigate throughout the site. [AL]
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Science Controversies On-line: Partnerships in Education
http://scope.educ.washington.edu/
Science Controversies On-line: Partnership in Education (SCOPE) is an online community focused on current scientific controversies, organized by the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Washington; and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The recently added Teacher Center is a collection of educational tools from the other forums (Genetically Modified Food, Declining Amphibians, Malaria, and Genomics), which provides lesson plans and online activities in which students can participate. In order to fully access the site, a free, but somewhat cumbersome, registration is required. For teachers who are interested in exploring controversial science topics with 6-12 grade students, it is worth the effort. [AL]
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The Voyage of the Odyssey [RealPlayer, Flash]
http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/index.html
PBS Online presents the Ocean Alliance's Voyage of the Odyssey, a multi-year project that is gathering baseline data on ocean health, using whales, albatrosses, and pelagic fish as environmental indicators. Students can read or listen to daily logs from the ship and track the voyage, while Science from the Field offers several video and audio reports. Be sure not to pass by the Interactive Ocean portion of the site, which offers a unique opportunity to experience some of the sights and sounds beneath the surface. The Class from the Sea section is still under construction but will offer exciting ways to interact with the voyage, including virtual teleconferencing with the ship's crew. This site is a cool multimedia resource for captivating the attention of students and also a more general audience. [AL]
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Bristol BioMed Learning and Teaching
http://www.brisbio.ac.uk/bblt/
The Bristol Biomedical Learning and Teaching Web siteprovides real-life images and case studies to enhance learning in the biomedical fields. Images, tutorials, and case studies have been donated by practitioners as a free resource to enhance teaching in the biomedical fields. The site includes medical and dental tutorials, case studies, a how-to guide to assist in using the site and its images, and information on events and workshops focused on the use of images in teaching. The site also links to the Bristol Biomed Image Archives, which includes about 8500 images for teaching and learning in the medical, dental, veterinary medicine, and related fields. [AL]
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Shark Dissection Webcast [QuickTime, RealPlayer]
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/sharkcast/index.html
View this Webcast dissection of four shark species conducted last August at the Birch Aquarium and narrated by Dr. Jeffrey Graham of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a marine biologist as he examines the internal organs of these sharks for the audience. The site also has several short text sections offering life history and behavioral information for those users interested in learning more about sharks in general. [AL]
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Agriculture in the Classroom [Flash, QuickTime, Media Player, .pdf]
http://www.agclassroom.org/
The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture in the Classroom Web site(last mentioned in the October 27, 1999 Scout Report for Science & Engineering) has recently been updated. One of the current features, Listening to the Prairie - Farming in Nature's Image, is a useful resource which has many lesson plans and classroom activities for all grades and can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. These lesson plans explore subjects like how energy passes through food webs, where our food comes from, how agriculture affects our lives, and soil and erosion. This is a useful site that focuses on a subject that many urban students may not normally be exposed to. [AL]
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Ocean Explorer: Deep East [QuickTime, .pdf]
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/deepeast01/deepeast01.html
Ocean Explorer is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) attempt to share their latest discoveries with the public. The most recent expedition, completed in October 2001, explored portions of the Atlantic Ocean along the Eastern US coast. Web sitevisitors can read daily updates from NOAA scientists, view photos from the depths of the ocean, read the online summary of the mission, or download the more detailed summary. This is a great site with fascinating information about some of the most current marine discoveries. [AL]
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The American Museum of Natural History Congo Expedition 1909-1915
http://diglib1.amnh.org/
In 1909, scientists Herbert Lang and James P. Chapin, as well as numerous assistants, set out into the remote Central African Congo River basin to explore and catalog the many extraordinary plant and animal species found within. This fabulous new Web sitefrom the American Museum of Natural History details the six-year expedition that resulted in the first comprehensive study of the Congo basin. This online exhibit includes field notes, photographs, illustrations, interactive maps, and films of early 20th century Congo biological and cultural features. There is also a searchable collection of scientific publications, many of which were authored by Lang, Chapin, and their contemporaries. This is a rich resource that is likely to appeal to many. This site is also reviewed in the March 8, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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The Science Behind Tobacco
http://www.lsc.org/tobacco/index.html
The Liberty Science Center and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services present this new Web siteexamining "the tobacco plant from seed to cigarette." The site is full of information on all aspects of tobacco, from how it is grown and how cigarettes are manufactured to health effects of smoking and the science behind nicotine addiction. The site is well-organized with detailed information written for a general audience; almost anyone can learn something of interest by visiting. [AL]
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BioMedNet Magazine
http://news.bmn.com/magazine
A new online publication, BioMedNet Magazine will be published biweekly beginning March 1, 2002. Published by BioMedNet, the new magazine replaces the former HMS Beagle but will contain some of the same features that research scientists found most interesting. The first issue contains articles about stem cell research, why birds are insensitive to chili peppers, how different brain areas contribute to decision making, and more. Each current edition will be free during the entire two week period, but once backfiled, there will be a charge for access to full-text articles. [AL]
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The Bioluminescence Web Page
http://lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/
Bioluminescence is "simply light produced by a chemical reaction which originates in an organism." This Web sitefrom the University of California at Santa Barbara intends to provide a reliable source of information on this somewhat obscure subject. The site contains a lot of basic information about the chemistry of bioluminescence and specific bioluminescent organisms, along with some fabulous images. More specific information can be obtained through research abstracts and citations posted in the Research Forum and recently added workshop section. This is an attractive site that will appeal to a wide variety of audiences. [AL]
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Obesity and Genetics: A Public Health Perspective
http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/info/perspectives/obesity.htm
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention and Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, this Web siteis a collection of information on the relationship between obesity and genetics. It offers links to a variety of sources of information, including Web resources and journal articles on the problem of obesity, the relationship between genetics and obesity, and preventing obesity. [AL]
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SciDev.net
http://www.scidev.net/
Officially launched in December 2001, SciDev.net provides a forum for discussing the impact of modern science on developing countries. Sponsored by the magazines Nature and Science, in association with the Third World Academy of Sciences, the site intends to provide authoritative information to encourage the use of science and technologies in developing countries in ways that will be socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. It contains news, articles, opinion pieces, and book reviews, as well as links to meeting notices and scientific organizations. This is a useful gateway for anyone interested in scientific issues in developing nations. [AL]
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AIDS.org Webcasts
http://aids_org.healthology.com/focus_index.asp?f=hiv
A collection of several short webcasts have been added to the AIDS.org Web site. Web sitevisitors can hear doctors speaking about topics related to AIDS and HIV, like drug treatment, anemia, and structured treatment interruption. Transcripts of each interview can also be viewed online, along with featured articles authored by the interviewees. [AL]
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Endocrine Disrupters: Questioning the Dangers of Synthetic Chemicals
1. Endocrine Disrupters
http://whyfiles.org/045env_hormone/index.html
2. Our Stolen Future
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/
3. Frequently Asked Questions About Endocrine Disruptors
http://www.psr.org/endofs.htm
4. Endocrine Disruptor Research Initiative Fact Sheet
http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/edrifact.html
5. USGS Biological Resources Division: Endocrine Disruptor Research
http://www.cerc.cr.usgs.gov/Other_Webs/endocrine/endocrine.htm
6. US EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Standardization
http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/history/
7. Bisphenol A Homepage
http://www.bisphenol-A.org/
8. Chemicals in Mother's Milk
http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/envpoll.asp
This week's Topic In Depth focuses on the controversial subject of the effects of synthetic chemicals on hormonal systems and their potential impact on many aspects of human health.
The first site (1) is a Why Files introduction to the endocrine system, the problem of endocrine disrupters, and what is being done to evaluate chemicals for endocrine disruption potential. Next is a Web site(2) from the authors of Our Stolen Future, a 1996 book that brought this subject to the public forefront; the site contains up-to-date information on the debate. A brief page (3) provided by Physicians for Social Responsibility, Inc. answers some questions about endocrine disrupters in general terms. A fact sheet (4) from the National Science and Technology Council focuses more on the research that is being conducted. Two sources that give more in-depth information about endocrine disruption research are the Biological Resources Division of the US Geological Survey (5), which describes field research on the effects synthetic chemicals may have on wildlife, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (6), which is attempting to develop standardized chemical testing procedures to aid in regulatory decision making. The next resource is a Web sitesponsored by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (7) that gives information on bisphenol A, a chemical used to make some types of plastic, in either general or technical language. Lastly, a new Web sitefrom the Natural Resources Defense Council (8) is a rich resource that focuses on the subject of chemicals that accumulate in breast milk, several of which are suspected endocrine disrupters. [AL]
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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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