Ichthyology
http://www.nhm.org/research/fishes/index.html
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles has provided this online collection of fish records. This large collection includes almost three million cataloged specimens. The database is user-friendly, allowing users to search for collection records by location (either location name, or zooming and selecting areas on a map) or by scientific name. Each record includes a catalog number, date collected, taxonomy, and details on where the specimen was found. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
The Human Gene Mutation Database
http://www.hgmd.org
The Human Gene Mutation Database from the Institute of Medical Genetics at Cardiff provides practical information for researchers, physicians, and genetic counselors. The database is currently undergoing some reorganization, but information can be searched by "disease, gene name, or gene symbol." Search results are well organized and easy to navigate, linking directly to results from external Web databases without requiring that the user perform additional searches. Frequent users may also appreciate the listing of genes recently added to the database. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
http://www.pprl.usu.edu/
This Web site from the US Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service (ARS) focuses on poisonous plants and research currently being done on some of the problems caused by them. The main page gives some background on poisonous plants and the importance of the research, while the research page links to substantial information, including publication submissions and annual reports, about several ongoing ARS research projects. The site also contains a list of some poisonous plants in the western US, with links to detailed descriptions and photos of the plants and their potential effects. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring Programme
http://www.unesco.org/mab/brim/index.htm
This new Web site focuses on the Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring (BRIM) Programme, part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. "BRIM undertakes abiotic, biodiversity, socio-economic and integrated monitoring in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves." Data included within the Resources section includes flora and fauna monitoring from the MAB programme, as well as abiotic, biotic, and socio-economic data from other sources. Links to resources that describe monitoring methods and protocols are other valuable components of this site. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
http://www.genome.ad.jp:80/kegg/
The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, an ongoing project from Kyoto University, has recently updated this collection of molecular interaction information. The Introduction section provides substantial information on the project background and data, as well as user guides and manuals to help users orient themselves to the database. Users can search for information on specific interactions in selected species, or browse to find metabolic pathways or gene sequences of interest. Computational tools include the ability to find similar sequences and generate possible reactions between compounds. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Alzheimer Research Forum
http://www.alzforum.org:80/members/index.html
"The Alzheimer Research Forum is an independent nonprofit organization" of science and medical professionals dedicated to research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The site includes up-to-date information in the form of news, papers of the week, journal article abstracts in advance, live discussions, and more. A wide variety of resources focus on many different aspects of Alzheimer's research. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
ExPASy Molecular Biology Server
http://us.expasy.org/
The Expert Protein Analysis System (ExPASy) is a metasite associated with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. The site focuses on the study and analysis of proteins, and includes a number of databases and analytical tools. A new Reference link provides a helpful description of the resources on the site; users may wish to view this to determine what tools are most useful to them. A number of other links provide educational and general molecular biology resources. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Biology WorkBench
http://workbench.sdsc.edu/
From the San Diego Supercomputer Center, "the Biology WorkBench allows biologists to search many popular protein and nucleic acid sequence databases." After the free registration, users have access to a variety of molecular data sequencing and visualization tools through "a common point-and-click Web interface." New users may want to select the tutorials link, which includes several documents that aid the use of the Biology Workbench and the information obtained from it. The site is best viewed through Netscape Navigator. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Gray Wolves, Gray Matter
http://www.wolf.org/workshop/index.htm
Part of the Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE), this site was developed by the University of California, Berkeley, and the International Wolf Center. It offers an online learning curriculum that introduces students to the "social, biological, cultural and economic issues of wolf survival." Students read, discuss, and make their own observations about this real world controversy. Teachers must first register with WISE, and navigation through the login and project setup process may be somewhat confusing. Students work together in groups to complete the sequence of modules that differ slightly depending on whether the students are in grades 6-8 or 9-12. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Mind Over Matter [.pdf]
http://www.nida.nih.gov/MOM/MOMIndex.html
This Web site from the National Institute on Drug Abuse focuses on the brain's response to drugs. Students navigate through a series of colorful and informative pages that describe certain regions of the brain and how the chemicals in drugs like marijuana, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, opiates, and steroids can harm them. To aid teachers with the brain anatomy and function, a helpful teacher's guide accompanies the site, as well as more detailed information on the drug effects. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
All About Asthma [.pdf]
http://pbskids.org/arthur/grownups/health_tips/asthma.html
This new Web site from PBS Kids uses the cartoon character ARTHUR to teach children about asthma. The release of this site is timely because May is Asthma Awareness Month. The All About Asthma guide can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, explaining things like how this common illness constricts the airways, what triggers an asthma attack, and how asthma is treated. The site also advertises upcoming PBS broadcasts of ARTHUR and "Buster's Breathless," programs that focus on this and other health related issues. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Australian Institute of Marine Science: Project Net
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/project-net/apnet.html
The Australian Institute of Marine Science provides this Web site as an educational resource. Several subject pages are listed and are intended to be supplements to independent classroom lessons. The site is well organized and easy to navigate, offering numerous topics related to marine science. The subject pages also cater to a variety of different user levels; the only drawback of this is that the user needs to look at each page of interest to determine whether the level is appropriate. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Fire Wars [Flash]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fire/
Although wildfire can be quite destructive, some plants and animals become adapted to and even require this disturbance for their survival. This companion Web site to the new PBS NOVA program, Fire Wars, focuses on wildfires, the people who fight them, and the impact that the fires have on natural ecosystems. A teacher's guide accompanies the site, offering ideas for discussion and activities that can be used alone or with the television program. One particularly interesting section is entitled On Fire. This sequence of interactive features walks the user through the chemical reactions involved in combustion. This site is also reviewed in the May 3, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Ology
http://www.ology.amnh.org/
This Web site from the American Museum of Natural History is a site for kids that focuses on three different Ologies -- genetics, astronomy, and paleontology. The site is full of interesting science facts, games, and activities. It offers a lot for kids to learn, and the format is appealing and interactive. Adult and kid scientists share their interests in these topics in the Meet the Ologists section, and users that are really interested can register and create their own Ology page. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Fun Food Stuff
http://www.biotech.wisc.edu/Education/FunFoodStuff/default.htm
The University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center provides this Web site to help teachers introduce their students to the principles of biotechnology. Many of the activities use food as the experimental medium, and are easy to carry out either in the classroom or at home. By choosing the Every Demo an Experiment link, a number of other applicable biotechnology outreach materials can be found, including additional resources for teachers. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Ladybug Anatomy
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atrium/5924/ladybuganatomy.htm
This new Web site is one of many created by Mrs. Seagraves, a teacher at the QUEST Enrichment Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The site touches on many aspects of ladybugs, including anatomy, life cycle, games, and more. The site seems most appropriate for young children, but the variety of information may make some features appropriate for upper elementary grades as well. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
American Bald Eagle Information
http://www.baldeagleinfo.com/
This site, developed by enthusiast Hope Rutledge, is a comprehensive look at the American Bald Eagle. The author references several published texts as the basis of the information. A number of beautiful photos accompany a broad base of information on many aspects of the bird and its history. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Virtual Hospital
http://www.vh.org/
The University of Iowa provides Virtual Hospital as a "useful medical reference and health promotion tool" for both health care professionals and patients. Users have access to hundreds of authoritative sources of medical information. Easy to navigate, the site organizes information in a variety of ways; users can browse by medical problem, organ system, or hospital department. Even though information is further separated for health care providers and patients, there are no access restrictions. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Blue Planet
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/blueplanet/blueplanet.html
This Web site is a companion to the Discovery Channel/ BBC television series Blue Planet: Seas of Life. The Web site includes images, games, and expeditions all related to oceanography and marine biology. One feature that is particularly interesting is Ocean Alert, an interactive, current events feature where users can identify the topics that most interest them. News headlines, with links to more complete stories, are organized into twelve topics; users select the topics and area of the world of interest from a rotating map. This site is fun to use and informative, and users may appreciate the options to explore only as in-depth as they choose. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
New Zealand DermNet
http://www.dermnetnz.org/
"DermNet, the award-winning Web site of the New Zealand Dermatological Society, aims to provide authoritative information about the skin for health professionals and patients with skin diseases." Information is organized separately for patients, general practitioners, and dermatologists. Some information is restricted to dermatologists who must register first, like the section of interesting cases. A useful part of the site is the skin conditions and treatments page. Over 250 skin conditions are described, most with photos, along with some general treatment options. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Mark Olson's Home Page: Research in the Dry Tropics
http://www.mobot.org/gradstudents/olson/
Hosted by the Missouri Botanical Garden, this Web site outlines Mark Olson's PhD research. The site gives an introduction to the 13 species of the tree genus Moringa that are found in Africa and Asia. Information includes descriptions of the diverse plant group and a variety of photos, along with Olson's research. The Images of the Dry Tropics section is a much broader look at some great images of the unique flora and fauna found in dry tropical habitat worldwide. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
EH Strickland Entomological Museum
http://www.museums.ualberta.ca/dig/naturalhist/animal/strickland/index.htm
Associated with the University of Alberta, the EH Strickland Entomological Museum has some unique features on its Web site. Along with information on some of the research being conducted and some of the interesting volunteer opportunities, this site has some cool online features. Visitors to the site can take a panoramic virtual tour to see what's behind the scenes at the entomological museum. Users can also view, rotate, and zoom in close on a selection of 3 dimensional specimens. These features give visitors a unique look at a small selection of the museum's large collection, which unfortunately is not currently accessible online. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Dawn Chorus [Real Player]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/radio/dawn_chorus/
This Web site, provided by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), focuses on song birds and includes several audio clips. Visitors can listen to and learn about the songs and characteristics of several European songbirds through audio interviews and fact files. Songs can also be heard from a few select species from diverse parts of the globe in the section The World Awakes. A unique feature of this site is tips from professional wildlife sound recordists on how to record the sounds of your favorite bird. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
The Why Files: Genetically Modified Corn Study
http://whyfiles.org/153sci_truth/index.html
This recent Why Files from the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discusses a study published last fall in the journal Nature, which has since been denounced because of insufficient evidence. The site discusses some of the substance of the original article and some criticisms of it. It then moves into a more general discussion of the scientific method, conflicting data, and scientific bias. This Why Files provides an entertaining look at some recent and ongoing issues surrounding scientific research, but because it includes a lot of information in a brief publication, the report is probably more suitable for an informed audience. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
Biological Remediation
1. Bioremediation: Nature's Way to a Cleaner Environment
http://water.usgs.gov/wid/html/bioremed.html
2. Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Glossary
http://members.tripod.com/~bioremediation/
3. Phytoremediation
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1998/bioremediation/
4. Bioremediation Discussion Group
http://www.bioremediationgroup.org/BioReferences/Home.htm
5. Phytoremediation
http://www.ecological-engineering.com/phytorem.html
6. Phytoremediation
http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/phytoremediation/
7. Chicken Compost Biofilter Clears the Air
http://www.wpi.org/Initiatives/init/aug97/
8. Wastewater Treatment Principles and Regulations
http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0768.html
This week's Topic In Depth focuses on the use of biological organisms to reduce environmental contamination.
From the US Geological Survey, the first site (1) is a general introduction to bioremediation and includes links to several examples of successful bioremediation projects. Next (2) is a glossary of terms related to biological remediation. The third site is an educational resource (3) developed to teach high school students about environmental contamination and the use of plants to remove pollutants. The Bioremediation Discussion Group (4) includes a useful "archive of technical papers on bioremediation." The next two Web sites are specific to the process of phytoremediation, which uses plants to remediate contamination (5) (6 ). The next site (7) gives an example of an application using microbes from chicken compost to reduce air pollution. Lastly, this fact sheet (8) from the Ohio State University Extension Service focuses on bioremediation specific to wastewater treatment. [AL]
[Back to Contents]
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/
The paragraph below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing the entire report, in any format:
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.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, or the National Science Foundation.
For information on additional contributors, see the Internet Scout Project staff page:
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/about/team.html
