The Frequency of Inherited Disorders Database
http://archive.uwcm.ac.uk/uwcm/mg/fidd/index.html
This new database from the Institute of Medical Genetics at the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, is designed to become a central repository for "information on the prevalence and/or incidence of Mendelian genetic disorders." Although the authors assert that this first release is in draft form, it includes information on over 280 conditions drawn from a broad range of published research. Users can search the database by disease, body system, or population; but, because there is no browse function, some users may have difficulty coming up with the appropriate search terms. Results include the incidence of the disorder in a study population, along with the citation for the published study. [AL]
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Wolbachia
http://www.wolbachia.sols.uq.edu.au/index.html
Wolbachia are a type of bacteria commonly affecting insects and other invertebrates that researchers are using to study a variety of "questions ranging from the evolutionary implications of infection to the use of this agent for pest and disease control." This Web site developed by researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia, is an online collection of Wolbachia related research. Researchers are encouraged to register and contribute their findings to the site. Part of the site is still under construction, but this resource still provides a variety of information and bibliographic citations. [AL]
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Cyanosite: A Webserver for Cyanobacterial Research
http://www-cyanosite.bio.purdue.edu/index.html
This Web site provided by Dr. Mark Schneegurt of Wichita State University is "dedicated to information transfer within the cyanobacterial research community." The most recent version of the bibliographic database contains over 12,000 references, current through 2001. Another feature is the Toxic Cyanobacteria Home Page, which focuses on some aquatic species of cyanobacteria and the toxins that they produce. [AL]
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Institute of Arable Crops Research
http://www.iacr.bbsrc.ac.uk/iacr/tiacrhome.html
The UK's Institute of Arable Crops Research has a commitment to "high quality scientific research relevant to plant-based agriculture with the objective of achieving improvements in rural and agricultural economies that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable." The institute conducts a great deal of research, and summaries of many of these projects are available in the Research section of the site. The amount of detail found within this section varies, but some sections also include publication citations, abstracts, and links to laboratory home pages. The research topic entitled crop performance and improvement is particularly extensive. This site is also reviewed in the May 17, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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ICTVdB: The Universal Virus Database
http://life.bio2.edu/
This virus database (last mentioned in the October 1, 1999 Scout Report), developed and maintained by Dr. Cornelia Buchen-Osmond at Columbia University, has become "a major reference resource and research tool" of the virology community. The latest version of the site has moved to a new URL and is based on the Seventh Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Users can search or browse the database, and the interactive key provides help with some of the terminology. An index of images is a useful shortcut for those users only interested in the records that include photos. [AL]
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Chemical Ecology of Insects
http://www.wcrl.ars.usda.gov/cec/h.htm
This Web site by Dr. John Byers of the US Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service provides a plethora of information and resources on the chemical ecology of insects. The site's main focus is providing databases and compilations of scientific research papers that cover numerous aspects of insect ecology, many of which have been authored by Byers. The site also includes additional databases and downloadable software. Although the site has many tools for researchers, some resources have an educational focus that may make them applicable to a more general audience. [AL]
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Bt Corn and Monarch Butterflies
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/br/btcorn/
The US Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service provides this research question and answer page to outline its recent findings about Bt corn, which is genetically modified to include a natural soil bacteria that functions as an insecticide. The findings indicate that "there is no significant risk to monarch butterflies from environmental exposure to Bt corn." Several other questions about the research are answered in non-scientific terms, and there are several links to general information about Bt corn and monarch butterflies, as well as scientific papers including the one that this Web page summarizes. [AL]
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The Gross Physiology of the Cardiovascular System [RealPlayer]
http://cardiovascular.cx/
This site is the online text of Dr. Robert M. Anderson's book The Gross Physiology of the Cardiovascular System. Even though biomedical knowledge is continually advancing and becoming more specific, Anderson feels that it is important to "have a clear understanding of the gross mechanical function of the cardiovascular system as a whole." This resource is provided as a model to do just that. The text is well organized and easy to navigate; additionally, a video that provides a summary of the online text can be viewed online. [AL]
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Raptors in the City
http://www.raptorsinthecity.com/
This new Web site from the nonprofit educational program Raptors in the City was developed to enhance inner city kids' use of technology and connection with nature. Appropriate for all types of students, the site focuses on the Peregrine Falcon, a species previously on the brink of extinction, but, through population recovery efforts on many downtown skyscrapers, has become an endangered species success story. Students are able to navigate through the entire 2002 courtship and nesting story of a pair of falcons nesting on a skyscraper in Cleveland, Ohio, and view images of the birds in their nest. Additionally, the site includes a link to a live falcon cam and describes additional educational curricula that can be purchased from Raptors in the City. [AL]
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Human Body Project: My Residency
http://www.vilenski.org/science/humanbody/project/index.html
This site was developed by Life Science Connections for use in a 7th Grade Life Science Class. The site provides a variety of assignments to be completed by students who have previously learned about the human body in class. Students pretend that they are medical residents and complete assignments within their assigned "rotations." The assignments require students to research various medical conditions, prepare a brief public service announcement to present to the class, and then take a quiz based on what they learned. This Web site provides a unique and fun opportunity to get students interested learning about the human body. [AL]
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MAGNT's Megadig [Quicktime, Flash]
http://amol.org.au/discovernet/alcoota/index.asp
This Web site from the Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) focuses on a recent expedition to uncover fossils of Australia's megafauna. These large animal remains help scientists determine how the animals lived and what their habitat was like about 8 million years ago. Site visitors are able to read about the scientists and learn how they study fossil remains; there are also daily research updates detailing each day of the expedition. A feature that may be fun for students is to make their own museum exhibit based on information provided by the site. Students view fossils, read fact sheets, and then choose what to include in their exhibit. [AL]
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The eSkeletons Project [Quicktime, VRML]
http://www.eSkeletons.org/
This project from the University of Texas at Austin is an interactive approach to learning anatomy. Users choose either to view human, baboon, or gorilla skeletons to learn about individual bones, or compare the anatomy between species. Bones can be rotated and viewed from different angles, along with various "'overlays' depicting major muscle origins and insertions as well as articulations and morphological features." Additional three-dimensional features can be viewed with Quicktime and VRML plug-ins that can be downloaded from the site. The glossary of anatomical terms is quite helpful, incorporating images along with textual definitions. [AL]
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General Biology Lesson Plans
http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons2/lessons.html
A variety of lesson plans are provided on this Biology Project Web page from the University of Arizona Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. The site provides a short description and suggested grade level for each lesson plan, along with a link. A wide variety of topics are covered, including insects, ecology, plants, genetics, and cellular biology. The lessons are aimed at students from middle school through advanced high school biology, and each is well organized and easy to navigate. [AL]
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Stalking the Mysterious Microbe
http://www.microbe.org/
This educational Web site is provided by the American Society for Microbiology. Microbes live all around us; this site focuses on what they are, where they live, and how they both help and harm people. Several experiments are featured that allow students a hands-on opportunity to learn about microbiological principles, most of which can be completed using normal household items. Recent news stories related to microbes add relevance to the information provided by this site. [AL]
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Dolphins In Depth [Flash]
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/dolphingame/netscape.html
This Web site from Chicago's Brookfield Zoo provides interactive activities for learning about dolphins. The games span a range of difficulty levels to suit various age groups, and each game includes an informative introduction and set of directions. Educational concepts include dolphin anatomy, behavior, and food chain. If players score well on the first four games, an additional game is provided as a bonus. [AL]
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Zoo Test: A Self-Testing Website for Animal Biology
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/zootest/index.html
This Web site was developed by Rick Gillis and Roger Haro of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Biology Department as a study guide for Animal Biology students. By navigating through the self tests that include images of animal cells, tissues, and structures, students can review or learn about the animal kingdom. Organisms ranging from protozoa to vertebrates are included in three self tests. Information is further organized into 9 laboratory sessions that are easy to access through the table of contents. [AL]
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Native Plant Information Network
http://www.wildflower.org/npin/index.html
The Native Plant Information Network is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. This site includes a national directory of native plant species (last mentioned in the December 14, 2001 Scout Report), yet the network contains many more valuable resources. The site includes databases with information about native plants, datasheets and articles on growing specific species, and expert answers to questions posed to the Wildflower Center, arranged in easily accessed categories. The site features information relevant to plants native to Texas, but also includes several resources relevant to the rest of the US. [AL]
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Toward Rebuilding America's Marine Fisheries: Annual Report to Congress on the Status of US Fisheries -- 2001
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/reg_svcs/statusostocks/Stock_status01.htm
This recently released report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an annual report required by a congressional mandate "emphasizing the need to prevent overfishing and to rebuild depressed fish stocks." Although addressing the human impacts on the nation's fisheries is an enormous task, this report indicates success in recent years. The number of fish stocks that have sustainable harvest rates has increased 45 percent since 1999, and sustainable stocks rose by 1/3. The text of the report itself is only 9 pages long, but it focuses on a number of tables and includes appendices with background information -- all of which can be viewed online. [AL]
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Doctor Fungus
http://www.doctorfungus.org/
Doctor Fungus is the work of a group of physicians and medical doctors, along with contributions from Web users. The site attempts to provide scholarly and peer-reviewed information to "promote an understanding of fungi and the ways that fungal diseases affect people living throughout the world." The information is well organized into a variety of categories, and the introductory information uses non-scientific terms. Other sections useful to a general audience include a glossary, a list of abbreviations, and a large image bank that allows users to search for a specific fungus or disease that it causes. [AL]
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Virtual Foliage
http://www.botany.wisc.edu/virtual.html
This Web site hosts five different image collections from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Botany Department. The largest is the Plant Systematics Teaching Collection, which contains over 4,000 images organized taxonomically. The Vegetation of Wisconsin collection is an interesting collection, although much smaller; its images are arranged into groupings found in various Wisconsin habitats. All five collections are easy to navigate through expanding menus based on scientific name. [AL]
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FAO Forestry: Country Profiles
http://www.fao.org/forestry/fo/country/nav_world.jsp
This Web site from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization provides a vast amount of information on forestry and the state of the world's forests. Users can navigate through a forest cover map to select a country of interest. A report including geographic description, forest cover, ecological zones, and forest fire statistics is provided for each nation, along with forest management and forest product trade information. This site uses frames, which makes it easy to navigate through the large amount of information for each country. [AL]
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Cancer Index
http://www.cancerindex.org/clinks1.htm
Cancer researcher Simon Cotterill has developed this Web site to help users find quality information on specific cancer topics. The site is essentially a directory of links organized into categories based on things like type of cancer, treatment, support groups, and cancer prevention. The countries section also contains lists of online resources in languages other than English. This site is specific to cancer issues affecting adults, but there is also sister Web site, the Children's Cancer Web. [AL]
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Women and Heart Disease: An Atlas of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mortality [.pdf]
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/cvd/womensatlas/index.htm
This report from the Office for Social Environment and Health Research at West Virginia University providing "critical data on geographic, racial, and ethnic inequalities in women's heart disease death rates for the five major racial and ethnic groups" is available from this Centers for Disease Control Web site. The report can either be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, or a hard copy can be ordered online. The Web site also contains a series of state maps with which users can compare death rates between different ethnicities and counties. The site also includes a link to a mirror site, Men and Heart Disease. [AL]
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Microbiological Edutainment: Biotoon [Flash]
http://www.biotoon.com/
This site contains several short animated features based on microbiological topics. Although they are informative, the best part about the animations is their entertainment value. Bacterial characters provide their comments on life, an account of evolution from the bacterial perspective, and an understanding of "who" they are and where they live. These movies are a good combination of information and humor that should be interesting to a wide variety of biologists. [AL]
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Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
1. Breakthrough in 'superbug' battle
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1286000/1286273.stm
2. Promoting Appropriate Antibiotic Use in the Community
http://www.cdc.gov/antibioticresistance/
3. House of Lords Science and Technology -- Seventh Report
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld199798/ldselect/ldsctech/081vii/st0701.htm
4. Antibiotic Resistance Markers in Genetically Modified Crops [.pdf]
http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/gmo/antresgm.pdf
5. The Use of Antibiotic Resistant Markers to Develop Biotech Crops
http://www.whybiotech.com/en/pressrel/con715.asp?MID=18
6. Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics
http://www.healthsci.tufts.edu/apua/apua.html
7. Penicillin and other antibiotics
http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/bto/microbes/penicill.htm
8. "Bugs in the News" -- What the Heck is Antibiotic Resistance?
http://people.ku.edu/~jbrown/resistance.htm
This week's Topic In Depth is about antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The first site is a recent news report from BBC news (1) that describes some recent research on resistant strains of two "of the world's most dangerous bacteria. Next is a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) page (2) with a brief background on antibiotic resistance and how to prevent it. A much more in-depth report is provided by the Select Committee on Science and Technology of the British House of Lords (3). There has been some public concern over the use of antibiotic resistant bacteria strains as markers in genetically modified food crops. The next two resources present information specific to this topic. The first is from the European Federation of Biotechnology (4), and the second is a shorter report from the Council for Biotechnology Information (5). The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (6) has a consumer and patient information section that explains what individuals can do to help prevent the problem from increasing. Readers who need a brief primer on antibiotics may appreciate this Web site from the University of Edinburgh (7). The last site is a "bugs in the news" feature from the University of Kansas (8), which is an easy-to-read explanation of "what the heck" antibiotic resistance is. [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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