Tropical Ocean Coral Bleaching Indices
http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_news.html
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides this online index of "accumulated thermal stress that coral reefs experience." The overview page includes a number of geographic locations, including a map that can be viewed by clicking on the latitude and longitude. The stress is measured in degree heating weeks ("equivalent to 1 week of sea surface temperature 1 degree C above the expected summertime maximum") and can be viewed on a corresponding color coded map. An explanation of the methodology and warning symbols can also be accessed directly from the site. [AL]
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All Species Foundation
http://www.all-species.org/
"The ALL Species Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the complete inventory of all species of life on Earth." This daunting task has important implications for effective conservation, environmental impact studies, and understanding ecosystem functioning. An important feature of the site is the Species Search Engine that includes over 1 million species. An organism can be found by partial or complete name; either scientific or common names are recognized. Each entry provides a link to one of 12 databases for more information on the species. [AL]
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Australian Agriculture and Natural Resources Online
http://www.infoscan.com.au/contents/index.html
Several Australian government agencies and database designers Infoscan Pty Ltd have joined to produce this online database of Australian agriculture and natural resource information. A broad range of topics are covered, including blue green algae, genetically modified organisms, mining, and much more. The site incorporates six different databases that can easily be searched or browsed; there is also a substantial help page for more information on performing a search or choosing a database. The results include citations and abstracts for current published works. [AL]
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Blazing a Genetic Trail
http://www.hhmi.org/genetictrail/index.html
This report from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute has recently been updated from its original form published in 1991. Available in English and Spanish, the report describes research undertaken to discover the genetic mutations responsible for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease. The section entitled Progress Continues has recently been added, updating readers on some of what has happened since the report was originally published. The narrative style and human dimension make this Web site an interesting look at the field of genetic research. [AL]
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Two on Songbird Study [.pdf]
Study Points to Acid Rain in Decline of Songbirds
http://www.nrdc.org/news/newsDetails.asp?nID=730
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
New research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology points to acid rain as a major cause of songbird decline, where previous research focused on forest fragmentation. The first Web site is a brief article highlighting the research findings from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, published on the Natural Resources Defense Council's Web page. The second is the home page for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Along with a press release and a downloadable Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) version of the entire study, the site includes other ornithological resources, news items, and information about the lab. [AL]
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Biodiversity and Conservation Research
http://research.amnh.org/biodiversity/index.html
The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) at the American Museum of Natural History aims to "integrate scientific research, education, and outreach so that people, themselves major catalysts in the rapid loss of biodiversity, will become participants in its conservation." The CBC currently conducts biodiversity conservation research in the Bahamas, Bolivia, Madagascar, Vietnam, and in metropolitan New York. Click on What We Do for brief descriptions of each research project. The project headings lead to pages that contain detailed information, maps, photos, and relevant links. This Web site is currently featuring the results of biotic inventories conducted in three unprotected forested ecosystems in Vietnam. [RS]
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Genome Bioinformatics
http://genome.ucsc.edu/
This no-frills UC-Santa Cruz Genome Bioinformatics Web site contains searchable "working drafts of the human genome and the mouse genome," which each represent immense collaborative efforts" within the biomedical research community. Those who are active in genome research may find this Web site useful, especially for the multi-faceted genome browser that "provides a rapid and reliable display of any requested portion of genomes at any scale, together with dozens of aligned annotation tracks (known genes, predicted genes, ESTs, mRNAs, CpG islands, assembly gaps and coverage, chromosomal bands, mouse homologies, and more)." Users may also access Blat alignments, a table browser (provides tabular representation of the data as an alternative to the graphical display of the genome browser), downloadable versions of the data set, and more. The site also contains a helpful FAQ page and a News section that alerts the user to corrected errors, new features, etc. The extensive list of links leads to dozens of other genome databases, browsers, and related tools. [RS]
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The Mitochondria Project
http://mips.gsf.de/proj/medgen/mitop/
The Mitochondria Project (MITOP), "a database for mitochondria-related genes, proteins, and diseases," is a joint project of the Munich Information Center for Protein Sequences and the Institut fr Humangenetik in Germany. MITOP provides a synthesis of all available information "concerning genetic, functional and human-pathological aspects of the central role of mitochondria in the organism, with an emphasis on nuclear encoded proteins," and offers a number of search options organized by organism -- "functional category classification, protein classes and complexes, subcellular localizations, EC numbers, molecular weight and isoelectric points, Prosite motifs and non-protein entries." This comprehensive Web site is well organized and easy to navigate. [RS]
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Collaborative Projects
http://www.k12science.org/collabprojs.html
The Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) provides these collaborative projects to be used in classrooms this fall. Many of the projects have a life science focus such as Human Genetics, Square of Life, and Bucket Buddies. Each project offers the opportunity for students to collect real life data to share online with their peers. The presentation of projects is teacher friendly, with start and end dates for each semester and the appropriate grade level available on the main page. Click on each project for project details, lesson plans, and registration. [AL]
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ChimpanZoo
http://chimpanzoo.arizona.edu/
"A collective effort between the Jane Goodall Institute, zoological facilities, and universities," ChimpanZoo is a research and education program that aims to "apply uniform research methods to learn more about chimpanzees and their psychological and behavioral responses to a captive environment." The program involves participating zoos, researchers, and volunteers collecting and submitting chimpanzee behavior data to the program. The site contains a great deal of information on chimpanzee behavior for a variety of different educational levels, high school and beyond. Topics include general chimpanzee behavior, biology, evolution, and results determined from the Chimpanzoo database. [AL]
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Butterfly Cam
http://www.dcboces.org/sufsd/nassau/vitek/butterfly/index.html
This educational Web site about butterflies was developed by a teacher and third grade students at Nassau School in Poughkeepsie, NY. The site includes photos and identifying information of a variety of butterflies found in the New York area, along with many plants that provide an important source of nectar. Students can also learn about the butterfly life cycle, do online puzzles, and view the live Web camera that will feature monarch butterflies this September. The site is easy to navigate and provides content appropriate for primary school students. [AL]
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Come Grow With Us
http://www.lakelandschools.org/EDTECH/GrowWithUs/home.htm
This is an online collaborative project from the Lakeland Central School District that allows students to observe the process of a seed becoming a plant, collect data, and communicate results with other participating classrooms. Teachers can register their students to participate in the activity this fall, or simply use the lesson plans independently. The site is well organized, provides information in a simple format, and outlines the educational standards addressed by the project. [AL]
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National Aquarium in Baltimore
http://www.aqua.org/
The Web site for the National Aquarium in Baltimore has some valuable resources for students and teachers, as well as information for those interested in visiting the museum. Several of the teachers activities can be used in classrooms that do not visit the aquarium, and the Animals section is a sizable resource of information on a number of aquatic species. A great new feature is the interactive aquagames that provide a fun way for students to test what they have learned from visiting this Web site. The site is attractive and informative, with a variety of topics that should interest a broad range of students. [AL]
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Lichens, Tardigrades, and SO2 [.pdf, Flash]
http://pathfinderscience.net/so2/
Lichens and the tiny animals called tardigrades ("water bears") that live in them are sensitive to certain air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide. Accordingly, they can be useful bioindicators of air quality. Designed to engage students in the scientific process, this Web site, produced by PathFinder Science, offers a learning program based on lichen cover and tardigrade density and diversity on trees. Detailed background information about lichens and tardigrades is provided, as well as explicit instructions for collecting and analyzing data for this study. Results can be submitted to the PathFinder Science network for inclusion in an interactive lichen map of the US. As with other PathFinder Science learning programs, the overall emphasis of this project involves understanding the scientific process, from making initial observations to publishing results. Users should note that the publication submission option is currently down. A relevant doctoral thesis containing a two-week instructional unit (complete with assessment methods) for lichen research has been recently added to the Web site and can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. [RS]
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Space for Species
http://www.spaceforspecies.ca/
"Developed by the Canadian Space Agency, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, and the Canadian Wildlife Service's," Space for Species is a colorful and highly interactive Web site that invites young people to investigate the contributions that satellite telemetry, remote sensing, astronaut observations, and weather satellites make to wildlife conservation. Users can track the real time movements of migratory animals such as polar bears and leatherback turtles, monitor climate and habitat conditions, evaluate threats to wildlife along migration routes, download a tracking journal for observations, and much more. The Scientific Sleuth page effectively explains the process of scientific investigation, providing a clear guide for those wishing to perform an investigation of their own using resources from this Web site. [RS]
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Did You Ever Wonder?
http://www.lbl.gov/wonder/
The Web site, published by the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, offers a look at the work of a number of researchers at the Berkeley Lab. While not strictly focused on the life sciences, a variety of interesting life science topics are covered, including aging, bioremediation, cancer, and cell biology. The site is visually appealing and simply presented, and makes use of sharp, eye-catching images. Each topic, posed as a question, links to pages that present both the research and the researcher in a journalistic writing style that holds the readers interest and makes even very complicated concepts easy to absorb. The intertwined stories of research and researcher would make this an especially useful Web site for teachers wishing to show students the human side of scientific inquiry. Students already interested in science might benefit from reading the biographies in that they convey a sense of how developing research interests can often be an organic and serendipitous process. [RS]
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Desert Plants and Wildflowers
http://www.desertusa.com/flora.html
For those interested in the types of plants found in the desert ecosystem, this Web page from the online magazine DesertUSA.com will be a useful guide. Photos and descriptive features of several desert plants are provided in an alphabetical index or can be found through the online field guide organized by flower color. An interesting section also focuses on the types of adaptations that allow plant species to survive in harsh desert conditions. The Desert Plants and Wildflowers section is just one piece of the overall DesertUSA Web site that explores a variety of desert related topics. [AL]
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Dermatlas
http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/
This Dermatology Image Atlas from Johns Hopkins University currently provides 2598 images of skin conditions. There are a variety of different ways to use the site; images are organized alphabetically in categories, by diagnosis, and body site. Users can also enter search terms or use a map of the human body to identify images of interest. Users who frequent the site may appreciate the notification service, which alerts users who register when new images are added to the collection. [AL]
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Sight Unseen
http://www.discover.com/june_02/featsight.html
This interesting article from Discover Magazine focuses on Mike May, a blind man who underwent procedures to restore his vision. The article focuses on the role that the brain plays in interpreting what the eye sees. The reader follows Mr. May from his surgery to the physical and psychological testing he undergoes at an experimental psychology laboratory at the University of California at San Diego, the results of which are "opening the first clear view into how we learn to see." Some interesting links are Mr. May's journal and a clip from a Discovery Channel documentary about him. This article gives a unique perspective on a sense that most people rely heavily on, and many take for granted. [AL]
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Fatal Light Awareness Program
http://www.flap.org/
This Toronto based organization was formed to raise awareness about the problems that windows and lighted structures cause for migrating birds. Focusing on tall buildings in urban areas, this Web site provides yet another reason to turn the lights off when not in use. By visiting the BFB Monitoring section, users can view a number of buildings that have been monitored for their nighttime light percentage readings. Other important information relevant to a general audience includes ideas for preventing bird/ window collisions, what to do when an injured bird is found, and important background information on the affected species and significance of these collisions. [AL]
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The North American Bird Banding Program: Bird Banding Laboratory
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/default.htm
This Web site from the US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory provides a variety of information on bird banding in North America. Data gathered from banded birds "increases our knowledge and understanding of birds and their habitats and assists us in their management and conservation." This Web site serves a broad audience including permitted banders, people who have found a band, researchers, and people just interested in birds and the need for banding. The site provides a large amount of information, a variety of photos, and many useful links to related resources. [AL]
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The President's Council on Bioethics
http://www.bioethics.gov/
Late last year, the President's Council on Bioethics was "created to advise the President on bioethical issues related to advances in biomedical science and technology." The council's Web site allows the public to access information regarding the activities of this council. The site provides transcripts of council sessions organized by date and by topic; a full report regarding human cloning dated July 2002; links to similar bioethics councils of other governments; background information in the form of staff working papers; and, interestingly enough, works of fiction such as Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Birth Mark." While this site does not provide any actual scientific information per se, it is an important resource for familiarizing oneself with the ongoing debate regarding sensitive biomedical research issues in the US, as well as for understanding the Bush administration's general disposition toward these issues. The Search our Site feature is currently under construction. This site is also reviewed in the August 23, 2002 Scout Report. [RS]
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Wanted Dead, Not Alive: Invading Species [.pdf]
http://whyfiles.org/160invasive_spec/index.html
The Why Files (last mentioned in the June 28, 2002 NSDL Scout Report for the Life Sciences) is "a popular and critically acclaimed web site that explores the science behind the news." Check out this recent feature of the Web site, which presents information about a number of harmful invasive species in an entertaining way. The notorious snakehead fish is included in the species lineup, and the related text helps to clear up misconceptions some may have about this invader. While some species and the problems associated with them are described in more detail than others, nearly all descriptions include links to related Web sites that offer much more detailed information. [RS]
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The Natural History of the San Gabriel Mountains
http://home.earthlink.net/~teunice/sgm/index.html
This privately published Web site functions as a detailed natural history guide to California's San Gabriel Mountains. Users can access a wealth of detailed information regarding the region's plants, animals, weather conditions, etc. The road guides are so detailed that the reader may almost feel as if he or she is actually there. While the text is dense and images are few and far between, almost every page of this Web site contains numerous links to other sites that offer useful photos. The incredible detail of this Web site may be off-putting for those seeking a casual glimpse at the San Gabriel Mountains, but for those more actively interested in the region, this site would be a rich natural history resource filled with careful observations and well-referenced information. [RS]
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Peregrine Falcons
1. Peregrine Falcon Fact Sheet
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~tull/falcon/govt/factsheet.html
2. Peregrine Falcon Recovery
http://www.peregrinefund.org/conserv_peregrine.html
3. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park: Peregrine Falcon Restoration Program
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/falcons/
4. The Raptor Resource Project: Raptor Recovery
http://www.raptorresource.org/recovery.htm
5. Status of the Peregrine Falcon
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/threatsp/pf_stat.html
6. The Raptor Center
http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/
7. A Falconer's Memoir
http://www.pbs.org/falconer/
8. Wisconsin Falcon Watch
http://www.mpm.edu/collect/falcon/falcon.html
The first Web site is a fact sheet from the Wildlife Management Division of Alberta Environmental Protection (1) about these fascinating raptors. The Web site for the Peregrine Fund, a pioneer in the peregrine falcon recovery effort, provides this overview of the history of peregrine recovery (2). A program to restore peregrine faclons to Harpers Ferry National Park was started in 2001; this Web site (3) offers photos, maps, and more. This site from the Raptor Resource Project (4) highlights a number of different recovery programs for peregrines and other birds of prey. This Government of Alberta site (5) links to a detailed report on the status of peregrine falcons in the province of Alberta. The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (6) provides a variety of information for a general audience on peregrine falcons, along with many other raptors. A Web site from PBS.org (7) focuses on the sport of falconry, providing an especially interesting timeline of its history. A site about falcons and their recovery status specific to Wisconsin (8) is provided by the Milwaukee Public Museum. [AL]
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From The NSDL Scout Report for Life Sciences, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
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