A Revolution in Progress: Human Genetics and Medical Research
http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/genetics/
The DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Museum of Medical Research at the National Institutes of Health presents this online version of the new exhibit, "A Revolution in Progress," which offers a comprehensive look at genetic research and its contribution to medical science. Readers can really cover some ground with this Web site, with pages upon pages devoted to a wide range of topics including genetic diseases, genes and drugs, the Human Genome Project, ethics and genetics, and more. Not overly familiar with genetic concepts? The Genetic Basics area of the site provides a solid and easy-to-follow introduction to the field. There is also a cartoon guide to genetics for kids. [RS]
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Asian American Health
http://asianamericanhealth.nlm.nih.gov/
The National Library of Medicine has recently launched the Asian America Health Web site, an "information portal to issues affecting the health and well-being of Asian Americans in the United States." Designed to increase public awareness of Asian American health concerns, this Web site provides links to authoritative information on topics of particular relevance to the Asian American population. Subjects covered include health and diseases, behavioral issues, complementary and alternative medicine, and more. [RS]
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Smart-Mouth.org [RealOne Player, Windows Media Player]
http://www.cspinet.org/smartmouth/
The Center for Science in the Public Interest presents Smart-Mouth.org, an engaging way to learn more about nutrition and the food industry. Users will find loads of fun and informative features, such as Choose Ur Chews, where users select fast food and snack items from different categories to see how they measure up on the cal-o-meter and the sat-fat-o-meter. While visiting the site, watch for pop-up Snacktoids, providing "quick info bites that might surprise you." Users are also encouraged to take part in an email campaign to get Burger King to switch to a healthier type of frying oil (an easy-to-use Web form is provided). Articles and recipes, interesting video clips, and interactive games round out the site, which should prove a fun and worthwhile stop for any reader. [RS]
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Discovery Channel: Walking With Cavemen [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/cavemen/cavemen.html
This Web site presents online material for "Walking with Cavemen," a Discovery Channel documentary covering 3.5 million years of human evolution. The site offers an "illustrated journey of human evolution" introducing six hominids from Australopithecus afarensis to Homo neanderthalis. Likewise, visitors can take a look at some of the famous fossil findings that have shaped our understanding of human evolution, and also view a slide show about the traits that set humans apart from other species. The coolest feature is the virtual cave, where visitors take up a flashlight and search for clues about Neanderthal life in Western Europe 50,000 years ago. The fun multimedia features in this site make it well worth a visit even for those not especially interested in paleoanthropology. [RS]
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CarbonCounter.org [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://carboncounter.org/
CarbonCounter.org is a "collaborative project between the Climate Trust, a pioneering non-profit organization that promotes climate change solutions, and Mercy Corps, a leading international relief and development agency with programs in over 30 countries around the world." Visitors can use the carbon counter to calculate how much carbon dioxide they emit over a year in their day-to-day use of cars, heat and air conditioning, etc. The counter provides two options: An estimate of CO2 emissions or a more exact calculation requiring detailed input. Once completed, visitors are solicited for donations for CO2 reduction programs, but you don't have to participate in this in order to use the counter. The site also presents a short movie about climate change, and the FAQ page is a good source for more detailed information. [RS]
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Ask NOAH About: Surgery [pdf, Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.noah-health.org/english/procedures/surgery.html
Readers will find a comprehensive portal to online information about surgery in this Web site from New York Online Access to Health (NOAH). Ask NOAH lists informative external Web sites for a number of surgery-related topics, including anesthesia, surgery and children, incision care, and much more. The site also includes a video library, with selections covering such surgical procedures as laser eye surgery, plastic surgery, and a few others. Transcripts and related articles are available as well. This Ask NOAH feature also includes a useful glossary. [RS]
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MEDLINEPlus: Monkeypox Virus Infections [pdf]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/monkeypoxvirusinfections.html
Readers can keep up with the latest developments in the Monkeypox outbreak with this straightforward Web site from MEDLINEplus. The site features the latest Monkeypox news as well as links to authoritative sites for background information about the virus. Readers will also find information on prevention and screening, updated statistics on the outbreak from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and more. The site also includes a downloadable electron micrograph of the Monkeypox virus. [RS]
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Marine Species Conservation: Seabirds
http://www.erin.gov.au/coasts/species/seabirds/index.html
This Web site is one of a number of similar features from Environment Australia's Marine Species Conservation Web site. Readers will find an excellent overview of Australia's seabirds, covering basic biology and natural history, habitat, threats, conservation efforts and more. The site focuses primarily on those seabirds known to be at risk of extinction due to human activity, particularly commercial fishing. Users can follow links to other Marine Species Conservation Web pages featuring dolphins, dugongs, marine turtles, sharks, and much more. [RS]
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