Model Organisms for Biomedical Research
http://www.nih.gov/science/models/
The National Institute of Health provides this Web site as a clearinghouse of resources for biomedical research using model organisms. The site currently contains Web pages for two mammalian models, six non-mammalian animal models, and one plant model. Additional models may be added at a later date. The content includes research activities, publications, scientific meeting announcements, and funding opportunities. Some of the site's newest information includes opportunities for researchers to propose new organisms for genome sequencing or construction of bacterial artificial chromosome libraries. Scientists working with model organisms may find this a useful site or have information that they want to contribute. [AL]
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Bibliographia Nudibranchia
http://scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/indexes/mcdonald.html
Hosted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library, this bibliographical database is intended as a comprehensive list of all publications (other than textbooks and field guides) that mention nudibranchs (sea slugs). Several bibliographic resources were combined, along with references cited in major nudibranch articles. [AL]
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Mycologia Online
http://www.mycologia.org/
The online version of this printed journal from the Mycological Society of America has recently been launched. A free trial period is scheduled for the remainder of 2002, after which access will be by subscription only. The current issue is available in full-text, along with archives going back to January 2002. Users can browse abstracts or full-text articles for current and archived issues, or search this and other journals by author, keyword, or citation. [AL]
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Visible Human Server
http://visiblehuman.epfl.ch/
This Web site from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology allows users to view three dimensional models of human anatomy. A free registration allows users to log on and fully access the site, but there are some sample demonstrations available without registration. When visiting the site, you can view, rotate, and extract cross sections from the anatomical models, or build your own anatomic model by choosing the structures of interest. The site works best with Internet Explorer 5 and the latest version of Microsoft Java VM. The site provides how-to files that are extremely helpful for new users. This is certainly a site for those studying human anatomy, but it is a cool site that may also appeal to others. This site is also reviewed in the April 5, 2002 Scout Report. [AL]
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National Center for Biotechnology Information
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/About/
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has had a Web site for some time now, but the site has recently become more user-friendly with this new About section. About NCBI explains NCBI's role in facilitating research and education specific to the "fundamental molecular and genetic processes that control health and disease." An introduction to NCBI databases and maps helps researchers select tools that may help them. A particularly helpful feature is entitled A Science Primer, which provides an easy-to-read introduction to many science topics relevant to NCBI's resources like bioinformatics, genome mapping, molecular modeling, and molecular genetics. This is an excellent site that should serve to orient both new users and those who have visited the NCBI site before. [AL]
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VirOligo Compilation Lab
http://viroligo.okstate.edu/
Coordinated through the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oklahoma State University, this database project "collects virus-specific oligonucleotides for viral detection from published literature." The database includes a large number of viruses. Most recently, the Influenza virus, Foot-and-Mouth disease virus, smallpox, and cowpox viruses were added. Each virus record contains publication data and a variety of other information about the different strains. [AL]
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Antbase: The Social Insects Web
http://research.amnh.org/entomology/social_insects/
This site (last mentioned in the September 17, 1997 Scout Report for Science & Engineering) is maintained by Donat Agosti, a research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History. Since its last review, much has changed, including an updated Integrated Taxonomic Information System; access to a full-text database of primary systematics publications; and a link to FORMIS 2001, a composite of several ant literature databases. Continually updated, the Social Insect Web (SIWeb) Working Space includes links that have not yet been integrated into the site, but may prove useful to those studying ants and other social insects. [AL]
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Caterpillar Hostplants Database
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/entomology/hostplants/
This database from the Department of Entomology at the Natural History Museum, London contains information on worldwide caterpillar hostplants. It consolidates a large amount of data on plants that the 22,000 Lepidoptera species eat or otherwise interact with. Users can perform searches using scientific name of either the Lepidoptera or hostplant species, or perform a "drill-down" browse. Search results include the family, genus, and species names for both the Lepidoptera and hostplant; author of the primary literature; and additional information that includes location where the species is found and plant damage resulting from interaction. [AL]
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