Dolly the Sheep
http://www.nature.com/nature/dolly/
Dolly, the world's first animal to be cloned from an adult cell, was put down February 14, 2003, due to a tumor in the lung. Her death has drawn increased attention to how little we really know about the potential health problems associated with genetic cloning. The journal Nature offers a special Web focus on "the life of this extraordinary sheep," including current and archived news articles and scientific papers. These resources offer a great way for readers to delve into this topic at depth and learn about the science behind the news. [RS]
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The Virtual Gallery: New Trilobites
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/museum/vr/index2.html
The Natural History Museum in London presents images of three trilobites from Morocco recently added to the museum collection. Unlike most fossils -- often flattened by the weight of surrounding sediment during fossilization -- these trilobites have been preserved with their structures intact. Images of these fantastic creatures (the big-eye, mega-spined, and trident trilobites) may be rotated 360 degrees. Viewers also have the option of downloading a 3-D bird's eye view of one of the fossils (a high-speed connection is recommended). The site also provides interesting background information on each fossil. [RS]
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Migratory Bird Center: Coffee [.pdf]
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Coffee/default.cfm
This Web site from the Migratory Bird Center at the Smithsonian National Zoo offers a engaging look at how "shade-grown coffee plantations play a key role in the conservation of migratory birds that have found a sanctuary in their forest-like environment." The site contains a variety of interesting features, such as a search engine for finding "Bird FriendlyŽ" retail coffee sources, a slide show of neotropical birds that benefit from shade-grown coffee, and a detailed analysis of shade-grown coffee issues. Coffee growers, roasters, and importers will also find useful information resources in this comprehensive Web site. [RS]
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Natural Resources Defense Council: The Bush Record
http://www.nrdc.org/bushrecord/default.asp
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) offers The Bush Record -- "the real story on this administration's dealing on environmental issues, from NRDC's scientists, lawyers, and policy experts." The main Web page highlights the administration's most recent actions. Readers may also access related reports, search The Bush Record by date, and find out how to get involved with the NRDC's efforts if so inclined. Topic-specific sections of this Web site include Air, Energy, and Global Warming; Wildlands and Wildlife; Water and Oceans; Toxic Chemicals and Health; Nuclear Weapons and Waste; and Other Issues. Each of these sections contain an extensive list of related NRDC press releases. [RS]
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Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorders and the Family
http://www.pbs.org/perfectillusions/index.html
This Web site is the online companion to the PBS documentary of the same name, which aired February 24, 2003, as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week. With this "hidden epidemic" affecting millions of people in the US alone, especially young women, this site provides a valuable resource for those wishing to learn more about three common eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. In addition to presenting detailed information for each disorder -- including symptoms, health consequences, and prevention -- the Web site supplies information for seeking help, and other resources such as personal stories from eating disorder sufferers and survivors. [RS]
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JungleWalk [QuickTime, RealPlayer, Windows Media]
http://www.junglewalk.com/
JungleWalk is a fantastic directory of animal information on the Internet, offering a well-organized and incredibly extensive collection of external links to animal movie and sound clips and interesting Web pages. Netrikon Designs, a "mom and pop" Web design firm, has created JungleWalk as a kid-friendly site that should "still be useful to educators, parents, and anyone interested in animals." Teachers may sign up to receive free sample questionnaires that help make the most of JungleWalk in the classroom. Visitors are encouraged to suggest references to animal Web sites not already included in the collection, or even to contribute an animal audio or video clip of their own. [RS]
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Bioterror: The Invisible Enemy
http://dsc.discovery.com/anthology/spotlight/bioterror/bioterror.html
This Web site from Discovery.com complements the first episode in the Discovery Channel's monthly series, Spotlight (aired February 26, 2003), which "examines the forces shaping our world." Features of this site include a historical look at biological weapons (used in some shape or form for millennia); an interview with the Institute for Homeland Security director Randy Larsen; Web links for additional information; and Facts and Fallacies -- an online quiz for those who would like to test their understanding of the scientific and historical roots of bioterrorism. Altogether, this Web site offers a brief but thorough (and not overly alarmist) exploration of a pressing issue. [RS]
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Seed Catalogues
http://www.sil.si.edu/ondisplay/Seeds/index.htm
The Smithsonian Institutions Libraries Web site currently features a unique collection of seed and nursery catalogs dating from 1830 to the present. Online visitors may view a portion of the exhibit, which offers a look at "the history of the seed and agricultural implement business in the United States, as well as provides a history of botany and plant research such as the introduction of plant varieties into the US." Although this site does include much material, gardeners and anyone else with a horticultural bent should enjoy a casual browse through the online exhibit. [RS]
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