Andreas Vesalius: De Humani Corporis Fabrica [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://vesalius.northwestern.edu/
Northwestern University recently launched an online edition of On the Fabric of the Human Body, 16th century Europe's "most detailed and best illustrated atlas of the human body" produced by Andreas Vesalius, whose work changed the course of medical history. Daniel Garrison and Malcolm Hast, who have spent over a decade (and counting) translating the Fabrica, are making their work available online as the translation continues. Readers can now access an annotated translation of Book One -- including images -- with six more books to follow. The Web site also includes a useful glossary of medical terms. [RS]
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Life Changing Science [Macromedia Flash Player, Real One Player]
http://www.abc.net.au/science/lcs/flash.htm
The Australian Broadcasting Company recently aired Life Changing Science, "a four-part series examining innovations that have transformed our lives." This companion Web site offers fantastic interactive features to go along with each of the four radio broadcasts. Three of the four interactive "labs" focused on the life sciences. They include Virtual Open Heart Surgery, in which users can conduct a highly simplified version of the real procedure; In Vitro Fertilization, which offers an excellent overview of the IVF cycle; and Food Preservation, in which users can test how well they know their kitchen microbes. These interactive features are truly cool, although American readers must contend with the metric units used in Food Preservation. The site also includes audio of the original radio programs, which aired in June 2003. [RS]
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Microbes -- Friend or Foe? [pdf, Real One Player]
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/closertotruth/explore/show_05.html
This Web site contains the online companion to an episode of the PBS series, Closer to the Truth, which "brings together leading scientists, scholars and artists to debate latest discoveries and their impact on the human condition." Microbes -- Friend or Foe? offers a thought-provoking look at the role of microbes and the importance of "maintaining a microbial balance of power" on the planet. Visitors may download a transcript or view video clips of the episode, or delve deeper into the topic through online interviews with the program's panel of experts. The site also provides a useful glossary of key terms as defined by the episode's guest speakers -- some terms come with a video clip. [RS]
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NASA Earth Observatory: Global Garden Gets Greener [jpeg, tiff]
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/GlobalGarden/
NASA's Earth Observatory is a "freely-accessible publication on the Internet where the public can obtain new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet." The Earth Observatory feature presented in this Web site introduces documented changes in plant productivity over the last two decades -- the warmest decades on record. The study, based on satellite imagery and ground observations, also demonstrates the most important of those factors influencing changes in plant productivity. Readers will find an informative overview of the study and terrific high-resolution images. [RS]
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CUREtoday.com: Cancer Updates, Research, and Education
http://www.curetoday.com/
CUREtoday.com is the online version of CURE: Cancer Updates, Research & Education. CURE provides individuals coping with cancer and blood disorders with "scientific information in an easy-to-understand format," published quarterly by the Cancer Information Group. The Web site now features the 5th issue of CURE -- this and all previous issues are available free of charge. The current issue discusses new drugs for breast cancer treatment, music therapy, cancer and genomics, and other topics. The site also provides a useful search engine that allows readers to find all articles relating to a specific disease. [RS]
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USDA: Food, Family and Fun
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Students/Food_Family/index.html
This Web site comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, which "works to empower consumers with knowledge of the link between diet and health, providing dietary guidance based on research." Food, Family and Fun offers ideas for healthy, seasonal, and affordable meals to make at home with the help of kids. The site includes loads of nutrition information and easy-to-use recipes from some of the nation's top chefs. This site is also available in Spanish. [RS]
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Smithsonian Magazine: On the Trail of West Nile Virus [pdf]
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues03/jul03/west_nile.html
The July 2003 issue of Smithsonian Magazine includes a feature article about the West Nile Virus. The article offers an in-depth look at the work of a group of scientists as they "race to develop vaccines against the scourge while others probe the possible lingering effects of the mosquito-borne infection." The 7-page articles may be downloaded free of charge. The site also includes links to related Smithsonian Magazine articles. [RS]
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The Sperm Whale Project
http://www.prattmuseum.org/programs/spermwhale/
In 1988, the carcass of a sperm whale washed up on East Chugach Island in Alaska. To capitalize on this rare opportunity, the Pratt Museum created the Sperm Whale Project, designed to "promote ocean conservation through enhanced cross disciplinary marine science education" for residents and visitors to the Kachemak Bay area, where the museum is located. New to the Scout Report, the Sperm Whale Project Web site offers a fascinating look at the history of this project, from the discovery of the carcass to the preparation and articulation of its skeleton for display at the Pratt Museum, a process that enlisted the help of area high school students. Nicely presented and full of interesting photos, this Web site should be worth a visit from anyone interested in whales, skeletology, or museum science in general. [RS]
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