The Stanford Health Library [Real One Player]
http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/
The Stanford Health Library is a "free and open-to-the-public consumer health information library that provides scientifically-based medical information to help people make informed decisions about their health and health care." Users will find a mountain of health-related resources, including an extensive collection of links to informative Web pages from hospitals, research foundations, government agencies, and other reliable sources. The Health Library also includes dozens and dozens of online videos addressing common health topics, each about 30-60 minutes long. Likewise, users may create a free netLibrary account to access many of the Library's electronic books. [RS]
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National Geographic Magazine: Everybody Loves Atlantic Salmon. Here's the Catch… [pdf, Macromedia Flash Player]
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0307/feature5/index.html
The July 2003 online issue of National Geographic Magazine presents an engaging overview of the state of Atlantic salmon fisheries. In addition to a short excerpt from the magazine piece, visitors will find a number of excellent Web-only features including as a six-minute multimedia special and field notes from the article's author and photographer. The site also includes a handful of online-only photos with technical notes and an interesting side story about determining the age of fish. [RS]
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BBC Science Programmes: Human Senses [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/tv/humansenses/
This BBC Web site is absolutely packed with interactive features and cool facts about human senses. Created as the online companion to a recently-aired BBC science documentary series, this Web site offers a fun way to explore the five senses and the human brain. A set of quirky tests help visitors determine whether they are supertasters, learn about their personalities via the foods they crave, or explore the relationship between age and the smells that recall childhood. The site also includes an interactive tour of the brain and an excellent quiz-like tutorial on the major systems of the human body. Each episode in the series has a summary page and an informative factsheet. [RS]
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MedlinePLUS: Interactive Health Tutorials [Macromedia Flash Player]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorial.html
This Web site from the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePLUS contains interactive health tutorials developed by the Patient Education Institute. The tutorials use easy-to-follow animations and narration to explain medical procedures and health conditions. Dozens and dozens of tutorials are available. Recent additions include tutorials on smallpox, hearing loss, bone densitometry, dust mite allergies, and many more. Users control the pace of the tutorial, and can test their understanding of the material at various points with short, interactive quizzes. [RS]
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AntCast: Web-Window on the Life of Ants
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/museum/creepy/antcastintro.html
The leafcutter ant colony at London's Natural History Museum is now live on the Web, "using an infrared camera to give a secret view into the lives of these fascinating creatures. Visitors can view live video or static images of the colony as they tend to their fungus farm. Only ten users at a time can view the live video, but the static images are updated every ten seconds, so no need feel too deprived. The images are accompanied by interesting ant facts, but for more detailed information visitors will have to look elsewhere. [RS]
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Online NewsHour: Preserving Wilderness [Real One Player]
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/july-dec03/utah_7-17.html
With this PBS Online NewsHour feature, visitors can explore the contentious issue of federal wilderness designations in Utah. A battle over these designations "ended when the state convinced the federal government to drop certain land restrictions, an agreement environmentalists say will endanger pristine areas." The entire segment of this NewsHour episode may be viewed online. Visitors with slower Internet connections may wish to use the audio-only feature. The site also includes a transcript and a number of links to related NewsHour stories, including a recent one that examines President Bush's environmental record during former EPA head Christine Todd Whitman's period in office.
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Bird Guide
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/birds/birds.html
Taking your pet bird on an airplane? Thinking of switching your psittacine bird from a seed-based to a pelleted diet? Readers will find answers to these and many other bird-related questions in a new online bird care guide from Discovery's Animal Planet. Handy drop down menus bring up detailed information on basic care, behavior and training, nutrition, first aid, and diseases. The information and advice comes from the Veterinary Services Department of Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc., and each Web page may be easily emailed or printed out for future reference. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of topics and concerns, this bird guide should prove a useful resource for bird owners and those thinking about getting a pet bird. [RS]
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No Hiding Most Trans Fats
http://www.sciencenews.org/20030719/food.asp
This recently featured article from Science News Online's Food for Thought series offers an excellent overview of bad-for-you trans fats and the recent announcement by the Food and Drug Administration that by 2006 all nutrition labels must clearly identify quantities of trans fats. In addition to the article, readers will find a detailed reference section, including links to related Science News articles (most are available free of charge). [RS]
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