http://www.exploratorium.edu/origins/arecibo/index.html

This is the latest website from the Exploratorium’s Origins series -- a Web-based project that "explores the origins of matter, the universe, earth, and even life itself." In "Astrobiology: The Search for Life," visitors can read up on Earth’s extreme environments that support life and serve as models for extraterrestrial environments. The site also introduces some of the scientists working in astrobiology, including Jill Tarter. Other sections explore the tools of the trade (e.g. NASA’s Mars Rover) and important ideas in astrobiology (e.g. the Drake Equation). Additionally, during the month of November, the Exploratorium will air live webcasts from field sites like Chile’s Licancabur volcano, and broadcast interviews with some of astrobiology’s top brass. [RS]

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp

MedicineNet, Inc., a Web-based healthcare publishing company, offers "easy-to-read, in-depth, authoritative medical information for consumers via its robust, user-friendly, interactive website." MedicineNet.com is similar to other online resources like WebMD and MEDLINEplus, designed to help readers make informed decisions about their health. In addition to basic background information on everything from allergies to urology, MedicineNet.com offers the latest health-related news, physicians’ views on various topics, timely and relevant health facts (e.g. flu vaccination information), and much more. [RS]

http://animal.discovery.com/features/owlexp/owlexp.html

Visitors to this AnimalPlanet.com website will find an interesting, multimedia introduction to owls, including dispatches from a recent live expedition to survey Saw-whets -- a common but extremely elusive species. Each dispatch includes an annotated slide show, where viewers can learn more about Saw-whet banding projects. The website also contains Tour an Owl -- an interactive look at owl anatomy from ear tufts to talons. See Saw-whets contains the same slide shows found with the expedition dispatches, but also provides excellent photos of different owl species. Visitors may also learn more about owls and owl conservation in Give a Hoot, a collection of related links. [RS]

http://www.calacademy.org/notes_from_the_field/

The California Academy of Sciences recently concluded an expedition to China’s Yunnan Province, the fourth such trip undertaken to document the imperiled flora and fauna of this "biodiversity hotspot." Journalist Stephanie Greenman accompanied expedition scientists, posting the brief but interesting field notes available in this website. Readers will find six of these dispatches -- together with great photographs -- and links to past Academy expeditions to the Yunnan. [RS]

http://www.duke.edu/web/primate/FlashFiles/dukeNew19.html

The homepage of the Duke University Primate Center (DUPC) is an excellent stop for anyone interested in prosimians and prosimian biology. Visitors will find a brief overview of DUPC research, and a more detailed look at projects headed by DUPC researchers -- including a few abstracts and full text research papers. But the most appealing pages can be found under the Learn section, which features photos and natural histories of aye-ayes, bushbabies, mouse lemurs, and other members of this undeniably adorable suborder. The same section also contains a Kid’s Corner, with online coloring books, mazes, and jigsaw puzzles. [RS]

http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/country_cures//index.html

London’s Natural History Museum presents Country Cures, an "interactive project to gather information about the sometimes familiar, often surprising, use of plants in traditional medicine." Readers are highly encouraged to participate in this on-going project by contributing their own herbal remedies, which are listed by plant under The Exhibition and by ailment under Your Cures. All contributions featured in this website appear to be from residents of the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland, but there’s nothing to suggest that others may not participate (especially as dandelions, yarrow, comfrey, and other plants in the exhibit are common in North American folk remedies). [RS]

http://www.npr.org/programs/re/archivesdate/2003/nov/wildlife/index.html

National Public Radio (NPR) invites listeners join host Michael Sullivan on a Radio Expedition to Southeast Asia, where "despite international and local laws designed to crack down on the trade, live animals and animal parts -- often those of endangered or threatened species - -are sold in open-air markets throughout the region." Complete audio of the 3-part story is available (aired November 3-5, 2003), as are links to related websites and NPR stories. [RS]

http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu/index2.cfm?series=4

The University of Illinois Extension takes some of the guesswork out of gardening with this Solutions Series website, part of the University’s "Web-based library of information that can help you with some of the questions you have around your home." This comprehensive guide covers flowers, fruits, pests and diseases, vegetables, and more. Each section contains pages and pages of useful information: For example, the soils and fertilizers section describes various soil minerals and elements, demystifies pH, explains what can go into a compost pile and how quickly each item will decompose, etc. This site could benefit from the addition of photos or illustrations, but overall, it’s well-designed and informative gardening resource. [RS]