Research and Education
The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) was formed in 2004 to "draw Harvard's resources together by establishing a cooperative community of scientists and practitioners, by developing new ways to fund and support research, and by promoting opportunities for open communication and education." Their website features videos of HSCI scientists speaking about their selected disease programs. Visitors can click on a video as it appears, or they can wait for one of the next videos in the rotation. To read about the disease programs, visitors can click on the "Research" tab near the top of the page, and then select the "Research Programs" link to read about the different programs and the lead researcher. Research programs include the "Blood Disease Program", "Cancer Program", "Cardiovascular Disease Program", "Kidney Disease Program", "Nervous System Diseases Program", and the "Translational Research Program". The "Resources" tab near the top of the page has video of a great series of education sessions that are held quarterly by HSCI, and which address the medical, religious, economic, and public policy concerns that stem cell research presents. There are eight sessions to watch, and each runs longer than an hour, so each topic is covered in exquisite detail.
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
http://www.dosits.org/science/intro.htm
The University of Rhode Island's Office of Marine Programs website offers interested parties a primer on the science of sound in the sea. The main topics covered here are "Sound", "Sound Movement", "Sound Measurement", "Sounds in the Sea", and "Advanced Topics". Visitors who are unfamiliar with the basics of sound should start out with "Sound" to learn about such subtopics as "How do you characterize sounds?" and "How are sounds made?" "Intensity", "Frequency", and "Wavelength" are also explained in "Sound". Visitors should note that within the subtopics, the words or phrases that are highlighted in green can be clicked on to read the definition. A menu on the left side of any page of a subtopic lists all the main topics, and scrolling over a main topic reveals all the subtopics available to peruse. Visitors shouldn't miss the "Sounds in the Sea" topic to learn about such concepts as "People and Animal Use", "Sonar", "Echolocation", and "Underwater Sounds".
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
The Genetics Selection Evolution journal was created by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) in 1960, and this site offers scientists and others online access to its contents. The primary focus of the journal is to present "original research on all aspects of genetics and selection in both farm and experimental animals." The journal is part of the BioMedCentral network of open access journals, and the homepage offers easy access to its latest peer-reviewed articles. Visitors to the journal's homepage can view a list of its current editorial board members, sign up to receive the journal's RSS feed, and also review manuscript submission guidelines. A sidebar on the left-hand side of the homepage includes a list of the most accessed articles, promotional devices (such as posters and leaflets), and a FAQ section.
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/fli/index.jsp
This very ambitious project from Indiana University was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and it continues to be updated on a regular basis. The Film Literature Index (FLI) annually indexes 150 film and television periodicals from 30 countries in their entirety, along with 200 other periodicals selectively for articles on film and television. The FLI database can be searched by subject headings, names, production titles, or by corporate names. Visitors can browse around, or perform advanced searches as their needs require. More information about the project can be found in the "About FLI" section, which can be accessed at the top of the homepage. Here visitors can learn about the history of the FLI, and also read about various papers and presentations that document the creation of the FLI Online site. [KMG]
http://www.nature.com/chemistry/podcast.html
The journal Nature has started a number of science-themed podcasts, and this particular site features their "Chempod" series. The series got underway in March 2006, and the podcasts are designed specifically for the chemistry community. Currently, the site features over a dozen podcasts, and the topics covered in recent installments include DNA 'circuit boards', protein sensing with gold nanoparticles, and applications for mass spectrometry. Visitors are encouraged to download each podcast, and teachers may wish to share these insights with their students in the classroom. Within the "Site Resources" area, visitors can sign up for their newsletter and their RSS feed. The site also includes listings for job opportunities in the "NatureJobs" area along the right-hand side of the homepage.
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
If you have an interest in natural resource policy and management, you'll want to spend some quality time on the Oregon Explorer's Natural Resource Digital Library website. The purpose of the Explorer is "to use the power of today's cutting edge information technology to create a state-of-the-art-web accessible natural resources digital library." Their project team has accomplished this by creating a variety of "explorer" tools that allow concerned parties to learn about land use patterns in the state, along with providing interactive and customizable maps of natural hazards, wetlands, and wildlife. Along with these features, the site also includes sections such as "Maps", "Charts and Tables", "Data Collections", and "Photos and Videos". Visitors can get a handle of the resources here by taking a tour through the "Featured Tools" near the bottom of the homepage and the "What's New" area. The site is rounded out with a glossary and a place for users to submit queries.
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/mmgallery/features_archive_1.html
Amidst many strong and detailed government websites, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) site always presents a rich variety of material for the space-curious public. Their "Interactive Features" area is embedded in their larger "Multimedia" site, and it's a fantastic kaleidoscope of sweeping views of Saturn, fun with the X-15 spacecraft, and more than a few (several dozen, actually) interactive timelines. First-time users can browse through the archive of features at their leisure, or they can also use the search engine to look for specific items. Some of the more noteworthy features here include a timeline which explores the history of "planet hunting" ("PlanetQuest Historic Timeline") and the trip through space in the "Virtual Lunar Outpost". It's easy to while away a few hours on the site and it is one that budding space scientists will want to bookmark.
[KMG]
To find this resource and more high-quality online resources in math and science visit Scout's sister site - AMSER, the Applied Math and Science Educational Repository at
http://amser.org.
http://hiddenhistories.rgs.org/
Columbus, Hudson, Polo, and Stanley, are all names known far and wide to those who hold an interest in the history of exploration. But how about Juan Tepano, Mohammed Jen Jamain, and Nain Singh? The role of these individuals (and many others) from the annals of world history deserves to be better known, and it is quite appropriate that the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) is the one to tell their tales via this website. The site is meant to complement an exhibition at the RGS that highlights "the role of local inhabitants and intermediaries in the history of exploration." Visitors can learn about these persons and the process of exploration by clicking on the "Exhibition" section. From there, visitors will be guided through a series of narrative essays (such as "Local Knowledge" and "European Dependence"), accompanied by historic photographs, drawings, maps, and diary pages. After taking the online exhibition tour, visitors can click on the "Gallery" section to peruse well-illustrated collections like "French Maritime Expeditions" and an eleven-minute film from 1922 titled "Climbing Mount Everest". [KMG]
