Nutrition.gov - A US federal government initiative, Nutrition.gov has been set up to provide the general public with access to accurate scientific information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical exercise and general food safety. A country renown for its obsession with the latest celebrity quick-fix fad diets, it is believed that as many as half of all adult Americans are now either overweight or obese. Even more worrying, the incidence of obesity in children is escalating, promising a lifetime of health problems for future generation Americans. Nutrition.gov is a comprehensive and reliable source of information on nutrition and dietary guidance covering every age group, from the elderly to young infants. The site also links to information about specific food assistant programs set up across the US. The front page provides access to an overwhelming resource of information, with sections on topics as diverse as understanding food labels to home canning, and managing some of the diseases associated with poor nutrition, including everything from anorexia and binge eating to diabetes. There is also a section on food safety, providing detailed information on food-borne illnesses and related topics such as irradiation, in addition to the applications of biotechnology to food, for example genetic engineering and animal cloning. The front page also supports many spotlighted sections on topically relevant subjects. As research continues to reveal the close link between our eating habits and lifestyle on our general health and wellbeing the importance of having such information in the public realm will increase. Myths and misinformation regarding nutrition and diet abound on the internet. Hopefully, informative and reliable sites such as this can help to re-educate and inform the general public as to the importance of healthy eating. An impressive and well ordered site, which is easy to navigate, Nutrition.gov is an excellent gateway to information on nutrition. Rating: 9 out of 10 (24 February 2003) LH
http://www.nutrition.gov/
NOAA Arctic Theme Page - In the words of this mega site from the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the Arctic "remains one of the least explored, studied and understood places on earth". But it is also crucial in shaping our climate and one of the areas of the planet most vulnerable to climate change. It's timely, then, that this site provides a rich resource for those studying all aspects of Arctic science and for the rest of us, who will probably get no closer to the North Pole than clicking on the site's live webcam. With such a varied audience the site operates as a gateway point to other sites, many tapping into NOAA's vast databanks. If you're looking for the latest satellite and snow ice analysis, or for weather and sea surface heights in the Baring sea, you'll find it in the comprehensive 'Scientific' section. Equally, one click away, and you can explore the top Arctic education sites, marvel at spectacular views of the Northern Lights or find out about the region's native people. Under 'essays', experts give their views of the main scientific Arctic issues from pollution and polar bears to the chances of Arctic meltdown. The gallery section links straight to NOAA's excellent online photo library. As far as overall look goes, it is lists of links laid out plain and simple. So even the most novice web explorers will keep their bearings. Rating 8 out of 10. (12 December 2002) JS
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/
Smithsonian Department of Entomology - Introduction to Entomology is the site of the Entomological section of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, last updated 4.6.2001. The site gives a general introduction to the science of Entomology, stressing its importance with statistics on pollination, tropical insect biomass etc. There is also a brief history of the Institution and a description of its work, present staff and of associated organisations, such as USDA (US Department of Agriculture) and WRBU together with links. The site also gives access to the NMNH database that undoubtedly holds a mine of information. It seems however to be addressed to those already in the know as it is very specific. No doubt some sectors are brimming with info, others seem to be lacking or are not yet ready for consulting - hymenoptera for example only contained data on ants. Like the database, the section on information to visitors again gives the impression that this site is addressed mainly to US residents, although there is plenty of information on how to apply to conduct research there. Rating: 6 out of 10 (2 November 2002) CCL
http://entomology.si.edu/
Department of Scientific Research, British Museum - This part of the British Museum's website gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific techniques used to analyze and date objects in the museum's collections. There are five main sections: Investigating the collections, Research techniques, About the department, Collections documentation, and News. The starting point for explaining the variety of techniques and what they can tell us about an object (how old is it? where does it come from? how was it made?) is a specific artifact for each category of material for example, medieval enamels to illustrate techniques used to examine glass, Peruvian whistling pots for ceramics, a Bronze Age skeleton for radiocarbon dating, and so on. The objects are beautifully illustrated and have an interactive component, with separate pop-up windows that explain how a particular technique works for each type of material. The elaborate equipment used for these investigations is also well-illustrated and explained in clear language the site steers clear of blinding you with science, and the highly visual approach helps make even the most esoteric-sounding techniques (such as energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrophotometry) comprehensible to the non-specialist. The News section includes information on some of the items in the museum's collection currently under investigation, a calendar of events at the museum, and recent museum publications. Each section provides a Further Reading list. From any page you can access the British Museum home page, with dozens more sections to explore and browse. The site scores highly for ease of navigation, visual clarity, and attractive lay-out and design; however, there is no search function so, for example, you can't look up techniques not covered in this section nor are any links provided. Rating: 8 out of 10 (4 October 2002) DD
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/science/
Council for British Archaeology - At this portal for sites dealing with British archaeology, full texts of British Archaeology magazine are available, as well as the ejournal Internet Archaeology, plus CBA briefings and research reports. The listings of upcoming fieldwork are helpful if you are looking to join an excavation crew as a volunteer. In the cheerful Everything You Wanted to Know About Archaeological Excavations, But Were Afraid to Askportion, you'll find the reasons why snug-fitting jeans are not suitable apparel for a dig, but smooth-soled shoes are. What to expect in the way of a social life, sleeping accommodations, and food on such a venture are also discussed. A young archaeologist's section is hosted by Norman Helmet, a cartoon snake, who gives out kid-friendly information about archaeological matters, events of interest, and even some jokes. Rating: 9 out of 10 (26 September 2002) AD
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - The DFO web site is the voice of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada and accordingly comes in French and English. The three main topics, 'Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use', 'Marine Safety and Environmental Protection' and 'Scientific Excellence' are arranged round a compass for easy navigation. But the site is so packed with information that I strongly advise newcomers to go straight to the Help box in the bar at the top of the page; this makes browsing easier and provides a clear site map. Experts in fisheries will find all the documentation they need on development, policies, statistics etc. in the Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use and the "library" box in the bar. The Marine Safety and Environmental protection covers such matters as fleet information, Icebreaking program (with maps showing day by day ice cover). Scientific Excellence is for everybody - for example clicking on oceanography, climate research heading will eventually lead to articles like Impacts of Climatic Change on Arctic Wildlife, illustrating the ecology biology, conservation of terrestrial (polar bears, caribou) as well as marine (baluba) life, and the Underword fact files give brief illustrated accounts on marine life and related topics. I thoroughly enjoyed browsing through this well designed site, supported with good explanatory maps, diagrams and photographs. Those in the profession will find it indispensable, whilst others will find it packed with information you don't expect, even a corner for kids. The site is guaranteed to be updated because the home page carried leads to the FOC's magazine, Wavelength, and the latest political developments. It is easy to get lost, but there is an efficient Search faculty, actually with one of the best "tips on searching" I have every read. Rating: 10 out of 10. (22 September 2002) CCL
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index.htm
