Genome.gov | Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

Genome.gov | Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) created the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms to help everyone understand the terms and concepts used in genetic research. In addition to definitions, specialists in the field of genetics share their descriptions of terms, and many terms include images, animation and links to related terms.

Getting Started:

Enter a search term or explore the list of terms by selecting a letter from the alphabet on the left and then select from the terms revealed. (A text-only version is available from here.)

1. The Talking Glossary

   At the bottom of most pages in the Talking Glossary are links to help you get the most out of this glossary.

   Linked information explains how to cite a term from the Glossary in a reference paper. Another link allows you to suggest a term currently not in the glossary that you feel would be a valuable addition. And there is a link to email any of the 200+ terms to a friend.

Genome.gov | Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

Largest Fossil Spider Ever Found Gives Peek Into Arachnid Evolution | 80beats | Discover Magazine

 

Largest Fossil Spider Ever Found Gives Peek Into Arachnid Evolution

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Nephila jurassica, with a 5mm scale bar

What’s the News: Researchers have unearthed the largest fossilized spider yet, announced in a study online today in Biology Letters. The fossil, a Jurassic Period ancestor of the modern orb-weaver spider,  gives scientists a glimpse not only into the evolutionary history of orb-weaver spiders, but how these ancient arachnids might have impacted the evolution of insect species that could be snared in the webs.

How the Heck:

• The fossil, found preserved in volcanic ash in the  Daohugou fossil beds in northeastern China, dates back 165 million years. The researchers dubbed the species Nephila jurassica.
• At about an inch long, the spider’s body isn’t unusually large, but its leg span, at nearly six inches, is the largest seen in a fossil spider.
• This spider was female, suggesting the size disparity seen in modern orb-weaver spiders—with females dwarfing the males—may have begun at least 165 million years ago.
• Silk spinning organs, called spinnerets, preserved on the fossilized spider’s legs suggest that, like its modern counterparts, Nephila jurassica spun big, durable webs.
• The spider’s formidable prey-catching ability likely drove the evolution of the medium-to-large insects it fed on, as those species scrambled to survive, the researchers wrote.

What’s the Context:

• Until now, the earliest known fossil from the Nephila genus was 34 million years old; this find pushes back the origin of the genus 130 million years from what researchers previously thought.
• Modern orb-weaver spiders live in tropical climes, so this fossil suggests that the region where it was found may have had a much muggier climate during the Jurassic than it does today.
• The oldest fossil spiders ever found are nearly twice as old as this specimen, dating back 310 million years.
• While its size is remarkable for a fossilized spider, Nephila jurassica‘s legspan is only half as big as that of the world’s largest living spiders, the evocatively named goliath bird-eater and giant huntsman.

Reference: Paul A. Selden, ChungKun Shih and Dong Ren. “A golden orb-weaver spider (Araneae: Nephilidae: Nephila) from the Middle Jurassic of China.” Biology Letters online before print, April 20, 2011. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0228

Image: Selden et al. paper

Largest Fossil Spider Ever Found Gives Peek Into Arachnid Evolution | 80beats | Discover Magazine

Neuroscience Information Framework

Neuroscience Information Framework

The Neuroscience Information Framework is excited to announce the release of NIF 3.1. With improved search and many added products, NIF 3.1 also boasts a new look and feel on the web. To introduce you to the new website, we have created a YouTube video and a Tutorial on the new search interface. You may also wish to view our release notes. As always, we look forward to your comments.

What is NIF?

A dynamic inventory of Web-based neuroscience resources: data, materials, and tools accessible via any computer connected to the Internet. An initiative of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, the Neuroscience Information Framework advances neuroscience research by enabling discovery and access to public research data and tools worldwide through an open source, networked environment.

Neuroscience Information Framework

OdonataCentral

OdonataCentral 

Welcome to OdonataCentral

This site is designed to make available what we know about the distribution, biogeography, biodiversity, and identification of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) world-wide. Use the navigation bars at the top of the page to move around in the site.

OdonataCentral

BioEd Online: Biology Teacher Resources

BioEd Online: Biology Teacher Resources

Welcome to BioEd Online, the online educational resource for educators, students, and parents. BioEd Online utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you instant access to reliable, cutting-edge information and educational tools for biology and related subjects. Our goal is to provide useful, accurate, and current information and materials that build upon and enhance the skills and knowledge of science educators. Developed under the guidance of our expert Editorial Board, BioEd Online offers the following high-quality resources.

• Streaming Video Presentations - View timely presentations given by thought leaders on education in biology and related subjects, classroom management, science standards, and other issues in education. Presentation topics include content reviews for prospective biology teachers, content updates for experienced teachers, research lab technique demonstrations, inquiry science, and assessment. In addition, BioEd Online offers helpful presentations for teachers in training as they prepare for the classroom experience.
• Slide Library - Customize exciting and relevant lesson plans and activities from hundreds of searchable slides developed by our Editorial Board and contributors. The slide library is updated regularly. Each slide is complete with talking points and references and can be downloaded into your own PowerPoint program for personal educational use.
  as they prepare for the classroom experience.
• Editors' News Picks - Stay current with science news selected by our Editorial Board. Check back each week for new science stories and related discussion questions to complement your ongoing science activities, and to stimulate an exchange of ideas in your classroom. All Editors' Picks are maintained in our archive for easy access whenever you need them.

BioEd Online is regularly updated with pertinent new slides in the slide library, presentations on breakthrough research, reviews, and virtual workshops on educational approaches and materials. Stay current with the latest research from top educators in the country by bookmarking BioEd Online for later use!

Would you like to be notified regarding updates to BioEd Online? Please complete the BioEd Online registration form.

BioEd Online: Biology Teacher Resources

Library Intelligencer » This blog is to provide information to University of Melbourne Library staff

Library Intelligencer » This blog is to provide information to University of Melbourne Library staff 

"Used to know someone who did birds....HSM"

eBird

May 27, 2009 – 3:34 pm

http://ebird.org/content/ebird

What is eBird?
A real-time, online checklist program, eBird has revolutionized the way that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.

eBird’s goal is to maximize the utility and accessibility of the vast numbers of bird observations made each year by recreational and professional bird watchers. It is amassing one of the largest and fastest growing biodiversity data resources in existence. For example, in 2006, participants reported more than 4.3 million bird observations across North America.

The observations of each participant join those of others in an international network of eBird users. eBird then shares these observations with a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. In time these data will become the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond.

Library Intelligencer » This blog is to provide information to University of Melbourne Library staff

Library recognizes Darwin's contributions Feb 12

 News

Library recognizes Darwin's contributions Feb 12

February 12, 2009, 2:00 & 3:00 pm
Parks Library, Room 192

The library is recognizing Darwin's contributions to science and culture by hosting a celebration on Feb 12^th, 2009 for Darwin's 200^th Birthday and the 150^th Anniversary of the publication of his book "On the Origin of Species". There will be 2 presentations: "Darwin and Culture" and "Darwin's Citation Impact" at 2:00 and 3:00 respectively.

Darwin and Culture - Heather Lewin
Asst. Professor & Subject Librarian
Science & Technology

A survey of literature to examine the culture in which Darwin's work was presented and the impact of his work on culture up to this day. Includes impact on sociology, psychology, archeology, literature, and many other facets of culture.

Darwin's Citation Impact - Lorrie Pellack
Assoc. Professor & Department Head
Science & Technology

This session will cover basic definitions of impact factors, citation impact and h index. Then, will look at Charles Darwin's publication record, the process involved in determining his citation impact, and compare Darwin's citation impact to that of modern day researchers in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Special Collections

Additionally there will be a display in Special Collections of some of Darwin's publications.

News