PREVIOUS PICKS OF THE MONTH
March, 1998
The Scientist
is a weekly magazine for scientists with articles describing recent advances
and with information affecting scientists' careers. Publisher Eugene Garfield
is the founder of the Institute for Scientific Information. Its Current
Contents publication has been helping scientists keep track of each other's
work for decades.
April, 1998
The Medline service of the National Library of Medicine gives you (scientist or layman) unlimited access to the World's biomedical literature absolutely free! You can download summaries of articles from any of the major journals. You can learn about possible side effects on a drug. You can search for novel treatment strategies for a disease.
May, 1998
Ben Candidi performed a search of U.S. patents as part of his amateur investigation of the suspected death by poisoning. You, too, can search the U.S. Patent Office data base. My link puts you on the "Boolean Search Page." Don't be put off by the terminology. Try selecting "drug" AND "cancer." Or investigate search-by-class capabilities by knocking off portions of the URL (http address), from the right.
June, 1998
The Scientific American is the most authoritative of the popular-science magazines. Protagonist Ben Candidi enjoyed reading it between runs on his analytical instruments at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's laboratory. The article I have selected would definitely interest Ben. It discusses various male strategies for attracting females -- in selected domains of the Animal Kingdom, that is. Ben is certainly no peacock, but does he use the "intrepid guppy" strategy?
After viewing the article, you can work towards the main page by eliminating the right-hand portion of the address.
July, 1998
The Atlantic Monthly has been my favorite magazine all of my adult life. Its articles cover social, political, economic and literary issues from a systematic, intellectual point of view. As a sample, I offer links to four excerpts of Edward O. Wilson's Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (Alfred A. Knopf), featured in The Atlantic a few months ago: Excerpt 1, Excerpt 2 , Excerpt 3 , and Excerpt 4 . Wilson's thesis is that knowledge and understanding in one intellectual arena can bring rich, unexpected rewards in another. Try the idea on for size with physics and economics, or with science and religion.
August, 1998
Have you read a book or gone to a movie where terrorists are going to decimate the population of a major city by spraying a rapidly-infecting, lethal virus? Then you will remember that the hero organization was the Centers for Disease Control. Their website has a lot of interesting information, but nothing about airborne, rapid-killer viruses. But they do offer a link to the American Social Health Association which presents pages with Frequently Asked Questions about Aids and about Aids Transmission. -- A real-world problem which can be alleviated by public information.
September, 1998
One reponsibility of the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) is ensuring that a new drug is safe and effective before receiving approval. Its Center for Drug Evaluation was a 1997 winner of the Innovations in American Government Award. You can learn a lot about existing drugs and new drugs on their Drug Information Page. You may want to look up their information on Viagra, which they have recently approved. Did any of the newspaper articles or television "reports" tell you that the final efficacy assessment was by questionnaire and "diary" submitted by the subject? Did the media warn that you should not use Viagra if you are using the nitroglycerin patch or sublingual tablets?
October, 1998
Protagonist Ben Candidi is a proud member of the Mensa Society, although he does miss a lot of local meetings. (Author Dirk Wyle has never been a member, but counts a number of Mensans among his friends and acquaintances.) Mensa attracts people who rejoice in the exercise of the mind, accept mental challenges and revel in the interplay of ideas. Many members of the organization are concerned with social issues, such as the proper nurture of a "gifted" child. Check out Mary Lynn Hall's essay "The Gifted Experience" and the website of the Mensa Foundation for Gifted Children. If you would like to meet some Mensans, check out their directory of personal websites. Mensa is an international organization.
November, 1998
MOLECULAR GRAPHICS
(Excerpt from Chapter 8)
Covered by white, red and blue beads, it resembled a coral snake coiled and twisted on itself. Maria Mendez, sitting close to me, shuddered. We all peered at the screen, spellbound. The keyboard clicked and the protein molecule turned slowly on the unseen spit of a rotisserie.
"Looks ugly enough to make you sick, doesn't it?" said Dr. Al Kozinski, Professor of Pharmacology. He stood at the side of the computer screen, surveying the class through thick, heavy- framed glasses. .........
This was a description of hemoglobin visualized by a technique called molecular graphics. (TJ O'Donnell's Molecular Graphics Art Show and see representations of AZT, the HIV protease, and its complexes with inhibitory drugs in no longer on the Web.)
December, 1998
SCIENCE ON TELEVISION
The Discovery Channel has excellent scientific programming. One of Dirk's favorite programs is "The New Detectives: Forensic Scientists" which can be seen on Tuesday evenings. Each program features reenactments of three cases which were solved by scientific techniques such as DNA analysis, fiber analysis, HPLC and GC chromatography (Ben Candidi's mainstay) and others. Or, if you are in an ecological frame of mind, check out their program on the otters of the Northwest Pacific Compare it with last October's article in Science Magazine about the ecological connections between the killer whale, seal, sea otter, sea urchin and the kelp beds.
Discovery Online also presents daily science news. You can also sign up with them for an E-mail reminder for a program you want to see.
January, 1999
PHARMACOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS
The American College of Clinical Pharmacology is a professional association concerned with the practical and medical aspects of pharmacology. Its Pharmacology Links Page is a gateway to a wealth of information.
February, 1999
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
The EPA is worth a visit. You might want to check out the page giving information on drinking water quality around the country. Also of interest are their links to information and position papers on Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals which can be found in the environment.
March, 1999
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Visit the National Geographic Society. Check out the latest issue of the National Geographic Magazine. For this month, I recommend their article on the El Niño/La Niña Effect.
Or voice you opinions at their Forums. Do you agree with Walter Cronkite that network news is putting out too much fluff? And did you know about the National Geographic Channel?
April, 1999
BIOTECH: Life Sciences Resources and Reference Tools
Half of the problem of understanding scientific advances is dealing with the terminology. For the educated layman, Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary should always be the first place to go. If the puzzling term is not explained there, you may want to visit BIOTECH: Life Sciences Resources and Reference Tools, developed at Indiana University and hosted by the University of Texas. Useful tools include their dictionary, chemical acronyms, phytobiology information, bioinformatics page, and resource listings for Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Microbiology and many related disciplines.
May, 1999
BioMedNet's website and biweekly online science magazine
June-July, 1999
August, 1999
September, 1999
from the
October, 1999
Professional science journalists like Jim Kling are the vital link between the scientist and layman. Visit Jim Kling's Science Bytes and check out two of his published stories relevant to Biotechnology is Murder:
From Hypertension to Angina to Viagra: Pfizer's blockbuster molecule followed a more tortuous path than most
New Approaches to Discovery Push Research at Big Biotech
November, 1999
from the
Match wits with real medical examiners in 12 hyperlinked cases (non-forensic).
"An excellent department," Dr. Westley added. "They are affiliated with the Leicester Royal Infirmary, you know."
December, 1999
of the American University, Cairo, Egypt
Presenting Tomb KV 5, in the Valley of the Kings
Described as "the largest tomb ever found in Egypt, the greatest archaeological discovery of the century."
With clickable maps and tours of:
Ben Candidi's mentor, Geoffrey A. Westley, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner of Miami-Dade County, is an avid Egyptologist.
January, 2000
Alzheimer Diagnosis and Treatment Guide>
Medications That Have Passed FDA Approval for AD Treatment
February, 2000
a cancer research and treatment resource
With useful links to cancer centers, companies, products and treatments
March, 2000
Nature and Ecology
April, 2000
(Accepts structured inquiry and returns links to websites, Encyclopaedia Britannica Articles, magazine articles and related books.)
May, 2000
scholarly, non-commercial reviews of recent novels
June, 2000
Featured in The Scientist and at BioMednet
July & August, 2000
When Ben accepts the consultant job in "Biotechnology is Murder," he must do a quick study of "regulatory affairs"
to be able to talk with the FDA expert on Dr. Broadmoore's team. The task would have been a lot easier if he'd
had the URL of Plantation, Florida based AccuReg, Inc.
A Full-Service Regulatory Affairs Company Serving the Pharmaceutical Industry
Visit their Regulatory Affairs Forum, an efficient gateway to what's going with the Industry and the FDA. Or test
your knowledge of FDA regulations with their Quick Quiz.
September, 2000:
In the second novel, commercial development of the anti-cancer drugs might have proceeded on a less rocky course if the inventor, Dr. Tehong Moon, had engaged the services of ...
(Serving product development companies within the medical/biotech industry)
They take a company that has a biomedical technology (technology partner) and bring it together with investing partners (qualified investors, venture capitalists, or corporate investors) and with service partners who have the technical expertise to perfect and commercially develop the product.
In addition to the serious business of making money, TGN also maintains a bulletin board where biomedical entrepreneurs and other good business folk have been known to trade war stories and blow off steam.
Read Dirk's interview of TGN's president, Mario Martinez.
October, 2000:
and
(Where Art Meets Science)
November, 2000:
with
December, 2000:
with
and
January, 2001:
with
News, Company Profiles, Career Opportunities, Investment Opportunities,
Enterprise Portal and "Global Hotbeds"
Feb.-Apr., 2001:
Featuring robots, biochips, drug discovery strategies
plus
News, New Products and Career Center
May, 2001
(Scientific Graphing and Calculating)
Featuring:
Binding curves of drugs on receptors, survival curves for cancer treatment,
dose-response curves for drug effects, and "scatter-grams" for drug treatment
June, 2001
A masterpiece of cinematic story telling
based on the 1930 novel by Vladimir Nabokov
July, 2001
With:
(and much more)
August, 2001
America's premier literary magazine
Also, pick up the July/August print edition for text and critique of
Mark Twain's curious novelette "A Murder, a Mystery, and a Marriage"
(which punctures Jules Verne's hot air balloon)
and for
"A Reader's Manifesto" by R.B. Meyers
(An impassioned attack on the pretentiousness of American literary prose)
September, 2001
October, 2001
— New Media for the New Biology
A good starting point for learning everything you wanted to know about the scientific, medical and economic benefits of the Human Genome Project
Featuring the people, companies and technologies that are deciphering the human genome
(Print magazine with free subscriptions for qualified scientists)
Website with news about bioarrays (measurements of gene activity on a chip)
- and -
bioArray News
(A technical newsletter available by paid subscription)
November, 2001
Including
and
December, 2001
Friday Afternoon Radio Program On
Topical Science
On National Public Radio
January, 2002
(Weekly Science Magazine and E-Zine)
February, 2002
featuring
and
March - May, 2002
For Biomedical Scientists and Business Professionals
including
Daily Research and Industry News:
and
June, 2002
To Visit
July-August, 2002
To Visit
September, 2002
October-November, 2002
December, 2002
January, 2003
February, 2003
Magazine
and
March, 2003
April, 2003
July, 2003
Aug. & Sept., 2003
Oct. & Nov., 2003
December, 2003
January, 2004
Drug Discovery Technology
Feb.-May, 2004
June-Aug., 2004
Sept.-Nov., 2004
Clinical Research Abstracts on Topical Plants
Dec., 2004
TV Series Featuring "Sherlock Holmes with a Stethoscope"
Jan., 2005
Feb., 2005
A CBS Series, Fridays, 10:00 PM (EST)
"NUMB3RS depicts how the confluence of police work and mathematics provides unexpected revelations and answers to the most perplexing criminal questions."
Mar. - Aug., 2005
Jared Diamond
Author of
Sept. 2005
Map of Possible Flooding of New Orleans from Pre-Katrina Study by Louisiana State University
FEMA Website presenting no flooding information after the Katrina Disaster
Oct.-Nov. 2005
Bahamas.com
For Diving off Grand Bahama Island
Dec. 2005
Book Fairs and Author Presentations Brought To Your Living Room
Visit the site, browse the schedule, set your VCR, and watch at your convenience.
Jan.-Mar., 2006
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Dr. Zull combines expert knowledge of brain imaging studies and learning theory, enabling a practical understanding of the brain's learning cycle:
(1) New information is received by the sensory cortex, then
(2) Reflective observation is carried out by the integrative cortex, then
(3) Abstract hypotheses are constructed in the frontal cortex, then
(4) The new knowledge is subjected to active testing involving the motor cortex
(Bringing in new knowledge to perpetuate the cycle)
When all steps in the cycle are working well in an emotionally supportive environment, the result is continuous active learning. When any of these steps is inhibited, active learning is not achieved. Dr. Zull gives suggestions for removing these blocks using examples drawn from a long teaching career.
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Apr.-May, 2006
Jun.-Aug, 2006
"No, the Dixie Chicks are the most talented girl band on the music scene. They're not just good- looking. They can all sing, and two of them are real musicians. One plays the guitar and banjo, and I especially like the one who plays the violin and mandolin."
— Ben Candidi to Angie Sumter, in Bahamas West End Is Murder, p. 100
Sample Their Latest Album
Time Magazine's Report on the Controversy
A Column by Leonard Pitts
A Different Direction in Country Music: Rhett Akins
The Lyrics to Rhett Akins' "Kiss My Country Ass"
A free online encyclopedia with over one million entries
Sept. 2006 - Mar. 2007
Apr.-May 2007
June-Aug. 2007
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GOOGLE
TRANSLATE
Check it out.
We did and here are the test results for
ENGLISH TO SPANISH AND BACK:
I'm telling you, the life of a comedian is hard. I just flew up from
New York to be with you. Boy, are my arms tired!
Te estoy diciendo que, la vida de un cómico sea dura. Acabo
de volar para arriba de Nueva York para estar con ti. ¡El muchacho,
es mis brazos cansados!
I am saying to you that, the life of a comedian is hard. I finish flying
for above of New York being with you. The boy, is my tired arms!
ENGLISH TO GERMAN AND BACK:
A man from Mars walks into a tavern and walks up to the Wurlitzer jukebox
and says, "Hey, baby, what's a beautiful girl like you doing in a joint
like this?"
Ein Mann von Mars geht in einen Tavern und geht bis zum Wurlitzer
jukebox und sagt, „he, Baby, wie ein schönes Mädchen dich tuend
in einer Verbindung so ist."
A man of Mars goes into a Tavern and goes up to the Wurlitzer jukebox
and says, „he, baby, how a beautiful girl you is doing in a connection
so?"
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