Munching on Strange Chemicals. Microbes that devour or otherwise help break down exotic chemicals are cleaning up the environment, spawning new technologies, and deepening our understanding of microbial life. The site focuses on the reactions that begin to break down compounds not commonly found in nature, for example, those involving naphthalene, the stuff of mothballs. For information on the more common metabolic pathways that complete the breakdown, the site links to databases such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes .
All data display their pedigrees, and a guided tour helps first time visitors find their way around.
26 May 2000 Free Stats. Practically every scientist uses statistics. Thanks to VassarStats, created by psychologist Richard Lowry of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, anyone can now use the most popular statistical tests to analyze their data free of charge. Users can type in numbers or import data from a spreadsheet. The site also features simulations and demonstrations to teach statistical principles.