Sites of interest on the World Wide Web
Share Protocols, Reagent Inventories, Ordering Lists, and Instrument Scheduling
A unique and free new Web site has been established at www.quartzy.com that serves as a centralized repository for your laboratory information. Here, a PI can establish a lab presence and have each lab member join. On the site, a lab’s reagent inventory can be kept (handy MS Excel templates are provided), as can protocols, links to ordering information, and reagent stock information. Other sites that are similar have been highlighted in NetResults, but only Quartzy: Research Quickly! offers a unique utility whereby other users can be designated as lab mates or colleagues. The differentiation allows access to different levels of inventory detailing or scheduling services. For example, the site allows lab appliances and instruments to be added to a list whereby use-scheduling can be accessed by either lab mates, colleagues, or anyone at your institution. Also very handy is the ability to search colleagues’ inventories (and to allow yours to be searched) and make single-click requests for shared materials. Quartzy seems to be getting off the ground, and the clean interface and unique functionalities makes it a breeze to use. Check it out!
Find a Flu Shot Quickly!
The American Lung Association allows you to find local sources for seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccines using the search tool at: www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/influenza/flu-clinic-locator/
Two Sources for Influenza Information and Updates
As highlighted in this issue of MI, Jonas Salk, more widely known for the polio vaccine, also worked on the prevention of influenza. The flu season has been upon us for some time now, and the media reports the progress of flu cases with every news report, especially the most recent variant of H1N1. Two Web sites provide useful information about immunization suggestions, the spread of the flu, and, of course, prevention tips. The Immunization Action Coalition (www.immunize.org) provides handy links to FDA statements, educational videos about vaccine production, and articles to address vaccine concerns. www.influenza.com Another informational site is located at www.influenza.com, which provides information and links to current news stories.
A Little Free Time?
In this month’s MI, in Stanley Scheindlin’s article on Jonas Salk’s work on influenza, he mentions a new Web game called “The Great Flu.” This free online game can be found at www.thegreatflu.com. It’s a fun diversion of strategy, resource management, and a little epidemiology. Another fun game, more in the “arcade shooter” style, is called Swinefighter: a tongue-in-cheek game of injecting flying pigs with some sort of flu-fighting drug. This quick game can be found at www.swinefighter.com.
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