Gifts for Microbiologists

Sure it's a bit late for Christmas, but bookmark this for next year: Tales from the Microbial Laboratory's annual list of Gifts for that Special Microbiologist. The suggestions range from Winogradsky Column Kits to microbial jewelry to Agar Art. Something for everyone.

DVICE's Best Gadget Guides

DVICE has rounded up the best - and worst - holiday gadget gift guides of 2008.

Their top 5:

• CNET Holiday Gift Guide 2008
• Uncle mark's Gift Guide & Almanac 2009
• Bornrich Gift Guide: Wow Gifts
• Holiday "DO WANT!" Gift Guide 2008 from Yanko Design
• Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Camcorders

National Chemistry Week Gear

National Chemistry Week is October 19-25, so there's still time to order some chem pride gear from the American Chemical Society. This year's theme is "Having a Ball With Chemistry", so have some fun!

Shown above: Women's "Proud to be a Chemist" Hoodie, Meg A. Mole Plush Doll, Women's Baby Doll T-Shirt, Plastic Flasks.
See the ACS web site for the full selection of sizes and many more chem-related items.

Space Camp Barbie

If your girl geek loves both Barbie and exploring outer space, she might just love the limited edition Space Camp Barbie (and friends Teresa and Nikki too). 

Space Camp uses space to excite and educate children in the fields of math science and technology. Teamwork, self-confidence and communication are achieved through state-of-the-art simulations, missions, rocket building and robotics.

From learning about Space Shuttle Systems and life aboard the Orbiter and Space Station, to trying out space food and learning how to sleep in space. These customized dolls come complete with a space camp suit, t-shirt, helmet and jacket.

Space Camp Barbie can be ordered directly from the Space Camp shop.

(via Women in Science)

Parasites Unleashed!

Zygote Games has released a cool new card game based on real world parasites.

Become one of life's ultimate insiders! In PARASITES UNLEASHED! you control a wily parasite, racing to complete your life cycle, mate, and lay eggs before your opponents. Do all the entertainingly gross things real parasites do -- bore into vital organs, hide inside a blood cell, hitch a ride inside a mosquito, even take over your host's brain! But beware, because your enemies can add stages to your life cycle, and zap you with medicine!

You can feel what it's like to be one of the most gross and powerful creatures on Earth! The game is for players age 8 and up.

(via The Loom)

Kikkerland Anatomical Puzzle Toys

Kikkerland Design makes unique quality toys and gadgets. Among their items are a series of detailed  anatomical models that are also puzzle games. If you take apart the man, will you be able to put him back together? 

(via BoingBoing)

Pocket Enigma Machine

The Enigma machine was the cipher machine used to encrypt and decrypt secret messages by the Nazi Germany during WWII. Allied cryptologists working in Bletchley Park in the UK were eventually able to break the cipher, which provided significant information and may have hastened the end of the war by at least two years.  While newer encryption technology is now used, you can own a little bit of history with the Pocket Enigma machine: 

Designed exclusively for and only available through Bletchley Park, Pocket Enigma is a little cipher machine with a single wheel that rotates on the CD mount in a compact disk case. It works on exactly the same principles as the real Enigma machine used by the German armed forces during WW II.

If you get two, you and your girl geek could exchange secret messages that almost no one would be able to decipher.

(via BoingBoing)

Chemists at the Beach

Even the most dedicated chemist can't spend every moment in the lab, especially when the weather is hot.  Now you can display your chem pride even when you are at the beach or swimming pool, with these summer items from the American Chemical Society: 

Periodic Table Beach Towel	Molar Beach Ball

And to carry your gear, try one of these chemistry totes from Zazzle: 

Spectrum Synthesis by Raftiinstitute

Periodic table for organic chemists by jkingiv

Caffeine by auraclover

Venus Flytrap Bug Catcher

The Discovery Channel store sells this nifty Venus Fly Trap-shaped bug catcher. 
* You set the trap, and it catches the bugs
* Motion activated sensor detects when a bug has entered the chamber, and snaps the mouth shut
* Bait your trap to attract insects
* Transfer insects to your habitats, or release them

(via DVICE)