ABSTRACT
How do you first learn about an interesting topic in biology? Is it in a lecture? A book? From a newspaper article or a conversation? Or do you observe it yourself in the laboratory or during a walk in the woods? However you first learn about a topic, you may wish to learn more and the early steps in this journey should include a search of the medical and scientific literature. Here you find a virtual mountain of past observations, experiments, discussions, comparisons, speculations, and explanations about our world. The benefits of consulting past observations are too numerous to list but include saving you time by directing your next steps to understanding. Do you make more observations, or have they already taken place? Do you care to repeat them, or do you build on past accomplishments? You have entered the field of science because you are naturally curious, and want explanations, so why not learn from thousands who have walked before you?
