This page displays the number of entries (articles) in PubMed (Medline) published every year, that conform to search strategy (such as a phrase) you enter.
Second Life alternative. 3DXplorer is a web3D platform for collaboration meeting conferencing. Free option. Works on UoL campus! Java-based, a bit slow to load.
"For adoption of new technologies in science, it has to be an order of magnitude more useful than current tools. We just don’t have the time to waste learning new tools that only marginally increase our productivity." Discussion: http://friendfeed.com/science-2-0/bceaea67/scientists-still-not-joining-social-networks
Basic service is free and lets you create up to 2 forums and 2 sub forums. You also get 100MB for file attachments (like pictures uploaded by users). You can also pay $25 to $75 a month for more storage space and the ability to create and manage more forums.
U. Pfeil, and P. Zaphiris. Computers in Human Behavior, 25 (5):
1139 - 1155(2009)Including the Special Issue: Design Patterns for Augmenting E-Learning Experiences.