Images Dated 3rd March 2004

Infected bee, SEM

Diseased bee. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a honeybee (Apis mellifera) infected with mites (Varroa sp., not seen). The mites cause a disease called varroatosis, which often results in deformed wings. Honeybee mites feed on the body fluid of adult bees and their pupae. Female mites lay their eggs inside the wax brood cells that contain larvae. There, the mites can cause significant damage to a bee's development, as seen here. Infestation of a hive with mites can cause eventual destruction of the colony. Honeybees are economically important as pollinators of many of the world's crops

© VOLKER STEGER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Artwork of otitis media middle ear infection

Otitis media. Artwork of the middle ear affected by otitis media. Otitis media is an inflammation due to an upper respiratory tract infection moving up the eustachian tube (far left) which joins the middle ear to the nasal cavity. The three tiny ear bones (ossicles, white) which transmit sound to the inner ear are: the malleus (upper centre), the incus (upper right) and the stapes (lower right). The infection causes blockage of the tube and a build-up of pus (yellow) behind the eardrum (red, lower left). This causes ear pain, impaired hearing and fever. In some cases the eardrum may burst, relieving the pain. The infection can usually be cleared up with antibiotics

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Venices MOSE flood barrier

Venice's MOSE flood barrier, computer model. The MOSE project is designed to protect Venice, Italy, from extreme floods. Six barriers, each measuring 5x20x30 metres, are seen here. A total of 79 will be built across the three inlets to the lagoon surrounding the island of Venice. The barriers are normally full of water and lie flat on the seabed. When the water level rises, air is pumped into the barriers, and they rise on hinges to form a row. They are designed to prevent floods up to 2 metres high. Such extreme floods, mainly due to winds and tides, are predicted to worsen due to global warming. Initial MOSE construction began in 2003, and the gates will be built from 2006-2011

© SEYMOUR / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY