Protective Collection (#36)

Eye wash pod and goggles. This emergency eye wash pod containing sterile saline solution for use in first aid

Earths magnetosphere, artwork
Earths magnetic field. Artwork showing Earths magnetosphere (blue) in the solar wind (not to scale). The field lines originate from the poles

Lightning strike. Coloured historical infrared image of a lightning bolt striking a lightning rod on the Empire State Building, New York, USA

Antarctic ozone hole, 2006
Antarctic ozone hole. Coloured satellite image of the reduced atmospheric ozone layer over Antarctica on 13th September 2007

Arctic ozone distribution. Coloured satellite image of average total column ozone levels (amount of ozone in a column of air between the Earths surface and space) over the Arctic during January 2005

Tourists on a flood barrier, Netherlands
Tourists on a flood barrier in Zeeland, Netherlands. This is part of the Deltaworks, which consists of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, and storm surge barriers

Bangkok air pollution
Air pollution. Policeman wearing a mask to filter out particle pollution from the air he breathes as he directs the traffic. Photographed in Bangkok, Thailand

Marjoram leaf surface, SEM
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) leaf surface, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Glandular trichomes are yellow, hair-like trichomes are blue

Protected Earth, conceptual image. Pair of hands holding a toy globe

Snake tunnel. The fence guides snakes towards the tunnel under the road. This prevents them crossing the road and being killed by cars

John Glenns Mercury spacesuit on display at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC. Glenn was the first American to reach Earth orbit, in the Mercury MA-6 capsule, on 20 February 1962

Hedgerow planting. Three pacific dogwood trees (Cornus nuttallii Audubon ) planted in a hedge. Photographed in a farmers field in Norfolk, England, in autumn

Sapling protected by a plastic tube. The young tree is growing in a wood amongst abundant bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

Helen Sharmans spacesuit on display at the National Space Centre, Leicester, UK. Sharman was the first UK citizen in space

Angry mosquitoes, conceptual artwork

Earth in a jar, conceptual image

Safety shoe, artwork
Safety shoe. Computer artwork showing the structure of a shoe designed to provide maximum protection for its wearer. This includes a steel toe-cap and heavy duty sole

Radiator leak being repaired. Welding torch and solder being used to repair a leaking section of a central heating pipe connection to a radiator

Great mullein hairs, light micrograph
Great mullein hairs. Polarised light micrograph of hair-like structures, known as candelabra trichomes, from a great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) plant

Damaged Space Shuttle tiles. Protective tiles from NASAs Space Shuttle. These are low-temperature reusable surface insulation (LRSI, right) and high-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI)

Damaged Space Shuttle tile. Protective tile from NASAs Space Shuttle. This is a high-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI)

Fingernail anatomy, artwork
Artwork of the anatomy (side view) of the fingertip showing the structure of the protective fingernail. The fingernail grows from the dorsal root under the skin, and rests on germinal matrix

Haemoglobin molecule, artwork
Haemoglobin molecule. Computer artwork showing the molecular structure of haemoglobin, a metalloprotein that transports oxygen around the body in red blood cells

Meninges, artwork
Meninges. Computer artwork showing the meninges surrounding the spinal cord. The meninges are the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord

Stellate plant hair, light micrograph
Stellate plant hair. Polarised light micrograph of a stellate hair on the surface of a Deutzia scabra plant. These plant hairs (trichomes) covering the epidermis

Neutrophil engulfing fungus, SEM
Neutrophil engulfing fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell (orange) engulfing and destroying a Candida albicans (thrush) fungal hypha (green)

Macrophage attacking a foreign body, SEM
Macrophage attacking a foreign body. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a macrophage white blood cell (round, left) engulfing a Leishmania mexicana protozoan parasite (long, right)

Flame-resistant cable, with the layers successively cut away to show its structure. Sheathed in fireproof materials, this cable can resist the high temperatures generated during a fire

Nuclear fusion reactor workers
Conceptual image. In radiation and heat protected suits, technicians confer before approaching the core of an advanced future nuclear fusion reactor

Hedgehog spines, SEM
Hedgehog spines, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A spine is a modified hair made from the protein keratin. Magnification: x25 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Ear wax secretion, SEM
Ear wax secretion. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of ear wax, or cerumen, being secreted by a gland in the ear canal

Neuromuscular spindle, artwork
Neuromuscular spindle, computer artwork. This is a sensory receptor found within a skeletal muscle that detects changes in the length of the muscle

Pilots G sui
Israel, Tel Nof IAF Base, An Israeli Air force (IAF) exhibition

Caddisfly larva, SEM
Caddisfly larva. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the larva of a caddis fly (Oxyethira sp.), inside its larval case (conical)

Young Chacma baboon
Young chacma (Papio ursinus) baboon sucking its thumb.. Photographed in Western Cape, South Africa

African elephant eye and skin
Elephant eye and skin. Close up of the eye of an African elephant (Loxodonta africana). The long eyelashes are to protect the eyes from dust and insects

Pond snail egg mass, light micrograph
Pond snail egg mass. Light micrograph showing a number of great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) eggs (yellow blobs), surrounded by a jelly mass (horizontal)

Semang charm against stings, artwork
Semang charm against stings. Artwork of a magic charm against stings, incised on a bamboo stave by magicians of the Semang people of the Malay Peninsula

Environmental recycling, conceptual image. Computer artwork of a grassy landscape with a recycling symbol as the sun in a blue sky

Automatic lighthouse at Crowe Point at the tip of the Taw-Torridge Estuary, Devon, England

Pond snail egg masses, light micrograph
Pond snail egg masses. Light micrograph of the underside of a white water lily (Nymphaea alba) leaf (green), showing a number of great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) egg cases (sausage-shaped)

Huygens probe mounted on heat shield. The 1.3-metre-wide probe is at centre, with struts attaching it to a supportive framework (upper left)

Gas mask, artwork
Gas mask, computer artwork. This is worn over the face to protect the user from the effects of poison gas

Stinging nettle leaf, light micrograph
Stinging nettle leaf. Polarised light micrograph of the underside of a stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf. Two types of hairs are seen

Selection of diatoms, SEM
Selection of diatoms, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Diatoms are single-celled photosynthetic algae, of which there are about 100, 000 species

Coscinodiscus diatom, SEM
Coscinodiscus diatom. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Coscinodiscus diatom (red). This is a marine diatom

Stem cell research
MODEL RELEASED. Stem cell research. Scientist examining stem cell cultures

Biological research
MODEL RELEASED. Biological research. Scientist using a pipette to fill eppendorf vials. These are used in a wide range of biological experiments, ranging from genetic analysis to medical research

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"Guardians of the Ages: A Glimpse into Protective Forces" The enigmatic Plague Doctor, a symbol of protection during the 17th century, donned his beaked mask to shield against the deadly disease that ravaged Europe. In the serene Alaskan waters, a Northern Sea Otter mother cradles her young pup with unwavering care, showcasing nature's instinctive protective bond. Leon-Maxime Faivre's masterpiece "Deux meres (Two Mothers)" captures the essence of maternal protection and love in an exquisite 1888 artwork. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, revered polar explorer, braved treacherous icy terrains to safeguard his crew during their ill-fated Antarctic expedition - epitomizing courage and guardianship. The mysterious figure known as The Kitchen-God stands watchfully in a 1922 creation by an unknown artist - believed to protect households from harm and ensure prosperity. As waves crash against its sturdy structure, the Netherlands' flood barrier shields communities from devastating floods; engineering marvels standing tall for collective safety. Delicate yet resilient diatoms under electron microscopy reveal intricate patterns that serve as natural armor for these microscopic organisms - nature's ingenious self-protection mechanism. A captivating Netsuke sculpture depicts a demon queller guarding against malevolent forces; crafted during Japan's Meiji Period as talismans offering spiritual protection. Floating effortlessly on tranquil Alaskan waters, a Northern Sea Otter rests serenely while relying on its thick fur coat for insulation and defense against cold elements. X-ray artwork unveils skeletal structures beneath our skin - reminding us how our bodies are protected by this hidden fortress of bones throughout our lives. Firefighters embody bravery and selflessness as they battle raging infernos to protect lives and property from devastation caused by merciless flames.