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  • Article

A graveyard of plants for the people I love

Searching for her own ceremony to acknowledge the passing of her grandmother, Jennifer Neal turned to plants. The ritual she created was personal and loving, and celebrated life as well as acknowledging loss.

  • Article

Navigating in a connected world

Alex Lee ponders the promising ideas, stalled projects and pricey gadgets that aim to help visually impaired people get out and about. But it seems that an actual human could be the essential ingredient.

  • Article

The joys and failures of audio description

Audio description enhances the experience of watching a film or TV show for people with a visual impairment, but it's not widely available in the UK. Alex Lee explains why.

  • Article

The seizure dog

Aparna Nair's dog Charlie made her feel safe in the world. His uncanny ability to sense when she was about to experience a seizure also gave her an unexpected ally in her struggles with epilepsy.

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Images

  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • The community responds : AIDS / prepared for the 3rd National Conference - Local Government and Community Development by the Department of Community Services and Health.
  • Catharanthus roseus (L.)G.Don Apocynaceae. Madagascar Periwinkle Distribution: Madagascar. It is the source of vincristine and vinblastine, which impair cell multiplication by interfering with microtubule assembly, causing metaphase arrest and are effective medications for leukaemias, lymphomas and some solid tumours. The mortality from childhood leukaemia fell from 100% to 30% once it was introduced - not a drug that could ethically be tested by double-blind trials. These chemicals were initially discovered by investigators in 1958 who were looking for cures for diabetes so tested this plant which was being used in the West Indies to reduce blood sugar levels. There are 70 different alkaloids present in this plant, and some - catharanthine, leurosine sulphate, lochnerine, tetrahydroalstonine, vindoline and vindolinine - lower blood sugar levels. However, the toxicity of this plant is such that this is not a plant to try at home for diabetic management. The vincristine content of the plant is 0.0003%, so two kilograms of leaf are required to produce sufficient vincristine for a single course of treatment for a child (6gm). Fortunately it is a vigorous weed and easy to grow in the tropics. Artificial synthesis has now been achieved. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • A woman's face with the question: "If I am HIV positive, do you still think I'm pretty - tell me yes"; advertisment for the SIDA Info Service by the Agence Français de lutte contre le SIDA. Colour lithograph.
  • Native American children in a variety of poses suggesting blindness and hiding representing a warning that we isolate ourselves from HIV/AIDS; advertisement about AIDS education and clinical services for native Indian women and children by the Seattle Indian Health Board. Colour lithograph.
  • The face of a woman against a black background bearing the red lettering: "Dass das Leben zu ende Sein kann, noch ehe es begonnen hat, mag für dich unvorstellebar Sein; für mich aber wird es ... zur realitä'; an advertisement for an Ecumenical service at the Protestant Episocopal Church in Bischofszell on Sunday, 29 August on the theme of: 'AIDS - a punishment from God? by Pastors H. Miller and M. Keller with representatives of AIDS-Hilfe Thurgau. Colour lithograph.
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