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Biochemistry

The chemistry of poppies: colours and opium

11 November is Remembrance Day. As the flowers that grew on the battlefields of WWI, poppies are used as the symbol for this day. This graphic takes a look at the chemical compounds behind their colours, as well as some of the useful medical compounds that can be obtained from different types of poppies.

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Biochemistry Medicinal Chemistry

What’s in an epidural? – Medications for labour and birth

As you might have picked up from previous pregnancy-related posts on the site (here and here), my wife and I have been expecting our first child. During labour and birth, terms like ‘epidural’, ‘gas and air’ and ‘induction of labour’ get thrown around, but what specific drugs do these involve? How do they work? What […]