Recently, Wired Magazine featured a gallery of the 2012 winners of the Small World microscope photography contest. The images are so breathtaking, we wanted to share some of our favorites with you in the name of science…click here to view the full gallery.

“Every year for nearly four decades, Nikon has received hundreds of entries in its Small World microscope photography contest. Every year, the images are more amazing, and this year’s winners — selected from nearly 2,000 submissions — are undoubtedly the best yet.”

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Algae over a leaf

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The blood-brain barrier in a live zebrafish embryo

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Stinging nettle trichome on leaf vein

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Cacoxenite (mineral)

original gallery posted here” http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/10/nikon-small-world-winners/?pid=5130