1.   Almost every plant has an educational role, like the hardy rubber trees from China, whose latex-filled leaves provide a defense against insects.

2.   And Bryan Berard, Kenny Jonsson and the other blue-liners provided sturdy defense.

3.   Bill Ripken provides defense, but he remains a question mark because of recurring back trouble.

4.   Chinese scientists have also contended that testing could help provide defenses against the threat of killer asteroids.

5.   Derek Fisher remains the starting point guard, but Harper will provide defense off the bench and constant tutoring.

6.   ECPA provides a defense for AOL, said David L. Sobel, a lawyer with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a privacy rights group.

7.   Flavonoids may also discourage blood clots from forming, thus providing some defense against heart attacks and strokes.

8.   Gil, who needed only to provide adequate defense to stay as the starter, proved unreliable.

9.   Getting better After a shaky beginning, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek is settling in at his new position and providing solid defense.

10.   In a blending of his specialties, Kendall recently provided defense of Ms. Deans in a libel suit brought by someone who felt defamed in one of her complaints.