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Latest Science OpenLearn units

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URL: http://www.open.edu/openlearn/rss/content/673
Updated: 31 min 47 sec ago
  • Analytical science: Secrets of the Mary Rose
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit teaches you about the analytical techniques that are used in the research and investigation of historical objects using the case study of the Mary Rose. It covers the use of sonar to locate shipwrecks, and the analysis of the artefacts found on the ship, and the crew and their remains. First published on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 as Analytical science: Secrets of the Mary Rose. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2013
  • Watching the weather
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit describes how meteorological observations are made looking upwards from the surface of the Earth, looking downwards from satellites in space and from aircraft and balloons within the atmosphere. This international network of observations is vital for scientists and forecasters and the results impact on everyone’s’ daily activities. First published on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 as Watching the weather. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2013
  • Transport and sustainability
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit explores the issues around sustainable transport and how the role of technology and society can interact to lower the overall impact of transport. First published on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 as Transport and sustainability. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2013
  • Microbes – friend or foe?
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    Microbes often get a bad name. Whilst some of them do cause disease, others play vital roles in recycling nutrients in the soil to enable plants to grow, and in breaking down human waste. Without microbes, we would have no beer, no yoghurt, no coffee. That’s quite impressive for something too small to see. First published on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 as Microbes – friend or foe?. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2013
  • Public health approaches to infectious disease
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit reviews the current global burden of infectious disease, the public health strategies that are reducing the impact of some major infections and the challenges facing national and international organisations in preventing illness and death caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. First published on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 as Public health approaches to infectious disease. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2013
  • Unclear about nuclear?
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    The unit will provide an opportunity for young people (18+) who are interested but unsure about entering the nuclear industry to develop their learning about nuclear energy, improve their study and maths skills in a nuclear context and investigate further training (within and beyond the OU) and employment opportunities in the industry. First published on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 as Unclear about nuclear?. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • The frozen planet
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit is a general introduction to the frozen planet, including the temperature in the polar regions; the energy from the Sun and the seasons; reading and understanding graphs and maps; and how the Arctic and Antarctic regions are defined. First published on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 as The frozen planet. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2011
  • Detecting Down’s syndrome in the unborn fetus
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    Down's syndrome is the condition that is screened for the most in pregnant women because of the increased risk with the increasing age of mothers. This unit describes several bioanalytical tests, and how these are used in conjunction with scans to screen and diagnose the condition. First published on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 as Detecting Down’s syndrome in the unborn fetus. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Introduction to microscopy
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    The unit provides an introduction to microscopy and the operation of a simple light microscope, of the type found in histology units and teaching laboratories. It outlines different methods used for preparing and staining tissue sections for microscopy, and explains how different stains can be used to identify particular cells, pathogens and anatomical structures. First published on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 as Introduction to microscopy. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Introduction to histopathology
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit provides an introduction to the subject of histopathology and outlines how the appearance of different tissues changes due to damage, inflammation, infection or degeneration and how microscopy can aid in the diagnosis of disease. First published on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 as Introduction to histopathology. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Introduction to histology
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit provides an introduction to histology, the study of tissues. It also describes how histology can aid in the diagnosis of disease and explains how histology services are organised within a hospital. First published on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 as Introduction to histology. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Galaxies, stars and planets
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit is a general introduction to galaxies, stars and planets, including scale of the universe from the very large to the very small; orbits and gravity; the Solar System; the Sun and other stars; galaxies and the composition of astronomical objects. First published on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 as Galaxies, stars and planets. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Test kits for water analysis
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit steps outside the laboratory to look at some examples of analytical procedures being carried out in the field using commercial test kits. These quick tests provide results on-site, extending the options available to analysts. The methods used are chemical or microbiological in nature, made portable by microelectronics. First published on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 as Test kits for water analysis. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Living without oil
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    Crude oil is currently our most important global source of energy. It is vital in the manufacture of many modern materials. But the world's supply of oil is finite, its price is unstable and our reliance on oil has damaging environmental consequences. This unit explains why developing alternatives to oil is an essential and urgent task for humanity. First published on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 as Living without oil. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Energy resources: An introduction to energy resources
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    Energy resources are essential for any society, be it one dependent on subsistence farming or an industrialised country. There are many different sources of energy, some well-known such as coal or petroleum, others less so, such as tides or the heat inside the Earth. Is nuclear power a salvation or a nightmare? This unit provides background information to each resource, so that you can assess them for yourself. First published on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 as Energy resources: An introduction to energy resources. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • The evolving Universe
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    The ‘Big Bang’ is said to be the origin of our Universe. This unit will help you to comprehend what happened in the moments immediately after the Big Bang and during the initial cooling period. You will also gain an understanding of how this event turned in to the Universe we live in today. First published on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 as The evolving Universe. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Water use and the water cycle
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a sustainable source of water for the future. First published on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 as Water use and the water cycle. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Earth's physical resources: petroleum
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    The discovery of of the world's first major underground oilfield in Pennsylvania, USA in 1859 sparked the continuing era of the world's reliance on cheap energy from oil and gas. This unit begins by examining the geological characteristics of petroleum and the key ingredients necessary to form oil and gas accumulations. Then there is a brief description of industrial operations during the life cycle of an oilfield, starting with subsurface analysis and exploration drilling. The unit also highlights the role of safety and environmental management as an integral part of the petroleum business and concludes with a short review of global resources and non-conventional petroleum. First published on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 as Earth's physical resources: petroleum. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2012
  • Influenza: A case study
    Tue, 09/07/2013 - 10:06
    This unit explores the biology of influenza, covering a range of topics including: the virus, infection, replication, mutation, immune responses, pathology, surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. First published on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 as Influenza: A case study. To find out more visit The Open University's Openlearn website. Creative-Commons 2011

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