The Open University

New, Earth-sized planet found in habitable zone

15 April 2020

A team of scientists from around the world have discovered an Earth-size exoplanet orbiting in its star’s habitable zone, the area around a star where a rocky planet could support liquid water. Scientists from The Open University, NASA, University of Texas, SETI Institute and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discovered a new planet, called Kepler-1649c, […]

Coronavirus: the meaning behind the figures

3 April 2020

Dr Helen Wimalarathna, an infectious disease epidemiologist at The Open University, explains the figures behind the coronavirus outbreak. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, it can feel as though we are being bombarded with statistics. A few early cases have turned into thousands, the number of deaths globally has passed 35,000. The scale of the […]

OU awarded €393,000 from EU emergency fund to combat false COVID-19 information

1 April 2020

An Open University (OU) researcher has been awarded €393,000 from a European Union (EU) emergency fund to track the spread of misinformation about coronavirus (COVID-19) on social media platforms. Harith Alani, Professor of Web Science at the OU, received funding from EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) for the Health Emergency Response in Interconnected Systems (HERoS) project. […]

Music in a virtual fashion is just as ‘good for the soul’

31 March 2020

As the pandemic controls mean a necessary shutdown of live music events, artists and venues around the world have been finding alternative, virtual ways to entertain and uplift their audiences. Which is hugely positive, says Dr Rosemary Golding, Senior Lecturer in Music, because music is important for our wellbeing. Residents around the world, including Italy, […]

OU researchers discover ancient water reservoirs inside Mars

30 March 2020

A team of researchers, including scientists from The Open University (OU), have discovered ancient water reservoirs inside the mantle of Mars. OU researchers Professor Mahesh Anand, Dr Ian Franchi, Dr Susanne Schwenzer and Dr Jessica Barnes, a former student at the OU and an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, worked as part of […]

OU awarded £2.5 million to further success in planetary sciences

30 March 2020

The Open University (OU) has received £2.5 million from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to fund research in planetary sciences, building on the university’s 50 years in space science. Scientists from the School of Physical Sciences have been awarded the grant to further their research in the origin and evolution of the Solar […]

OU scientists make hand sanitiser to support frontline professionals in Milton Keynes

27 March 2020

The Open University (OU) is supporting local efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by producing much-needed hand sanitiser for healthcare professionals in Milton Keynes. With the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been unprecedented demand for hand sanitiser from the public and across the healthcare landscape, which has caused a national shortage. Scientists from […]

Elderly mother and daughter use computer

How to use technology to combat social isolation in older people

26 March 2020

Shailey Minocha, Professor of Learning Technologies and Social Computing at The Open University, writes about how the use of technology and coping strategies can combat social isolation in people over 70. The world has changed since coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced. Although the situation may be temporary, we realise that things will be different from now on. […]

Pregnant woman, holding in hands bouquet of daisy. Image credit: Thinkstock

Perinatal anxiety: one in five women experience it – but many still suffer alone before or after childbirth

24 March 2020

Becoming a parent is usually celebrated as a happy time. But it can often be stressful and overwhelming, too. While some anxiety at this time is normal, around one in five women may experience something called perinatal anxiety during their pregnancy through the first year after giving birth. This condition is characterised by high levels […]

Alone together – Mothering Sunday in the times of COVID-19

22 March 2020

In this piece psychology academics, including The Open University’s Dr Lisa Lazard and Dr Rose Capdevila look at how despite the social isolation brought about by the coronavirus, there are positive ways that people can think about connecting on social media with their mothers and loved ones on Mothering Sunday but also some of the […]

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