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Category: Science, maths, computing and technology

Telescope in space

OU receives grant to develop pioneering analytical centre

The OU is to receive £750k to develop the Wolfson Analytical Centre, a world-class research facility with an initial focus on planetary, environmental and space sciences. The first project ‘The Environmental Boundaries of Life’, will bring together academic expertise to ask one of our most fundamental questions: are life and habitable environments unique to Earth? […]

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NASA photograph of Planet Pluto

Nasa considers sending swimming robots to habitable ‘ocean worlds’ of the Solar System

David Rothery, The Open University Nasa has recently announced US$600,000 (£495,000) in funding for a study into the feasibility of sending swarms of miniature swimming robots (known as independent micro-swimmers) to explore oceans beneath the icy shells of our Solar System’s many “ocean worlds”. But don’t imagine metal humanoids swimming frog-like underwater. They will probably […]

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New study reveals Atlantic Ocean abyss was once as warm as the Mediterranean, highlighting the astonishing impact of climate change

New study reveals Atlantic Ocean abyss was once as warm as the Mediterranean, highlighting the astonishing impact of climate change

A new study of ancient ocean temperatures, published today in Science, shows that the abyssal Atlantic Ocean was once a truly balmy 20 °C – warmer even than the surface of the modern Mediterranean Sea. Scientists, including Dr Philip Sexton of the OU, say the new data, spanning the last 60 million years, show the […]

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OU academic joins international team of experts to advise on samples to be returned from Mars

OU academic joins international team of experts to advise on samples to be returned from Mars

A select group of researchers from across the world – including a STEM academic at the OU –will investigate the scientific potential of Mars rock and sediment samples gathered by space explorations. The Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group has been established by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) to bring together 16 researchers who […]

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The trailblazing women in engineering

The trailblazing women in engineering

It’s no secret that the engineering sector has traditionally seen more men than women climbing the ladder. Despite this, science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) industries have come a long way in encouraging and supporting women into historically ‘male’ education and career paths. To celebrate this and mark this year’s International Women in Engineering Day […]

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Greenwashing: how ads get you to think brands are greener than they are – and how to avoid falling for it

Greenwashing: how ads get you to think brands are greener than they are – and how to avoid falling for it

Brands have several tricks up their sleeves to convince ad viewers their products are sustainable. Here three academics from The Open University: Morteza Abolhasani, lecturer in marketing,  Gordon Liu, Professor of Marketing Strategy  and Zahra Golrokhi, Lecturer in Engineering, give their views.  Ads are ubiquitous in many people’s lives, whether on billboards across our cities or […]

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future looking

OU academic among next generation of research leaders awarded funds to address global issues

The OU’s Dr Tracie Farrell has been announced among 84 promising future leaders as part of a sweep of research and innovation awarded fellowships given funding totalling £98 million. These 84 most promising science and research leaders will benefit from £97.8m to tackle major global issues and to commercialise their innovations in the UK, Science […]

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Abstract background with stars

Gaia mission: five insights astronomers could glean from its latest data

Adam McMaster, PhD Candidate, Astronomy and Andrew Norton, Professor of Astrophysics Education, both from The Open University have written a piece for The Conversation about the new data from the Gaia mission. The European Space Agency’s (Esa) Gaia mission has just released new data. The Gaia satellite was launched in 2013, with the aim of […]

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Ground-breaking number of brown dwarf stars discovered

Ground-breaking number of brown dwarf stars discovered

An international team led by researchers from The Open University and the University of Bern have directly imaged a remarkable four new brown dwarfs thanks to a new innovative search method. Brown dwarfs are mysterious astronomical objects straddling the line between stars and planets and are essential to our understanding of both stellar and planetary […]

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Animated image of dinosaurs

Prehistoric Planet: TV show asked us to explore what weather the dinosaurs lived through

Robert Spicer from The Open University; Alex Farnsworth from University of Bristol and Paul Valdes from University of Bristol write for The Conversation about the new TV series, Prehistoric Planet. When conjuring up images of when dinosaurs ruled the planet we often think of hot and humid landscapes in a world very different from our own. However, the new […]

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