The Open University

Farewell to Philae?

16 February 2016

How do you say goodbye to a valued colleague with whom you have worked closely for almost two decades? Maybe there is a farewell party, a collection for a gift, a bunch of flowers? If the colleague is moving to an exciting new post, the affair is usually joyful, possibly tinged with envy as well […]

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Gravitational waves, scientific theories and wobbly bits

15 February 2016

In a style all of her own, Professor Monica Grady took part in a radio panel discussion covering everything from gravitational waves and scientific theories to wobbly bits. On Broadcasting House, the Radio 4 magazine style programme on Sunday mornings, Professor Grady was joined by fellow scientist Professor John Butterworth from University College London. They […]

OU research student names ridge on planet Mercury

8 February 2016

PhD student mapping features on the planet’s surface Large ridge is as long as distance from London to Liverpool In May you can observe Mercury yourself as it transits the Sun A large ridge on Mercury, the length of the distance between London and Liverpool, has been named ‘Unity’ after the ship which took Edmond […]

The Department of Physical Sciences laboratory with two female scientists representing diversity

The OU Department of Physical Sciences receives top diversity award

5 February 2016

The OU Department of Physical Sciences is one of just two departments from UK universities to receive a top award this week for its dedication to diversity and equality. The Institute of Physics’ (IOP) Project Juno Champion award recognises and rewards departments that promote gender equality. The OU Department of Physical Sciences has demonstrated its […]

30 years on: what the Challenger disaster meant for our race into space

28 January 2016

It was one of those moments you’ll never forget. Thirty years ago, the Challenger space shuttle exploded 73 seconds after launch. In an instant, a dream became a tragedy – and all because a small, simple seal had failed in the right solid rocket booster. I remember the event well. I had a dark cubbyhole […]

Are personal computers on their way out?

21 January 2016

As the media reports a record fall in sales of personal computers, Andrew Smith, Senior Lecturer in Networking at The Open University, writes about the changing needs and wants of consumers when it comes to tech… As global technology media lament the record decline in Personal Computer (PC) sales, I am sitting here in my […]

Open University women honoured in Royal Astronomical Society portraits

18 January 2016

100 years ago women finally won the right to be elected to fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society. To celebrate this anniversary, the society has commissioned 21 portraits of leading women in contemporary astronomy, which includes three academics from The Open University – more than any other institution represented. […]

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

‘50% increased risk of miscarriage’ due to thrush drug? OU statistician reveals the real risk to pregnant women

12 January 2016

Professor Kevin McConway, Professor of Applied Statistics, writes about the numbers behind the headlines and reveals the real risk of miscarriage to pregnant women who are taking a particular drug to treat thrush is nowhere near 50%… A recent article in the Daily Mail with the worrying headline “Pregnant women who take drug to treat […]

The magical Solar System discoveries we made in 2015

24 December 2015

It has been a busy year for Solar System exploration – and particularly our galactic neighbourhood’s small icy bodies. Comets, asteroids, Kuiper Belt Objects and planetary satellites have all been in the news – from stunning images of comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko at the start of the year, to the recent close-up of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, […]

Methane emissions in Arctic cold season higher than expected

22 December 2015

A major new study has found that, contrary to previous assumptions, the Arctic tundra releases at least as much methane during its cold season as it does during the summer. The study led by San Diego State University (SDSU) found that far more methane is escaping from Arctic tundra during the cold months when the […]

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Category: Science, maths, computing and technology