The Open University

Seven spectacular weather events – and what causes them

17 November 2015

The weather might seem like it creates weeks of dreary, grey drizzle. But it can also put on a truly sensational – and, often, deadly – show. But what explains these explosive events? The Earth’s atmosphere is driven by heating from the Sun. Weather is the response of the atmosphere to the uneven pattern of […]

Science Beyond Fiction: OU researcher speaks at first TEDxESA Conference

12 November 2015

OU researcher from the Faculty of Science, Geraint (Taff) Morgan, was one of 12 keynote speakers at the launch of the first ever TEDx and European Space Agency (ESA) event. In his speech, entitled Down to Earth, Taff explored how technology from the Philae lander can be translated to daily life to uncover bedbugs in […]

Microbiology Society accolade for OU student

12 November 2015

An OU student has scooped a top prize for his achievements in microbiology. Michael Howard, 62, from Worcestershire, has been awarded the Undergraduate Microbiology Prize by the Microbiology Society. He’s been studying for an Open Degree with The Open University, focusing on biology, since March 2012, and was commended for the excellent progress he’s been making […]

Is processed meat safe to eat? OU academic reflects on stats

26 October 2015

Processed meat has been reclassified to sit alongside substances like asbestos and cigarettes. Does this mark the end of the ‘Full English’, or is there more to it? The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have reclassified processed meat to Group 1, alongside other products that are “carcinogenic to humans”. Professor […]

Two comets collided at low speed in the early Solar System to give rise to the distinctive ‘rubber duck’ shape of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Rosetta: Surprising results from analysis of comet gases

21 October 2015

New results from Ptolemy – the OU’s instrument on the Rosetta mission’s Philae lander – show a variance in gases coming off the comet’s surface at different locations. The new data helps researchers examine how comets are formed, and indicates that the comet was formed from different building blocks giving it a rich and diverse […]

Coloured plastic carrier bags. Image credit: Thinkstock

New biodegradable materials could replace plastic bags

5 October 2015

While shoppers in England face a 5p charge for each plastic carrier bag they use from today (5th October 2015), OU research highlights work into alternative and more environmentally friendly materials that could potentially replace them. The OU’s Integrated Waste Systems (IWS) research group is working on an ambitious partnership worth around £250,000 with a […]

Water on Mars: evidence of glaciers similar to Earth’s

30 September 2015

Researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) and The OU have found new evidence that liquid water flowed beneath a glacier on Mars, suggesting it had glaciers more like Earth’s than currently thought . The finding fuels the debate concerning Mars’ habitability and the burning question of whether other planets can sustain life. Dr Colman Gallagher […]

Oblique view of Phlegra Montes region of Mars showing remnant glacier and eskers. Credit: NASA

NASA: streaks of salt on Mars mean flowing water, and raise new hopes of finding life

30 September 2015

Salty streaks have been discovered on Mars, which could be a sign that salt water seeps to the surface in the summers. Scientists have previously observed dark streaks (see image above) on the planet’s slopes which are thought to have resulted from seeps of water wetting surface dust. Evidence of salts left behind in these […]

Padlock and code showing cyber security. Image: Thinkstock

Hackers have finally breached Apple’s security but your iPhone’s probably safe (for now)

26 September 2015

Cyber security experts recently discovered that the almost impenetrable Apple App Store had been hacked. While cyber break-ins have become routine news for many companies, Apple has long prided itself on providing technology for its phones and tablets that was incredibly secure. This was done by controlling how developers – the people who create your […]

OU News

Category: Science, maths, computing and technology