2,733 search results
Heaven: What might it be like?
History & The Arts

Heaven: What might it be like?

...Studies we are interested in what people have understood heaven to be and the real-world effects of these beliefs. What does a particular vision of a more perfect world inspire people to do and create? Infamously, promises of paradise have motivated Islamic fighters to desire martyrdom. For example, potential recruits into Lashkar-e Taiba, a Pakistani group trying to...
View article Heaven: What might it be like?
Article 10 mins
Why are black and white cats black and white? And why are there piebald horses?
Science, Maths & Technology

Why are black and white cats black and white? And why are there piebald horses?

...study of a wide range of serious embryonic disorders in humans, including diseases affecting hearing, vision, digestion and the heart. Piebaldism usually manifests as white areas of fur, hair or skin due to the absence of pigment-producing cells in those regions. These areas usually arise on the front of an animal, commonly on the belly and the forehead. Piebald patterns...
View article Why are black and white cats black and white? And why are there piebald horses?
Article 5 mins
Can microplastics find their way onto your plate?
Nature & Environment

Can microplastics find their way onto your plate?

...studies show that water treatment plants are effectively removing microplastics from wastewater. However, the microplastics removed from water are concentrated in sludge, which is commonly used as fertiliser by farmers. Once microplastics are in soil they may be translocated and further degraded, they may leach into groundwater, and even be taken up by plants and...
View article Can microplastics find their way onto your plate?
Article 10 mins
The Life of Socrates
History & The Arts

The Life of Socrates

...studied music, gymnastics, and grammar in his youth (the common subjects of study for a young Greek) and followed his father's profession as a sculptor. Tradition holds that he was an exceptional artist, and his statue of the Graces, on the road to the Acropolis, is said to have been admired into the 2nd century CE. Socrates served with distinction in the army and, at the...
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Article 5 mins
Speed of Arctic changes defies scientists
Nature & Environment

Speed of Arctic changes defies scientists

...study led by Dr Julie Jones, from the department of geography at the University of Sheffield, UK, says limited data on Antarctica’s climate is making it difficult for researchers to disentangle changes caused by human activity from natural climate fluctuations. It was only when regular satellite observations began in 1979 that measurement of surface climate over the...
View article Speed of Arctic changes defies scientists
Article 10 mins
How to start a course
Get Started

How to start a course

...study. OpenLearn courses cover a wide range of subjects taught across the OU curriculum. Many are based on Open University course materials while others are written specifically for OpenLearn. All of our courses enable you to earn a Statement of participation and some also allow you to earn a free digital badge. You can use your badge or Statement of participation to...
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Article 10 mins
The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable
Nature & Environment

The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable

...studied tendency of how many people perceive human migrants.Taking an Aesopian view of this story, Belushya Guba may be a fable of animals fighting for their survival in a dystopian climate change conflict with humans. Under current climate change projections, there may not be a happy ending to this morality tale. Bearish instincts and their ability to plan and act...
View article The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable
Article 15 mins
6 ways to make your voice heard in Wales
Society, Politics & Law

6 ways to make your voice heard in Wales

...skills or experiences, you may event want to put yourself forward to help lead an organisation. Some (for example, specialist roles on the leadership committees of membership organisations) are by election, while others (such as positions on boards of trustees) are by appointment. Our colleagues at the Wales Council for Voluntary Action can offer a lot of information...
View article 6 ways to make your voice heard in Wales
Article 5 mins