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Can comedy change your life?
Health, Sports & Psychology

Can comedy change your life?

...Open University's Psychology courses Maeve Higgins once set herself a task. The Irish-born comedian wanted to see what life would be like if she stopped laughing at things that weren’t funny. Turns out it wasn’t as easy as she thought. “It was so effing hard,” she says. “Laughter is a lubricant and is expected, and it’s really hard not to do it.” It’s...
Explainer: how hostile is space?
Science, Maths & Technology

Explainer: how hostile is space?

...Open University, explains more...Space may seem calm, but it is a more hostile environment than that on Earth. Invisible radiation is a big problem for space enthusiasts and scientific instruments. Substituting electronic devices to do human tasks reduces risk, but it doesn’t eliminate all risk. Every active device in space is dealing with such risks right now – be it...
Iron from the sky: Meteors, meteorites and ancient culture
Science, Maths & Technology

Iron from the sky: Meteors, meteorites and ancient culture

...Open University to visualise what remained of the bead microstructure and measuring the chemistry of any preserved metal fragments. At The University of Manchester in the x-ray imaging facility, we produced an x-ray CT model of the bead which illustrated the variations in its structure and composition in three dimensions. The results indicated the bead micro-structures...
‘It’s Just Banter’: Women and Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry
Society, Politics & Law

‘It’s Just Banter’: Women and Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry

...Open University's History and Social Sciences qualifications. Setting the Scene Two old guys at the bar where I was working: “Whaur’s ma New Year’s kiss then?” “Aye, and whaur’s mine?” “No thank you,” I said. “Aw, come on! Ye’ve got tae gie me a New Year’s kiss!” “No thank you,” I repeated and went to get on with cleaning glasses. Their tone...
Sniffing out signs of life
Science, Maths & Technology

Sniffing out signs of life

...Open University field trip to Iceland under a Europlanet grant. Copyright: Claire Batty Researching VOCs at AstrobiologyOU In AstrobiologyOU, we are studying VOCs in ‘analogue environments’. An analogue environment is a location or situation that resembles the geological or biological conditions of another planetary body. Some analogues are laboratory simulations,...
Today’s immigration laws have teeth, and their bite is toxic for people seeking asylum
Society, Politics & Law

Today’s immigration laws have teeth, and their bite is toxic for people seeking asylum

...open that could be a fire hazard. In this way, everyday actions become border offences. [A piece of paper is stuck up on a yellow patterned wall with blu-tack. It says 'HOUSE RULES' in red in the centre then underneath "All doors in the property must stay closed and not be wedged open with any object. They are fire doors and here for your safety. Anyone seen to be...
What is a confidence and supply government?
Society, Politics & Law

What is a confidence and supply government?

...opening of parliament. This may be a specific policy or simply evidence of influence on an existing policy. As with a full coalition, minor parties need to be wary in their negotiating strategy. Ask too little and be viewed by their supporters of selling themselves too cheaply. Demand too much and it may prevent a deal, destabilise the agreement and prove undeliverable....
How does COVID-19 affect cancer treatment?
Science, Maths & Technology

How does COVID-19 affect cancer treatment?

...Open University answer cancer-related questions about the new coronavirus in this series of articles...Who are we? We are cancer researchers working at The Open University. Our daily job involves identifying and testing new therapies and new diagnostic technologies for cancers. For this reason, we are regularly in contact with cancer charities and patient support groups....