2,522 search results

What effects does mercury have on health and the environment?
Science, Maths & Technology

What effects does mercury have on health and the environment?

...human health began with an unfolding tragedy in Minamata Bay, Japan, beginning in the mid-1950s. As is often the case, the first evidence that something was amiss came from observations of animals. Birds flew erratically and sometimes fell into the sea; children were able to catch usually evasive octopuses with their bare hands; cats had convulsions and died. It was not...
The selective breeding of dogs
Science, Maths & Technology

The selective breeding of dogs

...humans, dogs have two copies of each gene (one inherited from mum and one from dad), but the letters making up each gene can be slightly different. If a gene influences for a particular trait (such as hair colour) then slight differences in the letters in a gene can result in differences in hair colour in that animal. Some of these differences dominate over others, so...
The real reason clowns scare us
Health, Sports & Psychology

The real reason clowns scare us

...human that they become frightening) I have been fascinated by ghost stories, horror novels and urban legends since I was young enough for trick or treating. But the coverage of the so-called “killer clowns” had pretty much passed me by until one strident headline from my local paper reported that someone in a clown costume and make-up had been sighted outside a nearby...
Explore OpenLearn from The Open University
Miscellaneous

Explore OpenLearn from The Open University

...resources and course tasters that will take your learning to the next level and help you find the degree you’ve been dreaming of. Discover a world of fascinating subjects and inspiring OU teaching and get excited by what’s possible as you take that next step after school or college...Spotlight - our top picks Thinking about your next steps? Explore five popular...
Systems explained by Peter Checkland
Money & Business

Systems explained by Peter Checkland

...human factor was playing a large role in these problems. Many of the early systems thinking methodologies did not model people as part of the equation - they were what is now described as systematic rather than systemic. One of the first people to recognise this was Peter Checkland, who subsequently became known as the creator of "soft systems methodology", a once radical...
Markets in crisis
Society, Politics & Law

Markets in crisis

...Human motivation during a global crisis Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen expresses that now more than ever it's time to re-think the social, economic and political organisations we have in place today. Balancing markets and government regulation What influence does governments have on the global economy? We look at Chinas healthcare as a classic case study. The...
Introducing global development
Society, Politics & Law

Introducing global development

...human activity, and such change has happened throughout human existence. In this course, you will first examine a particular framing of change processes − that associated with industrialisation and the concept of a ‘modern’ society. The view of development as modernisation emerged clearly in the 1950s and 1960s, although its origins can be traced back much further....
The how and why of podcasting: connection, creation and conversation!
Education & Development

The how and why of podcasting: connection, creation and conversation!

...human-to-human conversation you can create with your audience, and guests. Podcasts engage others in topics, debates and issues that matter to them in their daily lives and work. Shared interest and passion will spark conversation. Don’t forget to tackle tough issues too. Your podcast conversations may ignite new learning and research in the area! There are free online...