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Science, Maths & Technology
Gene testing
This free course, Gene testing, looks at three different uses of genetic testing: pre-natal diagnosis, childhood testing and adult testing. Such tests provide genetic information in the form of a predictive diagnosis, and as such are described as predictive tests. Pre-natal diagnosis uses techniques such as amniocentesis to test fetuses in the ...
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Money & Business
Should we tax robots who replace humans in the workplace?
Could the taxation system provide a solution to the rise of automation?
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Science, Maths & Technology
What connects knitting to helicopter design?
The skills you learn knitting could come in handy putting a helicopter together. The OU's Claudia Eckert explains why.
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Nature & Environment
How are tiny air pollutants causing massive storms in the Amazon?
The smallest specks of air pollution can create enormous storms in the rainforest - and we don't yet understand enough about this, reports Rodrigo de Oliveira Andrade.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Could Brexit allow the UK to drop the ban on cloning?
Human cloning is currently banned under EU law. Brexit should allow the UK to dump this rule, believes Hugh McLachlan.
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Digital & Computing
China and the internet
John Perry Barlow's experiences suggest some in China are wary of the rapid change promised by the internet - but that doesn't mean it's a nation closed to innovation.
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Science, Maths & Technology
John Perry Barlow: An Appreciation
John Perry Barlow, who died on February 7th, helped shape how we think about digital rights. Here, the OU's Mike Richards introduces a short obituary by John's friend, Cory Doctorow.
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Nature & Environment
Information blackout at the Council of Europe?
The Council of Europe's crucial activities come with a deep responsibility to ensure public access to its historic decision-making. Unfortunately, this has been sadly lacking for a number of years.
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Nature & Environment
Climate change is triple risk to Europe
New studies confirm climate change’s triple risk to Europe. The heat is on, lives are at risk and the floods are arriving earlier.
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Nature & Environment
Canada & UK launch coal phaseout plan
At the UN climate summit, a group of countries has undertaken to end the use and the financing of coal.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Perceptions of corruption
Economic injustice takes many forms. Watch this video to find out just how widespread it is and how we can combat it
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Science, Maths & Technology
Single point cutting
A mechanical machining process where a tool with a single sharp cutting edge is used to remove material from the workpiece.