Biology - Statistical Tests in Medicine
From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity for post-16 students demonstrates that if a link is suspected between a risk factor and an illness, statistical methods can be used to test whether such a link exists. Topic areas covered are: • Statistical…
Unravelling the Genetic Code
This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, looks at how mathematicians' understanding of knots can help unravel potentially fatal knots in DNA molecules. Understanding how to manipulate tangles of DNA could help us create new treatments for diseases, so mathematicians are working…
Stats in Your Genes
This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, discusses the importance of statistics and computing to developments in medical research. Sequencing the human genome was a fantastic achievement, but it was only the beginning. Now, statisticians are coming up with new methods to sift through…
Modelling an Epidemic Emergency
This Mathematics Matters case study looks at how mathematicians work with epidemiologists to understand the spread of infections and mitigate their effects. Epidemics can threaten the lives of both humans and animals, so it is essential that we react swiftly to any outbreaks. Mathematicians play a key role in assessing the risks…
Keeping Hearts Pumping
This Mathematics Matters case study, from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, looks at how mathematics modelling can aid investigations into the circulatory system. Blood-related diseases can seriously harm patients’ quality of life and even lead to death. Many of these diseases are caused by problems with the…
Fighting Infections with Symmetry
This Mathematics Matters case study looks at how mathematicians are aiding the fight against viruses. Many viruses have a symmetrical structure made from basic building blocks, and biologists have struggled to explain some of the more detailed shapes. Now mathematicians are using complex theories of symmetry to reveal these viral…
Britain at a Glance
These two Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) pages give statistics and key facts about the British population in 2007 and 2008. These statistics give a picture of the UK's population growth rates and age distribution, percentages of ethnic minorities, where we live and work, our income and spending habits, health, education…
Society Now: UK by Numbers
The 'UK by numbers' series focuses on key areas, such as population, energy and health, and provide important and up-to-date statistics about the UK. The documents are taken from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) magazine, Society Now. Population This issue gives statistics for the composition of the UK's…
Food Technologist
Jessica Chambers is a food technologist at Sainsbury's. This Department for Education clip could be useful when teaching microbiology, food technology, or as a context for applied science. Jessica's job allows her to gain experience of work in many different areas that include: • development of new products and…