Working memory: Preparing for the unknown

Nov 28, 2022

Working memory, also called short-term memory, was long theorised to have the core task of actively storing information over a short period of time. Nowadays, working memory is considered more complex, because processes such as information selection and the planning of future actions run in parallel. In a recent study, a group of researchers at Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo) shed light on the prerequisites for the initiation of motor preparation processes in working memory. They come to the conclusion that the brain prepares options for action as early as possible to enable the best possible condition for the execution of an action.

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Simplified measurement method for determining immune age improves analysis of cardiorespiratory fitness

Nov 11, 2022

Both the functionality of the immune system and the so-called cardiorespiratory fitness, CRF in short, play an important role in a person’s health and work ability. Researchers at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund (IfADo) have analysed the influence of immune age on cardiorespiratory fitness in more detail. The immunology team has succeeded in developing a simplified procedure for determining an index of immune age and thus improving the determination of CRF.

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Michael Nitsche is one of the “Highly Cited Researchers 2022”

November 16, 2022

Prof. Dr. Michael Nitsche, Head of the Department Psychology & Neurosciences, is one of the most frequently cited scientists worldwide in his field. The neuroscientist is thus once again on the annual “Highly Cited Researchers” list of the US company Clarivate. The company defines “Highly Cited Researchers” as researchers who belong to the one percent of the most frequently cited scientists in their subject area.

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Gender-specific differences in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis discovered

Oct 21, 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic joint inflammation that leads to functional impairment in many sufferers. There are gender-specific differences in the emergence and development of this disease. Researchers at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund (IfADo) have therefore examined the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in rheumatoid arthritis with particular reference to gender differences. The results point to gender-specific differences in the dopamine-regulated signalling pathway in B cells, whereby dopamine may even have a pro-inflammatory effect in women.

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Matthias Jäger receives NIOSH Bullard-Sherwood Research-to-Practice Award

September 19, 2022

Many people know that heavy objects such as crates of drinks should be lifted close to the body “from the legs” and if possible not “from the back”. Especially in occupations that involve a lot of repetitive lifting and carrying, correct posture is particularly important to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. In this context, Matthias Jäger from the Leibniz Institute for Occupational Research at TU Dortmund University (IfADo) and seven international colleagues have revised an international standard and interpreted the load limits that can be derived from it with regard to the risk of disease. For updating this standard, they received the NIOSH Bullard-Sherwood Research-to-Practice Award.

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Watzl Weekly honoured with BdKom Award

September 22, 2022

For their outstanding science communication, Carsten Watzl from the Leibniz Institute for Labour Research at TU Dortmund University (IfADo) and Stefan Schwark from the German Professional Association for Nursing Professions Nordwest e.V. won the BdKom Award in the category “Smart Budget” from the German Association of Communicators with their format “Watzl Weekly”.

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Rudolf-Schoen-Award for Silvia Capellino

September 12, 2022

At this year’s German Rheumatology Congress, Silvia Capellino and her team were awarded the Rudolph Schoen Award of the Foundation of the German Society for Rheumatology for their research on the neurotransmitter dopamine and its role in rheumatoid arthritis. The Rudolf Schoen Award is awarded every year by the German Society for Rheumatology to young scientists in the field of rheumatism research.

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“Watzl Weekly” nominated for BdKom Award

September 1, 2022

Carsten Watzl from IfADo and Stefan Schwark from the German Professional Association for Nursing Professions DBfK Nordwest e. V. were nominated for the BdKom Award (award for outstanding communication) with the project “Watzl Weekly went viral – video updates on vaccinations @ social media”. They are among the three finalists in the category for the best smart budget communication. Today the projects were presented to the jury and at the end of September the winners will be announced at the Communication Congress.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for you!

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Work interruptions have a greater impact on older people

August 29, 2022

In everyday working life, people are often interrupted in their tasks. After the phone has rung, for example, it is difficult to concentrate on the original task again. The selection of working memory content is impaired after an interruption. Observations show that the performance deficit after such task interruptions is often bigger in older people. With the help of EEG evaluations, researchers from the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund (IfADo) have studied attentional selection during the resumption of primary tasks in younger and older persons in more detail.

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Call for Papers: Sabrina Sobieraj publishes Special Issue “Interventions to Reduce Stereotypes in STEM”

August 23, 2022

Women make up almost 50% of the workforce in the labor market. However, it is noteworthy that the labor force of women is not evenly distributed across all occupational groups. Certain professions and positions are still strongly gendered, especially STEM professions. The gender gap in STEM fields can already be observed in school, increasing at university and culminating during later careers. Moreover, structural factors and gender stereotypes are most significant reasons for the gender gap in STEM.

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