*[Enwl-eng] Could work be kinder to our bodies?

[enwl]

      Could work be kinder to our bodies?
      In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, I woke up from a flare-up from 
my autoimmune illness, the little known but increasingly studied mast-cell 
activation syndrome (MCAS).

      Spasms rippled through my lower body, in a now tedious ritual that has 
been all too well rehearsed over the past years. The worst of the symptoms 
always strikes at night. During the day, unless you picked up on my 
occasionally flagging energy, you wouldn't know that I suffer from a health 
condition. That's partly because I'm lucky enough to have an understanding 
employer that allows me to start and finish my job later, more in tune with 
my body's rhythms.

      Could these types of personal arrangements be the future of work? As 
we return to our offices after the summer break, companies are thinking 
about how they can best adapt to our bodies and minds to maximise 
productivity. Marie-Rachel Jacob, an expert in management science who 
grappled with a pregnancy-related health condition herself, examines how 
organisations could better work with those with chronic conditions, as well 
as the "neurodiverse", including early birds and night owls. In a related 
piece, Audrey Tautou looks at the science behind our body clocks, with genes 
playing the role of the ultimate tempo setters.

      The double helix also provides precious clues to researchers seeking 
to know more about our distant ancestors. Based on DNA analysis, researchers 
from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany 
recently determined that Europe's oldest mummy, the 5,300-year-old Ötzi the 
iceman, may have had dark skin and been balding. This isn't the first study 
that attempts to determine a person's appearance based on remains – when the 
bones of King Richard III, the inspiration of Shakespeare's eponymous play, 
were discovered under a parking lot in Leceister, the extracted DNA was 
enough to match with descriptions of his hair and eyes. But how reliable are 
these predictions?

      No doubt that many of Spain's women would like to see the country's 
football chief, Luis Rubiales, under a car park or deep into the ice this 
week. Celebrations of the national team's win at the FIFA Women's World Cup 
were overshadowed by his behaviour after he kissed one of his players 
without consent and made obscene gestures during the match. Miren Gutiérrez 
of the University of Deusto analyses Rubiales's speech and finds that it 
bears all the hallmarks of a man resisting feminist change.

      Also in our highlights this week is an article remembering the French 
philosopher Marc Augé, who devoted his life to thinking the city and the 
concept of the "non-place" – the spaces through which we traditionally 
transit, such as subways, gas stations and airports. Should you wish to sit 
down over a drink to contemplate them in a renewed light, be wary to use any 
straw, however. While the plastic ones are a known blight on the 
environment, the latest research shows that the "eco-friendly" varieties 
made from paper and bamboo contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

      – Natalie Sauer, head of the English section for The Conversation 
France


      Menstrual leave, neurodiversity, chronic illnesses: what if workplaces 
adapted to our bodies?
      Should companies offer tailored timetables and workplaces on the basis 
of our different bodies, or are universal solutions, such as the four-day 
week, the way forward?

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      Recap Luis Rubiales: these seven tactics made his speech excusing his 
assault on Jenni Hermoso a textbook case in silencing women
       New research reveals that Ötzi the iceman was bald and probably from 
a farming family – what else can DNA uncover?
       ‘Eco-friendly’ straws contain potentially toxic chemicals – posing a 
threat to people and wildlife


      For the curious
        a.. The philosopher Marc Augé defined our cities - now it's in our 
hands to make them home
        b.. Biological clocks: how does our body know that time goes by?

      Podcast
      Researchers are constantly pushing at the edges of human knowledge. In 
a global podcast from The Conversation, Dan Merino and Nehal El-Hadi get 
leading scientists and scholars to connect new discoveries with the biggest 
trends, ideas and issues of today. New episodes every Thursday. Follow 
wherever you get your podcasts.


      Recommended newsletters for you

        a.. Global, best of the network, twice a week. Curated by the 
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        b.. Imagine, deep dives in possible climate actions. Give it a go



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            From: Natalie at The Conversation
            Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2023 3:07 PM
            Subject: Could work be kinder to our bodies?


 
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