Written exams typically used at German-speaking universities often do not represent the learning objectives of the respective course appropriately. Moreover, they do not allow for criterion-referenced inferences regarding the degree to which the learning objectives have been met, and they are statistically unconnected across different test cycles. To overcome these shortcomings Prof. Dr. Andreas Frey and colleagues propose applying a combination of established methods from the fields of educational measurement and psychometrics to written university exams (in: Psychological Test and Assessment Modeling).

Usually, the different areas in the cerebrum take on a very specific function. For example, they process our movements or things we see or hear, i.e. direct physical information. However, some areas of the brain come into play when dealing with more advanced mental tasks. They process incoming information that has already been pre-processed and is thus already at an abstract level.

A new United Nations report offers the most comprehensive look yet at global food waste. The world wasted about 931 million metric tons of food in 2019 — an average of 121 kilograms per person. That’s about 17 percent of all food that was available to consumers that year, a new United Nations report estimates.

Perioperative treatment in cardiac surgery: the German standard reference book "Extracorporeal Circulation in Theory and Practice" has been published in a completely updated, greatly expanded new edition. 62 German and US specialists from the fields of medicine, nursing and technology have contributed to the English-language volume. Editor Rudolf Tschaut and the three co-editors used a structured review process to ensure the professional quality and the topicality of all contributions.