Winter War in Finland was a struggle against invading power
Eighty years have passed since the end of the Finnish Winter War. “The war is my family’s history too,” Soilikki Vettenranta writes in this Viewpoint article.
Humanities
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Norway’s history has forgotten the 80 000 Finnish war children
Heart-breaking images of children in refugee camps in Greece and Syria remind us of how war is driving children to flee their homes. Minors are being sent off to foreign countries. But this also happened in Norway’s neighbouring country of Finland during World War II.
Place names describe Scandinavia in the Iron and Viking Ages
Every now and then, researchers are lucky enough to experience a Eureka moment — when a series of facts suddenly crystallize into a an entirely new pattern. That’s exactly what happened to Birgit Maixner from the NTNU University Museum when she began looking at artefacts and place names.
Scandinavians’ little linguistic hat trick
Moving a word to the beginning of a sentence is a useful trick to draw attention to the most important topic you want to relay. The researchers of a new study have found that the Scandinavian languages are unique in their use of this technique.
When art turns climate activist
Can art that literally takes your breath away make you more climate friendly? You can find out yourself if you happen to be in Madrid, at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 25.
Still fewer pupils distracted by school desk computers
In the classroom, non-educational distractions are only a click or two away. However, a recent SINTEF report demonstrates that these thieves of school pupils’ attention are already being severely weakened.
Could a chatbot be your friend or romantic partner?
Researcher Marita Skjuve has been interviewing people who have a close relationship with a chatbot called Replika. Her conclusion is that such relationships offer value and meaning to the chatbot’s users, and can even be romantic.
Mysterious Viking boat graves unearthed in central Norway
Two people died roughly 100 years apart. Nevertheless, they were buried together. In boats.
Stave churches in Norway older than previously believed
A newer method of measurement has helped scientists date some stave churches more accurately than in the past. The method shows that several stave churches are older than the dates previously attributed to them.
Viking Age mortuary house found in central Norway
“A very rare and exciting find,” says NTNU University Museum archaeologist Raymond Sauvage.
Roman bronze cauldron unearthed in central Norway burial cairn
“Vessels like these were imported from the Roman Empire and confirm that this was an area of status and wealth during Roman times,” says archaeologist Merete Moe Henriksen.
English sneaks its way into Norwegian grammar
English loan words are easy to recognize. It’s more challenging to see how English influences Norwegian expressions and grammar.
Uncertain future for rock art in Norway
Regular protective treatment of rock carvings and paintings has done a good job protecting this important part of Norway’s cultural heritage. But according to the current schedule, the unique programme will end next year.
Mission control: Norwegian SciTech News has landed!
We’ve changed our name to Norwegian SciTech News — so readers know immediately what they will find here.
What do the animals in stave church ornamentation signify?
The richly decorated portal at Urnes stave church has often been interpreted in light of paganism. That’s wrong, according to a new stave church study.
Toss it if it’s 481 years old – but not if it’s a year older
Norway conserves archaeological finds from 1537, but not when they’re from 1538 or later. That means we know less about people’s everyday lives during the last 481 years.
More than 30 presenters signed up for NTNU’s science festival, The Big Challenge
Comedian Stephen Fry is coming. So is the man who created the drone show that Metallica takes on tour, and a cyborg artist who had an antenna surgically implanted in the back of his head so he can hear colours.
Little words are better than their reputation
“Meaningless” little words create nuances and meaning in our language and can make our communication more effective.
A language app for working life
Speaking Norwegian is important for many Norwegian jobs, but conventional language classes may not prepare people with the kinds of words and expressions they need. A new app now provides training in specialized expressions.
Digital glove returns control to conductor
A digital glove crafted by an Icelandic conductor/composer allows composers to combine electronic music with regular instruments.
Finn-Kirsten Iversdatter: Norway’s Forgotten Witch
Finn-Kirsten Iversdatter was the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Central Norway, but her story was mostly forgotten. Until now.
Do archaeologists have to dig to uncover the mysteries of the past?
Which method works best for archaeologists when surveying an area? In the case of a recent archaeological survey in Halden municipality, georadar turned out to be good enough to discover a Viking ship.
Festival passes for “The Big Challenge”, NTNU’s summer science festival available soon
Listen to headliners such as Edward Snowden, Ben Goldacre and the musician Sting. Festival passes go on sale from Friday 7 December.
When life is put on hold, volunteers can make a difference
When someone’s life is suddenly turned upside down, a volunteer’s helping hand can mean a lot.