New findings could help develop computers that resemble your brain
Why on earth should you care that physicists have now filmed skyrmion lattices melting? Well, there are actually some very good reasons why.
Natural science
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Physicists may have found the missing link for quantum computers
Many physicists are searching for a triplet superconductor. Indeed, we could all do with one, although we may not know it yet – or understand why.
What freezing plants in blocks of ice can tell us about the future of Svalbard’s plant communities
How will a warming Arctic affect plant growth on Svalbard? Researchers encased plant plots in a thick layer of ice during the winter and used little greenhouses to heat up those plots in the summer. The surprise? The plants that got the harshest treatment did just fine.
Thousands of alien species could invade the Arctic
More than 2500 plant species have the potential to invade the Arctic at the expense of the species that belong there. Norway is one of the areas that is particularly at risk.
House sparrows in northern Norway can help us save other endangered animals
How much does it matter where you are born, or whether you are heavy or light, if you are a house sparrow? Researcher Kenneth Aase calculates what the future looks like for these grey-brown feather balls – and hopefully other species, too.
Researchers want to find out why quick clay is so unstable
Quick clay collapse can be both dangerous and costly. New research will help us understand more about why the clay is so unstable. And maybe what we can do about it.
How storm surges could impact your workplace
Businesses along the Norwegian coastline are becoming increasingly vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. Researchers have now created digital maps that show who is most at risk.
The museum treasures that never see the light of day
Some of the greatest natural treasures at NTNU University Museum are never put on display. Many of these objects were collected on famous expeditions or obtained in other ways. One such treasure is Charles Darwin’s coralline algae.
Satellites and space trash threaten the ozone layer and space safety
Every year, we shoot several thousand satellites and other objects out into space. When satellites die, they become space trash that threatens aerospace safety.
The spiders that eat stars, and the scientists who catch them
Spiders can eat their partner. Some of the most extreme stars can do that too.
Why bees in Norway are struggling
Norway is home to 212 different bee species. Or perhaps rather: the country used to have 212 species. Insect numbers are generally in decline, and some bees are either struggling or have already disappeared.
Unlocking the secrets of Viking and medieval walrus tusk trade
Two tiny Scandinavian settlements in Greenland persisted for nearly 500 years and then mysteriously vanished. Their disappearance has been blamed on everything from poor agricultural practices to a changing climate. But what if the real reason was the walrus tusk trade?
New study flags hazardous plastic chemicals and charts course to safer products
A new study provides a comprehensive catalogue of more than 16,000 known plastic chemicals, with their properties, uses and hazards. The goal is to enable safer plastic production.
Kelp-eating microalgae offer huge potential
Researchers have been studying algae that eat kelp instead of making their own sugar. The findings open up new ways of making all kinds of useful things out of kelp.
Cheaper and better lasers can open for new technology
New laser technology can help improve self-driving cars and fibre-optic internet, among other things.
Unravelling the origin of mysterious radiation
Cosmic rays occasionally contain enormous amounts of energy, but we don’t know why or where this radiation comes from. New research may have found the answer.
Clay can help make for tomorrow’s environmentally friendly quantum technologies
Physicists have now discovered a material that can be very useful in crafting tomorrow’s quantum technology: clay.
Does adapting to a warmer climate have drawbacks?
When animals evolve to tolerate higher temperatures, those evolutionary changes might have other negative effects. Or maybe not.
Protecting Iceland’s towns from lava flows – with dirt
It had been dormant for 800 years, but in March 2021, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland came to life. While the eruption was ongoing, large-scale field experiments were conducted to build defensive earthen barriers aimed at slowing down the molten lava flow.
Immediate action is a key factor for successful marine restoration
It could take up to 200 years for our degraded ocean habitats to fully recover if we just leave them alone. So, we must intervene. The good news is that it works.
High mercury levels found in Svalbard birds
Norwegian seabirds are struggling. Svalbard seabirds have mercury levels above the threshold for deleterious effects on reproduction, researchers have found.
The mysterious X in your cells
When your cells are about to divide, your genetic material folds into an X-shape. Why and how?
New theory on dense gases and liquids could help carbon capture
The transport of dense gases and liquids is becoming increasingly relevant in relation to carbon capture. New research is helping us understand more about how this can be done most efficiently.
Making the world’s fastest skis
They won’t feature at this year’s World Championships in Trondheim, but NTNU researchers believe the world’s fastest and most flexible cross-country skis will be ready for the 2027 World Championships in Falun.