Why municipalities need to conduct more cybersecurity exercises
A cyberattack on local government authorities can result in disruption to critical services such as healthcare, water supply, schools and social services.
Civil protection
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New emergency towing equipment allows rescue helicopters to fly farther and in worse weather
In the Lofoten archipelago off Norway’s northern west coast, a rescue helicopter circles over a cruise ship. Soon, two people and a large bag are lowered onto the deck. Then a line is launched over to the coast guard ship that is right next to it. The cruise ship is ready to be towed. Fortunately, this is only an exercise to test the new equipment and not a real emergency.
Locally produced food for the armed forces is the new preparedness strategy
The armed forces want local food. Farmers want to deliver. But regulations, framework agreements and a lack of logistics are obstacles to getting locally raised food to the soldiers.
Robot to the rescue when buildings collapse
When disaster strikes, a small robot steps in to save lives. The researchers have dubbed it a “Smurf.” It uses its eyes, ears and nose to find survivors in collapsed buildings.
Super-recognizers
Some people never forget a face. This is an ability police forces around the world find very useful. It now seems that this superpower can be used for more than previously thought.
Why are there fewer murders in democracies?
You are less likely to be murdered in a democracy than in an undemocratic country, but the reason is not democracy itself. Quite the opposite.
Deepfake is threatening trust in society
Will we be able to trust text and images in the future? Deepfake is being used not just for innocent fun, but also to influence voters in the world’s most powerful countries.
Increase in media coverage of crises, but not in the number of crises
It might seem like the world is being bombarded by one crisis after another. But what’s really happening is an increase in media coverage.
The next solar storm is on its way – and may cause more problems than you think
Solar storms are no joke. It may get cold and it may get very dark. Our mobile networks may be severely disrupted.
Stopping industrial hackers needs more know-how
Plant managers used to be kept awake at night by the fear of unintended incidents. But their new nightmares are much worse.
What happens when artificial intelligence is used in public administration?
Data-driven public administration changes the public sector in a fundamental way. But what does this mean for you as a citizen?
We need to adapt our cities to a changing climate. But in Norway it’s still business as usual
If we are to avoid our cities becoming ‘heat magnets’ one day, and overwhelmed by flooding the next, we have to incorporate wetlands and ditch systems into our urban infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence could secure the power supply
Managing hydropower production is complicated. Artificial intelligence can help ensure that we don’t run out of power.
What do you do if a hacker takes over your ship?
The risk of cyber attacks against a ship is real. The working crew on board must be allowed to practice handling these risks in a realistic way. Now they can.
Who has died from COVID-19?
At least six million people have died from COVID-19 to date. But who dies is often not random. The same pattern is found around the world.
A minute sensor to the rescue
Ships, bridges and wind turbines can all be made safe using sensors that are just a few millimetres across. Researchers have borrowed the principle behind the technology from a vibrating guitar string.
How do you create buildings that can withstand the most extreme stress loads?
An explosion can hurtle fragments and debris at enormous velocities so they strike the surroundings. Then comes the shock wave. It’s a scary combination.
The robot inspectors have arrived
Autonomous aerial and ground-based robots have been designed to do the work needed to protect critical infrastructure – quicker and more cheaply than traditional methods.
Not all social media fuel conspiracy theories in the same way
Conspiracy theories spread quickly early on in the pandemic, and social media received a lot of the blame. But not all social media are the same.
How terrorism affects our attitudes
Some types of terrorist acts affect people much more than others. Islamist violence apparently produces the strongest counter-reactions.
Is it really selfish to complain about electricity prices?
Norwegians are not necessarily being selfish by wanting to go back to the good old days of cheap electricity. Nor do people think it is acceptable to use the situation for some to enrich themselves at the expense of others, says the researcher.
Better cyber security at sea
Drug dealers have tricked shipping cargo tracking systems to think drugs are “bananas” and unknown actors have jammed GPS signals in northern Norwegian waters. Fixing these problems requires understanding how seafarers themselves perceive cyber risks — so they can do a better job protecting themselves and their vessels.
The computing industry can assist Polish refugee centres
Speedy work carried out for free in Norway resulted in an IT system that protects refugees against human traffickers at the Polish-Ukrainian border. This type of aid work may become financially self-supporting.
Authorities concealed fallout from atomic bombs
France covered up the consequences of their nuclear tests in the Pacific. As many as 110 000 people may have been exposed to radioactive fallout above the assumed safe levels.