The most beautiful solar cells are inspired by nature
Organic solar cells are usually less effective than silicon solar cells. But there is still a market for them – and they’re beautiful and exciting.
Uncategorized
LOADING CONTENT
Your plane travel destroys polar bear habitat
A group of polar bear researchers wants you to do more than worry about the fate of these beautiful animals. They’ve calculated how much summer sea ice is melted per metric tonne of CO2 emissions. Then you can decide if the flight you’re planning to take is worth destroying polar bear habitat.
Diabetes prediction tool overestimates risk and creates unnecessary anxiety
The FINDRISC questionnaire has been used extensively to predict a person’s degree of risk for getting type 2 diabetes, but new findings show that it does not adequately identify the most vulnerable individuals.
Making beer super fast from ancient Norwegian yeast
The distinctly Norwegian beer-brewing yeast kveik reduces fermentation time drastically. That’s a huge advantage, according to NTNU PhD candidate Christian Schulz.
Making future transport more climate friendly
The world’s transportation network is constantly growing. “Green asphalt” and sustainable bus transportation will ease the environmental impact of future transport routes.
New mechanism allows the immune system to detect and respond to HIV
Nearly 40 million people were living with HIV in 2017, the UN says, with just over half taking antiretroviral therapy. These drugs have cut AIDS-related deaths by more than half since the 2004 peak, but the disease cannot be cured. A new mechanism uncovered by a Norwegian research group could improve the chances of developing one.
Ocean acidification a big problem — but not for coral reef fish behaviour
Several high-profile studies report that ocean acidification will affect coral reef fish behaviour enough to jeopardize their survival. One research team looked more deeply at this assertion — and found it is simply not true.
Proteins in blood test can reveal and predict disease
An analysis of 5 000 proteins from a blood sample is providing valuable information on a variety of diseases we might get or be at risk for. “Sensational” is the word from Christian Jonasson at the HUNT Research Centre about the US-British-Norwegian study.
Smoking may cause white scars on the brain
Nearly half of all people over the age of 50 have scarring in their brain’s white matter. It turns out that does more harm than previously thought.
If the world can capture carbon, there’s capacity to store it
Humankind will need to harness carbon capture and storage technologies to help keep global warming to 2 degrees C or less. New research shows that there’s plenty of room to store captured CO2 — in offshore geologic rock formations.
Lithium can now be recycled
Lithium from Norwegian electric car batteries isn’t recycled that often. Instead, it ends up as waste when other metals it’s mixed with are recycled. But this may change.
Safer cars and buildings start at the nano level
When accidents happen, the difference between life and death may come down to the materials of the car, boat or building that you find yourself in. The best possible protection requires understanding as much as possible about how different materials behave under stress.
Water was a winner in capturing CO2
Reducing the level of CO2 in the atmosphere will probably require carbon capture. A surprising substance just might be the ticket.
Computer video simulation can limit flooding
Floods are expensive and at times dangerous. But what if a computer disaster simulation game could show politicians and local people what potential floods in their town would look like?
More hydropower and a better environment
The Norwegian public authorities’ estimates of the potential to expand the country’s power plants are probably too low. A new approach is creating opportunities for increased production while also enhancing environmental aspects.
Artificial bees from a pressure cooker?
What if we could create artificial bees that helped us with food production? Ola Gjønnes Grendal cooks up the materials needed to do just this.
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.
Hydrogen plant will make the “whisky island” Myken self-sufficient in electricity
If this solar and wind-based hydrogen project succeeds, it may become a model for many thousands of other small island communities worldwide.
What young people ask about when guaranteed anonymity
An analysis of almost 300,000 unsolicited questions written by young Norwegians on the website ung.no, has provided major insights into what they’re really interested in today. Their bodies, health and identity are among the topics heading the list.
People who need health care advice the most like it the least
Most people think it’s a good thing that public health authorities propose preventive health measures. The greatest resistance is found among individuals who need these measures the most – such as smokers, people with unhealthy diets or who don’t exercise.
The way forward for Norwegian windpower development
How can we protect nature and act on climate change? In the wake of heated debate in Norway over windpower development, energy researchers from Norway’s largest university and Scandinavia’s largest independent research institute offer politicians some thoughts.
Your life depends on these rare raw materials
The green transition is impossible without a few relatively unknown substances. Find out more about the raw materials we cannot manage without – and why we have to act smart with them.
Students play their way to knowledge
How do children and young people become interested in science? Let them play, create and code, say researchers.
Viking Age mortuary house found in central Norway
“A very rare and exciting find,” says NTNU University Museum archaeologist Raymond Sauvage.