Silicon for solar cells becoming more environmentally friendly
New discoveries are making silicon production cleaner, and solar cells of the future will become even more environmentally friendly.
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Viking raiders stole this box. But the real surprise is what they did with it.
What a mound of sand, some leftover nails and the box itself tell us about the Viking raiders who stole it — and what they did with it when they brought it back to Norway.
Wastewater fertilisers to the aid of farmers
The circular economy can boost profits in the water management sector, and at the same time provide farmers both in Norway and around the world with cheaper fertiliser.
Cheaper chocolate and alcohol are a public health setback
Eliminating the sugar tax and reducing the taxes on beer and wine will have health consequences, according to Steinar Krokstad, a professor of public health at NTNU.
Shedding light — on the polar night
The polar night is dark — if you’re a person. But not if you’re a krill or a seabird or a fish. In the first episode of NTNU’s new English-language podcast, 63 Degrees North, learn how researchers discovered that there’s more than enough light in the polar night for the tiny creatures who live there.
Found traces of antidepressants and painkillers in crustaceans on Svalbard
A team of researchers studying our footprint in the Arctic has taken samples of marine animals and wastewater linked to tourism. Their findings have revealed surprising levels of pharmaceutical drugs.
Newborns’ clumsy arm movements show how smart they are
For the first time, researchers are measuring the brain processes that control an infant’s first arm movements. The findings may shatter old myths about the immature baby brain.
SINTEF to head global WHO study
What assistive technologies are the world’s elderly and disabled using? And what hidden needs does this group have? SINTEF has been contracted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to find out.
Researchers seek living quality in high-density housing
In Norway, apartment blocks are being built as never before, leading to a housing densification that challenges our ability to create habitable spaces – both indoors and out. So, what can we do to guarantee living quality?
Viking film with YouTube world premiere
Threats and battle cries in the Old Norse language mix with the sound of sword against sword and swords meeting bodies. The Viking film Trace is now being relaunched in a new version.
Important cause of preeclampsia discovered
New findings show that cholesterol crystals in the uterine wall are the villain that researchers have been looking for. These crystals cause intensified inflammation in people who become ill.
Georadar reveals 15 burial mounds and 32 mysteries
Studies using ground penetrating radar (GPR) have revealed exciting archaeological finds from the Viking Age and earlier in Nordland county.
Abandoned cropland should produce biofuels
More biofuels are needed to counteract climate change. But producing them shouldn’t diminish food production or wilderness areas. The solution may be to grow more grass on recently abandoned cropland.
The body’s own signalling system provides the key to new diagnostic tools and personalized medicine
Several studies have demonstrated that tiny biological particles called exosomes may carry important information about diseases. We are currently searching for these tiny particles in cooperation with our project partners. If we succeed, we can use the exosomes to predict diseases before they occur.
How safe are the new Covid vaccines?
The new vaccines designed to combat the Covid-19 virus have been developed in record time, causing some people to be sceptical of taking them. Should we be worried about side effects? Norwegian SciTech News has been talking to two research scientists about this issue.
What does a rock climbing belay device have in common with a subsea cable installation vessel?
The answer is that both can cause torsion, meaning the climbing rope or cable will start to twist. Up until now, no-one could explain why this happened. However, two enthusiastic researchers, who happen to be rock climbers, made it their business to solve the mystery.
Smart site selection can make hydropower greener
Even though new hydropower dam developments are intended to provide green energy, they can drown areas that are rich in plant and animal species. But this kind of collateral damage can be limited by strategic site selection, a new study shows.
Trained medical staff can perform safe, effective hernia surgery
Many low and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, don’t have enough surgeons to perform vital surgeries, such as groin hernia repairs. Training non-doctor associate clinicians in this procedure provides a safe and effective solution, a new study shows.
Less psychiatric coercion in the early 1900s than in the 1970s
It’s easy to believe that society’s treatment of difficult, violent and criminally mentally ill people has become more humane over time. But that’s not the case. How patients at the end of the 19th century actually felt is difficult to say, but they were at least less exposed to mechanical coercion, according to an NTNU historian.
Reveals hungry salmon with sound waves
The feed cost represents about 50 percent of the costs of farming salmon. But how do we know if the salmon is hungry or still full? Researchers have rethought to find answers. The result is less wastage and pollution – and enough food for the salmon.
Low socioeconomic status usually associated with more health problems
Having several chronic health problems at the same time is common – especially among people with the fewest resources.
Why we use our smartphone at cafés
Why do people fiddle with their smartphones when they’re with other people? Researchers have identified three main reasons.
Pandemic has revealed our dependence on migrant workers
Food production was quickly declared a socially critical function with the outbreak of the pandemic. The dependence of agricultural and food industry sectors on migrant workers has never been clearer, one researcher says.
Businesses stand to benefit from sustainable restructuring
Is it profitable for a company to switch to sustainable production? Researchers conclude that it probably often is.
How can we help victims of torture?
Torture victims often reap less benefit from ordinary treatment. New insight might give new hope.
Skinnier but resilient geese thriving in the high Arctic
Barnacle geese in the Arctic have been on a diet. So many now migrate to northern breeding grounds that in some places there’s less food to go around. The good news is that it doesn’t seem to restrict their population growth — yet.
Global warming is faster than evolution
If global warming happens too quickly, not all species will be able to adapt in time.
Major investment to make Norway a leader in offshore wind
NTNU and SINTEF will be partners in the newly funded FME NorthWind research centre, which will develop competitive offshore wind farms within ten years.
Why failing hearts love hard workouts
High-intensity interval training strengthens the heart even more than moderate exercise does. Now researchers have found several answers to what makes hard workouts so effective.
NTNU researcher wins ERC Consolidator Grant
The EU has awarded two million euros for research on how animals are coping with climate changes.
Meet the aquaculture industry’s new maintenance bot
This ROV can fully operate on its own, and follow along with fish’s behaviour and health with its Argus eyes – all while keeping a safe distance. It even inspects the technical standard of the enclosure while it’s at it. Say hi to Mr. CageReporter.
Little brain reads 8000 messages per second
Autonomous vehicles are in demand like never before. At NTNU, researchers have developed a circuit board that can be adapted to different drones with simple steps. Airbus has tested the system on a lunar landing prototype.