An explosion in citations led researcher to a worrying discovery

A new type of software allows anyone to produce ready-to-publish research papers in under two hours. After noting a surge in citations of her work, statistician Andrea Riebler discovered a vendor in China selling a tool that enables rapid paper mining of public health data.

x-ray of a skull

Body data could provide a 24-hour warning for headaches

Some people who suffer a concussion struggle with headaches and fatigue afterwards. Headaches and fatigue follow a consistent pattern that could potentially be used to warn the patient a full day before the symptoms set in.

Picture showing flooding in the Bhotekoshi River, Nepal 2026

The flash flood warning in Nepal came far too late for many people

The flash flood, triggered by a mountain landslide and glacier collapse in the Himalayas, surged at speeds of up to 190 kilometres per hour, wiping out entire villages. “The warning from the authorities arrived only about half an hour after the collapse, and even then, it reached only a portion of the population at risk,” says glaciologist Pascal Egli of NTNU.

Young girl looking into a microscope. Photo illustration.

Young users ditch Google for AI, with unknown consequences

School researchers reviewed nearly 200 studies on how artificial intelligence affects children and young people’s ability to learn and think. They found that we know very little about how AI use impacts younger school children.

Farmed salmon in a pen. Photo.

Training AI in the fight against bloodthirsty parasites

Researchers have taken over 120,000 images of salmon lice larvae in seawater and used them to train AI models. The models were much faster and more accurate than experienced biologists at identifying the parasites that feed on the skin and blood of salmonids.

View of an offshore platform from a simulated ship's bridge. Photo.

Here’s why seafarers have little confidence in autonomous ships

Despite its long history as a maritime nation, Norway is struggling to recruit enough seafarers. Increased automation and autonomous ships have been hailed as a solution to this crisis, but seafarers themselves are concerned about safety. A recent study shows that there are 12 specific reasons why confidence in automation is low.

Man in hospital bed with female masked nurse helping with IV. Photo.

Doctors and nurses believe their own substance use affects patients

Their job is to protect, promote, and restore human health and lives, but healthcare workers believe that their own use of alcohol and illegal drugs reduces the quality of care they provide to patients. A recent study suggests that more doctors and nurses struggle with substance use than we are aware of.

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.

Surprising findings about ADHD may help girls who are struggling

ADHD can exacerbate anxiety, and anxiety can exacerbate ADHD. Girls are particularly vulnerable to developing anxiety disorders, but researchers have recently discovered something that may help slow down – or prevent – the development of these types of disorders.

Prejudice against victims can result in reduced rape sentences

Rape myths such as ‘scantily clad’ and ‘being promiscuous’ can influence sentencing in Norwegian courtrooms. In court cases where victims are described in a prejudiced manner, defendants typically receive prison sentences that are 16 months shorter than in cases without such descriptions.