Panthera leo’s family tree takes shape
Once upon a time, lions were the world’s most widespread mammals. Now we know more about their genealogy – and that could make it easier to help the species survive.
Women and men still choose partners like they used to
Men and women choose partners according to different criteria. These are the same almost all over the world and have remained unchanged in the last 30 years, according to a new survey of 14 000 people.
No disadvantages to having kids early
Maturing and reproducing early hardly has any downsides. If you’re a wild boar, that is.
Kavli Prize in nanoscience goes to four pioneers
Four men share the Kavli Prize in nanoscience for their work on electron microscopy.
More people die when hospital bed shortages force patients out
Hip fractures have higher mortality rates if patients are discharged early because the hospital needs the space and capacity.
Achievement requires passion and grit
Boys need to burn for something to succeed. Maybe that’s why they often do less well at school than girls.
Life in refugee camps wreaks havoc on children’s health
Children’s health declines the longer they live in refugee camps. Many adults are also struggling, with seven out of ten feeling like they have no future.
Video games do not lead to, or increase, ADHD
Children with ADHD play more video games than other kids do, but gaming does not cause or worsen the condition. Nor do electronic games cause anxiety or depression.
Instagram makes it easier to exercise
People who followed researchers’ motivational posts on Instagram got more enjoyment out of their training sessions. Just a couple of minutes over the course of four weeks was enough to make a difference.
Is your child getting enough sleep?
Children who get the least sleep have the greatest risk of developing mental health issues.
Water flow can be traced with synthetic DNA sand
If your drinking water is contaminated, you’d no doubt like to find out where the pollution comes from. Researchers are working to make this easier.
State’s large investments smarter than many people think
From the press coverage, you might expect only wasted time and projects built over budget when the government invests in roads, buildings and other large projects. But the state — in Norway, anyway — doesn’t do a bad job after all.
Vision may be the real cause of children’s problems
Do you have poor motor skills or struggle to read, write or solve math problems? Maybe it’s really because of how your brain interprets what it sees.
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.
Trees struggle when forests become too small
As forest areas shrink and become fragmented, many tree species face problems. They often rely on animals that can no longer disperse their seeds effectively.
Climate change fuels Australia’s enormous wildfires
Bushfires are a normal part of the cycle of nature in Australia. But not like this. And it is going to get worse.
Important for kids to practice swimming outdoors
Norway may offer children’s swimming and lifesaving lessons outdoors as early as this year. The goal is to reduce drownings.
Little reason for moral panicking after #MeToo
Men and women generally agree on what constitutes sexual harassment.
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.
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.
Tinder is a waste of time for most people
Dating apps won’t help you much if your goal is to have more relationships. You would probably succeed just as well – or poorly – without it.
Our mental maps are distorted by changed boundaries
We create mental maps as we move around. But these maps can be distorted if the surroundings change. That makes it more difficult to remember where something was.
Here’s how you help kids crack the reading code
Some children learn to read early. Others need more time. But we can do some things to help them, and one of them is important to do first.
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.
Insect or virus? How plants know
How can plants defend against different threats to their cell walls?
What doesn’t crack them makes them stronger
It sounds a bit strange, but some materials become stronger when subjected to stress. Why is that, and why do they eventually fail anyway?
Fish in early childhood reduces risk of disease
It doesn’t take that much fish for young children to reap big health benefits. Even eating fish just once a week yields good results.
How cancer breaks down your muscles
A solid tumour can cause muscle cells in the body to self-destruct. Many cancer patients die from the consequences. Now researchers are discovering more about how cancer cells in a tumour can take control of muscle cell wasting and trigger a chronic, serious condition.
It is impossible to know which plastics are dangerous
A recent study found that three out of four plastic consumer products contain harmful chemicals. Bioplastics contained toxicants, too.
Epilepsy causes brain’s defences to collapse
What happens during an epileptic seizure? A recent study suggests that seizures occur after certain defence cells in the brain break down.
Predicted skewed waves – and found them
He solved a 127-year-old physics problem on paper and proved that off-centred boat wakes could exist. Five years later, practical experiments proved him right.
Immune system and mental health are connected
Our understanding of how our psyche affects our immune system – and vice versa – has been limited. Until now.