Plastics leach toxins
Plastic contains thousands of chemicals. Until now, we haven’t known if these leach into the environment to any great extent. Now we know that they do.
A natural gem is being destroyed by plastic
Mausund and the Froan Nature Reserve are located in an archipelago far out to sea along the Trøndelag county coast, but they are not exactly pristine. About 25 per cent of the soil in the area contains plastic.
Animal testing helps us understand Alzheimer’s
New findings show how experiments with animals can provide helpful information to understand Alzheimer’s and learn how we can better fight the disease.
Measures to improve gender balance are working
Universities want to recruit more women into technology fields. More men complete their studies then, too. The measures are working but need to be sustained over the long-term.
Hunting for dead stars
Neutron stars are the little siblings of black holes and show some of the most extreme phenomena in the universe. The European Research Council (ERC) is giving Professor Manuel Linares EUR 2 million to hunt them down.
Protein can save the heart after cancer
Researchers are on the trail of a new method to protect against heart damage after cancer treatment.
Finding order in chaos wins the prize
The Nobel Prize in Physics is going to three individuals who found that the world isn’t always as chaotic as we think.
How do dolphins learn to live along the coast?
Ocean-dwelling dolphins have repeatedly adapted to life in coastal areas throughout history.
The Norwegian wolf is extinct
The Norwegian wolf died out in the wild a long time ago. The wolves in Norwegian forests today are Finnish. Inbreeding is making them prone to extinction as well.
What is nature worth?
Climate change is not the greatest threat to the diversity of species on Earth. The main problem is that animal and plant habitats are disappearing.
Among the leaders in the hunt for the world’s tiniest electronics
Researchers in Norway are among those at the forefront in the field of nanoelectronics. Their goal is to create electronic components at the atomic level, which would open vast possibilities for electronic gadgets.
Low herd immunity might cause severe flu winter
Flu season might be much worse than usual because we have lost a lot of herd immunity. Pandemic measures are part of the reason. Hand washing and vaccination are still important.
Another climate summit that changes almost nothing – again?
World leaders have gathered in Glasgow to discuss climate change. But the most likely outcome is that actions won’t extend beyond the talk.
You’re looking at one of the oldest pieces of cloth in the world
What did people make clothes from in the Neolithic? Çatalhöyük, the world’s largest known Stone Age settlement, gives us answers after 60 years of debate.
Ski wax chemicals alter animals’ brains and livers
New research confirms that fluorinated compounds in ski waxes affect organs in mice.
Common medications alter flu virus activity
Several commonly prescribed medications used for completely different illnesses can enhance or reduce the activity of the influenza virus.
Your sense of smell resembles that of insects
Scientists find remarkable similarities in the olfactory pathways of such diverse creatures as humans and insects.
New drug combination effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection
The fight against COVID-19 is far from over. A new combination of drugs could help save lives.
A $2 million prize for subterranean robots
Team Cerberus has won an international competition with their subterranean robots, competing against top-ranked challengers. The group is headed by an NTNU professor.
Simple steps improve digital learning
Digital teaching and meeting places can work. But some approaches make students feel more connected and improve results.
Abuse of the elderly is widespread
A majority of employees in Norwegian nursing homes have committed abuse or neglect of the elderly, a comprehensive report shows.
Human antibiotic use affects wild bears
Bacteria in wild bears become more resistant to antibiotics when human antibiotic use is high.
Norway well-positioned to supply hydrogen to Europe
The UN Climate Panel wants us to stop using fossil fuels. Hydrogen is an alternative – but not without overcoming some obstacles first.
Cytotoxic drugs can increase cancer cell resistance
The cytotoxic drugs used in chemotherapy can themselves contribute to the cancer cells developing resistance to treatment.
New app helps relieve back pain
Back pain is very common. But a new app called selfBACK can help us get better.
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.
Our mood fluctuates in rhythm with the day and week
People’s mood on Twitter varies according to more or less fixed patterns. Guess when we’re happiest.
Women win on the field, but rarely lead in governance
Women are among the foremost athletes in the world. But few women head international sports organizations.
Drones will soon be transporting medical samples
Young entrepreneurs are testing out drone transport of medical samples between two hospitals 100 kilometres apart.
Feel-good hormone dopamine affects passion and autism
Dopamine is often called the “happy” or “feel-good” hormone. It can help explain both autistic behaviours and men’s need for passion in order to succeed.
Children of well-educated people have higher survival rates
The higher parents’ education level, the more likely it is that their children will survive the first five years of life. Over three million births have been examined.
Social media’s echo chambers not such a big problem
Most people obtain their information from multiple sources. Social media’s dreaded “echo chambers” have little significance for most of us, a new study shows.