Smells and emotions tug on the brain’s “rein”
A tiny region in the middle of the brain plays a far more important role than previously known in helping it respond to changes in the environment, a new study shows.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH)
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Researchers figure out how cancer cells make lactic acid to survive
For the first time, researchers have shown how cancer cells reprogram themselves to produce lactic acid and to tolerate the acidic environment that exists around tumours. The finding could lead to a whole new direction for treating cancer.
Is it always right to save lives? A radical proposal
In neonatal medicine, there is a grey area where professionals may be uncertain whether it is in the child’s best interests to start life-saving treatment. Without it, the infant dies. But the treatment can also do great harm. One of the foremost duties of medicine is often said to be to “do no harm”. But how much of a burden on the infant is acceptable? At what point is the hope simply too small to justify action?
New app helps relieve back pain
Back pain is very common. But a new app called selfBACK can help us get better.
Mini-brains reveal cause of rare syndromes
The culprit behind a large number of cancerous tumours is known to be a certain protein. Now for the first time, research shows that the same protein is the cause of several rare brain syndromes.
Nordic prize for excellent research awarded to NTNU professor
The Anders Jahre’s Award for Medical Research for young researchers is awarded this year to Professor Barbara van Loon at NTNU. Several previous winners of the main prize have since received the Nobel Prize in Medicine. This includes May-Britt and Edvard Moser at NTNU.
Using real neural networks to pinpoint the start of brain disease
Researchers at NTNU are studying brain cells in the lab to investigate the foggy beginnings of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
An automated box on wheels — with personality
Robots are becoming more and more omnipresent in our lives, even though we may not notice. New research shows that when a boxy motorized hospital robot can talk, people find it funny and engaging. And that may help people be more willing to accept new technologies, like robots, in their everyday lives.
Genetic link between preeclampsia and heart disease
Researchers at NTNU have contributed to the discovery of gene variants in mothers that increase their risk of both preeclampsia and heart disease.
Tomorrow’s research technology co-developed at Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience
Nobel laureate and Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience founding director and professor Edvard Moser says a new technology “opens doors to experiments we could only dream about 5 years ago.” The technology in question is called Neuropixels 2.0, a new favourite in the neuroscientists’ toolbox.
A simple exercise goal protects against unhealthy weight gain
Exercising enough can prevent weight gain. Researchers have found a simple measurement method that helps to maintain or reduce weight– and it’s free.
Mini-hearts are similar to human hearts
NTNU master’s student Vanessa Solvang cultivates tiny little beating hearts in the lab. She takes good care of them, weekends included.
Twenty years of sequencing genes… for better or for worse
It’s been 20 years since the first draft sequence of the human genome was published in the journals Nature and Science. The result led then-President Bill Clinton to state that we are now learning the language in which life was written, and that “doctors will increasingly be able to cure diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer by attacking their genetic roots.”
Sequencing 30 000 genes has changed the world, but in a different way than expected.
New NTNU method for beating back the coronavirus
NTNU researchers have started testing a COVID-19 test strategy developed in house: saliva samples you take yourself, without involving health personnel. This means that researchers may be able to knock back the coronavirus epidemic faster, more easily and much more cheaply than today. The method is now being tested on NTNU students.
Preemies at greater risk for mortality in adulthood
The risk of dying from heart disease, chronic lung disease or diabetes in adulthood is twice as high for preemies —premature infants — as for the general population. Even those who were born just two to three weeks before term have a slightly increased risk.
NTNU researchers have found promising COVID-19 drugs
NTNU researchers are on track to find drug combinations that could help stop the coronavirus across the globe.
Hip fracture outcomes worse during busy periods
Elderly people are at greater risk of dying from hip surgery if surgeons are in a hurry.
Where the starring role is death
Nine hundred people from Trøndelag county have donated their bodies to research when they die. Why do they do it, and what are the bodies actually used for? Come on into the anatomical laboratory at NTNU.
Not enough COVID-19 tests? No problem, we’ll make them!
The story of what happened when a molecular biologist, some engineers and PhDs and postdocs from NTNU and St Olavs Hospital put their heads together to design a completely different kind of coronavirus test.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.