Tag: researchers zone

Arctic sea-ice monitoring: from the Vikings to satellite observations

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The first Arctic sea-ice observations were documented by the Vikings, and later followed by the first polar explorers and sailors. Today, the IceBird programme is part of an international monitoring series, documenting the Arctic ice cover as it undergoes rapid changes due to climate warming.

What will happen if we succeed with artificial intelligence?

OPINION: "We should expect that machines will take control," concluded Alan Turing in 1951. In this text, one of the world's leading AI researchers, Professor Stuart J. Russell, discusses the benefits and dangers of the research.

We need ambitions for an iconic Viking Age Museum

OPINION: A modern museum must secure the collection, but also facilitate dissemination and research.

Offering products 'for him' or 'for her' is risky business

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Only when consumers perceive a relevant biological difference between men and women, do they accept gendered marketing as legitimate.

Bacterial membrane satellites prove important testing ground for new antibiotics

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The membrane is the bacteria’s most important line of defense against our antibiotics. When it sheds part of that defense, the discarded leftovers now prove to be key players in our fight against antibacterial resistance.

MRSA bacteria: The Sneaky and Sometimes Dangerous Tenant in Your Throat

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: One of the most common bacteria hiding in the human throat can sometimes be a menace to our health. To get rid of it we need a brand-new treatment strategy, and we just might have found the right tools to make that strategy.

What is happening to the Arctic sea ice in winter?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The loss of summer Arctic sea ice has become the «canary in the coalmine» of climate change. Sea ice is also declining during the dark, cold winter, but more ice was observed this winter than in the previous 10 years. A new PhD thesis helps to understand why.

Is there something wrong with the prisons in Norway?

OPINION: While the Norwegian Correctional Service’s institutional strategy defines resocialisation as the goal, a significant share of those incarcerated come back after release.

Does social media content creation impact the professional identity of preventive health professionals?

OPINION: Professionals of preventive health may use social media to build a professional image, and at the same time consciously or unconsciously be shaped by the content they share.

The Covid-19 pandemic has unveiled the pervasive dangers of autocratic responses to crises

OPINION: Misinformation, divisive rhetoric, and manipulating tactics in order to consolidate power and overshadow governments’ shortcomings were widespread during the pandemic.

Embracing unity: How Scandinavia responded to combat Covid-19

OPINION: A unified, well-communicated approach rooted in a country's socio-political context is paramount in steering through crises.

Rising concerns about marine health call for better knowledge of marine microbial communities

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Unlocking the mysteries of marine microbial communities can help us make better decisions on marine resource management.

Telemedicine: How new technologies can bring medical care to people in remote areas

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The introduction of AI and smart technology is paving the way for more proactive, personalised, and accessible medical services.

Three reasons why your sports watch cannot measure stress

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The most crucial element in managing stress is, and will always be, you - how you interact with the world and manage the universal challenges we all face.

Summons 446 signatures: Should all PhD candidates learn Norwegian? We are concerned

OPINION: According to the Action Plan for Norwegian Academic Language, all temporary employees are required to attend Norwegian courses, and all permanent employees must become proficient in Norwegian within 3 years. Over 400 researchers assess the implications this will have on the sector.

Do you know why you choose the music you listen to?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Algorithmic music recommendations are everywhere. Why do people resist to acknowledge them?

Bacteria have a new mortal enemy: DNA

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: We all know about DNA. It lives inside every cell in our bodies and shapes who we are and how we look. But what if we could use it as a tool against bacteria?

World Soil Day emphasizes the increasing need to integrate soil and water research and management

OPINION: Extreme dry and wet events has caused many challenges to both food production and water protection. This calls for the increase of integrated soil and water research to address the national and global challenges in food security and environmental sustainability.

Teaching is a profession in crisis

OPINION: Teachers need help to regain pride, status and professionalism around the world. This article offers 5 steps to help teachers as well as students meet changing society.

Who should collect, manage and have access to data from the oceans?

OPINION: Research institutions from Norway and other countries have collected a great amount of data from the northern oceans in recent years. Many people want access to this information.

A large Gross Domestic Product doesn’t necessarily lead to better lives

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: More than 20 countries perform better than the USA on the Human Development Index (HDI). If money can buy happiness, the economic resources of the USA are clearly not spent well.

Employees are using ChatGPT for advice, but is this a good thing?

OPINION: Recent data on people’s habits in the workplace are giving us reason to look into whether the use of artificial intelligence (AI) may be hampering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The «plastic paradox»: Some clean-up technologies do more harm than good

OPINION: The ever-increasing problem of plastic pollution has prompted widespread efforts to combat it through innovative clean-up technologies. These advancements, however, often seen as the silver bullet to solve our plastic crisis, sometimes do more harm than good.

The lack of women in IT and Information Security limits the potential talent pool

OPINION: We are yet to empower women in IT and information security, writes Toktam Ramezanifarkhani.

How influencers pave the way for brands to reach potential customers

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Social media’s built-in functions of purchasing make it possible for influencers to give brands access to a loyal crowd of followers who trust them.

Is it possible to secure grounds of quick clay in a sustainable manner?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Soil improvement currently has a significant climate impact due to the substantial consumption of cement and lime products. Recent efforts have improved the situation, but there is still much to be done to make the method sustainable. Is this possible, and how can it be achieved?

The aluminium in your old car should be recycled into a new car, not something else

OPINION: Unless we acquire greater knowledge about what happens at the atomic and molecular scale during materials recycling, progress towards a truly circular economy will grind to a halt.

The future of artificial intelligence in education

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Using ChatGPT, the students reports surpassed the quality of many research papers. How can subject matter experts stay relevant for software engineers?

How the office estranged and empowered queer women

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Historically, the office was both a heterosexual straitjacket and a space where queer women could support themselves and become independent.

What can we learn from a Swedish fashion brand to innovate for a sustainable future?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: How can we ensure that innovation leads us to a better future and not a dystopian one?

Robots may help relieve a congested healthcare system

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Could you imagine healthcare institutions with robots performing ultrasound examinations?

Why do women leave academia after completing a PhD?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The higher the academic level, the lower the percentage of women. It is a lose-lose game for female scientists and academia.

Nine recommendations on risk communication during health crises

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Building and maintaining a good reputation and trust – especially related to health issues – is an essential tool for governments and public health authorities to effectively manage future pandemics.

Digitising our medieval heritage requires better search tools

OPINION: The Middle Ages continue to captivate our imagination through their portrayal in films, TV series and games. The term medieval evokes vivid associations in our minds. But where does our knowledge of the Middle Ages truly originate?

How beneficial bacteria can help premature babies thrive

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: A similar type of probiotics that you take to prevent getting the runs when travelling can save lives of prematurely born babies.

Working from home inhibits innovation. But researchers know how to fix it

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: When you work from home, you tend to communicate more with the members of your own team. This is good for implementing ideas. On the other hand, you also communicate less with other groups, which does not encourage the creation of new ideas. But all this can be fixed.

We are still surrounded by the Middle Ages

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Historical events from the Middle Ages are often used – and misused – in political argumentation in our time. A current example is how Vladimir Putin misuses the Middle Ages to deny Ukraine’s right to exist as an independent nation.

Let’s not vilify our students over chatGPT

OPINION: With the advent of ever-more capable artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as chatGPT, we once again have an opportunity to choose a rational, humane future over clinging to an irrational, suspicious past.

A book with great images and a quiet, comfortable place shape how reading in families is done

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The overall benefit of shared book reading is lower than previously thought, but still remains a key activity for advancing children’s literacy.

Why overconsumption must be understood as a societal challenge

OPINION: Norwegians are world champions in consumption, but most of us feel our levels of consumption are completely normal. This is one of the reasons why sustainability transformations cannot be left to the consumers alone.

Microplastics or microfibers: Does anyone really get what this is about?

OPINION: What we do know, is that all synthetic clothing and materials, sooner or later, will become microplastics, a «time-delayed» pollution bomb. And thus, they will ultimately become a problem for seabirds, and us.

The beauty of a swirl: We continuously reveal the secrets of the heart

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The heart is perhaps the most romanticised, and most studied human organ. The blood flow in the heart has fascinated physicians and researchers for decades, and our understanding of the cardiac mechanics are ever evolving.

Did you know that bacteria can hide their antibiotic resistance?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Much like storing military defence equipment without revealing it to the enemy, bacteria can mask their ability to resist antibiotics. This hidden antibiotic resistance can pass under the radar and cause treatment failure in patients.

We have a new and better method for predicting male fertility in cattle breeding

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Traditionally animal breeders would select animals based on their physical characteristics, but with advancement of genetic techniques, animal breeders can now select animals based on their genetic makeup.

How often do you need to use your clothes to be «sustainable»?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The functional unit for a winter coat is 100 days of use. But what does it mean?

Nuclear power is a friend of nature and the environment

OPINION: Based on our recent study of 870 power plants worldwide, nuclear energy is a clear winner in protecting ecosystems, while bioenergy is an indisputable loser.

Refugees must participate in decision making that affect their own lives

OPINION: Many refugees from Sudan, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya reside in the Kyangwali refugee settlement in Western Uganda. In 2021, the population of Kyangwali was 125,039.

Arctic sea ice retreat is well observed by satellites and new technology. So why do we still need scientists working on the ice?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Sea ice is an essential part of Earth’s climate and ocean systems, and in the Arctic the ice decreases year by year.

How conscience enables companies to realise their sustainability strategies

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Companies lack expertise on sustainability, fail to prioritise climate change and lack the commitment to drive environmental and social commitments into the core of the business. Why?

Why do some Norwegian fjords turn green?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Images from space can reveal the secrets behind the colours of the fjords.

No, the new AI chatbot ChatGPT won't take your job

OPINION: People have been quick to dismiss the chatbot ChatGPT as technology that is likely to replace many writing jobs. Such a pessimistic perspective completely overlooks how professionals in different domains can take advantage of it.

The three fears every leader has to know: Why appealing to fear is essential in a crisis

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Knowing how to appeal to apocalyptic fear, political fear, and private fear will help a leader name reality in a credible manner and assess which fear to prioritize at a given time.

Fatty acid composition in the salmon fillet can be measured in seconds

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Norwegian farmed salmon is a good source of the healthy fatty acids, found in fatty fish.

Satellite imaging can provide more climate-friendly actions

OPINION: Climate change affects local areas differently on a global scale. We need to find climate-friendly solutions when dealing with the specific challenges unique for each location. By the the use of satellite imaging we can target and identify the problems more efficiently.

How drunk are you planning to get at this year's Christmas party?

OPINION: Another round? Find your Christmas party alcohol level before it's too late.

What is women's health and why is it important?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: How should we understand the concept of women's health, and what does it mean to me as an obstetrician and researcher on women's health issues?

No one is dead until warm and dead

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Once your core temperature drops towards 30°C, your heart could stop beating – and by then it's usually game over.

Stroke patients with delirium may struggle more afterwards

OPINION: Stroke patients who experience delirium during a stroke could be more prone to developing cognitive and psychiatric difficulties.

Is there any hope of reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change?

OPINION: Believing that we can achieve the Paris Agreement is not naïve, idealistic, or utopian, according to professor Karen O'Brien.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) may benefit children and young adults with cancer

OPINION: Alternative medicine such as acupuncture, hypnosis and herbs and supplements have proved to be a relief against side effects from conventional cancer treatment, according to researcher Trine Stub.

The beauty of getting lost in the loss cone

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Everyday untold trillions of particles, mainly protons and electrons, are bouncing back and forth between the Northern and Southern hemispheres along the Earth’s magnetic field.

Norway’s practice of blowing up WWII sea mines is deadly for marine mammals

OPINION: Norway should stop detonating naval mines in sensitive sea areas. Instead, it could promote the use of alternative and cost-effective mine clearance techniques that have minimal effects on the marine environment.

In the shadow of the war, Russia is tightening its grip in the Arctic

OPINION: The Russian Duma is considering new legislation to ban foreign naval vessels in the Northern Sea Route. Norway must prepare to defend its rights.

Nanocarriers are the Trojan horses of antibiotics

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: There is a new kid in town. He is a nanocarrier loaded with antibiotics, and he can trick bacterial biofilms into opening its strongly guarded gates for him. Antibiotic resistant bacteria better beware.

The food processing technologies we fear the most

OPINION: For the most part, there are some types of food processing technologies that we accept, while we are more sceptical towards others. Why is this, and what does it mean?

How to market food processed with new technologies

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Marketing researchers have developed a guide for food producers who sell products that have been processed using new technologies.

LGBT rights and the Oslo terror attack: This is about whether or not to accept human rights at all

OPINION: The terror attack directed at the LGBT community in Oslo is an important reminder of how vulnerable we all are to hate and violence. At the same time, it once again shows how important LGBT rights are to us all. Because they concern the most basic human rights.