Health - Sciencenorway.no

Misinformation and conspiracy theories may have caused fewer immigrants to take the Covid-19 vaccine

Researchers have investigated what may have contributed to fewer immigrants taking the Covid vaccine.

No higher risk of pregnancy complications for women who were conceived using assisted fertilisation

These are the findings of a recent study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Gene testing might provide more precise treatment of arthritis, bowel disease and psoriasis

Many people with chronic inflammation have had good results using a biologic medicine. However, for some the effect gradually wears off. Now Norwegian researchers have made discoveries that could provide a more genetically tailored treatment.

Dentists go on about fluoride. But why is it so important?

Something happens to the enamel and bacteria in our mouths when we brush our teeth with fluoride.

A saliva test can reveal your risk of breast cancer

For the first time, a new genetic test is being tested on Norwegian women. The researchers analyse who has an increased risk of getting breast cancer. “Those with an increased risk can then receive closer follow-up,” Tone Hovda says.

Too little and poor sleep can increase your risk of infection

A new Norwegian study suggests that good sleep hygiene – enough and good sleep – makes you less vulnerable to infections. It's important not to sleep too little – or too much.

Common cold can make children immune to Covid-19

Children can develop immunity against Covid-19 after having fought off a particular type of cold virus. The ability to develop such immunity decreases with age.

Researchers use hypnosis to help breast cancer patients cope better with surgery

One in ten women develops breast cancer during their lives. But how they cope with the disease mentally varies dramatically. Now, researchers may have found a method that can help patients recover better following surgery.

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.

Norwegian midwives are sceptical about encountering pregnant transmen

But some midwives changed their attitude after participating in a study. “The interview really gave many of them something to think about,” says midwife Hilde Ostad.

Many ME/CFS patients are severely ill and receive inadequate support

A Norwegian survey provides insight into the everyday life of a patient group we know little about.

Most people get cavities before they turn 18. It's not just because of sugar

Only one in three 18-year-olds has zero experience with cavities. But most often, the worst occurs in early life, according to two Norwegian researchers.

Many people who have sex with both men and women perceive themselves as heterosexual

This has consequences for their sexual health. We should help people find their right sexual identity so that they can align their self-reported sexual orientation with their sexual behaviour, writes Bente Træen.

Experts are changing their views on the treatment of obesity in children

Aggressive treatment with medication and surgery is now being recommended in the United States if lifestyle changes do not produce results. Norwegian experts have also changed their views in line with this.

Researcher: This is what characterizes the dementia Bruce Willis has

The famous actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. This is a disease that is difficult to diagnose and is very painful for relatives.

Keto diet is a miracle cure for some people with epilepsy – but scientists don't know why

When Cathrine Adriaenssens was 33, she had such severe epilepsy that her doctor feared she might die from it. Today she is completely healthy.

Researchers are learning more about the mysteries of brain cancer

Brain cancer is one of the most serious types of cancer a person can develop. It is also extremely difficult to study. This has limited advances in treatment for some time. Now, however, there’s a little more reason for optimism, according to one researcher and a patient.

This disease can suddenly make you behave very strangely. Afterwards you might not remember a thing.

Not everyone with epilepsy has seizures. And in a lot of cases, we don’t know why the disease occurs.

Study: Risk of giving birth to small babies increases when the mother lives farther from green spaces

Research shows that a mother's access to green areas — such as a garden, park or footpath — during pregnancy can be linked to a healthy birth weight in children.

Why does your nose start to run when you come indoors?

ASK A RESEARCHER: "The nose is the gatekeeper to the lungs," researcher says.

Covid-19 hygiene measures caused skin problems

They avoided the virus but damaged their skin. More hand washing and sanitising gave four out of ten healthcare workers greater problems with the skin on their hands.

Do you have a greater risk of breast cancer if your breasts are big or small?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Risk is tied to the amount of breast tissue, cancer researcher says.

The essential nutrient that nobody has heard of

If you lack the nutrient choline, you may get liver disease. And your risk of getting Alzheimer’s or cardiovascular diseases may increase.

Unemployment is harmful to your health – especially if you are a man

Unemployment can lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Men seem to be affected the most, according to a new Norwegian study.

Caesarean sections do not increase the risk of newborns acquiring hospital bacteria

The gut microbiome in newborns is affected by the method of delivery. However, Norwegian research does not indicate that children born by caesarean section ingest unwanted bacteria to a greater extent.

Norwegian discovery gives hope for blood cancer patients

Leukemia in adults often has a very poor prognosis. Norwegian researchers have used experiments in mice to develop a treatment that might increase the chance of survival.

Therapists detect few cases of intimate partner violence

A new study finds that therapists in the Norwegian Family Services rarely detect physical intimate partner violence.

This may be the reason why ultra-processed foods make us eat more

A lack of protein in ultra-processed food might be one of the drivers of the obesity epidemic, according to researchers.

Tasting 16-day-old fish is just one of many tasks supertaster Kristin has done for researchers

Meet the supertasters on a normal day at work.

More people with narcissistic personality disorder should get help

They often behave so unpleasantly that therapists are not comfortable having them as patients. But people with narcissistic personality disorder need help. And treatment can help, says researcher.

The obesity drugs are here: Major shift in treatment, according to experts

After decades of unsuccessful obesity treatment, researchers are now optimistic. New medicines can probably help many who suffer from the chronic disease.

Long Covid: Here's what we know so far

The most common symptoms are changes in taste and smell. More women than men are affected, and symptoms appear to diminish over time. These are some of the findings from a recent review of studies on long Covid.

Should the baby sleep in its own bed or co-sleep with the parents – and why is this such a controversial issue?

What is the best way to put the youngest children to bed? A new Norwegian sleep app aims to help parents get their children to fall asleep on their own.

Narcissists feel overly self-important but are also very fragile, says psychiatrist

In the media, they are portrayed almost exclusively as arrogant and reckless. But people with narcissistic personality disorder also have another, often well hidden, side to their personality.

Here’s what you can do to have fewer nightmares

The best documented treatment against nightmares is actually something you can do yourself. You just need a little creativity and a few minutes.

Why are some people so picky when it comes to food?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Some people pick at their food and don't like fish and vegetables. What's the problem?

Norway: 7 per cent more deaths than expected this year – due to Covid

The numbers are showing an excess mortality in Norway in 2022. Up until mid-November this year 7 per cent more deaths than expected were recorded.

Does fertility decline after age 35?

There is still a good chance of getting pregnant in your late 30s. But the risk of miscarriage and complications increases with age.

Study finds that married people have the lowest risk of dementia

People who are married have a lower risk of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment after the age of 70 than those who are unmarried or divorced.

Increased incidence of menstrual changes following the Pfizer Covid vaccine among young girls

A new study shows that there is an increased incidence of menstrual irregularities following the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 in girls aged 12 to 15.

Should sudden visual impairments be included in the test that detects strokes?

Paralysis and speech difficulties are signs of a stroke in seven out of ten victims. Vision problems are the only symptom in some people. The Norwegian Directorate of Health is now considering including disturbances in vision in new campaigns.

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.

Study: The risk of cancer of the uterus decreases with each pregnancy

Cancer of the uterus is one of the most common cancers for women.

Women who have struggled to have children are more likely to get cardiovascular disease

Women who have difficulty conceiving are somewhat more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. Their partners also have a slightly elevated risk, according to two Norwegian studies.

Covid spreads more easily in dry indoor air. Does that mean we should buy humidifiers?

One study finds that Covid spreads the least at 40 to 60 per cent humidity. Can a humidifier save your holiday party from becoming a spreading event?

Same amount of long Covid symptoms following Omicron and Delta variants

New research shows that those who have been infected by the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus report long Covid just as often as those who were infected with the Delta virus.

Stroke symptoms in young women are different than in men

Women may have different stroke symptoms than men. They often do not have the classic symptoms such as slurred speech, difficulty smiling or lifting an arm. A lack of awareness can delay life-saving treatment.

4-day anxiety treatment receives research award

Researchers Gerd Kvale and Bjarne Hansen have received the innovation award from the Research Council of Norway for a four-day treatment program that has shown very good effects against severe anxiety disorders.

Those who always complain about being cold are actually colder

Some people complain that they are cold even in wool sweaters when others are comfortable in T-shirts. They're not kidding.

What happened to the stem cell treatment that was supposed to cure everything?

In the early 2000s, people had huge expectations that stem cell research would bring us wonderful new treatments for a range of diseases. So what happened?

How dangerous is it to give birth? There are big differences between European countries

Researchers have compared birth mothers in eight European countries. The risk of dying was lowest in Norway.

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?

A cold house can be harmful to your health

More people die in the winter than during summer. The elderly should keep at least one room in their house at 24 degrees or warmer, professor advises.

It is not dangerous to get pregnant right after a miscarriage

Getting pregnant right after a miscarriage does not increase the risk of complications, a new Norwegian study establishes. The WHO should consider changing their recommendations, according to the researchers.

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.

The feeling of being worthless is the most important cause of depression, researchers say

Have you ever felt worthless? A large Norwegian study now points to this as perhaps the most important driver and cause of worsening depression.

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.

Here’s how you can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer

“Even if you are middle-aged, you still have time to change your lifestyle and improve it,” says Edoardo Botteri from the Cancer Registry of Norway.

This is why we forget names

And this is what you can do to remember them.

Big survey on cheating: Who cheats the most, and why do they do it?

Some cheat more on their partners than others, according to a large Norwegian survey.

Women are happy with the results of reconstructive clitoral surgery, so why are doctors still sceptical?

Reconstructive clitoral surgery is not available in Norway. In Sweden, on the other hand, the surgery is legal, but healthcare personnel are unsure whether it works. Neneh Bojang had to travel from Norway to France to receive treatment.

Only Norway and Denmark avoided increased mortality during the pandemic

The Covid-19 crisis led to a reduction in life expectancy that rich countries have not experienced since the war.

Do women really have a better vocabulary than men?

Are women better at remembering words than men? Researchers in Bergen have now carried out a thorough review of studies on the topic.

Undetected atrial fibrillation was the cause of many strokes. Nine out of ten had no symptoms

A Norwegian-led study found that atrial fibrillation was the hidden cause of stroke in many patients. Long-term heart rhythm monitoring of patients can prevent recurrent strokes in this group.

No simple link between dairy products and heart disease

People who drank a lot of milk had a greater risk of heart attack and death than those who didn’t. But people who ate a lot of cheese had a lower risk, a new Norwegian study shows.

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.

More Norwegians now die from pharmaceutical opioid overdoses than from heroin overdoses

More people now die from overdoses of strong painkillers with opioids than overdoses of heroine, according to a study from the Norwegian institute of public health.

Highly educated people drink alcohol more often than those with less education

The oldest and the most highly educated drink the most, according to new survey.

Brains of schizophrenia and bipolar patients are older than their age would suggest

A new research method shows that the connection between mental illness and poor brain health is stronger than researchers were aware of.

Now researchers know how the sickest COVID-19 patients have fared

They have good news for COVID patients who ended up in a coma and on a ventilator in Norwegian intensive care units.

How can we know if food additives are safe?

The food authorities tell us that the additives in our food are harmless. Yet, an additive was recently banned after a long period of use. How can that be?

Slightly fewer students report having mental health problems

35 per cent of Norwegian students respond that they struggle mentally, but their physical health is better, according to this year's health and well-being survey.

Does a C-section or vaginal delivery affect women's sex lives more?

Researchers were pleasantly surprised by how little giving birth vaginally affected women’s sex life. “This study can dispel myths,” sexologist Bente Træen says.

Which smokers and ex-smokers are at greatest risk for lung cancer?

Researchers at NTNU are developing a new method for more accurately calculating the individual risk of lung cancer in smokers. A number of risk genes are baked into the model.

A blood test that reveals whether we are at risk of dementia is just around the corner

But it may take several years before a medicine to treat the disease is available. “We are in an ethically difficult time now,” researchers say.

When’s the best time to find out that you will get dementia?

“Many of the first symptoms of dementia can be difficult to distinguish from normal ageing. That’s probably one of the reasons why people are uncertain as to whether they should contact their doctor with their problems,” says one researcher.

Half of young women struggle with headaches or migraines

Half of women between the ages of 16 and 24 say they suffer from headaches or migraines. This is a significant increase from the 30 per cent who answered the same in 2002.

Discovery of plant toxins in 13 herbal tea products

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority recommends drinking less herbal tea after detecting natural plant toxins in 13 different herbal tea products.