No, a woman’s hymen does not reveal whether she has had sexual intercourse or not “When girls reach puberty, the hymen becomes very elastic and may not tear at all during first sexual intercourse,” says gynaecology researcher.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have caused more violence against women in Norway A new report uncovers insufficient communication from the Norwegian authorities concerning support for women who are victims of domestic violence during the corona crisis.
Not even a Nordic welfare system protects children from the effects of a tough childhood Children who experience a high degree of adverse events had up to 4.5 times the risk of dying before they were 35 years old as compared to children with few or no challenges, according to a new study from Denmark.
Why are teenagers drinking less alcohol than before? Far fewer adolescents in big cities are drinking alcohol. Four out of ten 13- to 17-year-olds reported being drunk in 2002. In 2015 that percentage had declined by half. A big part of the reason is that they have become more home- and school-oriented and hang out less with friends.
Researchers have examined the burial mound where the Gokstad Viking ship was found. What they found surprised them. “The first thing that struck me was that it was so neat. All the layers were so clean,” says archaeologist Rebecca Cannell to sciencenorway.no.
Here’s how the beliefs of Christians and atheists change over a lifetime One researcher followed 13 people for 22 years. He saw that they became more humble and pragmatic.
European female ISIS supporters feel like strangers in their own country On the web, they cultivate their sense of exclusion with other like-minded women, according to one researcher’s interpretation of Facebook profiles in Europe.
How the corona crisis contributes to new types of crime Attacks on health personnel and breaches of infection control laws are dangerous consequences of the way we talk about the pandemic, according to a Norwegian researcher studying media coverage in Latin America.
On academia and diversity: It wasn’t overt racism, but I have been sidelined. OPINION: Having spent 25 years as a brown man in Norwegian academia, here are some reflections on diversity and inclusion in Norwegian science.
Employees at Norwegian kindergartens really enjoy their work On average, these employees stay at the same workplace for nine years.
How dirty and stinky were medieval cities? People in the Middle Ages were aware that a putrid urban environment was unhealthy, and according to Norwegian researchers they confronted the problem.
Stone age handprint found in Norway’s northernmost county Several pieces of rock art of human figures have also been discovered on outcrops in Kvænangsbotn, Troms og Finnmark County.
Flawed experiment sends misleading message about corona-safe gyms OPINION: Without the presence of coronavirus, the researchers’ hypothesis, that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in training facilities with good hygiene and social distancing measures would be low, cannot be tested.
The tiny island of Hitra was home to a large-scale cannery — without electricity or running water As many as 18 canneries were in operation on the islands of Hitra and Frøya at the mouth of Trondheim fjord from the 1890s until 2011.
Is this the world’s simplest mill? The export of millstones was probably a major industry in Norway during the Viking Age.
What happens when episodes of violence come up in family counselling? Some believe that violence only happens in certain families. But according to psychologist Trine Eikrem, violence happens more often than we like to think. Adressing violence has been a challenge for family counselling offices in Norway.
Young social welfare users: Mandatory activities are ok, but benefit sanctions can feel unfair Young people under the age of 30 who receive social assistance in Norway are now required to participate in work-related activities. Young people find the attendance requirement reasonable, but many find benefit sanctions unpredictable, according to a new study.
Coronavirus and training in gyms: Misunderstandings about Randomized Training Trial OPINION: Joar Vittersø has misunderstood the rationale, design and results of our randomized trial on re-opening of gyms in Norway, write the researchers behind a Norwegian study on the transmission of coronavirus in gyms.
Norwegian coronavirus “experiment” was misleading. People who train in gyms can infect each other with COVID-19. OPINION: An undocumented message about it being safe to work out in gyms during the coronapandemic has been disseminated.
Preferring to be social on social media rather than face-to-face is not deviant. It’s the new normal. OPINION: Are you secretly dreading the day when social distancing is just a vague memory? When you once again have to physically interact with other people, whether you like them or not? Chances are you are not a social deviant or a freak, but a representative of the new normal.
New research supports Thor Heyerdahl's theory on South Americans in the Pacific There was contact between Polynesia and America long before the arrival of Europeans, a large new DNA study shows. One Norwegian researcher says the new findings are solid.
Fighting fake science - one duplicated or fake image at a time One Chinese company has produced at least 400 fake scientific articles to order. A Norwegian researcher was central to the discovery.
Low levels of competence among those who work with the intellectually disabled Just one in 10 employees who work with the intellectually disabled in Norway has trained as a social educator. This percentage has been at a near standstill since the early 1980s, according to a new report.
What did the Vikings really eat? Norwegian researchers are working to find out more about what the Vikings cooked in their cauldrons.
Black Lives Matter and the archaeology of heritage commemorating bigoted white men OPINION: White society has actively resisted critically reconsidering the significance of commemorative statues of colonialism. Rather than wait for the next statue-gate – let’s have a self-critical debate about what these statues actually represent.
This tiny bird carving is more than 13,000 years old This is the oldest known man-made animal figure from East Asia.
Norway needs coronavirus-style measures to start the green shift along the coast OPINION: Norway’s coastal communities and ocean industries want stricter regulations and greater investment in becoming more sustainable. Governments around the world have acted swiftly to suppress the coronavirus – a similar coordinated effort would be an effective tool to combat the climate changes we are facing.
Researcher: When doctors talk to girls and women who have undergone female genital cutting, they must talk about sexuality Although some of these women were sceptical about having sugery to help with their problems, most were receptive to talking to a sexologist or psychologist, new research shows.
Does immigration lead to less trust in a society? People in Norway and Sweden have a great deal of trust in each other. Swedish researchers have now looked to see if this trust is dropping in areas where many people of different ethnic backgrounds live.
What kind of person supports illegal hunting of Norway’s wolves? If you think it’s okay to shoot wolves illegally, you are probably also opposed to immigration and a climate sceptic. Living in proximity to where wolves are found in Norway however, has little influence on your opinion, researchers say.
Immigrants and men with low incomes and low education levels more likely to die of COVID-19 Men with low incomes, low education and who have never been married are at increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Immigrants from low-income countries are similarly vulnerable, according to a Swedish study.
The coronavirus pandemic has taught us something important: Technocrats are no longer precautionary OPINION: In present-day Sweden, an expert – state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell – is de facto head of state. Tegnell has based his strategy on model projections rather than testing and tracing, and the venture is proving a spectacular failure, writes Emil Flatø
Archaeologists have found astonishingly well-preserved gear from a fisherman who lived 5,000 years ago Stone Age harpoons found in southern Norway speak of perilous fishing. But now the traces from this time are slowly crumbling away.
Is it ok to publish racist representations if your intention was for it to be funny and cute? OPINION: In the face of criticism far too many people tend to hide behind the “intention” of their words, writes senior researcher Edwin Schmitt. But does it matter that Norway’s national broadcaster didn’t intend for a children’s song to be racist against Chinese people, if in fact it is?
Norwegians are wasting less food since the coronavirus crisis One in five Norwegians are throwing away less food than they used to. Many have also gotten better at cooking, a new survey suggests.
Political controversy over how Norway decides to shoot wolves If wolves have reached or exceeded target population numbers, is that reason enough to shoot them? The Norwegian parliament recently voted yes to this. The result may be more wolves shot in Norway.
Can a book change your life? Have you ever read a book that has gripped you so strongly that it affected the way you live or the way you understand yourself? Now the Norwegian health care system is starting to take an interest in literature as part of treatment.
Why Black Pete matters: Institutional racism and police violence in the Netherlands Black Lives Matter has shaken up political discussions about racism across the globe. In the Netherlands, it has led to yet another escalation around the ‘Black Pete’ controversy, Iris Beau Segers argues that the empty rhetoric, inaction and opportunism of (radical) right politicians indicates their continued reluctance to tackle institutional racism at its roots.
Now kids and teens in Norway have their own Climate House How can scientists really know that the climate is changing? A visit to the new Climate House that has just opened in Oslo may help you understand it.
Should Norwegians tear down their Churchill-statue? OPINION: Campaigns to remove statues from our common spaces is history making, not a rejection of history, as many have recently claimed. Statues are representations of who we want to be, not what the past was. This issue is being debated contentiously and with insufficient historical awareness around the world, including in Norway.
Was there a Viking Age in Norway — 2000 years before the Vikings? It may be that people from the North went to the Mediterranean with "Viking ships" as early as 3000 years ago.
Norway’s coronavirus tracing app halted by Data Protection Authority – too invasive and not useful “This reduces our ability to fight the spread of the virus that is happening now”, warns Camilla Stoltenberg, director of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
The police lack systematic plans to increase expertise, according to new research Gang crime, digital fraud and transnational crime are increasing. But the police lack systems to increase agency competence, according to senior managers in the Norwegian Police Sverice.
More Norwegians want to grow their own food Norwegians have been buying supplies for their kitchen gardens like never before, but it has not always been so common for the average Norwegian to grow fruits and vegetables.
Who cares for the men who are left behind? OPINION: We need more research and less scorn, and a better understanding of the incel phenomenon in order to prevent radicalisation, writes Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair.
Young people probably less individualistic than their parents, despite having grown up in a far more individualistic culture Being caring and taking care of each other was one of the most important ideals for 19 and 20 year old Norwegian youth in a recent study. When asked who inspires them they answered grandma, and the Norwegian teacher.
Why do some people confess to crimes they haven’t committed? Researchers believe we should still be aware of this danger, even though police now use more modern interrogation techniques.
Adult children providing care for parents can lose income in the long-term Having parents who are nearing the end of their lives can take a heavy toll, both physically and emotionally. A new study shows that income can also be affected in the long-term if you provide regular care to ageing parents.
Changing masculinity in Norwegian black metal In Norwegian black metal, monstrous images of hyper-masculinity is emphasised. This has given many fans power over their own identity.
One in three Norwegian women has taken the morning-after pill More than half of them had used emergency contraception more than once in their lives.
Why are fewer Norwegians working than before? The lower employment rate is not only due to the ageing of the population or the fact that more immigrants have come to Norway, according to a new study.
Why archaeologists call for an immediate Gjellestad Viking ship dig One reason is the ship is under attack by a fungus that is consuming the wood. "It’s being eaten from all directions and we don’t know how long this siege has been going on,” says Archaeologist Christian Rødsrud.
The coronavirus pandemic is now the most-covered topic by the Norwegian media — ever Over the past 70 years, cancer has been the disease that has been most widely covered by Norwegian media, with some exceptions. But then came the coronavirus.
Locally produced food and self-sufficiency remain but a dream for most countries According to a new Finnish study, almost 80 per cent of the world's population depends on imported food. What does this mean in times of crisis?
We will have pandemics every ten years, Norway’s Minister of Health told a national newspaper. Is that right? We've taken a closer look at Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie’s assertion.
How do kindergarten staff handle getting angry with a child? They often feel uncomfortable when they resort to raising their voice or using physical force, according to a study of 57 preschool employees.
Can the Coronavirus lead to more peace? SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Researchers have never before seen so many countries declaring a ceasefire because of the same reason.
Building larger and better roads results in more traffic, not fewer traffic jams Road projects in Norway did not reduce congestion, researchers from the Institute of Transport Economics have found.
Record numbers apply to nursing and medical studies during the coronavirus pandemic Never before have so many people applied to universities and university colleges in Norway. Almost every tenth applicant wants to become a nurse. Many also want to become doctors.
CasaPound Italia: Contemporary Extreme Right Politics How does a relatively small far right group, with little electoral support, attract international media attention and influence national politics? A recently published book by C-REX researchers Pietro Castelli Gattinara and Caterina Froio uses the example of CasaPound Italia to illustrate the new and often surprising forms that right-wing extremism is taking across the globe.
Glacial archaeology: Activity over this mountain pass was at its peak during the Viking Age Norwegians used this mountain pass for more than 1200 years. As the ice melts in the high mountains, long-hidden objects emerge.
Harassing humour in the military begins among the officers Humour has an important function for solidarity and team spirit among conscripts in the military. According to researchers, however, it may also contribute to many women leaving the military after the compulsory military service.
Why aren't Norwegian women having more than two children? The main reason for the low birth rates in Norway is not that the number of childless adults is increasing, but that fewer people who have two children choose to have a third.
Fewer educators want to become school principals Has the principal's job become so burdensome that no one wants it?
Corona crisis packages may result in more layoffs than necessary, economists warn Support for layoffs and cash grants may cause Norwegian companies to slow down more than necessary, says economics professor Ragnar Torvik. He thinks the crisis package measures for businesses should have been designed differently.
Men read as much as women, at least when it comes to audiobooks Men who subscribe to audiobook services listen as much, if not more, than women. That's good news, one professor says.
A Norwegian virus app to help stop the spread of COVID-19 Norway will soon launch an app that can notify people if they have been in contact with someone infected by the coronavirus. The app will also allow authorities to monitor the effect of other measures to stop the spread. One in four Norwegians are sceptical, but half of those surveyed said they will download the app.
What news do Norwegians share the most on social media? Politics, immigration and regular Joe. These are the topics Norwegians share news about on Facebook and Twitter.
Women’s travel behaviour make cities greener Planning cities for and with women can make the city both safer and more environment friendly, according to researchers.
Bronze age art hunters: Three friends crack the code for finding petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings They’ve practically doubled the number of rock carvings found in Østfold county, the landscape with the most petroglyphs in Norway. The key word is ocean.
Here’s how researchers will find out if Norway’s efforts to fight the corona virus work Researchers are surveying what people do and who gets infected, but they won’t be able to say exactly how the coronavirus spreads.
Swedes trust their experts in the coronavirus crisis Many Norwegians shake their heads in disbelief at their neighbour Sweden’s approach to the coronavirus. But Sweden’s population greatly supports the country's corona experts, a recent study suggests.
Children born more than three weeks early may have a delayed language development Babies born very prematurely may develop problems speaking in complete sentences and following conversations. "Struggling with language has a big impact on children's lives," says researcher.
Quarantining Hungarian Democracy The Covid-19 crisis is exploited by Viktor Orbán to consolidate power and undermine democracy. The increasingly authoritarian Prime Minister has used the pandemic to further authoritarian ends. Democratic backsliding in Hungary has for long been a cause of concern for the European Union.
Norwegians support corona measures – but do not trust that the social security system can handle the consequences Only one in five trust that the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) can handle the consequences of the financial crisis that the virus has created.
Mum drinking just a little too much led to behavioural problems in children This doesn’t only apply to mothers with alcohol abuse issues. A Norwegian study shows that merely a slightly elevated alcohol consumption in mothers of toddlers can lead to more behavioural problems in children.
