Society & culture - Sciencenorway.no

This Norwegian-Swedish cannon could be one of the oldest in Europe

The cannon was loaded and ready for battle when it ended up at the bottom of the sea 600 years ago off what was an important medieval Norwegian city.

Kaisa grew up in a poor family and became poor herself. Why is poverty inherited?

Kaisa Hansen-Suckow was born into a poor family. She herself started her adult life as poor.

Melting ice near Norway's highest mountain reveals horse bridle that could stem from the Viking Age

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient bridle and other artifacts from a mountain pass almost 2,000 meters above sea level.

Another gold treasure in Norway: 1400 year old gold foil figures found in pagan temple

A total of 35 gold pieces have now been found by the roadside near the Hov farm in Vingrom. "It doesn't get much more spectacular than this," says archaeologist.

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.

Why are there 500 different types of psychotherapy?

Treatments can vary widely and are sometimes even contradictory. But no one is making sure that the method you use actually works.

The unknown wartime merchant seamen: Michael, a Briton, was 14 when he was killed on a Norwegian ship

30,000 foreign merchant seamen worked for Norway during the Second World War.

Failing an exam led to higher risk of psychological problems and substance abuse for students

A new study shows that pupils who failed the final exam in upper secondary school more often saw their GP with mental health problems afterwards. They were also less likely to complete upper secondary school and pursue higher education.

Can patients get just as well by talking to someone who is not a psychologist?

Researchers have no idea why some people get better from going to therapy.

Mothers of children with disabilities earn less than fathers

A research group has looked at how income and employment affect parents of children with disabilities. The result shows that mothers earn less.

1500-year-old gold treasure discovered by metal detectorist: “This is the gold find of the century in Norway”

Nine gold pendants with rare horse symbols, ten gold beads, and three gold rings from the 6th century were recently discovered by a metal detectorist in Southwestern Norway.

Glacial archaeologist on melting ice in the mountains: "It’s absolutely extreme"

The dramatic backdrop to spectacular archaeological finds in the Norwegian mountains is that the ice is melting, rapidly. This year's glacial archaeological season in the mountains is now underway.

Can we trust movies about World War II?

A small sentence in Bjørn Tore Rosendahl's doctoral thesis became a big scene in the movie Krigsseileren (War Sailor), which recently won four awards. But the scene is not true.

The third week in kindergarten is the most stressful, saliva from one-year-olds reveals

Although the childcare staff thought their new children were beginning to settle in, cortisol measurements showed that the children were still stressed.

Norwegian Musketeers had to learn 43 moves to fire one shot

Young boys with imprecise weapons received training based on science and a French manual.

Anxious students need to face their fears; accommodations in school have gone too far, says researcher

Anxious students are permitted to avoid doing things they find uncomfortable by teachers. This is becoming a big problem in many schools, according to researcher.

Arguing over what screens do to children is getting in the way of other important issues, researcher says

Growing up in the digital age is different from what children and young people have experienced in the past. What if some kids miss out on it?

Women and men are not equal at home – but many are still satisfied

Men and women contribute differently at home. Equal couples are more satisfied with the division of labour than less equal ones, but the relationship is not necessarily better.

Coercion in foster homes is not uncommon

A new report shows that children in foster homes are restrained, locked up, and monitored. Foster parents have different understandings of what they are allowed to do.

Queer people are exposed to far more violence than straight people

Norway is probably one of the safest countries in the world. But it isn't equally safe for everyone.

Almost 9 out of 10 people who drown are men. Why?

Three factors may explain why most of those who drown are men.

Negative experiences on social media can affect adolescents’ mental health

Even what can be considered as less serious incidents on social media can impact young people's mental health, according to new research.

More stress hormones found in children cared for at home than in kindergartens

Does the research finding flip our understanding of stress in the nursery and kindergarten setting?

This is why some houses may seem more haunted than others

“If something is inexplicable, we often call it ‘supernatural’,” researcher says.

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.

Lowest proportion of men admitted to higher education in 15 years

Not since 2008 has such a small proportion of men been offered higher education placements as this year. In this year's admissions, the proportion of men is 38.7 per cent.

Do men play better football than women?

You might think that you can judge the quality of football regardless of whether men or women are playing the field. One study suggests you are wrong.

This may explain why women earn less on savings than men

A new study shows that the fear of a potential loss in an investment outweighed the potential gain.

Researchers excavated and recreated the 170-year-old garden of this royal summer castle

“We were lucky that they started photographing at this time,” Professor Annegreth Dietze-Schirdewahn says about the 1850s garden. This summer, you can visit the recreated palace park.

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?

It can be physically painful to earn less than your neighbour

Earning less than others can physically hurt, according to a recent study. Those with above average incomes experience less physical pain than others, regardless of whether they live in a wealthy or poor country.

Three women became Norwegian queens in this robe. Maud was the last one

Right after the coronation of King Haakon and Queen Maud, the Norwegian Parliament decided to stop the practice of coronations. Maud’s coronation robe is now displayed in Queen Sonja’s Art Stable.

Curtains made of nettles was so exclusive it was forbidden for ordinary people

Nettle curtains, also known as Nordic silk, was so expensive and exclusive that it was forbidden by law for ordinary people in 1720.

Increasingly high housing prices widen the gap in Norwegians' housing quality

People with low income and single parents have the worst housing conditions, according to a new report from Statistics Norway.

When pasta came to Norway: “We thought it was a vegetable”

Today, most Norwegians eat pasta dishes for dinner. But they do it the Norwegian way, which is quite far from the Italian way.

Archaeologists may have found a Viking house the length of almost two tennis courts

This summer's excavation at an ancient royal estate in Norway has uncovered traces of a massive house, an exquisite sword, and many remnants of lavish parties.

19th century Norwegian wedding celebrations are hard to match

A bride and groom who were to marry 200 years ago observed many rules and traditions.

Thousands of Norwegian pupils have had two teachers in the classroom at the same time. How did it go?

A lot of money is being spent on increasing the teacher-student ratio for Norwegian pupils. But researchers have found the benefits to be limited.

Had to make urgent trips to the loo up to 50 times a day

When his illness was at its worst, Nils Jørgen Fritzøe needed to make 40 to 50 trips a day to the loo. Clearly, travelling by public transport is difficult for those of us who struggle with digestion, he says. Now researchers have studied the toilet facilities on buses, trains, subways and public places in Norway.

Which inequalities do people think are okay? Norway and China come out at opposite ends

Is a little inequality ok if it's a result of some people working harder than others? Researchers did a behavioral experiment and found that the answer to this depends on which country you live in.

Norwegians buy 50 per cent more clothes and shoes than the average European

Norway is once again nearly at the top in consumption in Europe. Consumers need help to make sustainable choices when shopping for clothes and shoes says researcher.

Here’s what the archaeologists found in the Viking grave the Heiland-family discovered in their garden

The sword that popped out of the earth in southern Norway may have revealed a double burial. After two days of intense excavations archaeologists have unearthed lots of jewellery, an axe and a shield. And perhaps a frying pan. And a pet rock.

Fewer women on the local election lists

The proportion of women on the candidate lists for the upcoming municipal elections in Norway has decreased since the last election. Most of the top candidates on the lists are also men.

The Nordland boat is the legacy of the Viking ships: "We were probably close to death many, many times"

The Nordland boat was built using the same clinker method as the Vikings. It wasn't necessarily very safe.

Why did Southern and Western Norway become the country’s Bible Belt?

Several countries have their Bible Belts. Researchers have been looking to explain why Christian revivalism became so popular in southern and western Norway.

Ketamine: Why can't severely depressed patients access this effective treatment?

Several studies have shown that psychedelics can work to treat depression. So why does the government refuse to offer this treatment to patients who need it?

Norwegians are becoming increasingly positive towards immigrants

As many as 87 per cent agree that most immigrants make an important contribution to Norwegian working life. More and more people are also positive about refugees, according to figures from Statistics Norway.

The couple were just extending their house: Found a grave from the Viking Age in their garden

That thing sticking up from the earth, which looked a bit like the blade of a sword, turned out to be exactly that. From the Viking Age.

Researcher warns of explosives in nature

Ammunition left in nature poses an increasingly greater threat to social security, according to a doctoral thesis.

The oil lobby has made Norwegians take climate change less seriously

Radical changes are needed before Norwegians take climate change seriously, says one researcher. First, the ties between the oil lobby and the politicians must be loosened.

Cabins were first and foremost for the elite. Until public holidays and the private car came and changed everything

Vacuum-packed faeces and troublesome chemicals. For many decades, people have tried to improve cabin life.

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.

How much alcohol is too much? Countries give different advice

The answer you get depends on which country you live in. Research is just one of the considerations health authorities take into account when setting this limit, according to a substance use researcher.

Journalists, researchers and finance professionals are among those who work from home the most

In total, 44 per cent of all employed individuals stated that they could work from home at least one working day in 2022.

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.

Why do Scandinavians celebrate Midsummer?

“People were not supposed to work, and farmers were required to drink beer,” cultural historian Herleik Baklid says. This was also a day when evil forces were out and about. And you should pick flowers, preferably while naked.

Nearly three times as many Norwegians are now struggling financially

A new study from OsloMet concludes that many Norwegian households have tightened their belts.

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?

People in the Nordics are now advised to drink zero alcohol. Do dietary guidelines work if we cannot follow them?

OPINION: The dietary guidelines have had significant importance in Norway. They are something we know we should strive for. Now, most of us don't stand a chance.

Medieval gaming piece with runic inscription discovered in Norway

An old sewer pipe needed repair in Trondheim in mid-Norway last year. A last-minute dig to save possible archaeological objects yielded a surprising and rare result: a gaming piece with runes.

If you have a summer job or part-time job when you're young, you often earn higher wages as an adult

The difference can be more than 9,000 USD a year.

Twice as many women as men have completed higher education among young adults

Over 62 per cent of young women in Norway aged 25-30 have completed higher education. Less than 40 per cent of young men have attained a university or college education. The figures specifically apply to young adults aged 25-30.

7,000-year old fish traps excavated in Norwegian mountain lake – a race against time as the water is coming in

Four Stone Age fish traps were discovered by chance in the Norwegian mountains last summer. Archaeologists are now working against the clock to secure finds before the area is again covered in water.

Ukraine war: The world will never be the same, says professor

Many people are quietly hoping that things will get back to normal, once Russia's war in Ukraine ends. It won't, says professor Janne Haaland Matlary.

Foreign gaming companies were banned from advertising. Now fewer Norwegians have gambling problems

Approximately 1.4 per cent of Norwegians are addicted to gambling, according to Norwegian Health Information. Now it seems that the numbers are decreasing.

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.