Tag: health

What did nearsighted people do before the age of eyeglasses?

Glasses probably came to Norway about 400 years ago.

Dramatic increase of skin cancer in Norway - is the pandemic to blame?

New cancer statistics show that melanoma increased by nearly 500 cases last year in Norway. That is a 20 per cent increase in just one year.

What happens in our bodies when we eat sugar?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Jelly babies, vanilla fudge, cola bottles, or giant strawbs – most people have their favourite sweets. But what actually happens in the body when we eat sweets?

Ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cancer, according to researchers

Norwegian researchers have found that ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of certain types of cancer by 50 per cent.

Physical activity should be a standard part of treating depression

Norwegian doctors believe that both physical activity and drugs like ketamine should be included in the country's new national guidelines for how to treat depression. Health authorities are however not sure we need guidelines for treatment of depression anymore.

No, you don't have a reptilian brain inside your brain

The myth of the reptilian brain is tenacious – but wrong.

Is men’s health being overlooked?

Why do men die earlier than women, even though women have more diseases and health problems throughout their lives?

This is why you feel both hot and cold when you have a fever

Your brain is playing tricks on you.

Norwegian study: Long Covid is more common among those who have tested positive for Covid-19

“Our study shows that a significant number will still have symptoms or complaints six months after being infected,” senior researcher Karin Magnusson at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health says.

Report: Midwives can suffer hearing damage from the screams of women giving birth

The average noise level during childbirth can pose a risk to those working in the delivery ward. Paediatric nurses and midwives are particularly vulnerable, a report shows.

Is there a solution to the puzzle that is cancer? The fundamental problem is how our body is constructed, one professor says

The better the treatment, the more cancer there will be in the population.

Addicted to lip balm? Maybe you should use something else

ASK A RESEARCHER: If you bite or lick your lips, it quickly becomes a vicious circle of lubrication and drying.

Why do men get sicker from viruses than women? New study could help explain 'man flu'

Women appear to have fewer, but stronger, natural killer cells.

Can artificial intelligence help teenagers with depression?

Researchers will test whether ChatGPT can provide answers to questions young people have about mental health problems.

Received awards for groundbreaking research in dementia and heart health

Researchers Dan Atar and Evandro Fei Fang received awards for their research.

Norwegian study reveals long Covid also among non-infected individuals: “The diagnosis is not appropriate”

A Norwegian study among youth revealed that both Covid-19 infected and non-infected individuals could experience long Covid. Researchers conclude that the diagnosis is not appropriate.

Significant increase in the consumption of added sugar among young people

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has looked at whether young people changed their diets during the pandemic.

Bente Træen had cancer surgery: "What will this mean for my sex life?"

OPINION: When you’re a patient, you're not exactly at the top of your game. And yet healthcare personnel expect patients to take the initiative in talking about their most intimate issues. It goes without saying that this doesn’t work.

More young adults smoke occasionally in Norway

The number of young adults who smoke occasionally has never been higher, according to a new survey by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Teenagers become night owls during puberty

Teenagers today get far too little sleep.

What time of day should we drink coffee to get the best effect?

The conventional wisdom is not too early and definitely not too late. But what’s actually ideal?

The severely ill elderly should probably not have been given the Covid vaccine first, says vaccine researcher

Not only should we have waited to vaccinate the oldest and sickest, but people in central areas should have been prioritised before the districts, Gunnveig Grødeland believes.

Our IQ is steadily declining

Should you be worried?

Here’s what we now know about side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine

Billions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been injected into the arms of a large percentage of the world's population. Now researchers are doing their utmost to identify possible side effects.

Different maturity between boys and girls can lead to social inequality and poor health

A new research project from the Health Gap project conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has found that social inequality in schooling is linked to the probability of dying young.

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.