Tag: society and culture

Knitting came back, but not hairpin lace. Why?

Some types of needlework disappear, while others become popular again. Have you heard about hairpin lace and the Viking technique of nålebinding?

What exactly is Down syndrome? Marte wishes people knew more

Marte Meisingset loves to sing and hang out with friends, but gets upset if someone teases her.

What is it like to learn Norwegian?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Norwegian can be difficult to learn, but here are some tricks.

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.

Is nursing not for boys? Gender stereotypes in preschool surprise researchers

Children believe it is primarily women who can become nurses and preschool teachers. “A nurse is unbelievably many different things,” says nurse Remi Trygve Pedersen.

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.

Maritime pilots were forced to work for the Nazi occupiers and bombed by British planes

Some pilots did the job unwillingly, others tried to escape, and some worked for the resistance movement. But there were also pilots who volunteered.

A dramatic love affair sparked the first witch trial in Scandinavia, 250 years before the witch-hunts started

Ragnhild Tregagås is the first person we know from the Norwegian Middle Ages who was accused – and later convicted – of magical activity.

Fewer Norwegians attend church services during Easter

With each passing year, there are fewer and fewer Norwegians attending Easter service in Norway, according to Statistics Norway. The Church Council points out that more people travel away during the Easter holiday.

How did crime fiction become a Norwegian Easter tradition?

Norwegian Easter blends cheerful traditions with chilling crime stories.

What do boys want to be when they grow up?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Do boys really want to become firefighters and football players?

Was the Oseberg Viking wagon drivable? New methods are constantly uncovering new details about Norway's oldest vehicle

The wagon is the only one of its kind from Norway’s Viking Age, but the wood is dry and brittle. Since 1904, it has been documented with the best technology available.

Women still do most of the housework

Even though the division of labour has become more even, there is a difference in the tasks men and women do.

Is there any point in adding bay leaves to your food?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Yes, some believe. Others are unconvinced.

Researchers found something surprising when deceased drivers were autopsied

Norwegian men have heart attacks more often than was known and die a natural death behind the wheel. And a fairly large proportion of drivers in fatal collisions have likely taken their own lives.

What's the deal with K-pop?

ASK A RESEARCHER: The Korean music genre has become very popular in Norway and across the globe. Why is that?

Gender differences are increasing in higher education

In all Norwegian municipalities, there is a larger proportion of women with higher education than men, according to Statistics Norway.

This book made medieval Norway a kinder country

In a time that many believe was dark and merciless, Norway produced an unusually fair-minded piece of legislation.

Here, young adults may receive a trial basic income – the first such scheme in Norway

By providing a guaranteed minimum income to all young people under the age of 30 who are out of work or further education, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration in this city hopes to encourage more people to enter the workforce. But will they bother to work then?

Researcher: Personality is a lottery that affects how we perform in school

Researchers have looked at siblings with different personalities to find out what works best – and worst – in the classroom.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health: The real concern with social media is not the amount time spent on it

The fact that adolescents spend a lot of time on social media is not what is most problematic about the development, according to a study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Should cabin owners in Norway pay extra tax?

Cabin construction is now the main reason for the development of much Norwegian mountain nature.

Why do people with little money make so many bad decisions?

Psychologist Ingvild Stjernen Tisløv says that people with payment problems need more professional help. This year, thousands of bank employees in Norway are being taught basic psychology.

Why is it so difficult to determine whether Israel is committing genocide?

For someone to be convicted, genocide must be the only possible explanation for what they have done. How do they figure that out? And what about Hamas, can they be convicted of the same?

There are now over 5.5 million people in Norway

The population in Norway increased by 61,219 in 2023. Ukrainian refugees strongly contributed to the growth for the second year in a row.

Why do so many voters around the world vote for authoritarian men?

These voters voluntarily give their vote to politicians who are not particularly interested in democracy.

Researcher: The next terrorist may come from the countryside – municipalities must be vigilant

Large cities have good measures in place to prevent radicalisation, but potential extremists could just as well live in the countryside. Municipalities must be vigilant, researcher believes.

Why are 377 whale foetuses preserved in alcohol at Norwegian museums?

Museums should never make collections like these again

There is not room for everything in museum exhibitions. But what is stored away also tells a story.

The number of centenarians in Norway has tripled

There could be even more in the years to come.

More adolescents have become lonely – these are especially vulnerable

Why are more young people becoming lonely? Two Norwegian researchers have some possible explanations.

The refugee camps that lie in ruins have been the homes of Palestinians for four generations. Will they be rebuilt?

“It’s in the refugee camps that militant groups often emerge,” a researcher says.

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.

Student survey: Reading comprehension is better on paper than on screens

It is important that screen use in school does not replace reading in print, according to the Norwegian Screen Use Committee, in its first memorandum to the government.

Weight loss medication is very useful for many individuals. However, expert believes things are moving too fast

General practitioners experience a significant increase in demand from patients week by week. But there is still a lot we don't know about the medicines, doctors warn.

Norway's Minister of Research and Higher Education resigns after plagiarism scandal

Sandra Borch (Centre Party) resigns as Minister of Research and Higher Education following revelations that her master's thesis contains text from other people's theses.

How online games have become big business

Parents need to be vigilant, according to researcher.

Touchscreens are not the worst distraction in cars, study reveals. So, what is the most distracting factor?

A new Norwegian study shows that there are entirely different things that capture our attention behind the wheel.

The Oseberg Viking ship is still shrouded in mystery

Why was this Viking ship crushed with stones – and moored – before it was buried?

In addition to being crushed, the ship was moored. Despite being on land.

Researchers warn healthcare professionals: Increased cocaine use can lead to more heart disease

In 2023, the use of cocaine increased in Norway. Two addiction researchers now believe that healthcare personnel should be aware of the consequences.

The history of anaesthesiology is full of bitter conflicts and deadly experiments

In their eagerness for fame, doctors exposed their patients to mortal danger. Often, things ended tragically.

We’re eating ourselves into obesity and spending a fortune on weight loss pills

The demand for weight loss medicine is rising, but it only addresses the symptoms, not the causes. “We face intense commercial pressure to eat and drink more,” says a professor of public health.

This bucket remained buried in a Viking grave for 1,000 years, but is in excellent condition

The figure on the bucket looks like a Buddha, but is from an ancient Celtic death ritual. It then ended up in a Norwegian Viking grave.

Researchers have identified four different types of intoxicated sexual assault

It might not have been rape in a legal sense, but it wasn't okay. So what was it then? Researchers have taken a closer look at sexual assaults that occur when partying and alcohol are involved.

How to succeed with a Dry January

Do you enjoy the ‘optimal buzz’ that comes from the initial one or two glasses of alcohol? If so, you might want to think about committing to a Dry January, Fanny Duckert suggests. She believes many make a big mistake when trying to have a sober month.

How are we affected by financial stress?

Just the thought of an unexpected bill can make us function worse, researcher says.

Norwegians are among the youngest in Europe

In several European countries, the median age is now over 45 years. In Norway, it is only 40 years.

Some children are born with cells that age faster than normal. A new study suggests that a dietary supplement might help them

The vitamin supplement offers hope to children with this rare disease for which there is no treatment.

Tag: society and culture

Knitting came back, but not hairpin lace. Why?

What exactly is Down syndrome? Marte wishes people knew more

What is it like to learn Norwegian?

Is there something wrong with the prisons in Norway?

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

Is nursing not for boys? Gender stereotypes in preschool surprise researchers

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

Embracing unity: How Scandinavia responded to combat Covid-19

Maritime pilots were forced to work for the Nazi occupiers and bombed by British planes

A dramatic love affair sparked the first witch trial in Scandinavia, 250 years before the witch-hunts started

Fewer Norwegians attend church services during Easter

How did crime fiction become a Norwegian Easter tradition?

What do boys want to be when they grow up?

Was the Oseberg Viking wagon drivable? New methods are constantly uncovering new details about Norway's oldest vehicle

Women still do most of the housework

Is there any point in adding bay leaves to your food?

Researchers found something surprising when deceased drivers were autopsied

What's the deal with K-pop?

Gender differences are increasing in higher education

This book made medieval Norway a kinder country

Here, young adults may receive a trial basic income – the first such scheme in Norway

Researcher: Personality is a lottery that affects how we perform in school

Norwegian Institute of Public Health: The real concern with social media is not the amount time spent on it

Should cabin owners in Norway pay extra tax?

Why do people with little money make so many bad decisions?

Why is it so difficult to determine whether Israel is committing genocide?

There are now over 5.5 million people in Norway

Why do so many voters around the world vote for authoritarian men?

Researcher: The next terrorist may come from the countryside – municipalities must be vigilant

Museums should never make collections like these again

The number of centenarians in Norway has tripled

More adolescents have become lonely – these are especially vulnerable

The refugee camps that lie in ruins have been the homes of Palestinians for four generations. Will they be rebuilt?

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

Student survey: Reading comprehension is better on paper than on screens

Weight loss medication is very useful for many individuals. However, expert believes things are moving too fast

Norway's Minister of Research and Higher Education resigns after plagiarism scandal

How online games have become big business

Touchscreens are not the worst distraction in cars, study reveals. So, what is the most distracting factor?

Why was this Viking ship crushed with stones – and moored – before it was buried?

Researchers warn healthcare professionals: Increased cocaine use can lead to more heart disease

The history of anaesthesiology is full of bitter conflicts and deadly experiments

We’re eating ourselves into obesity and spending a fortune on weight loss pills

This bucket remained buried in a Viking grave for 1,000 years, but is in excellent condition

Researchers have identified four different types of intoxicated sexual assault

How to succeed with a Dry January

How are we affected by financial stress?

Norwegians are among the youngest in Europe

Some children are born with cells that age faster than normal. A new study suggests that a dietary supplement might help them

Professor: The UN International Court of Justice may soon demand Israel to halt military operations

Top 10 of 2023: Scrotums, Vikings, and man flu

How happy are you on a scale from 0 to 10?

Top Norwegian archaeological finds of 2023: Viking ships, gold treasures, and 4,000-year-old skeletons

Public transport: Researchers are sceptical about cheaper 30-day tickets

Owning your own home in Norway has become 45 per cent more expensive in two years

Why is wool itchy? And why is it so warm?

When Norwegians came to America, they didn’t have time to let the timber dry

How to prepare for a vegetarian guest during Christmas

How Norwegians expressed resistance against Nazi occupation using Christmas cards

Christmas stress in the past and now: “We complain much more than my mother's generation”

Teachers are exposed to considerable violence and threats at work

At one point, a quarter of all Norwegians lived in the USA. These sailors marked the beginning of mass emigration

This little doll allows Russians to silently express their resistance to the war

“The Israeli war on terror is as unsuccessful as the US war that followed 9/11”

The amount of research in the last seven years has grown by 50 per cent. Are important findings being overlooked?

Do you think kids these days use a lot of drugs and alcohol? They're not the generation that partied the hardest

In Norway, four out of ten people on welfare lose out by working

Unique coin found in central Norway: How did this 1,000-year-old Byzantine gold coin end up in the Norwegian mountains?

How we use media to escape from reality

Norwegians and Americans have different views on tipping

Study finds that sharks may have been part of Stone Age Norwegian coastal diets

Teaching is a profession in crisis

Norwegian kids don’t want school uniforms, but they all wear the same trousers

These mass graves in Northern Norway will now be re-examined

OECD director: Norway can do better

New poverty trend in Norway: Food banks face increased demand

There are tens of thousands of psychopaths in Norway – but they are hard to spot

Poverty is inherited, but researchers believe they know how to break the cycle