Health - ScienceNordic

This is how they treat obsessive-compulsive disorder — in 4 days

Gerd Kvale and Bjarne Hansen have had great success with their four-day treatment programme for obsessive-compulsive disorder. They think the general trend towards shorter treatment programmes is long overdue.

Eating less processed foods gave weight loss and lower risk of heart disease – also among men on a high fat diet

The quality of the food you eat may be as important to your health as whether you eat lots of fat or carbohydrates, according to a new Norwegian study.

Most Nordic survivors of the 2004 tsunami are doing well

“Humans can withstand great strain. This important finding in the trauma research can provide hope and faith", says researcher who has followed individuals affected by the tsunami for years.

After four billion years, the code of life has begun to shrink

The genetic code is billions of years old and contains the recipe for all life. Now scientists have managed to change it.

Professor: Physical activity may prevent cancer risk

American researchers have given concrete estimates as to what extent physical activity is able to reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer. The goal is that doctors will one day prescribe physical activity to patients the same way as they do regular medication. However, Danish researchers are more hesitant.

More young people are getting ACL injuries than ever before. But surgery isn’t always the solution.

Research shows that children do just fine without surgery. Treatment without surgery means less risk from the surgery itself, one researcher says.

The genes that cause mental disorders may also control weight

People with severe depression or bipolar disorder may be at greater genetic risk of obesity, while people with schizophrenia may be protected from becoming overweight, a Norwegian study shows.

Why testicular cancer can cause weight problems

Researchers at the Cancer Registry of Norway have investigated why many men who survive testicular cancer later suffer from weight problems and high blood pressure. They found greater epigenetic changes in survivors than in other men.

Experts want to free medical research and healthcare from ties to the commercial pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical companies are behind much of the research on new drugs and have an influence on medical education and guidelines for treatments. It’s time for this to change, a group of international scientists says.

Radiation treatment for prostate cancer increases risk of bladder cancer

Prostate cancer patients who have received radiation have more than twice the risk of getting bladder cancer compared to those who received only hormone therapy. Nevertheless, radiation patients have a much better chance of living longer, according to a new Norwegian study.

We should spend more time studying successful psychopaths, says forensic psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist

Upon retiring, forensic psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist talks to ScienceNorway.no about abnormalities in the brains of psychopaths, how it would be interesting to study successful psychopaths, and why she doesn’t actually like the term psychopaths.

What’s the best way for pregnant women to exercise?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Only 15 per cent of all pregnant Norwegian women exercise, according research. At the same time, the health benefits of training during pregnancy have been well documented.

Bacteria lady: She’s terrified of bacteria – and their greatest champion

Jessica Lönn-Stensrud was holding her new-born daughter in her arms when she heard that three infants had died in an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant intestinal bacteria at a maternity ward in Sweden. Fear hit her like a punch to the stomach. Ten years later, she has become the micro-organisms’ noble defender.

Hospitals fear a new, deadly fungus – How big is the threat and what can we do?

Drug-resistant infections are increasing globally. One new member of the superbug family has already caused severe illness in hospitalized patients. Here is what you need to know.

Babies can show signs of autism early in life

Babies who were just 10 months old and who later received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder took less initiative than other children to communicate with adults.

Important for children's health to maintain contact with dad after divorce

A new Norwegian study has looked at what happens to children's ability to trust their parents after a divorce – and how children fare mentally and physically when they don’t maintain good contact with both parents.

Why is it so important to take breaks when you train?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Whether you’re training for endurance or strength — it pays to take breaks along the way.

Larger selection of fruits and vegetables in stores boosted sales among the most unhealthy eaters

More varieties of fruits, berries and vegetables to choose from, as well as reduced prices, led people who usually don't buy greens to do so, according to research on Norwegian grocery store chain sales.

Nine per cent of Norwegians newly diagnosed with HIV have viruses with resistant mutations

Researchers have recently released the sixth annual Resistance against antivirals in Norway report. 2018 saw no cases of resistant viruses for influenza, hepatitis B or Herpes, but 9 per cent of newly diagnosed HIV cases had viruses with resistant mutations.

Faecal transplantation helped many with IBS

A new Norwegian study reports that many patients treated with faecal transplantation felt completely healthy after treatment. But everyone in the study were given bacteria from a single donor with a special gut flora. So what do the results mean for faecal transplantation in general?

Is it dangerous to crack your neck?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Some love to do it, others shudder at the thought. But can cracking your neck be harmful?

Does research support the claim that youth have become less active?

A recent report from WHO sparked new debate on the level of physical activity among children and youth. But what do the data actually say? Is there hold in the claim that young people are less active than previous generations?

Researchers find evidence of anxiety and alcohol use in wastewater

Norwegian and Australian scientists can now learn more about people's health from what they find in our untreated wastewater.

Anxiety is common among nursing home residents with dementia

One in three nursing home residents with dementia suffers from significant anxiety. It is so common that nursing home staff don’t take it seriously, researcher Alka Rani Goyal says.

Should it be legal to give at-home genetic tests to your children?

You can test your childrens genes in the privacy of your own home - and receive information that can take your breath away. “We are shockingly ill-prepared for a consumer trend that we have only seen the beginning of,” says the director of the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board.

Nasal spray research was not legal – producers have to remove all information about study

The Norwegian company Viiral has violated several paragraphs in the Norwegian Health Research Act, according to the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision. Here are the reasons why their research was considered reckless and illegal.

Meta-analysis: Healthy people don’t need to take aspirin to prevent heart disease

People with heart disease should continue to take the medicine, but for healthy individuals the side effects are so severe that they cancel out the good effect.

Elderly people in nursing homes not so preoccupied by death

Researchers have created a guide on how nursing home staff can talk to patients about end of life issues. But the old folks weren't necessarily so concerned about the end.

Women who have given birth have younger brains

Pregnancy and childbirth appear to slow down the brain's ageing process.

The strict EAT-diet is supposed to be good for the climate and good for our health. But how did researchers arrive at their recommendations?

The report lacks important information and the EAT dietary advice is based on uncertain models, researchers write in a new review. The EAT experts do not agree.

Do lice prefer some people more than others?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Everyone and anyone can get head lice, but some people are more at risk than others.

Children who are not physically active have poor cardiac function

A new study shows that children who are less physically active have poorer cardiac function than their more active peers. "This study is a piece of a larger puzzle, where the big picture shows that children should be less sedentary and be more active", says one of the researchers.

These four types of cancer are more likely to be detected in highly educated people

Norwegian women and men who are highly educated are more likely to be diagnosed with four types of cancer. More sunbathing and postponed childbirth may be part of the explanation. It may also be because people with more resources are more likely to go to the doctor when they suspect something’s wrong.

Suicide researcher is more optimistic than in a long time

Youth who repeatedly injure themselves, think about suicide or try to commit suicide have not always received the right treatment. Now scientists are beginning to better understand what helps.

PhD candidate stumbled upon evidence disproving a 25-year-old belief about the brain

The researcher at the Nobel prize-winning institute in Trondheim initially thought his findings were a mistake. Actually, he had stumbled upon evidence that a 25-year-old belief about the brain was wrong. A discovery which may help in the hunt for Alzheimer's answers.

How does the flu virus work, and why do we have to make new vaccines every year?

ASK A RESEARCHER: To really answer this question, we have to dive into the microscopic world of viruses.

Should children be allowed to choose teams in gym class?

ASK A RESEARCHER: Or should the teacher do it? We ask the experts.

Can deep brain stimulation help with epilepsy?

Some patients receive little benefit from epilepsy medication. Many have high hopes for treatment that sends electrical impulses through the brain. Results from a new Norwegian study are however not as encouraging as expected.

Being overweight before age 40 increases cancer risk

A new study shows that excess weight in adulthood increases women’s risk of endometrial cancer, while in men the increased risk was in kidney and colon cancer.

Cannabis users have a fivefold risk of taking psychosis meds

Young adults who used cannabis had more than five times the risk of being prescribed antipsychotics later compared to non-users, according to a new Norwegian study.

Bullying negatively impacts both the bully and the victim of bullying

Also individuals who have been mean to others as children or adolescents can have a harder time later in life, a Norwegian study shows.

If your father was overweight during puberty, your risk of developing asthma doubles

If a father is overweight during his adolescence, his future children have a more than doubled risk of having asthma, a large generational study shows.

Electric shock treatment increases volume in large parts of the brain

Using electrical brain stimulation to treat depression affects larger areas of the brain than previously recognized, according to a new study from Bergen.

Nurses can smell infections

Many people have heard of the clinical eye. But the nose is also important when nurses assess a patient’s condition.

Men’s sex lives much worse after surgery for prostate cancer

Men who have their prostate removed as a part of cancer treatment lose half of their sexual function, according to a new study.

People who have trouble falling asleep have the most anxiety

Insomniacs who struggle to fall asleep at night have higher levels of anxiety than insomniacs with other symptoms, new research shows.

Teens with mental health issues use more drugs, new study shows

Alcohol and drug use is more prevalent among adolescents who have been treated for mental health problems, according to new research. In particular, behavioural difficulties are a major risk factor for developing drug problems. Autism is an exception.

We don't need special measures to keep older people working longer, says researcher

Lifelong learning is important for employment. But we’re totally missing the mark if we think of it as a senior initiative, says economist Simen Markussen.

What is the secret to the Ingebrigtsen brothers’ success?

Researcher claims to have the answer. Unfortunately, it's not a recipe for just anybody to replicate.

Breathing can affect the cleansing of the brain

Breathing rhythms affect how well spinal fluid flows in and around the brain, a new study shows. Cerebrospinal fluid plays an important role in flushing metabolic waste products from the brain. The finding may have an impact on brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Eating disorders can come back later in life

Two out of three people who had anorexia in adolescence were completely healthy, but some still struggled with eating disorders when they were middle aged, according to a study that has followed 47 Swedes over 30 years.

Some people are more prone to blood poisoning than others. Gry Hege was affected, and lost her hands and feet.

A tiny cut on your finger or having your wisdom teeth pulled can have serious consequences if you get blood poisoning, more properly called sepsis. Researchers say health care providers need better awareness of the disease.

Stomach cancer in deep decline

The incidence of most cancers has increased since Norway first began collecting cancer statistics in the 1950s. But the incidence of stomach cancer has remarkably plummeted.

Health trends over the last 45 years: We’re getting fatter — but healthier

Norway's most comprehensive population survey shows some surprising contradictions. The average Norwegian has gotten heavier over the last 45 years, while at the same time their overall physical health has improved.

What’s the lasting effect of surgical knee repair?

For the first time, a researcher has looked at how different surgical methods affect knee function 5-10 years after treatment.

Norwegian researchers find link between ALS and body weight

A Norwegian study shows that overweight and obese individuals have a lower risk for ALS than those who are of normal weight and underweight.

Asthma or EILO: Are misdiagnosed breathing difficulties making children and adolescents less active?

EILO is a breathing problem that can be confused with asthma. Doctor believes many people don’t know they can get help.

New medicine for multiple myeloma shows promising results

A new drug reduced the risk of relapse and increased survival by five months, according to a recent study. The results were presented at a cancer conference in Chicago in June.

Few physical differences found between healthy individuals and those afflicted by chronic fatigue syndrome

Norwegian researchers studied adolescents who developed chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and chronic fatigue (CF) after having mononucleosis.

Many diagnosed with asthma may actually have EILO

EILO, or Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction, is a condition where the voice box closes down during vigorous exercise. Norwegian researchers believe many people with this condition are misdiagnosed and are given the wrong treatment.

Today's elite football matches require more targeted training

The pace of football matches has become faster and more varied in recent years. Football coaches need to craft more individualized training for players so they can handle the challenge, a new study finds.

Modern-day Vikings (and their neighbours) eat dinner at home

How have the eating habits of the Nordic countries changed over the decades? Mostly for the better, but with a few exceptions, a new study has shown.

Cancer drug doesn’t work for chronic fatigue

Cancer drug rituximab has no effect on chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), according to a Norwegian study.

Why do schizophrenia patients die earlier than other people?

The average life expectancy of Norwegians with schizophrenic disorders is 62 years. If you also have a drug problem, it goes down to 47 years. “It’s difficult to understand why this isn’t prioritized by the health services,” says a veteran psychiatric researcher.

Men are stricter than women when it comes to sick leave

More men than women find it unacceptable to stay home when work is stressful or they’ve just had a breakup, a new study shows. Other studies suggest the opposite.

People are less afraid of flying now than in the 1980s

Despite several recent major accidents and terrorist attacks, Norwegians are less afraid of flying than they were 30 years ago. The biggest risk from flying comes from our imagination, one researcher says.

Doping scandal covered very differently by Swedish and Norwegian media

There’s a long-standing rivalry between Sweden and Norway that plays out in sports competitions, such as Nordic skiing. When one of Norway’s biggest cross-country skiing stars tested positive for doping, the Swedish press covered the matter much more aggressively than Norwegian journalists.

Water containing ozone disinfects hands as well as hand sanitizer

Water that contained ozone removed bacteria from hands as well as an alcohol-based disinfectant.

Drinking during pregnancy is probably not the cause of children’s behavioural problems

But a Norwegian alcohol researcher believes the new findings have some limitations.

Online bullying can cause post-traumatic stress-like symptoms

Many children and young adults have their mobile phones with them when they go to sleep. Some find it absolutely necessary. They never know when they will get a message from a bully.

Men are more often than women fooled by placebo

It was not until the 1990s that researchers fully began to include both genders in health research. Sara Magelssen Vambheim has contributed with valuable new insights in her study of gender differences in pain experiences.

Tromsø researchers have found the connection between atrial fibrillation and dementia

Those who exercise the least and those who exercise the most have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. If this condition is not treated, it can also affect the brain.

Preemies given extra nutrition grew faster but got more infections

Premature, very low birth weight babies often have lower IQs and more learning disabilities than their normal-weight peers. But more nutrition early on may help, new research suggests.

Internet therapy for sleep problems provides long-term improvement

An online treatment programme for insomnia works well, with its beneficial effects persisting as long as 18 months after treatment, a new study shows.

Your sick leave infects your colleagues, too

Norway requires a general practitioner to certify an employee’s sick leave if he or she will be absent from work for more than three days. A Norwegian study that looked at 22,000 employees and their 114,000 colleagues found that if a GP certifies 5 days of sick leave for an employee, that employee’s closest colleagues will also have more sick days.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: Promising four-day treatment

A Norwegian study of an intensive coping course for people with chronic fatigue syndrome showed some promise, but both researchers and scientists involved in the study say it has clear limitations.

Today’s 50-somethings may live until they are 90

If you are around age 50 today, you can expect to live a good deal longer than your parents did. Today's 40-year-olds, 30-year-olds and 20-year-olds will live even longer.