Health - ScienceNordic

Swedes' trust in their experts may be dropping, meanwhile, Norwegians do not want open borders to their neighbour

The Swedes had a great deal of confidence in their coronavirus experts at the start of the pandemic. This is about to change, a recent survey suggests.

Here’s how Norway’s public health institute will figure out what to do if the coronavirus flares up again

A new mathematical model used by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) is like a tiny laboratory inside a computer, says the head of the institute’s modelling group.

Face masks: Why do different countries in the world have such different recommendations?

Some of the answer to this question lies in the history of face masks and western prohibitions and unease related to the covering of faces in public.

Why are men hit hardest by COVID-19?

COMMENT: To answer that and many other questions, we need to examine how coronavirus is related to gender – and not just the biological one. This knowledge would also be helpful in the prevention and handling of future pandemics.

Corona isolation puts our existential state to the test

The coronavirus is a biological phenomenon that affects our social world. But what about the existential alterations? Søren Kierkegaard can help us understand fear and anxiety during pandemic isolation.

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.

Data on how Norwegians move around allow for a finetuned model of calculating the spread of coronavirus

But how accurate are these calculations, and what exactly can they be used for?

Cancer drug helped patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)

Twenty-two of 40 patients with CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, achieved clear improvements in physical function after receiving chemotherapy, according to a Norwegian study. But a CFS specialist sees shortcomings in the study.

Many people on the autism spectrum have too much vitamin B12, which is important for brain development and thinking

Sigrun Hope is a consultant and specialist in psychiatry. She thinks she has uncovered what she calls “a small mystery”.

Anabolic steroid use reported by a third of male substance users

A third of male patients seeking treatment for substance abuse had also used anabolic steroids, according to a new study from Oslo University Hospital. This puts them at greater risk for health problems.

How miniature human organs are giving hope to cancer patients

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Organoids. The good, the bad and the beautiful.

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.

How long does sex normally last before climaxing?

For sure not all night, in case you might have thought so.

Slime-loving bacteria from fresh faeces may be able to help anorexia patients

Researchers have transferred fresh faeces from a healthy donor and helped one anorexia patient gain weight. It is the first time it has been done. Now it requires further testing to show that the weight gain was not just a lucky coincidence.

Psychological Strategies Can Reduce Your Cravings

Your uncontrollable craving for a bar of Snickers bar is real enough – but it is probably not because your body lacks chocolate or sugar. A health psychologist offers you tips on how to prevent cravings from turning into eating.

A new Norwegian sensor will help you sleep better when your sleep is being monitored

The new Norwegian-developed sleep sensor means that a study subject doesn’t have to sleep with sensors on his or her body. In addition, the fact that it is contactless solves a problem related to the coronavirus crisis, says a Norwegian sleep scientist.

Obesity genes lowered metabolism

Half of the population has genes that can prevent the body from burning calories. When Norwegian researchers knocked out these genes in mice, the mice became extremely thin, even though they ate as much as their rodent brethren.

Can vitamin D protect you from COVID-19?

Several researchers believe we should recommend vitamin D supplements to fight the coronavirus. Some of the cited evidence, however, is produced by researchers sponsored by vitamin-D manufacturers, and one study appears in a predatory journal.

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.

Norwegian-British cancer medicine to be tested on British COVID-19 patients

BerGenBio believes it is 80 per cent likely that their bemcentinib pill will help people who are sick with the coronavirus. The pill is now being tested on 120 British patients who have COVID-19.

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.

Norway’s mortality rate during the coronavirus pandemic is probably lower than usual

So far this year — during the coronavirus pandemic — the number of deaths in Norway is probably below the mortality rate from the same weeks in previous years.

No solid evidence to support that trigger points exist, says sports professor

Research is lacking on the effectiveness of trigger point therapy, according to sports professor Kari Bø. Some people refer to trigger points as “muscle knots”, but what does that mean? Our muscles certainly don’t form knots.

Norwegian evidence map may be one of the world's most systematic overviews of research on COVID-19

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is compiling and categorizing global corona research in what will be one of the most complete resources on COVID-19 research in the world. The research map will soon also include quality assessments of the studies.

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.

Multi-drug resistant bacteria: When the immune system during COVID-19 is attacked from two fronts

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Norwegian COVID-19 patients who get a secondary bacterial infection leading to pneumonia, are better equipped in their struggle against this than Italian patients. Are we doing enough to find new technology against multi-drug resistant bacteria?

Norwegian researchers want to make a universal vaccine covering all coronaviruses

It is possible to make a universal vaccine against the flu virus – one that would give broad protection against all the mutations this virus is famous for. Norwegian researchers are now exploring whether the same method can be used for the coronaviruses.

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.

Professor and immunologist: I don't want COVID-19

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Anne Spurkland, professor of moleculary immunology, has devoured available research on COVID-19. What she's found, has made her worried: “Give me a vaccine against this virus as soon as possible. “

Fewer ear infections at Norwegian emergency rooms after vaccine

Many fewer small children are coming to Norwegian emergency rooms with painful ear infections after the pneumococcal vaccine became common.

Norwegian health minister: “We have control over the corona epidemic”

According to new numbers, every person infected by the coronavirus in Norway now infects 0,7 others. But this is not a time to ease up on the strict corona measures, warns the health minister.

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.

Global Corona-study led from Norway: Life-saving drugs may be in place this summer

The first results from the large WHO-trial on the effects of existing drugs on Covid-19 could be only 3-4 months away, says John-Arne Røttingen, coordinator of the study.

New research on stuttering: Personality is important in deciding which treatment works best

People who stutter can benefit from going to a speech therapist. But their personality has as much to say as the treatment method itself in terms of results, one researcher says.

A revolution in vaccine development – but will we all benefit?

OPINION: By manipulating the “instruction manuals” that control cell function in our bodies, we will soon be able to combat many diseases, including the new coronavirus outbreak. But in the worst-case scenario, such innovations will only benefit the rich.

Researchers to test giving blood from recovered coronavirus patients to the sick

Researchers at Ullevål University Hospital are reviving a 100-year-old method from the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Very low mortality rate from coronavirus in Norway compared to other countries

The mortality rate in Norway from Covid-19 is about 0.45 per cent. This is extremely low compared to other countries where the virus is widespread. Why?

Norwegian government: "The goal is to beat the coronavirus epidemic as much as possible"

The goal is to delay the spread of infection as much as possible, says Espen Rostrup Nakstad from the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Geir Bukholm from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health says the end point will likely be immunity in the Norwegian population.

Your placenta may reveal risk of getting preeclampsia

How much a placenta weighs can indicate the risk for illness in future pregnancies, according to new research.

Norwegian health official: "We don’t think it's possible to stop the COVID-19 epidemic"

Will the coronavirus disappear from Norway after weeks or months of social isolation? Not at all. In all likelihood, there will be more sick and infected people than ever. We have asked Geir Bukholm from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health about what the plan for Norway actually is.

Breast cancer detected later in women with silicone breast implants

Mammography screenings are less likely to detect breast cancer in women with silicone implants than in other women. Those who are diagnosed with cancer have bigger tumours that also more often spread to the lymph nodes.

Why the coronavirus vaccine will take months to make

Scientists all over the world are working to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. Norway is playing a leadership role in this race. The first vaccine candidate is already being tested on people in a Phase 1 trial.

Professor about the coronavirus: "I fear many children will die in refugee camps"

Poor hygiene, lack of good health care services and isolation make people in Greek refugee camps highly vulnerable to the coronavirus, according to Professor Terje Andreas Eikemo.

Dramatic increase in mortality among the unmarried

Unmarried people die far earlier than those who are married. The disparity has widened significantly in the last 40 years.

What if psychological disorders don’t have any underlying cause?

Traditionally, both researchers and practicing psychologists have searched for the root cause of mental disorders: The trauma. The genes. The biochemistry that causes symptoms of anxiety or depression. But what if the symptoms are the actual disease?

A pill for celiac disease will come soon, researchers believe

The only treatment for celiac disease today is to avoid gluten for the rest of your life. That can be difficult. But celiac researchers think that a pill or vaccine to treat the disease is not far off.

Doubling of ALS in Norway since the 1950s

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, causes the muscles and respiratory system to weaken. The incidence of ALS has increased significantly in Norway over the past seven decades. Thin people are more at risk. Smoking can also be a risk factor.

The Placebo Effect:From mystical magnetism to using our bodies inherent powers

The human body has a remarkable built-in capacity for rectifying its own ailments. “The medical profession should make more use of this,” says Norwegian professor.

Concealing results from medical studies on humans will be banned

Norwegian researchers will soon be legally required to share the results of medical research on humans. But will the law be followed? In the United States, six out of ten studies break the law, without penalty.

You are highly likely to inherit your parents sleeping problems

Does one of your parents struggle with sleep problems? You should be prepared for the fact that you might also have the same problems.

Online therapy: Many more people can get help with the fear of public speaking

Many people who suffer from social anxiety don’t dare to contact a psychologist. As a consequence, the people who struggle the most are the least likely to get help. A new study shows that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy.

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.

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.

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.