Society & culture - ScienceNordic

What did the Vikings really think about pregnant women?

Archaeologist Marianne Hem Eriksen has been searching for traces of pregnant women in the Viking Age. The fact that she found almost none tells its own story.

Research halted by the Trump administration: "Sad and shocking"

The American research council is experiencing heavy political interference.

Immigrants shaped Norway's porcelain industry

An old photo resurfaced at the Porcelain Museum.

Parents are burdened with an invisible 'tax'

Parents contribute with two and a half times more resources to societal reproduction than non-parents

What is good lighting when the vision changes?

Is it just about being able to see? Or should we recognize that lightning can affect your mood and emotions and that might be just as important?

Researchers find shoes and bags used by people in Oslo during the Middle Ages

Archaeologists have uncovered thousands of remarkably well-preserved leather items from the Middle Ages in Oslo.

A mystery lies hidden behind the cladding of this stave church

Norway was by no means lagging behind in the Middle Ages, says art historian.

"Trump's attacks affect the whole world"

A Norwegian researcher highlights the academic resistance to Trump in a prestigious journal.

Young people imagine a dystopian future due to climate change

Rogue tidal waves. Killer heat waves. Prolonged drought. Unbreathable air. This is what young people imagine when writing climate sci-fi.

Safeguarding toddler development: A closer look at screentime

Screen time affects young children's brain development. But is it harmful? And what can parents do?

Researcher's advice for getting people back to work after long-term sick leave

When someone falls seriously ill or faces a personal crisis, poor leadership can have serious consequences, says researcher.

Peace Research Institute Oslo: Historically high level of conflict in the world

Last year, the world experienced 61 armed conflicts, the highest number in over 70 years, according to a new report.

You can reuse potting soil for several years

Reusing soil is good for both plants and the environment, according to hobby gardener and researcher Trond Knapp Haraldsen.

Researchers say it's essential for children to learn how to climb into boats and swim in cold water

Learning to swim in a pool is not enough, according to researchers.

Archaeologists awarded for preserving ancient artefacts from melting ice

They have documented 4,500 finds from the ice – half of the world's glacier archaeological finds. The team behind Secrets of the Ice will soon receive the European Heritage Award.

Do Norwegian customers not feel Tesla shame?

Tesla once again tops the sales charts in Norway. What is happening?

This sealed chamber contains some of Norway's most fragile and magnificent treasures

0.2 millimetres could damage this Viking treasure

Moving the Viking sleds about a hundred metres to the new Museum of the Viking Age is not for the faint of heart. They can move only minutely, or things will go wrong.

The new initiative to bring more international researchers to Norway is ready

The Norwegian government has introduced a new initiative aimed at attracting top international researchers to the country.

A Viking woman was buried here with her dog

In a recently excavated boat grave from the Viking Age, a woman was buried with her dog at her feet.

Could more than 2 million Palestinians really be forced out of Gaza?

"Parts of the Israeli government have an explicit goal of expelling the Palestinians," says a history professor.

The US national debt has now been downgraded by all agencies. What does that mean?

"It's a clear signal," a professor of economic history tells Science Norway. Washington deserves this, writes the Wall Street Journal.

"Not a coincidence that so many far-right parties have female leaders"

An increasing number of far-right parties in Europe are led by women. Yet, these parties have relatively few women among their voters, members, and elected representatives, according to researchers.

Still publishing research articles at nearly 102 years old

The first time she participated in fieldwork was in the 1940s, the last time was in 2020. And soon, another research article will be published with geologist Kari Egede Henningsmoen listed as one of the authors.

Why are right-wing populists so opposed to climate policy?

It's not necessarily about scepticism towards science, but about nationalism, according to a researcher.

This is how old you are compared to everyone else

Age is not just a number.

How conspiracies spread – and how we stop them

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The growing mistrust is a public health crisis. How are these narratives spread, who do they affect – and what can we do to stop them?

People were able to cross the open sea from Norway to Denmark 4,000 years ago

For the first time, a team of researchers is uncovering how this was possible.

The serpent from the Oseberg Viking ship has been hidden in storage for nearly 100 years

Today, a replica of the serpent adorns the Oseberg Ship.

Shopping addiction: "We're buying more, but not getting happier"

Digital solutions make shopping easier and stopping harder, according to researchers.

This type of dictator is becoming more common

Researchers call them personalist dictators.

Was supposed to have a rejuvenating effect – could end in death

Major plague epidemics made people desperate. This led to rushed and deadly solutions.

A Viking was once buried here in a boat grave. What happened to him and the boat?

People have lived on this farm for at least 2,000 years. Researchers now know more about the farm's past than the family who found the grave does.

Could blood find its way back onto the dinner table?

Back when using blood as food was a common practice, it often tasted of exotic spices, says a researcher.

The largest stave church of all time is probably not Norwegian

Were they still prefabricated in Norway?

Researchers race to save data: "I'm utterly shocked"

Amid warnings that research data may be deleted, American researchers are urgently working to preserve vital information before the Trump administration removes it.

A 100-day whirlwind from the White House

Donald Trump has rapidly and dramatically reshaped the USA on nearly every front. Today, he hits the symbolic 100-day milestone of his second term as president.

The crisis at American universities: Norway to recruit international researchers

"Academic freedom is under threat in the USA," says the Norwegian Minister of Research.

Forgotten recipes: Roe waffles, brain sausage, and stuffed heart sacs

We used to eat the whole animal. Now we stick to the muscles and minced meat.

How much of the grade differences between boys and girls can be explained by differences in maturation?

Those who have progressed further in puberty perform better in school.

Why do Hollywood stars wear outfits no one else wants to wear?

"The road from the red carpet at the Oscars to Norway is long," says a fashion researcher.

This happened when students did breathing exercises and learned about stress

The effect was greatest among the students who were struggling the most to begin with.

Have we misunderstood Gen Z?

“I think generation gaps are a law of nature,” says researcher Camilla Martha Ihlebæk. She is optimistic and has great faith in Gen Z.

Norway should take the lead in attracting American researchers, says Norwegian professor

Many of them are looking for jobs in Europe and Canada. Norway should take action to attract world-leading researchers, says a Norwegian professor.

The size of this longhouse suggests powerful rulers existed in Norway long before the Viking Age

It is from the 3rd century, long before Norway existed as a nation.

Why is the pope called Pontifex Maximus – a several thousand-year-old pagan Roman title?

And has the title been in use since the Romans?

When Frank set out to drain his field, a unique longhouse from before the Viking Age appeared

The landowners of the area where the oldest known longhouse in the Nordic region once stood risk losing fertile soil if archaeologists continue excavating.

Final voyage for the Viking ships

Norway's fragile national treasure, the Oseberg Ship, will be moved here on a ceiling-mounted track.

Philosopher: If you want to be remembered in 100 years, you should consider this

In 100 years, everything will be forgotten. Or will it?

Should Europe build its own social media?

Almost all the social media platforms Europeans use are American. Should Europe have its own social media?

When you turn 50, you're only halfway through your working career

Many people start to think of themselves as seniors and begin planning for retirement. But that’s completely wrong, researchers point out.

Near doubling in students who are unhappy – researchers point to screen use

More than one in four lower secondary school students are unhappy. That is almost a doubling over ten years. A new study links it to screen use and mental health problems.

Researchers were surprised when they turned over the stone in the Viking grave: It looked like female genitalia

"Such a clear symbol that even an old sceptic like me must acknowledge it," says the archaeologist.

Report: Positive experiences with 30 km/h speed limit in European cities

A speed limit of 30 km/h contributes to more sustainable urban development, concludes a report that examined experiences from a number of European cities.

"Think twice, especially if something provokes strong emotions or seems extreme"

The threat of election interference is increasing. A new report shows that disinformation and influence operations are becoming more common in Europe.

Why aren't we having more children?

Many fear low birth rates, but researchers believe we should think differently.

Architecture affects our health, according to researchers

Buildings and urban spaces are more important for our well-being than we might be aware of.

"The White House has contempt for knowledge," says Norwegian researcher

Norwegian researchers will not tone down their criticism of Trump's policies.

Israeli soldiers: "They are the state's killing machines, but for the most part, they've managed to live with it"

How do Israeli soldiers manage to carry out their missions? Researcher Hanne Eggen Røislien has interviewed several of them. Her research has sparked reactions.

What kinds of tasks are reasonable for kids to do at home?

"Coercion is not the way to go," says a Norwegian researcher.

Technology is not a miracle cure for a clean and tidy internet

OPINION: Artificial Intelligence promises to transform our world, how much should we let it?