Technology - ScienceNordic

Brain researcher warns against touchscreens in cars: "It's actually impossible to have two thoughts in your head at the same time"

The increasing trend of moving more car functions onto screens concerns Kenneth Hugdahl.

Will speed limiters in cars truly save lives? Researcher: "We don't know the answer to that yet"

Research has uncovered several disadvantages of speed limiters.

The use of artificial intelligence has doubled since last year

One in five Norwegian enterprises now utilises artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with a particular focus on generative AI.

Humans have always had difficulty attending

It's not the fault of technology. The idea of 'information overload' rests on a faulty assumption about attention, researcher argues.

Did you know energy possibly speaks?

Understanding the language of energy flows can help us prevent energy blackouts due to climate change and cyber attacks

Dating apps’ rhetoric for tapping your wallet

OPINION: Do the companies really want you to find a partner, or do they want you to keep paying for the search for True Love?

Applied for a job at NASA at the age of 12 – now she's set to become Norway's first astronaut

As a child, she was in a wheelchair and dreamed of space. Now, Jannicke Mikkelsen's childhood dream is coming true, with the help of a billionaire.

What will happen if we succeed with artificial intelligence?

OPINION: "We should expect that machines will take control," concluded Alan Turing in 1951. In this text, one of the world's leading AI researchers, Professor Stuart J. Russell, discusses the benefits and dangers of the research.

How working life could change if robots take over more and more jobs

Industrial robots could create greater changes than humanoid robots, researcher says.

Will society become colder if robots help the sick and elderly?

Social robots could soon assist in nursing homes or even be present in our living rooms. Is there a risk that they will replace human interaction?

This robot will clean your home and do your laundry

The Norwegian company 1X Technologies has already created a humanoid robot that is in the workplace. Next year, they will launch a robot for the home.

Robots that look like us: “What's happening now is incredibly exciting”

A new era is starting where robots are becoming much smarter than we are used to, according to researchers.

Norwegian kids with diabetes have gained better control over their blood sugar levels

"The new equipment has brought about a true revolution," a Norwegian professor says.

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.

People liked AI art – when they thought it was made by humans

But people were bad at assessing whether images were made by artificial intelligence or an artist.

How do we make more sustainable concrete that can last over 100 years?

Making concrete sounds easy enough: You mix cement, water, sand and stones and let it harden. But it becomes a lot more complicated to ensure a concrete bridge has a long life.

Consistent and coherent: The recipe for digital presence

How is it possible to feel present in a digital world when our feet are very much on the ground of the real world?

This robot can shoot weeds with poison

“This is just the beginning,” says a researcher.

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.

Telemedicine: How new technologies can bring medical care to people in remote areas

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The introduction of AI and smart technology is paving the way for more proactive, personalised, and accessible medical services.

Research indicates that certain features in new cars may actually compromise safety

Most of the beeping, vibrating, and jerking in new cars save us from accidents. But safety features can also have the opposite effect, new research shows.

Three reasons why your sports watch cannot measure stress

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: The most crucial element in managing stress is, and will always be, you - how you interact with the world and manage the universal challenges we all face.

Writing by hand activates more areas of the brain than typing on a keyboard

Should pupils and students go back to pen and paper?

Can a Norwegian invention revolutionise artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a climate culprit, discriminates, and is difficult to interpret. A method inspired by the ancient Greeks could be the solution.

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.

An open fireplace is cosy, but not very useful

The open fireplace is probably better suited for grilling marshmallows than for heating your home.

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.

Wood burning: Researcher's 10 tips for getting the most out of each log

Some wood burners are far more expensive to use than others.

Do you know why you choose the music you listen to?

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Algorithmic music recommendations are everywhere. Why do people resist to acknowledge them?

The world's first treatment using the gene-editing tool CRISPR has been approved

This gene-editing tool was developed a decade ago. It has now been authorised for use against two blood disorders in the UK.

Here’s how valuable resources can be extracted from the seabed: “There's a goldmine out there”

If there is going to be seabed mining, how should it be done? And what kind of technology can we use?

Who should collect, manage and have access to data from the oceans?

OPINION: Research institutions from Norway and other countries have collected a great amount of data from the northern oceans in recent years. Many people want access to this information.

The extent of manipulated news, images, and videos is greater than ever, according to analysts

Fake news and videos make us trust real news less, according to a new study. “This is clearly a concern,” researcher says.

Employees are using ChatGPT for advice, but is this a good thing?

OPINION: Recent data on people’s habits in the workplace are giving us reason to look into whether the use of artificial intelligence (AI) may be hampering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The lack of women in IT and Information Security limits the potential talent pool

OPINION: We are yet to empower women in IT and information security, writes Toktam Ramezanifarkhani.

Can artificial intelligence be creative? ChatGPT outperformed humans on a classic test

Artificial intelligence can mimic one aspect of creativity, but creativity is complex.

Want to sell Norwegian protein powder made from krill to the USA, Australia, and New Zealand

The small crustacean krill will now be used as a supplement in protein shakes, energy bars, and food items.

The future of artificial intelligence in education

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Using ChatGPT, the students reports surpassed the quality of many research papers. How can subject matter experts stay relevant for software engineers?

It's remarkably cheap to capture CO2 in large construction projects

A new study shows that the construction of a large bridge only needs to be one per cent more expensive to ensure half of the greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

Robots may help relieve a congested healthcare system

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Could you imagine healthcare institutions with robots performing ultrasound examinations?

Tremors in the pine forest

Fibre cables bring the internet to thousands of homes. But did you know that the cables can also be used to measure movement in the ground? The equipment is sensitive enough to pick up a cyclist passing by along a road.

Manipulated photos enable two people to use the same passport – this is how such fraud can be stopped

Fraudsters create fake passport photos so that two people can use the same passport. Researchers have figured out how to detect the forgeries.

Can the metaverse become a reality?

“The metaverse really peaked in 2021. It was at the same time as the crypto bubble,” Hanne Sofie Lindahl says. Will there ever be an internet you can experience being inside of?

Top politicians are not allowed to have TikTok on their phones. But why?

Other apps also collect a lot of information. TikTok stands out in that it is owned by a company in China, and China is not a Western ally in terms of security, researchers say.

Nuclear power is a friend of nature and the environment

OPINION: Based on our recent study of 870 power plants worldwide, nuclear energy is a clear winner in protecting ecosystems, while bioenergy is an indisputable loser.

Do older people get more distracted by the technology in new cars?

In 2022, every third person killed in traffic accidents in Norway was aged 65 or older. Researcher believes this could be the start of a trend that will increase in the coming years.

Twin satellites launched to monitor ship traffic in the North

Two dutch-Norwegian satellites will be launched this afternoon in Florida, USA. The satellites will, among other things, monitor ship traffic.

The world's most modern Viking ship can parallel park

You probably haven’t heard of electric Viking ships before. Old meets new in ‘Saga Farmann’ — and the Vikings would probably approve, being the innovators that they were.

No, the new AI chatbot ChatGPT won't take your job

OPINION: People have been quick to dismiss the chatbot ChatGPT as technology that is likely to replace many writing jobs. Such a pessimistic perspective completely overlooks how professionals in different domains can take advantage of it.

Satellite imaging can provide more climate-friendly actions

OPINION: Climate change affects local areas differently on a global scale. We need to find climate-friendly solutions when dealing with the specific challenges unique for each location. By the the use of satellite imaging we can target and identify the problems more efficiently.

Nanocarriers are the Trojan horses of antibiotics

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: There is a new kid in town. He is a nanocarrier loaded with antibiotics, and he can trick bacterial biofilms into opening its strongly guarded gates for him. Antibiotic resistant bacteria better beware.

Children use less Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok

Half of Norwegian nine- and ten-year-olds use social media, even though there is a 13-year-old age limit, but fewer are on Snapchat and TikTok than two years ago.

The food processing technologies we fear the most

OPINION: For the most part, there are some types of food processing technologies that we accept, while we are more sceptical towards others. Why is this, and what does it mean?

Developing a robotic georadar to make archaeological surveys easier

Surveys using ground-penetrating radar have helped archaeologists in Norway discover among other things a Viking ship and a Viking longhouse. An automated version now promises to make these surveys even more efficient.

How to market food processed with new technologies

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Marketing researchers have developed a guide for food producers who sell products that have been processed using new technologies.

These glasses help you see and hear better

Many people are ashamed to wear a hearing aid but aren’t as opposed to wearing glasses. Together with a team of researchers, an entrepreneur has created a completely new product for those who struggle with both vision and hearing.

We spend billions on heating that leaks out of buildings

About 5 per cent of all used energy in the world is lost because it leaks out of buildings.

Robots ensure more and better vegetables to eat with fewer toxins to harm the environment

Robots are taking over Norwegian vegetable fields. The AX-1 robot ensures better crops with fewer herbicides.

Faster internet led to more stock trading

When Norwegians gained access to faster internet, their interest in mutual funds and stock trading also increased. Researchers call it a democratization of finance.

What is a hypersonic weapon?

They move very, very fast, but that's not the most important thing about these weapons.

Merging robots and humans makes for better workers

Robots can’t replace people in industrial settings. But by giving people a digital boost, workers can see better, analyse situations faster and lift more.

Rare earths: Norwegian fertilizer against a Chinese near-monopoly

Electric cars, mobile phones, wind turbines — modern technology needs metals that are almost exclusively found in China. Residues from Norwegian fertilizer production can help Europe become less dependent on a country that wants to produce more itself.

Geothermal heat can give the world energy, but it’s expensive

A Norwegian entrepreneur collaborates with researchers to find better ways to extract geothermal energy.

High Skies and Far-Away Emperors: The Pitfalls of Digital Environmental Governance in China

OPINION: Throughout history, the Chinese central government has had only limited knowledge about local realities. Digital technologies now promise to make regulation and supervision more targeted and effective. But will the central government ever be on top of things?

Why are climate scientists so much more confident in their predictions now?

It's not just about the increase in extreme weather and higher temperatures.

The Internet fared surprisingly well during the pandemic

In many places the global lockdown led to a doubling or more of Internet traffic. Things went surprisingly well, a new Norwegian study shows.

A new, «Superman» way to detect hidden corrosion

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: Even without Superman’s X-ray vision, this probe can see corrosion through 30-40 mm of steel!

Serving up edible kelp to Michelin restaurants and supermarkets

An entrepreneurial company called Seaweed Solutions is now harvesting more than 100 tonnes of nutritious kelp from a seaweed farm off the coast of central Norway. The seaweed is being sold to food producers in Europe. “This industry will be big,” says an independent researcher.

Nansen Legacy Q2 Scientific divers sample ice algae and zooplankton below sea ice

Is train transport the most environmentally friendly way to move goods?

Transporting goods by train instead of trucks can result in big cuts in CO2 emissions.

Mixing production deep into the ocean

Imagine yourself lying on your back in a forest on a sunny spring day watching upwards to the tree tops. Warm rays of sunlight falling through the canopy warm your face and the song of birds echo in the distance. Now imagine all the tree trunks, branches and twigs are gone and just leaves floating lofty above you.

Steering clear of our worst nightmares of artificial intelligence

OPINION: A giant leap for mankind, without doubt, but will artificial intelligence be a friend or foe? The trick may lie in better involving the public in scrutinizing AI’s problematic aspects.

Twenty years of sequencing genes… for better or for worse

SHARE YOUR SCIENCE: It’s been 20 years since the first draft sequence of the human genome was published in the journals Nature and Science. Sequencing 30 000 genes has changed the world, but in a different way than expected.

Norway is going to invest in hydrogen. But what happens when there’s a gas leak?

Some studies suggest that hydrogen emissions may lead to more methane in the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer. Now researchers at Cicero will investigate how large the effect actually is.

What exactly is 5G?

What frequencies will 5G use? What’s the new technology behind it? Will there be many more base stations? What follows is a deep dive into the details of the next generation mobile network coming your way soon.

An unexpected journey to the seabed.

Noise caused sea lice to eat and reproduce less

This parasite costs Norwegian salmon farming almost 500 million euros each year. Could noise be the solution? Sound-emitting speakers weaken the lice's appetite. They fall off more easily and their reproduction drops dramatically, according to experiments in a Norwegian fjord.