Engineering and natural sciences

Behind the headlines full of doomsday prophecies and warnings to slow down, there are many details worth bearing in mind.

Behind ChatGPT and Claude lies a value chain that few people are aware of, in which low-paid workers sort through content filled with violence and abuse. Is it even possible to use this technology ethically?

More and more people are letting language models write for them. Two researchers at the University of Agder (UiA) believe the problem is not the technology, but that we hide the fact that we are using it.

Warmer summers and intensive fishing pressure are making it increasingly difficult for young cod along the Skagerrak coast to survive.

Hairdressers should be trained in salons and car mechanics in workshops. Experts say maths education for vocational students should follow the same principle, embedding learning in real workplace contexts.

Common hepatica, European thimbleweed and lesser celandine are among the first wild flowering plants to appear in spring. This is no coincidence. They have been preparing for this since last summer.

After just two years without frequent mowing, biologist Jorunn Larsen has identified just over 50 plant species in a single meadow on Campus Kristiansand.

A new study from the University of Agder shows that a surprisingly large number of dogs in Norway have been exposed to one or more tick-borne diseases. This applies to dogs in all parts of the country.

Researchers at UiA have developed and tested a mathematics course tailored for bilingual student teachers. The failure rate has gone down, and the researchers now have a better understanding of what is needed to create equity in education.

A new preparatory course in mathematics will make the transition from upper secondary school to university easier. Behind the course is Ida Maria Landgärds-Tarvoll, who has helped more economics students pass their exams.

"With this, newly qualified teachers get a head start when they begin teaching in schools," says Amalie Sødal.

Silver protected against evil. The sun turned trolls to stone, and alchemists hunted for the stone that gave eternal life. Why have stones fascinated us for thousands of years?

Juniper was effective against witches, while foxglove was feared as the witches’ plant. In the past, plants were believed to have magical powers, both to protect and to harm. But do plants still hold power today?

Fish do much more than just swim around in the ocean. They are active climate helpers, playing vital roles in storing and transporting carbon and regulating our climate.

A new European study reveals significant gaps in knowledge about ticks and the diseases they spread. New species of ticks may now be coming to Norway.

Researchers at UiA warn that Europe's last healthy populations of flat oysters are at risk. They are now calling for better protection to safeguard these stocks.

The failure rate decreased from 21 per cent to 11 per cent after students were given the responsibility of teaching engineering students mathematics.

The video game Grand Theft Auto pushes boundaries in terms of sex and violence. However, the game is designed for adults and is also on the cutting edge of technology and storytelling, says a game expert.

New outfits for a game character can provide more status in the schoolyard than real clothing. "It's a trend parents need to be aware of," says gaming researcher.

"With artificial intelligence, you can talk to the characters you see on screen and collaborate with them to develop the story," says researcher Per-Arne Andersen.

Student Zahir Mohamed has been playing Grand Theft Auto since 2013 and still considers it one of his favourite games.

A dangerous snake fungus has been discovered in Europe. Researchers are now examining collections of dead snakes in museums to map the disease.

Gaming can provide significant advantages for both employees and businesses, says researcher Tobias Michael Scholz.

Researchers from the University of Agder found surprisingly many traces of tick-borne diseases in horses. The findings may also say something about the risk of infection for humans.

Children and young people learn more about biological diversity when they gain their own experiences observing nature, according to UiA researcher Anne Lien.