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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2026

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Abstract

VKM assessed the potential risks to biodiversity in Norway associated with the import and release of biocontrol agents for management of house flies and stable flies in poultry farms, pig or sheep barns, cattle feedlots, and horse stables. Effective control of filth flies requires repeated releases of up to one million mass-reared individuals, but recent permits have restricted releases to lower numbers. Risk assessments were completed for the dump fly Hydrotaea aenescens, the parasitoid wasps Spalangia cameroni, S. endius, Nasonia vitripennis, Muscidifurax raptor, M. raptorellus and M. zarapator, and the hister beetle Carcinops pumilio. Nasonia vitripennis is a native species in Norway, C. pumilio is a non-native species that is widely established in Norway, and S. cameroni occurs on pig farms in southern Norway. Hydrotaea aenescens and M. raptor have been detected in low numbers, whereas S. endius, M. raptorellus and M. zaraptor have not been reported in Norway. The biological control agents are generalist predators and parasitoids that could affect native species through six impact mechanisms from the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa: competition, predation, hybridization, disease transmission, parasitism, and indirect effects. No impacts on native biodiversity have been documented where the non-native species occur in Norway or elsewhere. The potential for establishment and spread is low because the non-native species are associated with manmade habitats, have poor dispersal ability, and are warm-adapted species unlikely to cope with cold winters. Mitigation measures can reduce risks during import from commercial suppliers and releases in farms and stables, whereas surveillance programs could detect unexpected changes in insect communities. VKM concludes that the risks to native biodiversity in Norway are likely to be low from use of these biocontrol agents for management of pest flies in animal production facilities.

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Abstract

Global food security demands sustainable alternatives to the conventional feed ingredient wheat. Nutrient-dense diploid potatoes (HQP) represent candidates due to their enriched phytochemical profiles, including high levels of vitamin C and lutein. However, their dietary utilization is constrained by endogenous anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), primarily solanine and trypsin inhibitors. Using a zebrafish model, we demonstrate that these ANFs trigger intestinal dysbiosis and an oxidative-inflammatory response. Mechanistically, this adverse gut environment suppresses the mTOR pathway, as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1, ultimately leading to growth depression. To address this toxicological barrier, we integrated genetic selection (diploid HQP) with thermal processing (steam-cooking). Quantitative analysis revealed that while thermal processing effectively reduced ANF concentrations to physiologically safe levels, the HQP matrix retained significantly higher residual concentrations of vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin compared to conventional tetraploid (C88) and wheat-based diets. Mechanistically, protein-level evidence confirmed that this processed HQP formulation promoted the total NRF2 and suppressed NF-κB P65 accumulation. This metabolic shift attenuated inflammation, reactivated mTOR signaling, and subsequently enhanced growth performance and digestive capacity. Our findings establish a mechanistic framework demonstrating how integrated genomic design and processing strategies facilitate the functional utilization of high-phytochemical crops in sustainable food systems.

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Abstract

Abstract Indoor air quality can be improved by coatings that adsorb harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the present work, bio-based and VOC-adsorbing wood coatings were fabricated from polyphenols extracted from spruce bark, biochar produced from mixtures of spruce and pine bark, and a polyamine crosslinker. The bark-based biochar was doped with a catalyst (MnO 2 ) to enable continuous elimination of the adsorbed VOCs so that the coatings would not become saturated. The coatings formed a homogenous and smooth layer that covered the whole surface of the wood and showed excellent adhesion to the substrate, while their VOC removal efficiency was dependent on the pollutant type and the coating weight. The best performance was achieved toward formaldehyde, followed by chloroform and methyl ethyl ketone. Thick coatings (200–220 g/m 2 ) reached a formaldehyde removal of 62%, with the coating base and the biochar contributing nearly equally to the VOC removal. Overall, the bark-based coatings showed good potential for improving indoor air quality, but the surface wettability of the coated spruce wood was high. Despite the presence of biochar and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds, the coatings did not appear to improve the reaction to fire of the wood.

Abstract

The lecture provides practical guidance on research proposal development and international funding opportunities, with a particular focus on Horizon Europe. It covers how to identify suitable funding calls, understand call requirements and eligibility, develop competitive research ideas, formulate clear and measurable objectives, and design a sound research methodology. It also explains the main components of a Horizon Europe proposal, including Part A and Part B, and provides step-by-step guidance on writing the Excellence, Impact, and Implementation sections. The lecture further addresses international partnership and consortium building, work packages, deliverables, milestones, risks, staff effort, budget allocation, dissemination, exploitation, communication, and proposal evaluation criteria. Real and illustrative project examples, including collaborations between Norwegian and African universities, are used to connect proposal-writing principles with practical research funding experience.