Latest news

News stories

This area contains news from the University since October 2020. For stories from 2010 to October 2020, use the 'News archive' above or search at the top of the page.
A collage of two images showing the satellite and ESA mission control
Credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–T. Leduc

Sheffield-conceived satellite to map Earth’s forest in 3D for the first time to help combat climate change

A satellite conceived at the University of Sheffield and developed by British academics and engineers is set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth's forests from space.

A long-tailed tit flying
Credit: Billy Clapham

Family first: scientists reveal long-tailed tits' remarkable family bonds

Forget fleeting friendships – the social secrets of the long-tailed tit has revealed an extraordinary level of family commitment even during migratory journeys.
A google earth image showing data from the digital tools identifying where selective-logging has taken place in the rainforest.
Google Earth Image © Airbus 2025 showing changes in the forest canopy detected by satellites at one of the logging concessions in 2023 including the logging detections identified by the new algorithm in red.

New technology helping fight against illegal logging of Peru’s valuable rainforest

New technology is helping Peru fight against the illegal logging of its 68 million hectares of valuable tropical rainforest.
Low alcohol beer

Increase in alcohol deaths in England an ‘acute crisis’

The persistent higher rate of alcohol deaths in England since the pandemic in 2020 is an “acute crisis” requiring urgent action from government, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Sheffield and UCL.
A farmer sitting in a field with sheep grazing in the distance.

Impact of Covid on farmers' mental health explored in new study

Farmers' mental health and resilience, and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, will be the focus of a major new research project.
A stock image of a person browsing the alcohol aisle in a supermarket.

New study reveals how the first lockdown impacted alcohol consumption

A new report from the University of Sheffield has revealed the impact the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic has had on alcohol consumption in Scotland and England.
Campus looking green

University of Sheffield joins the Race to Zero to achieve zero carbon emissions

The University of Sheffield has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Race to Zero campaign to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and has set its own target to be carbon neutral by 2038.

elephant tusks in a pile

Wildlife trade drives declines of over 60% in species abundance, according to new research

International wildlife trade is causing declines of over 60 per cent in the abundance of species but there is little research on the impacts of this severe threat to global wildlife, according to researchers.

Genetic testing

New study suggests genetic testing could be appropriate for all motor neurone disease patients

Research from the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) suggests that routine genetic testing may be appropriate for all MND patients and could impact disease subclassification and clinical care.