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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.

CC Brand Founder and Inventor Drew Colgrave, Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White, CC Brand Consultant Karl Lawrence, and Professor Simon Goodwin from the University of Sheffield
(LtoR) CC Brand Founder and Inventor Drew Colgrave, Jimmy ‘The Whirlwind’ White, CC Brand Consultant Karl Lawrence, and Professor Simon Goodwin from the University of Sheffield

Astrophysics meets snooker: University experts partner with Sheffield firm to pioneer the sport’s future

University of Sheffield researchers are collaborating with a Sheffield company at the heart of snooker’s modern evolution to develop next generation equipment, bringing 21st century science into one of the world’s most tradition-steeped sports.
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.
Environmental research

Facility empowering next generation of environmental researchers receives £16 million funding boost

A facility providing environmental scientists across the UK access to vital expertise and infrastructure to help advance their research has been funded through to 2031.
Two people sit down and to talk about mental health

Accelerating research in severe mental illness

Collaborative research led by the Healthy Lifespan Institute at the University of Sheffield that will create new approaches for diagnosis, treatment and support for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, has been awarded a share of £22.5m.
Enhanced weathering test fields of soybean at the Energy Farm, University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign

Field trials reveal crushed rock boosts carbon removal and improves crop yields

Crushed rock can remove around 3-4 tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) per hectare per year and improve crop yields, results of a pioneering study have shown.

Forestation

Side effects of wide scale forestation could reduce carbon removal benefits by up to a third

The side effects of large-scale forestation initiatives could reduce the CO2 removal benefits by up to a third, a pioneering study has found.
An example of a hydroponics growing system to grow crops like lettuce, it shows rows of plants being grown on shelves.

Growing leafy greens set to get greener due to Sheffield research into sustainable farming 

A new way to create synthetic fertilisers from waste by-products, which could provide a cost-effective, low-carbon alternative to current synthetic fertilisers for the UK's farming industry, is being developed by the University of Sheffield.