That's Science!

Think social media algorithms completely control what you watch? What if the idea that we're helpless against the 'black box' is actually a myth? Right now, you’re listening to a science podcast. Digital platforms have made learning easier than ever, with YouTube leading the way in science video content. But there’s a persistent myth that social media algorithms are an all-powerful, mysterious 'bl...

Think saving turtles is just about skipping plastic straws? The biggest threat to sea turtle survival might actually be happening hidden deep inside their eggs. Having survived for over 200 million years, sea turtles are essential marine ecosystem engineers. But they're facing complex reproductive challenges. University of Sheffield researcher Alessia Lavigne joins us on That’s Science! to explain...

Have you been told video games rot your brain? What if cognitive neuroscience proves they actually make your mind more adaptable, fast, and resilient? From high-stakes decision making to fighting off cognitive decline, video games present some of the most complex stimuli our brains ever encounter. Join us as University of Sheffield researcher Eleanor Hyde talks to us about the potential benefits t...

Have you ever wondered why you feel anxiety or excitement right in your stomach? Turns out, 'trusting your gut' isn't just a metaphor - it's actual biology. You’ve probably heard people tell you to 'go with your gut' or 'trust your instincts' when making a tough decision. But is 'gut feeling' just a clever metaphor, or does your gut actually know what it’s doing? In this episode Nikolaos Stefanidi...

Ever wonder why some scientific ideas change the world while others end up in the history books' reject pile? In part 2 of this special crossover event, we’re handing the mic to Rita (Cosmology Researcher) and Sofie (PhD Student) from the University of Sheffield, the brilliant minds behind the Good in Theory podcast.  Last time, they discussed how science is the process of being less wrong ove...

Ever wonder why some scientific ideas change the world while others end up in the history books' reject pile? In this special crossover event, we’re handing the mic to Rita (Cosmology Researcher) and Sofie (PhD Student) from the University of Sheffield, the brilliant minds behind the Good in Theory podcast. Rita and Sofie bring us some of their favourite theories that just didn’t turn out to b...

We often think of fire as purely destructive, but for some plant species, it’s actually the key to life! In our latest episode of That’s Science , we are joined by Dr Kimberley Simpson to  examine the complex relationship between wildfire and plant ecology. While fire is a destructive force, it is also a powerful evolutionary driver.

Have you ever been having a perfectly normal chat with your favorite AI large language model, only to realise it's been confidently lying to your face? In this episode of That’s Science, we dive into the glitchy, often confusing world of AI hallucinations - those moments when a large language model confidently feeds you a lie with a straight face. You aren't alone if you’ve felt misled by...

The majority of us have heard about the placebo effect and the impact it can have on the brain and body. But have you heard of the nocebo effect? Placebo’s evil twin can affect us all and it is having a real impact on our health. This episode we talk to Dr Rebecca Webster about her research on the nocebo effect, a relatively new area of psychology research, and the impact that it is having on our...

This episode we take a ride into the solar system and beyond. How are planets formed and how was our solar system formed? What are the long believed rules of planetary systems and why we now believe there is not one model that fits all.  Dr Richard Parker is an astrophysicist in our School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. During the episode he takes us around the solar system and further int...

We take a dive into the Wood Wide Web with Professor Katie Field. Katie takes us through where the theory came from, why it rose so quickly in popularity and why it isn’t exactly what we might think.  Katie Field is a professor or plant - soil processes in The School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield. She has recently been awarded a Royal Society Fellowship that will fund her research...

Join us each episode where we talk with our academics to explore common beliefs and popular myths across Science. What will we discover?