Thomas Ling
Digital editor, BBC Science Focus
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.
Recent articles by Thomas Ling
Why you're probably stroking your cat completely wrong (and how to do it right)
Fun fact: your cat probably hates the way you're currently petting them.
How to cool down quickly: 4 surprising, science-backed ways to cope with a heatwave
Top tip: focus on cooling your hands, not face.
How to finally break your procrastination habit, explained by a psychologist
Can't break a pattern of procrastination? Prof Fuschia Sirois explains the scientifically-backed ways to get back on task.
The strange reasons your dog eats grass (and poop)
Don't pretend like your pup hasn't done it.
Top 10 most dangerous animals in the world
What is the deadliest animal, killing the most humans each year? If you guessed sharks, you’d be wrong.
Here's how cats use purring to manipulate humans
To get your attention, your moggy's purrs can mimic a human baby's.
Why does my cat love sitting on my laptop?
How your cat's annoying keyboard-lounging habit is part of its ploy to possess your house.
How hidden 'overtiredness' is ruining your sleep – and how to fix it
Unchecked emotional exhaustion can scupper your slumber when you need it most. Here are the simple tools you need to reset your sleep – and enhance your emotional regulation.
The best science-backed books that will help you (finally) sleep better in 2025
The best reads that can help you rest better in 2025.
Instant Genius Podcast | How to overcome social paranoia and anxiety
A psychologist explains simple ways to crush social paranoia by building your self-esteem.
The (very very weird) reasons cat lick people
Sorry, it's not because they secretly love you.
Your fingerprints aren't unique after all, discovers AI
The breakthrough could re-open many criminal cold cases.
Your tastebuds are the key to preventing overeating, groundbreaking study suggests
New insights into appetite suppression could lead to revolutionary new weight loss drugs.
A giant asteroid explosion didn’t kill off the dinosaurs. Dust did
New research suggests dust in Earth’s atmosphere was a leading cause of a mass extinction 66 million years ago.
Flamingoes aren't born pink. Here’s the (very bizarre) reason they take on that colour
As shown in BBC's Life in Colour, flamingos aren't born with that colour.
Instant Genius Podcast | Neil DeGrasse Tyson explains the Universe’s greatest mysteries
What’s beyond our Universe? Will time travel ever be possible? And what might aliens look like? The acclaimed astrophysicist answers all.
The bizarre science of cat behaviour
Why our feline friends may be much more intelligent than you'd think.
What we’re all getting wrong about ADHD
The biggest myths and unknowns of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The secrets of the immortal jellyfish, Earth's longest-living animal
How does the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) live for so long? A leading scientist explains all.
Instant Genius Podcast | Weight loss: What actually works?
Here's what actually happens in your body during a calorie deficit.
Instant Genius Podcast | How to overcome imposter syndrome
The psychology behind why you may feel like a fraud – and how to break free of the mind trap.
Instant Genius Podcast | The four-day workweek, with Alex Pang
Plus, the impact of working less on your physical and mental health.
Sony SRS-XV800 wireless party speaker review: Exceptional multipurpose device with superior sound
The formidably bulky Bluetooth device is capable of truly impressive audio.
Why do beavers build dams?
No, beavers don't actually live in dams – but they still serve a special purpose.