  In this contribution I will review some of the researches that are currently
being pursued in Padova (mainly within the In:Theory and Strength projects),
focusing on the interdisciplinary applications of nuclear theory to several
other branches of physics, with the aim of contributing to show the centrality
of nuclear theory in the Italian scientific scenario and the prominence of this
fertile field in fostering new physics.
  In particular, I will talk about: i) the recent solution of the long-standing
"electron screening puzzle" that settles a fundamental controversy in nuclear
astrophysics between the outcome of lab experiments on earth and nuclear
reactions happening in stars; the application of algebraic methods to very
diverse systems such as: ii) the supramolecular complex H2@C60, i.e. a diatomic
hydrogen molecule caged in a fullerene and iii) to the spectrum of hypernuclei,
i.e. systems made of a Lambda particles trapped in (heavy) nuclei.
