Reading in the news - Tue 14 Jul

UK heatwave: continued coverage of University of Reading academic expertise in the media covering the heatwave in the UK and Europe.

• Dr Glynn Barrett’s Conversation article on the plight of British trees in the heatwave is the site’s most shared article in the past week.
• Recent temperatures have officially exceeded the 1976 heatwave, reports Daily Mail, Greatest Hits Radio, BBC News, The I Paper, and Thames Gazette (republished by AOL, Yahoo News, World News, PressBee, and MSN). Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Professor Hannah Cloke, and Dr Stephen Burt (all Meteorology) are quoted about the risks. Professor Charlton-Perez was interviewed on BBC South Today (pictured) on the record-breaking moment. From our story: 1976 record overtaken as drought and wildfire risk spreads
• Design and Build UK reported on a study by Dr Alba Fuertes (Construction Management) about dangers to construction site workers during heatwaves. From our story: Construction sites are not ready for extreme heat
• The Star (republished by BritBrief) highlighted advice on how to keep cool during higher temperatures.

Hydro power: Dr Mehdi Shahrestani (Construction Management and Engineering) was quoted by BBC News on the increasing importance of renewable power.

Food and farming:

• A study by Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on salt in takeaways was featured by Women Fitness and Nauka Polsce, with another on flavanol-rich foods features in EnlightenGroup.
• Professor Kuhnle was quoted by the Daily Mail on the evidence for a health supplement.
• Pioneer and One Nucleus featured the award-winning macaron of Food Science students Benjamin Leroy, Kam Bautista, Xintong Qiao, and Charlie Reavell. From our story: Leftover hazelnut pulp becomes prize winning chocolate treat

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Dr Rob Thompson and Visiting Professor Liz Bentley (both Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Breakfast (BBC One) about the symbols used in weather apps. Dr Thompson was also quoted by Daily Mail.
• Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) was quoted by Report24 about the 2021 Ahr Valley flood.
• Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) was quoted by The Guardian (republished by Yahoo News, Byteseu, WDC News, Europe Says, Inkl, and AOL) on a report highlighting issues with climate reporting in the media.

Evolution news:

• Wood Central (republished by Europe Says and Custom Map Poster) reported on a study by Dr Jorge Avaria-Llautureo (Evolutionary Biology), finding that primates evolved from cold climates. From our story: Early primates survived in cold, not tropical climates
• Quanta Magazine reported on a study by Professor Chris Venditti (Ecology) into the relative rarity of left-handedness.
• A study by Dr Jacob Gardner (Biological Sciences) into how prehistoric humans grew bigger was featured by New Scientist. From our story: Bigger bodies were a late addition for humans

Business and society:

• Dr Jacqui Turner (History) was quoted by Streamline Feed about Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP. From our expert comment: Farage resigns: expert comment as by-election looms
• Daily Mail (republished by Head Topics and MSN) mentioned research by Professor James Reade (Economics) which analysed on the best penalty methods to use during football matches. From our story: Take penalties like Kane for World Cup glory, study suggests
• The Financial Analyst mentioned research by Visting Fellow Michael Kunkler (Economics) into investment portfolios.
• Professor James Reade (Economics) and Professor Adrian Bell (Henley Business School) were quoted by The Star on changing the size of football goalposts.

Other coverage:

• Professor Gabor Thomas (Archaeology) was quoted by Greatest Hits Radio about the latest Cookham Abbey excavation, with further broadcast mentions. From our story: Cookham dig to reveal monastic care for early England's sick
• Dr Connor Sharp and Dr William Cross (both Biomedical Sciences) have been awarded funding for health research, reports Academy of Medical Sciences.

Alumni:

• Real Estate graduate Theo Stevenson Bunneyhas joined AspinalVerdi as a Consultant, reports The Business Desk.