Reading in the news - Thu 28 May

Heatwave continues: Comments from Dr Caleb Miller on record temperatures across the weekend were featured by Greatest Hits Radio and HelloRayo. The Reading Chronicle (print) quoted Dr Stephen Burt, Professor Richard Allan, and Dr Akshay Deoras (all Meteorology) on the topic. From our expert comment: Hottest May day on record

Regius Professor Hannah Cloke and Professor Ed Hawkins (both Meteorology) were quoted by Daily Mail, Kamu Medya, Express, Birmingham Live, and BBC Newsround (republished by MSN, Head Topics, and NewsPoint) about the role of climate change in the UK’s recent heatwave.

Dr Mehdi Shahrestani (Construction Management and Engineering) spoke to ITV News and BBC Radio Berkshire about how trees can be used to cool local air temperatures.

Health and wellbeing:

Drug Discovery World reported on a study from Professor Darius Widera and Dr Graeme Cottrell (both Pharmacy) which found that mouth stem cells could help beat brain cancer. From our story: Mouth stem cells could help beat brain cancer defences

Food and farming:

Dr Maria Maiarú (Pharmacy) was quoted by MedIndia on a chemical in magic mushrooms that can treat nerve pain. From our story: Magic mushroom chemical cuts nerve pain and enhances drug

Farmers Guide, MedicalXPRess, and EurekAlert reported on a study into the cardiovascular impact of unsaturated fats in dairy, quoting lead author Professor Ian Givens (Food and Nutritional Sciences). From our story: Natural trans fats in dairy do not raise heart disease risk

DMNews and Piedu News featured a study on how bananas alter nutrient absorption in smoothies, quoting Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences).

Professor Gunter Kuhnle was also quoted by Medical Brief responding to a study on the impact of preservatives. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

Wired Gov and Byteseu republished a Met Office article, mentioning Reading research for a Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) was quoted by Independent (republished by MSN, Custom Map Poster, and BritBrief) about how an upcoming El Niño event will impact crops and cost of living.

CBC Radio One featured comments from Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on the link between climate change and increasing air turbulence. From our story: Turbulent flights to continue as warming world shakes skies

A study by Dr Jonathan Dale (Geography) examined how to successfully protect restored saltmarsh, reports EurekAlert. From our story: New fences can save restored saltmarsh

Business and society:

Dr Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre, and Television) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the impact of generative AI on society. 

PhD student Jessica Lomas (Henely Business School) co-wrote an article for The Globe and Mail about new defence investments in Canada.

Heritage and culture:

The Telegraph mentioned that BBC2 recorded an early episode of Jazz Goes to College in the University's Great Hall.

A study by Professor Chris Venditti (Ecology) about why most humans are right-handed was featured by AZ Animals and Magyar Narancs (republished by AOL and Yahoo News).

An upcoming art exhibition on London Road Campus was highlighted by The Reading Chronicle (print).

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

Law student Charlotte Smith has received an award during the University's Celebration of Volunteering for 7 years of Girlguiding service, reports The Reading Chronicle (print). Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, is quoted.

Other coverage:

The Tab listed Reading in their ranking of best to worst UK universities.

Alumni:

Economics graduate Gary Mazzotti has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Accolade Holding, reports Property News.

Forbes (Greece) profiled Reading graduate Chloe Laskaridis, Executive Chairman of Lampsa.

Place Yorkshire mentioned that Mark Jackson, graduate and consultant at Scarborough Group International, will be a speaker at the upcoming West Yorkshire Development Update.