Reading in the news - Mon 03 April

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) is quoted by Wio News, Time News, and Future Zone on the effect that plasma erosion on the sun's surface will have on Earth's weather. This comes as a giant hole in the sun's surface is pictured by NASA.
• Professor Chris Hilson(Law) is quoted by National World on how COP28 will be the 'turning point' in holding polluters accountable.
• Professor Bill Collins (Meteorology) is quoted by The Guam Daily Post on incorporating the impact of changing levels of aerosols into future models of climate change.
• Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) is quoted by Best Life on how extreme flight turbulence may more than double in the future due to climate change.
• Henley Standard (in print) reports on PhD Researcher Cathie Wells' (Maths) research on how to make flight paths more fuel efficient. Read more about her collaborative research.
• Infobae and Teleamazonas report University research found various species in Latin America are under threat from road expansion in the area. Read our news story.
• Relief Web reports that the University partnered with WFP to adapt disaster risk management and climate change adaptation services for agricultural use in Odisha.
• Public Sector Catering (in print) mention that updates made to the University's air handling systems have significantly lowered energy consumption and costs.

Food and farming:

• Express, World Health, and Knowledia report on a study conducted by Professor Claire Williams (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on the health benefits of wild blueberries for older adults. Read our news story.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed doctoral student, Esther Muriuki on the University's research on how black-eyed peas, or cowpeas, may help lower blood glucose levels. BBC Radio Oxford also reported.
• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) is quoted by Euro Weekly News on the healthiness of processed food.
• Professor Vimal Karani (Food) is quoted by Food Matters Live on how the new field of personalised and precision nutrition is evolving.
• Further coverage of the ‘Raising the Pulse’ initiative by Natural Health (in print). The project is to develop UK bread containing fava beans, which are better for diet and the environment. Read our news story.

India heatwave: Dr Kieran Hunt (Meteorology) is quoted by CNN World News (online), CNN News Philippines (online), Yahoo!, Out Traveler, Channel News 3, CP 24, KVIA, KRDO, Banoyi, and others on how El Nino could continue to rise temperatures in India and delay the onset of the monsoon in coming weeks. Read our news story.

Losing accents: Professor Jane Setter (Language & Linguistics) wrote an article for The Conversation on why people keep or lose their accents and it is reposted by Channel News Asia and Science Alert. She is also quoted by the Daily Star (in print), Imprensa De Hoje, Ardina, and Sapo on how this happens.

Business and society:

• Professor Therese Callus (Law) is quoted by Wokingham Today on the appropriate reform needed to improve the regulation of surrogacy as a Law Commission surrogacy report is released.
• Dr Aaron Ahali (Henley Business School) is quoted by Forbes on how to start a nonprofit business.
• Somerset County Gazette (in print) report an app exploring medieval monasteries, their archaeology, and myths and legends built on previous research collaborations with the University.
• Professor Helen Parish (History) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on the history of why we celebrate April Fools.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university 

• Professor David Brayshaw (Meteorology) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on why he is taking part in Cure Leukaemia's Tour 21 fundraiser, which will see amateur cyclists attempt the Tour De France route to raise money for the cause. Yahoo! also reports. Read our news story.

Other Coverage:

• Times Radio mentioned a recent interview with Professor Julia Waters (Languages and Cultures) on the death of her sister Ruth Perry, headteacher of Caversham Primary School.
• Professor Wing Lam (UoR Malaysia) wrote an article on how allowing foreign graduates to work in Malaysia would increase the available talent pool and it is published by The Star.
• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by BMJ (in print) on the health impact of household mould.
• Professor Bhismadev Chakrabarti (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) is quoted by The Guardian Weekly (in print) on the difference between human and animal gut microbiomes.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by Shropshire Star (in print), confirming that despite recent cases of bird flu in some mammals, the risk of human infection remains low.
• Wokingham Today reports that Professor Richard Hoyle (History) will deliver a lecture on the history of Windsor Forest.
• Further coverage of research led by Dr David Field (Psychology) on the benefits of Vitamin B6 for mental health by Knowridge.
• The National News reports that the University is developing courses with Shinfield Studios in Cine Valley to help provide young people with the opportunity to work in the film industry.
• The Reading Chronicle (in print) mentions the University's close proximity to London.
• Henley Standard (in print) reports on a choral performance that took place at the University's Great Hall.
• BBC Radio Berkshire report on an upcoming BBC Introducing gig at the University Students union.
• BBC Radio Berkshire commented that the Reading half-marathon course historically started at the University's campus.

Alumni:

• The Guardian (in print) publishes an obituary for Reading alumnus, historian, and painter, Anthony Day, who died at the age of 100.
• Flash Uganda Media reports on the life of Reading alumna, politician, and women's rights advocate, Atim Agnes Apea.
• The Royal Gazette reports that University alumnus, Evin Mosley has been recently called to the Bar.