Reading in the news - Wed 18 Dec

Earworms: Times Radio interviews Professor Philip Beaman (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) explaining that earworms, when a song gets stuck in your head, are repetitive musical memories. He also discusses tactics to help get rid of them. An article in Celebitchy highlights his 2015 study which found that chewing gum can help get rid of earworms.

Nexus assessment: Professor Tom Oliver (Ecology) is quoted in The Times about the latest Nexus assessment by the UN’s biodiversity science panel, which says that tackling climate change should not be at the expense of nature and biodiversity. Professor Oliver’s comments are also published by the Science Media Centre.

Health and wellbeing:

• News Trail India reports on a study involving researchers from the University of Reading, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, and ICMR-NIN, analysing 432 packaged food products in India to understand their nutritional content.
• London Daily News quotes Professor Glenn Gibson (Food and Nutritional Sciences) discussing the varied diets and daily habits across the UK, and the impact this can have on gut health.

Food and farming:

• RDG Today highlights an educational programme at the University funded by the EU via the EIT Food initiative, which has improved students' understanding of food packaging recycling. From our story: Students lead the way in food packaging recycling initiative
• TikToker The Cottage Peach shares a lettuce-growing hack, citing University of Reading research that states most fresh produce loses up to 50% of its nutritional value a few days after being harvested, reports The Cool Down. Republished by MSN.

Business and society:

• Dr Melissa Carr (Henley Business School) comments in The HR Director on how increasing complexity in payroll tasks and legislation can adversely affect staff wellbeing.
• A Forbes article on leadership, written by Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School), mentions research by Dr Sinem Bulkan (Henley Business School) on the importance of dismantling systems that enable destructive leadership.

Heritage and culture:

• Printweek reports on the University of Reading's involvement in preserving print heritage, as Hovendon and Roe refurbished and relocated 12 letterpress machines for the University.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) spoke to Sky News about the impact of Cyclone Chido on the French island of Mayotte.
• The Independent quotes Dr Alex Baker (Meteorology) explaining the rapid intensification of Cyclone Chido before it caused severe destruction in Mayotte. Republished by MSN, Yahoo News, INKL and AOL.
• StartitUp reports on a study led by the Max Planck Institute, with contributions from the University, recovering the oldest DNA sample from modern human remains. From our story: Oldest human DNA reveals family network that spanned Europe.
• The Namibian highlights a statement from Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) who discussed the unprecedented global heat in the past two years.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Jeff Da Costa (Geography and Environmental Sciences) discussing the impact of climate change on flooding.

Other coverage:

• Dr Neil Cocks (English Literature) writes about The Cure’s latest album for The Conversation, in an article about the 10 best albums of 2024. Republished by Big News Network.
• The New York Times explores the topic of female facial hair, highlighting the work of Professor Karín Lesnik-Oberstein (English Literature) in her book The Last Taboo: Women and Body Hair. Republished by Indian Express.
• PlymouthLive, DevonLive and LBC News Online report on the inquest of former Reading student Thomas Wright.
• The Standard features an article written by a University of Reading student who is currently pursuing a second MSc in Communication for Development. The article focuses on the importance of community radio in developing rural communities in The Gambia.

Alumni:

• Adgully reports that Susanne Grundmann, an alumna of Henley Business School, has been appointed CEO of PHD EMEA.
• The Henley Standard reports on the life of Angela Pengilley, who completed a Master's in music in 1996 at the University.