Reading in the news - Wed 10 Feb

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the , and on how the South African variant is affecting vaccinations; the Mirror on transmission and immunity; and on a study of virus mutation in a patient; and spoke to about Britain鈥檚 vaccination programme
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted by , , and more than 100 on the likelihood of further virus mutations if lockdown is ended too early.

#WeAreTogether: Reading鈥檚 work to tackle the coronavirus crisis

• University of Warwick student newspaper reports on the letter signed by a number of university vice-chancellors, including Reading鈥檚, calling for student loan interest to be scrapped for the period of the pandemic. Read the letter here.

Planet Partners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Reading research into seasonal monsoon forecasts is reported by , , , , , and . Read our news story.
• quotes Dr Marlene Kretschmer (Meteorology) on the influence of the polar vortex on winter weather in Germany.

Air turbulence: The , , and quote Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on severe clear air turbulence increasing under climate change, in an article about a new website providing warning of air turbulence for flights. Read our news story.

Other coverage

• reports the announcement by air traffic controller NATS of a trial of more flexible flight paths to take better advantage of jet stream winds, just days after Reading research highlighted the potential benefits. Read our news story.
• and quote Dr Cathy Hughes (Henley Business School) on the shift in the balance of power between landlords and tenants in London during the pandemic.
• reports on research co-authored by Dr Dan Zhou (Henley Business School) showing private equity firms are more likely to manipulate performance numbers when they are under pressure to raise money.
• quotes Reading East MP Matt Rodda on the University鈥檚 interest in supporting a community plan to purchase Reading Prison.
• The publishes an obituary for Gareth Young, who studied teacher training at Reading before teaching History at a Reading school for nine years and recently becoming deputy general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union.