Reading in the news - Mon 17 Jan

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) spoke to  (15 mins 30 secs) about infection and transmission; he is quoted by  on the contagious period of Covid;  on Covid immunity;  on Omicron's ability to boost natural immunity, and  on the link between Epstein-Barr virus infection and an increase in the risk of developing MS.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted by  on the reliability of PCR and lateral flow tests;  on the development of new vaccinations, and  on the variability of infection lengths.
• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by  and others on research about the common cold and Covid protection.
• Reading research (Economics) on the effects of Covid on fitness was mentioned by  (and in print). 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• PhD researcher Maureen Wanzala (Geography / Environmental Science) spoke to BBC World Service Radio, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales and radio stations all over the USon the impact of extreme weather events in East Africa.
• Dr Ella Gilbert (Meteorology) was interviewed on  about a recent report showing 2021 was one of the warmest years on record.
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology / Geography) is quoted by , ,  and others on the predictability of a flood disaster that took place in the Ahr Valley.
• Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) is mentioned by  for the addition of a new stripe to his climate stripes graphic. 
• PhD researcher Chloe Brimicombe (Geography/Walker Institute) is quoted by  on the Pacific Northwest heat waves. 

Other Coverage:

• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the  and others on the transmissibility of bird flu; and  on the link between Epstein-Barr virus infection and an increase in the risk of developing MS.
• Professor Mike Fulford (Archaeology) is quoted by The Independent (in print) on the recent find of a Roman settlement. 
• Professor Kate Williams's (History) article on the stripping of Prince Andrew's "His Royal Highness" title is republished by .
• Professor Ian Givens (IFNH/Agriculture) is quoted by , , and  on mineral deficiencies from vegetarian and vegan diets.
• Emeritus Professor Kevin Warwick (Cybernetics) was mentioned by BBC Radio Surrey and BBC Radio Sussex for testing an implant which allowed him to connect to computers, control robots, and sense ultrasound. 
• Professor Vimal Karani (Food) is quoted by ,, , and  on a study that linked vitamin D deficiencies to cardiovascular disease.
• An article by Khaled El-Shamandi Ahmed (Henley Business School) on paid customer reviews is published on .

• Reading research that found a link between healthy diets and higher levels of happiness was reported in a . Professor Uma Kambhampati (Economics), who led the study, is quoted. Read our news story.
• A member of Henley Business School’s Strategy Board is mentioned by  for being appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman and Director of RM.
• A minister and University graduate of 1979 was remembered in an online eulogy by .
• Reading graduate and Portsmouth North's MP, Penny Mordaunt, is named by  as the possible next Prime Minister.
• A graduate was quoted by The Journal (in print) and  on studying at Reading.  
•  and  report on a University graduate's appointment to the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.