Reading in the news - Thu 31 Aug

New covid variant: Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) is quoted in The Times (in print) and on government proposals to issue Covid and flu vaccines earlier than planned in the face of a new coronavirus variant. Dr Simon Clarke is also quoted in Evening Standard (in print) on Covid continuing to adapt. 

Culture and heritage: 

• spoke to Professor Gabor Thomas and Postgraduate research student Carina Garland (both Archaeology) about the discoveries made at the 8th-century Anglo-Saxon site in Cookham that University students and staff have been excavating this summer. 

Health and wellbeing: 

• Professor Ian Givens (Nutrition) is quoted in an article about why diabetics have a high risk of heart disease by
• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutrional Sciences) is quoted on the consumption of ultra-processed foods in and .
• É«¹·µ¼º½ research on blueberry consumption is mentioned in a feature by Natural Products (in print) on the brain’s sensitivity to nutrition. Read our news story.
• report on funding Dr Vicky Li (Henley Business School) has received to research how AI can be used to diagnose inflammatory arthritis earlier. Read our news story. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Paul Williams appeared on BBC World Service to answer questions about what causes air turbulence. 
• , , , and highlights É«¹·µ¼º½ research which suggests air turbulence will become more severe in the future due to climate change after eleven people were injured on a flight that experienced heavy turbulence. 
• Scientists from the É«¹·µ¼º½ will collaborate with the United Arab Emirates’ National Centre for Meteorology in analysing data from aircrafts and probes as part of its Rain Enhancement Science Programme, as reported in , , , , , , , , , k and more. 
• Dr Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) was interviewed on about Hurricane Idalia, which is set to hit Florida. 
• Dr Rob Thompson explains the possible causes of series of mysterious footprints left on the steps to a house in the United States. Dr Thompson is quoted in and numerous regional American titles on the viral photo.

Food and farming:

• Farming Scotland (in print) features Chris Wyver’s (Agriculture) research on the impact of warmer temperatures on the date bees emerge from hibernation. Read our news story. 
• New research from the É«¹·µ¼º½ which shows adding bananas to smoothies is bad for flavanol absorption is highlighted by BBC Radio Berkshire. Read our news story.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university 

• Councillor Stephen Conway, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, says the authority has been working closely in partnership with the É«¹·µ¼º½ in a column for (in print).
• and report on Natural History Museum’s upcoming consultation for its proposed new research and storage facility at Thames Valley Science Park, a site owned by the É«¹·µ¼º½. 
• report that the É«¹·µ¼º½ is looking for local residents to join its newly-established community steering group. Read our news story.

Business and society: 

• Louise Claassen (Henley Business School Africa) writes for on the impact of ChatGPT on knowledge workers
• Jon Foster-Pedley (Henley Business School Africa) writes for the on living in the era of ‘clever fools’

Other coverage: 

• reports that the É«¹·µ¼º½ offered a record number of places to undergraduate students this year
• Voice of Islam Radio spoke to an A-level student from Scotland who is set to study neuroscience at the É«¹·µ¼º½. 
• mentions the É«¹·µ¼º½ in an interview with a student attending Henley College. 
• BBC Radio Berkshire aired and interview with TV presenter Sarah Beeney, who mentioned that her nephew is set to attend the É«¹·µ¼º½.
• Reading.Today (in print) reports on Professor Cindy Becker (English) and Professor Allan Laville (Psychology) being awarded National Teaching Fellowships by Advance HE. Read our news story.
• (in print) mention a week-long camp held at the É«¹·µ¼º½ attended by more than 100 property students attended.
• Visiting Professor Liz Bentley (Meteorology) will become the president of the European Meteorological Society, .

Alumni: 

• Dr Richard Searle writes for on security within healthcare organisations
• African Business reports on Nyasha Gwatidzo, a É«¹·µ¼º½ alumn from Zimbabwe, who has been helping vulnerable and traumatised children in the UK.