Reading in the news - Fri 23 Aug

Hydrogel learns Pong: A new study by Dr Vincent Strong and Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi (both Biomedical Engineering)  on enabling a hydrogel to learn to play the Pong video game is reported on by , . Republished by , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and . Read our news story.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• quotes Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on the unexpected increase in solar activity.
• Dr Peter Inness (Meteorology) discussed waterspouts on and , after a superyacht sunk in a dangerous storm in Italy. Dr Inness is also quoted by , , , , , , , and . Read our expert comment.
• quotes Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) on how the climate stripes have raised awareness about climate change. Republished by .

Heritage and culture:

• and highlights research from the 色狗导航 on the Hawkedon Helmet, an extremely rare example of Roman gladiatorial armour.

Business and society:

• announces the European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards finalists, chaired by Professor Moira Clark (Henley Business School), who oversees the judging process.
• Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean of Henley Business School Africa, discusses the potential of digital technologies in enhancing small business operations for . Republished by ,

Other coverage:

• reports on a study from the 色狗导航 that disproves the myth that brain size directly correlates with body size. Dr Chris Venditti and Dr Joanna Baker (Ecology) are quoted. Read our news story.
• highlights a 2009 study by the 色狗导航 that found more than £31 million is spent annually on ticket sales and related expenses during the festival season.