Reading in the news - Thu 27 Feb

Mystery virus: includes comments from Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) on a new mystery viral disease that has killed 50 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Republished by .

Health and wellbeing

• , , and report that a 色狗导航 study found that eating 50g of walnuts at breakfast improves reaction times and memory in young adults. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function
• , The Irish Sun, The Scottish Sun and report Professor Laurence Harwood's (Chemistry) warning about lead poisoning risks in Temu’s low-cost products for young children.
• and The Scottish Sun, and report that Professor Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) commented on a newly discovered bat coronavirus that can enter human cells similarly to COVID-19.
• reports that Dr Joanna Baker (Ecology) was part of a study overturning the long-held belief that larger animals do not have higher cancer rates. From our story: Bigger animals get more cancer defying decades-old belief

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• reports that University creative students are among seven artists in Berkshire supporting a community climate action project.
• reports that the University is involved in POWER-Kenya, a project enhancing weather and climate forecasting to strengthen energy resilience in Kenya.
• reports that scientists at the University have found that severe turbulence in the North Atlantic has increased by 55% from 1979 to 2020.
• reports that researchers from the University Department of Chemistry have developed a new degradable polymer adhesive for plastic bottles. From our story: Plastic bottles easier to recycle with new degradable glue
• , , feature Dr James O'Donoghue (Meteorology) on the James Webb Telescope assessing asteroid 2024 YR4's size.
• features Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) on climate change driving extreme weather and record heat.

Business and society:

• (and in print) reports that Kate Terroni, who oversaw the CQC’s transformation programme, is studying for a professional certificate in executive coaching, at Henley Business School.
• LBC Radio reports that when speaking with students at the University, highlighted the Employment Rights Bill and minimum wage increases for under-21s affecting young people.
• published a letter from Professor Paul Glaister (Mathematics & Statistics) discussing the role of AI tools in mathematics education and assessment.

Other coverage:

• reports that University chemistry students are concerned due to planned departmental changes announced last year.
• reports that the British Management University in Uzbekistan has opened admissions for 2025-2026, with its Foundation programme accredited by the University.

Alumni:

• and report on a new case study by Henley Business School Africa, highlighting the entrepreneurial journey of Andrew Leeuw and Hezron Louw.
• mentions that Evangelia Kyrka, who studied Food Science and Technology at Reading, was part of a beekeeper training session.
• features Russell Shackleton, an accomplished change agent and strategic thinker with an Executive MBA from Henley Business School. Republished by .