Release Date 18 January 2017

Here is Wednesday's round-up of media coverage featuring the University of Reading.

Global temperatures: Prof Ellie Highwood (Met) interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme this morning discussing rising global temperatures and why 2016 is expected to be the hottest year on record. 

Trump's new EU ambassador?: Prof Theodore Roosevelt Malloch, (Henley Business School) who is expected to become America's new EU ambassador, talks to BBC Radio 2 about his background and how he has been advising Trump's campaign team. The Huffington Post and The Express report on Malloch's comments about Trump being the PM's ‘white knight' in Brexit talks. In addition, GhanaWeb quotes Prof Malloch's comments from a Radio 4 interview about Britain's future trade relationship with the US. 

Global sea ice: Dr Ed Hawkins (Met) is quoted in this New Scientist article on declining sea ice levels.

The fake news that sealed the fate of Antony and Cleopatra: Dr Eve MacDonald (Classics) penned this article for The Conversation on the how propaganda, or ‘fake news', was used in the civil war of ancient Rome.

Understanding motivation: Although rewards can lead to short term gain, it can lead to longer term disinterest in a job or task. The study by Dr Kou Maurayama (Psychology) says money shouldn't be used as a reward, and sweets shouldn't be used to bribe children. The study is featured on GetReading and BBC Berks reference it as part of a discussion on today's mid-morning show.

Prebiotics vs probiotics: This article in SmartCooky on the health benefits of prebiotics features comments from Prof Glenn Gibson and Dr Gemma Walton (Food).

UoR wins grant for rainfall modelling: Prof Giles Harrison (Met) was awarded a grant at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017 for research on the electrical properties of clouds and on rainfall modelling. The news went out on Business Wire and has been picked up by multiple global new sites. The full story is on our website.

Housing market: Prof Michael Ball (Henley Business School) quoted in an article in 24housing on a Government paper which suggests that housing associations have a vital role to play in driving innovation within the sector. 

Anti-depressants: Dr Ciara McCabe (Psychology) talks to BBC Radio Berks about the long-term effects of taking anti-depressants, as well as why this might be the case.

Health & Life Sciences building: GetReading covers the plans for the new £50m Health & Life Sciences building.

Other coverage:

• Online news site Topix covers the research by Reading and PepsiCo that polyphenols in citrus fruits can counter the effects of fat and therefore improve heart health.
• Siobhan Wood from the University Library is quoted in a news story on Cambridge University Press' plans to improve its cataloguing system. The story is featured at Talking New Media and Research Information.
• Profs Glenn Gibson and Bob Rastall's (Food) research is mentioned in a news release from OptiBiotix on posters it is presenting at Probiota 2017. PharmiWeb reports.
• An article in Christian Science Monitor on the future of cocoa production in Ghana refernences research from the University
• Prof Derek Clements-Croome (SCME) led a study showing a direct link between environmental conditions in classrooms and pupils' cognitive performance - Air Conditioning & Ventilation (also attached) covers the story.