Release Date 11 July 2017

Dog at graduation: The BBC website’s seventh most read story on Saturday was about the University of Reading extending an invitation to the pet dog of a family to attend graduation as an assistance dog for a graduate’s sister. ITV Meridian ran a TV piece, plus an online story, and BBC London reported the story as its good news story of the day Jack FM also interviewed the mother of the family on Monday. Read our story here.

New cloud: Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology) was interviewed for the Paul Hudson Weather Show on BBC Radio Humberside (47 mins 50 secs), (plus BBC Radio Leeds, York, Sheffield and Lincolnshire), on his research on one of the latest cloud types (asperitas) to be added to the World Meteorological Organization’s International Cloud Atlas. Read our news story.

Immigration problems: Dr Ruvi Ziegler (School of Law) is quoted in an article on BFT Online on African immigrants being hit with a new tax in Israel.

Affordable housing: Professor Neil Crosby (Real Estate and Planning) is quoted in a Guardian article on criticism of Wandsworth Council for reducing the amount of affordable housing in its Battersea Power Station redevelopment.

Language learning: Many local newspapers around the UK, including the Portsmouth News, report on a recent survey that suggested the majority of the English population do not speak any foreign languages. The articles refer to University of Reading research that shows children are more likely to grasp other languages if they are taught them at an early age.

Antiques event at The MERL: TV antiques experts were at a public event at The MERL to value items brought in by members of the public. Jack FM and Heart Radio Berkshire both promoted the event in their news bulletins. Read more about the event in our news story.

Food health benefits: Various articles explore the surprising health benefits provided by foods, as revealed by Reading research (Food and Nutritional Sciences). The Guardian reports that the assumption that coconut oil is healthy could be false, quoting Professor Christine Williams.

Professor Jeremy Spencer’s research on chocolate boosting cardiovascular health was mentioned on BBC London (56 mins 45 secs) radio as part of a wider discussion about the health benefits of various food types, and mentioned in articles on India Times and Uncova.com.

EatThis.com reports research that shows blueberries increase cognitive ability.

Other coverage

• Professor Mike Fulford (Archaeology) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire (2 hrs 10 mins) about the discovery of personal message shared between Romans at Vindolanda, and gave the latest on his own research at Silchester and other sites.
• Dr Mark Shanahan (Politics and International Relations) gave his thoughts to BBC Radio Berkshire (29 mins) on Theresa May’s appeal to rival parties to ‘contribute not criticise’ as she looks to move forward with her new government.
• ProactiveInvestiors.co.uk reports that expert taste testers at the University of Reading have approved a new calorie-free sugar substitute made by OptiBiotix Health Plc
• Global Plant Council reports on research by Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) that shows fungi could help trees migrate to cope with periods of rapid climate change.
• The Manchester Evening News reports that a grandfather is set to earn his fifth degree from the University  of Salford, having studied History at Reading – the “most difficult” of the degrees he has done
• Phys.org reports the University’s Roman Classroom initiative led by Eleanor Dickey (Classics)
• Wired.co.uk mentions research by Dr Tom Oliver on the decline in pollinators and pest controllers in the UK, in a story on the ‘mass extinction’ of animals all over the world.
• Get Reading profiles the latest finalist in the Pride of Reading awards in the Young Person of the Year category, sponsored by the University of Reading.
• The Daily Star’s list of nuclear bunkers in the UK includes Reading’s Region 6 War Room