Reading in the news - Tue 25 May

#PlanetPartners: Reading’s global work for a sustainable future

The #PlanetPartners campaign is running 4-27 May, showcasing the University’s support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Read today’s news story on SDG15: Live on Land, highlighting a range of University research on animals and ecosystems, including a new project using weather forecasts to improve elephant conservation, support for government-led pollinator awareness campaigns, and biodiversity work on campus.

Please share your own examples using the hashtags #PlanetPartners and #sdgoals. Read more about the campaign here.

• Phys.org covers research involving Professor Frank Mayle (GES) that revealed indigenous Amazon populations may have been in decline due to climate change before European settlers arrived after 1492. Read our news story.

Racism and Inequality: The University has identified 20 recommendations to tackle racism and inequality in a report covered by multiple news sites including BBC News, University Business, The India Education Diary, BBC One South Today and ITV Meridian. Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Parveen Yaqoob, who co-led the review, was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire. Read our news story.

Cow’s Milk and Cholesterol: New UoR research suggests that drinking cow’s milk has no association to increased cholesterol levels. Dr Vimal Karani (Food) is quoted in Medical XPress, Times Now News, MedIndia, The Daily Hunt, The India Education Diary and The Health Site. Read our news story.

Arundel Castle theft: The Daily Mirror, The Express, The New Express and BBC Radio Foyle quote Professor Kate Williams (History) about the theft of rosary beads from Arundel Castle, while BBC South Today interviewed Professor Williams.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Education Business, Yahoo News and MSN quote Professor Helen Dodd (Psychology) on children’s play being limited during the pandemic. Read our news story.
• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted in The Daily Mail about cases of blood clots after the AZ jab; The Sunday Girl on COVID-19 jabs working against new variants; and spoke to BBC Radio Manchester about taking regular COVID tests to avoid accidentally spreading the virus.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about travel restrictions in the face of new COVID-19 variants. 

Other Coverage:

• Enstarz covers tweets from Professor Kate Williams (History) on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s titles.
• Professor Mark Pagel (Ecology) is quoted in Live Science on why mammals have fur in an article about humans growing hair on our heads.  
• Professor James Ferryman (Computer Science) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the PROTECT Project which will use facial recognition technology to reduce queues at airports. Read our news story.
• Research led by Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on how increased solar storm activity could delay moon missions is picked up by Xa Luan. Read our news story.
• The Sloan Review publishes an article written by Professor Ben Laker (Henley Business School) on new work models post-pandemic. 
• MSN quotes Dr David Rose (Agriculture) about increasing pressure on farmers and a new electric self-driving tractor.
• Azerbaycan quotes Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) on how food used to be preserved. 
• Russia Today speaks to Professor Rosa Freedman about being disinvited from a speaking opportunity in 2020.
• Professor Adrian Bell (Henley Business School) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about a project to ‘live’ tweet and re-enact the peasant’s revolt of 1381.
• The Market Screener, ADVFN UK cover the news that there will be a Henley Business School South Africa business summit on how to reset business models post-pandemic.