Reading in the news - Wed 29 Nov

Swine flu: Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) spoke to LBC News, Sky News and ITV News about a new strain of swine flu after the first case was confirmed in the UK. Dr Clarke explained that swine flu is a version of flu that circulates in pigs and can jump to human beings. The Sun quotes Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) on the limited threat of the new strain.  Republished by the U.S. Sun and Web Times.

Flower-powered farming: PTI News, New India Abroad and phys.org report that University of Reading found that planting flowers beside crops attracts bees, improves pollination rates and boosts crop yields. Dr Deepa Senapathi (Agriculture) is quoted. Republished by The Week, News Drum, EurekAlert!, Mirage News, and Tractor News. Lead author Dr Selva Dhandapani (Geography) was interviewed by That’s Thames Valley TV. Read our news story. 

Elgin marbles: Professor Amy Smith (Classics) explains to BBC Radio Berkshire the significance of the Elgin marbles, following a diplomatic row between the UK and Greece over their custody.  

Egypt’s intelligence services: Dr Dina Rezk (History) appeared on the SpyCast Podcast to discuss the intelligence landscape of Egypt.  

Food and farming:

• Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) have opened a new food testing facility at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus. The new building will create more than 150 jobs, Food Manufacture reports. Professor Parveen Yaqoob OBE (Food and Nutritional Sciences) is quoted. Republished by The Business Magazine, Contract Pharma, RDG Today and The Reading Chronicle.
• MailOnline mentions a University of Reading study that found wild bees are emerging from their nests earlier as temperatures rise, meaning they may not have the energy to pollinate crops effectively. 
• Fresh Produce Journal quotes Professor Simon Mortimer (Agriculture), who spoke at the Future Agricultural Researchers conference, on the need to ‘make agricultural research relevant.’  

Business and society:

• Dr Chris Foye (Henley Business School) co-writes for The Conversation on how big UK housebuilders recorded huge profits without meeting housing supply targets. Republished by Irish News. 
• Reuters quotes Dr Dominic Lees (Film Theatre and Television), who comments on a deep-fake video of Ocasio-Cortez. Dr Lees states the lip-syncing in the video is ‘badly achieved.’
• Dr Lees is also quoted in Definition magazine on AI’s influence on the film industry and what the future might hold. 

Health and wellbeing:

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) tells BBC Radio Berkshire to expect further evolutions of the Covid-19 virus after a new variant was identified and continues to evolve. 

• Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) is quoted in The Science Times on why surging pneumonia cases are being seen in the Netherlands.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment  

• Mirage News, Science Daily, The Irish Post, EurekAlert! and other news outlets report on new research about the commitments needed to solve aviation’s climate impact. Professor Keith Shine (Meteorology) is quoted. 
• BBC Radio Foyle provides further coverage of news that the University of Reading will be part of the Climate+ co-centre, a new scientific research centre investigating climate, biodiversity, and water issues, that will involve researchers from the UK and Ireland. 

Other Coverage:

• Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway, writes for Bracknell News regarding his attendance at the founding assembly of Reading Citizens, an organisation that brings together local charities, clubs and organisations, including the University of Reading.  
• Architects BDP - who were hired to design the University’s weather and climate science building - saw their profits halve in 2023, Architects Journal reports.  

Alumni:

• Olivia Jenkins, the owner of jewellery brand, D. Louise, earned a degree in Business Management at the University of Reading, The Industry Fashion reports.