Reading in the news - Thu 31 Oct

Flash flooding in Spain: Extreme rainfall in Spain has led to flash flooding and resulted in multiple fatalities. Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) is quoted in The Guardian, FT.com and Sky News highlighting that countries need to be better prepared and give people better warnings about how to protect themselves. These stories were republished by: MSN, Tribune International, Herald Scotland, Smooth Radio, Heart Radio, Yahoo News and more.

Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Science) was interviewed by BBC News (approx. 25 mins in) and provided expert comment on why climate change is contributing to more extreme rainfall. She is quoted in the following: Metro, France 24, Business Insider, Gulf News, Macon, Charlotte Observer, Kansas, Star-Telegram, Kentucky, Miami Herald, Myrtle Beach Online, News Observer, Idaho Statesman, Arcamax, MSN, AOL, Yahoo, , Indian Banking News, ArcaMax Publishing and Money Control.

Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was interviewed by Sky News, Reuters and The World, on National Public Radio (US) about the effectiveness of early warning systems and the issue with forecasting these types of events. She is also quoted in the following: Tribune, Daily Gazette, The Peninsula, ABC Online, DNYUZ, CNBC Indonesia, BSS News, WFMZ, Arab News, NST, Tribune, Punch, WFMZ, Now News, Straits Times, SBC News, Republik, NstOnline, Urdu Point, Malaya Mail, CGTN, Birmingham Live, Ekstra Bladet, TheJournal.ie, Business Recorder, The Manila Times and more.

Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) attributed the intense rains to a cold air mass over warm Mediterranean waters, as reported by The Wall Street Journal and MSN.

Read our expert comments: Spain flash floods: expert comments

Health and wellbeing:

• Medical Express covers a collaborative study involving Dr Piril Hepsomali (Psychology), on the benefits of prebiotics. Republished by MSN. From our story: Beyond gut health - prebiotics promise mental wellness

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• BBC 1 London and other regional BBC stations run a feature on increased flooding and rising temperatures in York, highlighting the famous climate stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology).
• A project to protect salt marshes is featured on BBC Radio Wales and mentions work by Dr Jonathan Dale (Geography and Environmental Sciences) using drones to monitor sediment changes.

Other coverage:

• Bracknell News (in print) reports that Wokingham Borough Council has approved refurbishments for the University of Reading’s Grade II listed URS building, on the Whiteknights campus.
• The University has made hundreds of artworks available online, including paintings, prints, and sculptures ranging from the 16th century to the present day. Reported by Heart Radio Berkshire. From our story: University Art Collection goes international
• Oxford Mail reports on the growing success of "Gothmas," a Christmas alternative market in Reading, recently expanded to the campus.
• Shinfield Studios is sponsoring Arts4Wokingham’s charity gala screening of See No Evil,  featuring an introduction by Professor John Gibbs (Film) reported by RDG Today.

Alumni:

• Bracknell News (in print) reports on the opening of a new independent pharmacy in Winnersh, mentioning that the owner qualified as a prescriber at the University.
• The Fish Site reports that Oceanium, a developer of seaweed ingredients, has worked alongside the University of Reading and has now hired Dr Rahul Kumar (PhD graduate) to lead a new project for the company.
• IFST highlights an upcoming webinar on bread processing and ingredient evolution, featuring Reading graduate Nicky Gillett.
• Computerworld.dk features an article co-written by alumni Jan Peter Madsen, Senior Partner at Blaabjerg & Madsen Consulting, on how AI could help address Denmark’s labour shortages if strategically applied.
• The Guardian interviews Australian artist Tony Clark, reflecting on his journey from studying history of art at the University of Reading to moving back to Australia.