Reading in the news - Mon 28 Apr

Plant flowers on farms: The Observer exclusively reports (in print) on a new study by Dr Charlotte Howard (Agriculture) that found farmers could save money by planting flower strips on their farms. From our story: Flower strips could save apple farmers pest control costs

Food and farming:

• BBC News (Berkshire) (audio in article) highlights new research taking place at the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre. Dr Katie Sampeck (Archaeology) and Dr Andrew Daymond (Crop Science) are interviewed. Republished by AOL.
• A BBC Panorama investigation about baby food features the University’s Pilot Plant. The documentary will air on BBC One tonight.
• Farming Life highlights a study comparing milk yields from various cow herds.
• Aufeminin highlights University research showing that wild meadows support a far greater diversity of insects compared to conventional lawns.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• The Independent, AOL and Workers Compensation mentions Professor Paul Williams’ (Meteorology research) showing severe turbulence has increased by 55% over the past 40 years.
• HEFMA Pulse (in print) highlights research showing that poorly maintained building systems lead to higher energy consumption and emissions.
• Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live (skip to 1.54) about meteorological spring.
• World Today News features comments from Professor James O'Donoghue (Meteorology) on Juno probe findings showing rare solar wind impacts on Jupiter. From our story: Solar wave squeezed Jupiter’s bubble to unleash heat.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Sue Walsh (English Literature) writes for The Conversation on the Moomin books on the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin story.  
• Express, LBC News, BBC Radio Oxford and Heart Radio Berkshire feature insights from Professor Rebecca Rist (History) about who could succeed Pope Francis. Republished by MSN. From our story: What Pope Francis’s funeral will look like

Health and wellbeing:

• Psychologies (in print) highlight research showing that walnuts' nutrient makeup may enhance cognitive performance over several hours. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function
• The i paper (and in print) features comments from Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on ultra-processed food consumption.

Business and society:

• Sunday Observer mentions a project involving Dr Tharindu Liyanagunawardena (Digital Accessibility Officer) to  integrate digitalisation into the handloom sector

Other coverage:

• Professor Julia Waters (Languages and Cultures) spoke to Today, LBC News and Sky News about Ofsted’s reform plans.
• Reading Chronicle features three University of Reading students, Olga Toušová, Charlotte Bridger, and David Barnett, set to represent Reading in a German half marathon.
• Reading Chronicle highlights Park House Bar on the University’s campus among the town’s top pubs with beer gardens for summer.
• Wokingham Today reports on comments made by Planning Inspectors about Loddon Garden Village.
• Greatest Hits Radio mentions that the University will host the Pint of Science Festival next month. From our story: Reading scientists bring their research to the community

Alumni:

• SeeBiz highlights Marko Vučić, who credited his improved academic results to Theorem and mentioned that he went on to study at Henley Business School.
• Warehouse News highlights Jamie, a University law graduate, who joined BIFA in 2023 and is now part of their reorganised policy and compliance team.