Reading in the news - Wed 26 Mar

Raising the pulse: Research led by Professor Julie Lovegrove (Nutrition) has found that higher intakes of beans, peas and lentils in the UK population were associated with better nutrition and lower environmental impact, reports Hort News. From our story: Time to ‘Raise the Pulse’ of the UK diet

Space ‘swirl’: Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) is quoted in multiple media outlets regarding the space swirl that appeared in the sky on Monday evening, caused by falling fuel from a SpaceX rocket. Coverage included: France24, International Business Times, News of Bahrain, The Dawn, The Express Tribune, The Bangkok Post, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, Yahoo News, Phys.org and many more outlets around the world.

Business and society:

• Reading Today has reported that the University has joined Universities UK’s campaign to showcase the role that the educational institutions in the UK’s economy. From our story: Reading joins national campaign to showcase economic value
• Professor Eamonn D’Arcy (Henley Business School) is quoted in this CoStar article about the new One Station Hill building in Reading town centre. Also quoted in a further CoStar article about the development.
• Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) has co-written an article for MIT Sloan Management Review on making the four-day work week a success.
• Heart Radio mentions the University is hosting the Thames Valley AI Hub event next week, working with local partners to try and harness the technology. From our story: Initiative launches to boost AI innovation in Thames Valley

Health and wellbeing:

• Closer (print) mentions research from Reading which found that a handful of walnuts for breakfast can give your brain a boost.
• An article in Velvet Magazine (print) mentions Reading research which found that keeping lush, healthy plants indoors can be good for mental wellbeing.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Expert comment by Dr Stephen Burt (Meteorology) on the warm temperatures experienced last week are featured in Wokingham Today. From our story: Warmest start to spring in 35 years on Thursday
• Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) spoke to MailOnline about a large asteroid passing close by to Earth. Republished by Economic Times.

Other coverage:

• Acclaimed playwright Peter Oswald has embarked on a 150-mile fasting pilgrimage for Palestine, starting from Bristol. His route will include an iftar at the University of Reading, writes The Canary.
• Veto features comments from Dr Caroline Baylon, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), for an article on the financial challenges facing British universities.
• Understanding Animal Research’s weekly news round-up features two research stories from Reading, on what deer poo can tell us about Britain’s woodlands, and cancer prevalence in large animals.
• The leader of Wokingham Borough Council writes for Bracknell News about the new community vision for the borough, mentioning the University’s involvement in the project.
• Yuan Yang MP for Earley and Woodley was featured on BBC Parliament talking about the minimum wage and the impact on students in Reading.
• Emma Hardy, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister told BBC Parliament that she had met with Sir Steve Redgrave and a number of young rowers from the University to discuss improving water quality in our rivers.

Alumni:

• Farmers Guide reports that Tom Yewbrey, who studied Rural Environmental Science at Reading, has been appointed managing director of NPZ UK.