Reading in the news - Wed 8 Apr

Octopushed: A discovery by Dr Thomas Clements (Biological Sciences) about a fossil mistaken as the world’s oldest octopus was featured in BBC News, Science Alert, The Times, Phys.org, EurekAlert, Scienmag, Yahoo News, ITV News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio Berkshire, MSN, AOL, Mirage News, and others. From our story: ‘Oldest octopus’ fossil is no octopus at all, scans reveal.

Spin-out success: BBC Radio Berkshire, Medical Dialogues, Pharmacy Business, and Female First reported on research which found a faster way to treat UTIs, quoting Dr Oliver Hancox, CEO of University-founded company Astratus. From our story: Rapid urine test could select UTI antibiotics within hours

Moon mission: Professor Mike Lockwood (Meteorology, pictured) spoke to DW News (from 10:55) and LBC about the NASA’s Artemis mission. Further coverage from European News, Whatfinger, and Uazmi. From our expert comment: 'Artemis mission cannot lead to interplanetary Wild West’

Business and society:

• SRN News, Reading Eagle, Edge Media Network, Ledger, Jakarta 365, Regional Media News and more than 100 others provided further coverage of comments from Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) on the escalation of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
• Professor Radu Tunaru (Henley Business School) wrote for Professional Wealth Management (republished by Europe Says) on how the war in Iran could affect financial markets.
• INREV highlighted a talk from Professor Gianluca Marcato (Henley Business School) at the latest INREV Academy course.
• MIT Sloan Mexico republished an article written by Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) about use of AI.

Other coverage:

• PQ Magazine reported that Accounting and Business students won the Student Body of the Year for the PQ Magazine Awards 2026.
• Student Ahmed Gilani will be taking part in the Futurebuild 2026 panel discussion, reports Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine.

Alumni:

• Agri-economics graduate Colin Markham, the Agriculture Sustainability Manager for Müller, was interviewed by The Grocer.
• Vradini and ProtoThema reported on an upcoming exhibition from artist Stella Sevastopoulos.
• Tiago Cruz Alexandre, Finance graduate, was appointed General Manager of Global Treasury for Banco do Brasil, reports Anuário.
• UNC reported that the National University of Córdoba has awarded Agronomist Alejandro Castillo, who studied at Reading, an honorary doctorate.
• An upcoming exhibition from artist Niya Pushkarova was featured by Impressio.