Reading in the news - Thu 14 May

Beating brain cancer: A study led by Professor Darius Widera and Dr Graeme Cottrell (both Pharmacy) has found that stem cells found in the mouth lining could help beat brain cancer, with coverage in Scienmag, EurekAlert!, Bioengineer, Medical Xpress (republished by MSN), Life Technology. From our story: Mouth stem cells could help beat brain cancer defences 

Health and wellbeing:

• Tovima.com featured Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) commenting on a study into the benefits of fruit and coffee on healthy aging. 
• Dr Aidan Taylor (Biomedical Sciences) is quoted in The Hearty Soul about how E.coli end up on crops. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• New Scientist and Misryoum mentioned that Professor Sandy Harrison attended a talk about wildfires in the Arctic unlocking ancient carbon stored in soil. 
• WDC News, Cadena 3 and Nauka Off News reported on research from Dr Jamie Thompson (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) into the rapid evolution of cacti. From our story: The cactus on your desk is an evolution speed machine  
• Lancaster Guardian (print) reports that the new President of the Royal Astronomical Society is a professor from Lancaster University, taking over from Professor Mike Lockwood (Meteorology). Professor Emily Black (Meteorology) was quoted by Birmingham Live, Yorkshire Live and Leeds Live about how the effects of an upcoming El Niño event could see UK temperatures reach over 40 degrees next year. 

Business and society:

• Dr Miriam Sorace (Politics & International Relations) contributed to a Conversation article about the King’s speech and the state opening of Parliament. Republished by MSN, Tolerance and MENAFN, Europe Says, Uzbekistan News, Turkmenistan News, 
• Dr Velomahanina Razakamaharavo (Politics & International Relations) was quoted by Misryoum and Foreign Policy about a referendum and elections in Madagascar. 
• Dr Caroline Baylon, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) is on the new OneStep Global Advisory Board, designed to strengthen strategic direction in international education, reports PNI News. 
• Professor Bernd Vogel (Henley Business School) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about challenges to PM Kier Starmer’s leadership. 
• About Manchester mentioned a Henley Business School research programme about the Manchester Mayfield development’s economic benefits.  

Heritage and culture:

• Richmond Nub News reported on an upcoming talk from Professor Kate Williams (History) at Kew Gardens’ Live Podcasts and Picnics.  

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Reading Today and Thames Gazette report on the Celebration of Volunteering event that took place on campus last week. From our story: A century of volunteering marked at University awards 

Alumni:

• Politis reports that Kier Starmer has appointed Nesil Caliskan, Politics graduate, as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 
• North Norfolk News (print) mentions that Animal Science graduate Dee Dyer is giving a talk on the impact of deer on agriculture. 
• AP News and many other outlets report on the appointment of Dermot Briody, Henley Business School MBA graduate, as chief revenue officer at MRI Software.