Reading in the news - Tue 12 May

Health and wellbeing:

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) spoke to Talk TV and Talk Radio about the spread of hantavirus.
• Wirtschaft quoted Dr Oliver Hancox, CEO of University-founded company Astratus, about a new effective way to treat UTIs. From our story: Rapid urine test could select UTI antibiotics within hours

Food and farming:

• Research from Professor Julie Lovegrove (Food and Nutritional Sciences) found that eating apples lowers risk of heart disease, reports Express.
• Dr Andrea Monteagudo-Mera (Biological Sciences) was quoted by The Times about food which impacts iron levels.
• Comments from Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) responding to a study about fruit and healthy aging were featured by The Guardian, Science Media Centre, Tela, Vision Australia Radio, The Mirror (republished by AOL, MSN, Inkl, Yahoo News and BritBrief) and others.
• Labmate reported on a study co-authored by Dr Stephen Elmore (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on the production of wheat with reduced levels of asparagine.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Emily Black (Meteorology) was quoted by The Times about the climate effects of an upcoming El Niño event.
• Orbital Today, BBC London News and BBC Radio Berkshire provided further coverage of Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) winning the 2026 Carl Sagan Medal for space science research. From our story: Carl Sagan medal for scientist who took millions to space
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by Loksatta on predicting monsoon activity.
• The climate stripes, developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), were mentioned by Around Wellington.
• The Debrief quoted Dr Matt Greenwell (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) on his research into colour-changing katydids. From our story: Bright pink insect stands out to blend in, scientists say

Business and society:

• Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) was quoted by YNet News about Jewish identity.
• Research from Professor Andrew Kakabadse (Henley Business School) about trust and morale in the UK civil service was mentioned by Mace Magazine.
• NewsCTS, WNews, SETN, Tech News, United News Network, Firstpost and other global outlets quoted Dr Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School) about the health benefits of four-day working weeks.
• Business Review, Piata Financiara, Biz, Outsourcing Today, Club Antreprenor and various global outlets reported on a recent talk from Professor Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School) at the Future of Governance International Conference.
• Inkl republished an article from The Times of India, quoting Dr Ruvi Ziegler (Law) about an upcoming rally opposing antisemitism.
• Justin Cross (Henley Business School) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire explaining the use of pass keys.

Heritage and culture:

• The Journal, This Day, EBM News, 7Globe News, The Times of India (republished by MSN, Inkl and India News) and others provided further coverage of research from Professor Duncan Garrow (Archaeology) on an artificial island older than Stonehenge.
• News You featured a discovery made by Dr Thomas Clements (Biological Sciences) about a fossil mistaken as the world’s oldest octopus. From our story: ‘Oldest octopus’ fossil is no octopus at all, scans reveal.

Other coverage:

• Thames Gazette reported on an upcoming public lecture about the University’s animal research, quoting Andrew Cripps, Technical Head of Reading’s Bioresource Unit. From our story: Learn how llamas, mice and fish help us fight human diseases

Alumni:

• Economics graduate Gary Mazzotti has been appointed Chairman of Accolade Investment Group, reports Eurolog Port and Systemy Logistiky.
• Guernsey Press announced the retirement of Sir Richard McMahon, Bailiff of Guernsey, who studied Law at Reading.