Reading in the news - Wed 30 Apr

Powercuts: The Independent (and again here), The Guardian, The Times and Daily Mail report on the recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal, with comments from Professor David Brayshaw (Meteorology). Further coverage by Yahoo News, AOL, INKL, The Engineer, MSN, Reading Chronicle, Bracknell News, AWE International, Energy News Today  and Archynewsy. From our story: Spain and Portugal: Expert comments on power outages.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Tristan Quaife (Meteorology) is quoted in this Washington Post article about the Biomass satellite mission to map all of the world’s forests.
• BBC News features advice from Dr Michaela Hegglin (Meteorology), who explains that UV exposure is not linked to temperature and highlights the importance of sun protection.

Health and wellbeing:

• The Daily Mail reports on a new study about the causes of depression. Professor Stella Chan (Psychology) provided expert comment on the study, which was not conducted at Reading.
• Get Surrey and Gloucestershire Live report on a study by Professor Claire Williams (Psychology) that found eating walnuts for breakfast improved cognitive performance. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function.
• NutraIngredients reports on a study involving the University, on the benefits of probiotics.

Food and farming:

• Morning Ag Clips highlights research led by Dr Charlotte Howard (Sustainable Land Management) that says planting wildflowers in apple orchards could save farmers money. From our story: Flower strips could save apple farmers pest control costs.
• Land Business (print) mentions Reading research that has identified different tree and shrub species suitable for planting on agricultural land.

Heritage and culture:

• NewsNation Live and Evrimagaci feature Professor Rebecca Rist (History), who discusses the unpredictability of papal elections. From our story: Expert comment: What Pope Francis’s funeral will look like.

Business and society:

• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Steve Musson (Geography) discussing the changes to Reading town centre, which many shopping centres transforming into residential developments.
• Wokingham Today showcases findings of a report published by Dr Andrew Philip and Professor Lisa Purse (Film, Theatre and Television) on freelancers in the UK film and TV industry. From our story: Freelancer exodus from film and TV threatens UK growth.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Dr Mark Shanahan (formerly Politics) commenting on Donald Trump's first 100 days in office.
• Voice of Islam Radio interviewed Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) on the topic of US aid cuts under President Trump.

Other coverage:

• Reading Chronicle and Bracknell News report that Wokingham Borough Council has approved plans for the British Museum to create a second entrance to its archaeological research facility at the University-owned Thames Valley Science Park.
• BBC Radio Shropshire reports on the founding of the UK's first traditional Japanese Taiko drumming group in 1993 at a private Japanese college in Reading affiliated with the University.

Alumni:

• Piata Financiara, Business Review, economica.net and Bursa report that Daniel Naftali, who holds a Master’s from Henley Business School, has taken on new leadership responsibilities at Fondul Proprietatea.
• HTR publishes an article by Tanja Wegmann, an MBA graduate from Henley Business School, who has been running her consulting firm, Tanja Wegmann Hospitality, for three years.
• London World reports that Scott Barlow, who studied at Reading, has been appointed as director of building surveying at Essex property company Whybrow.