Reading in the news - Thu 8 May

Scorpion stings: Dr Manuela González-Suárez (Ecology) is quoted in The Guardian commenting on a sharp rise of reported scorpion stings in Brazil. Republished by MSN, INKL, AOL, and Newsgroove.

Conclave: BBC Radio 5 Live (7 May), BBC Radio 5 Live (8 May) BBC Radio 4 The World Tonight, Town and Country Magazine, U105, LiveNOW, BBC Ulster, Heart Radio Berkshire, and various regional BBC radio stations featured Professor Rebecca Rist (History), commenting on the secrecy and traditions surrounding the conclave to select a new Pope. Republished by MSN. From our story: Conclave history and process explained by papal expert.

Business and society:

• NationalWorld, London World, Manchester World, Workplace Journal, Business Mayor, The Daily Brit and Your World mention research by Professor Keiichi Nakata (Henley Business School) on the British public’s feelings towards AI. Republished by MSN. From our story: Henley Business School is redefining FOBO: 56% of Brits are feeling optimistic but overwhelmed when it comes to AI
• A report by Professor Jo Phoenix (Law) for Freedom in the Arts shows 90% of artists feel unable to freely express their opinions, reports The Times, Daily Telegraph, Unherd, Visegrad, The Critic and Times Radio.
• Henley Business School has renewed its partnership with Think, reports by Oxford Mail and This is Oxfordshire.
• Heart Radio Berkshire quotes Dr Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre and Television) on the impacts Donald Trump’s proposed 100% tariff on foreign films could have on British filmmaking.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• The Telegraph reports that researchers have received funding from ARIA to explore whether releasing electric charges into clouds could increase their reflectivity. Republished by MSN, AOL, and Yahoo News. From our story: Electric cloud research joins UK climate cooling programme
• Yale Climate Connections, Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), WJCT (Jacksonville), WABE (Atlanta), and various regional American radio stations featured Professor Chris Merchant (Meteorology), discussing record-high ocean temperatures.
• GBA, Down to Earth and Sub-Connect republish an article from The Conversation about solar power adoption in Zambia. Co-authored by Dr Eugene Mohareb (Construction Management and Engineering) and Dr Michael Peters (Construction Management and Engineering.
• Inside Climate News and ars Technica mention a study by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) that projects clear-air turbulence will increase along major flight routes for decades.
• Ethical Marketing News highlights the launch of the edie Net-Zero Awards 2025. The University is listed among past winners.
• Today Headline quotes Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) on the potential breaching of the 1.5c global warming limit.

Health and wellbeing:

• A study that found adding bananas to smoothies significantly reduces flavonol intake is mentioned by OP Online, Kreisbote, Usinger Anzeiger, Schwäbische Post, Wetterauer Zeitung, BuzzFeed DE, Heidelberg24, Gmünder Tagespost, WA.de, 24Hamburg, Das Gelbe Blatt, Mannheim24 and more.

Other coverage:

• BBC One’s Expert Witness features Dr Alejandra Perotti (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), who explained how arthropods can help determine the circumstances surrounding a person’s death.
• The Telegraph mentions the University in an article about the financial challenges UK universities are facing.  Republished by AOL, Yahoo News and MSN.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Alan Howard (Geography and Environmental Sciences), about his friendship with Don McLean, creator of the song “American Pie”.

Alumni:

• BEE.co.za highlights Nomvula Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa, for her role in advancing Africa’s equitable industrial revolution.
• The Guardian obituary for author Peter Lovesey notes that he studied English at Reading.