Reading in the news - Mon 4 Jan

COVID-19: expert comment on the coronavirus pandemic     

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by ,  (23 mins), Voice of America, CBC, France 24, and about infection numbers; the , , (), , BBC Radio 5 Live, Bloomberg Europe, Talk Radio, LBC Radio and several BBC regional stations including BBC Radio Berkshire on vaccines; and BBC R4 World at One on mask wearing outdoors; BBC Radio 5 Live (and ) answering listeners’ questions; on visiting relatives over Christmas; , , Talk Radio, LBC Radio and on regional restrictions; , TalkRADIO, and BBC Berkshire about the new variant; BBC Hereford and Worcester on schools opening in January; and Russia Today in response to comments by the WHO about possibly worse pandemics in future.
• Professor Ian Jones is quoted in about vaccine manufacturing; , and the on the new variant; and on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine; the and regional titles including on the UK’s shift in how quickly a second dose of the vaccine is given; on new generations of vaccines; and on reports that the vaccine harms fertility.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) comments in the , and about weaknesses with lateral flow testing; and spoke to BBC Berkshire about vaccination roll-out.
• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) has a letter published by on the lawfulness of changing the timing of the second vaccine dose in the UK.
• Dr Dyan Sellayah (Biological Sciences) spoke to the and Talk Radio about the relationship between Covid-19 risk and obesity.
• have republished an article by Dr Jayne Morriss (Psychology) for about uncertainty around the pandemic affecting mental health.
• reflects on ‘the best of a bad year’ and note research by Prof Uma Kambhampati (Economics) on how female political leaders have fared better in handling the pandemic. Read our news story.
• reports on analysis of home support advantages in football games by Prof James Reade (Economics) and colleagues.

#WeAreTogether: Reading’s work to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

• and report on an ONS report on the spread of Covid-19 in HEIs and asymptomatic testing, and both note the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ reporting having not seen any spread in face-to-face teaching settings.
• Professor Cindy Becker (English) writes for about her experience of lockdown.
• reports on a potential treatment for Covid-19 being developed in the USA using nanobodies taken from llamas. The article notes that UoR has a herd of llamas being used for similar research. Prof Gary Stephens (Pharmacy) also spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the work.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Sedtin Wan (International Student Advisory Team) about how the University is supporting international students staying in Reading over the holiday.

Film studio deal: Further coverage of the announcement of a deal for the lease of land at Shinfield that will see a major film studio be built there, in , , , and . .

EIT Food coverage:

• The Times covers the development of new foods designed for patients undergoing cancer treatments called ONCOFOOD. Dr Stella Lignou (Food) is quoted. Read our news story.
• , Dundee Courier, and Press and Journal report on Constituent Grains, a technology which will provide real time insights into grain quality.
• and cover Stop MetSyn, using consumer behaviour and psychology expertise that is helping to create a new platform to help people reach healthy lifestyle habits. .
• cover Smart Tags which is proposing new food labelling to improve consumer experiences. .

Survival of the thickest: New research looks at the relationship between brain size and population in mammals and was carried out by Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez (Biological Sciences). Coverage in The Times, , the Herald, and . .

Other coverage

• have announced new funding for projects transforming the food system, including a project led by Professor Carol Wagstaff putting forgotten voices back at the heart of food policy changes. This is reported by BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Devon and Western Morning News. .
• report on 2020 breaking environmental records despite the pandemic, and quotes Chloe Brimicombe (Met) on heatwaves. Read the article on the same subject published by by Miss Brimicombe and other PhD colleagues.
• Farmers Guardia, BBC Radio Berkshire and report on UoR joining the Menus of Change Universities Research Collaborative. .
• An article for looks at where global climate policy is five years after the Paris Agreement, and includes comment from Visiting Professor Chuks Okereke (GES).
• Professor Rajneesh Narula (Henley Business School) is quoted in and about the UK and EU reaching a trade deal.
• Dr Mark Shanahan (politics & International Relations) spoke to BBC Berkshire looking back over the past 12 months in politics.
• Research fellow Stephen Burt (Met) is quoted in the about record high air pressure recorded in Mongolia.
• Prof Hannah Cloke (GES and Met) spoke to about developments in flood forecasting, and Dr Jess Neumann (GES) spoke to LBC Radio about flooding in parts of the country after Christmas.
• Shropshire Star report on a new research centre co-led by Dr David Rose (Agriculture) looking to ensure that end user experiences are incorporated into AgriTech innovation.
• Farmers Guardian mentions UoR agriculture student Ellie Westaway in a look back at the impact of 2020 on livestock shows.
• Irish World reviews a new programme, Rachel Khoo’s Chocolate, and mentions that the show visited the ICQC at the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ.
• report on an archaeological discovery of a nail akin to those used to crucify Jesus hidden in a Czech monastery, and notes the unearthing by Professor Ken Dark (Economics) of remains of what could have been Jesus’ childhood home. Prof Dark is also quoted in the about a 2000 year old ritual bath found close to the site of the Garden of Gethsemane.
• have reposted an article written for by Professor Helen Parish (History) about historical debates over the right time to start celebrating Christmas. Professor Parish spoke to BBC Berkshire about the history of Boxing Day, and also about celebrating New Year’s Eve.
• The Clerk carries an article written by Professor Gavin Parker (Real Estate and Planning) about neighbourhood planning reform.
• A team of graduates from the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ appeared on Christmas University Challenge on BBC Two. In addition, an article in looks at University Challenge and notes the team representing Reading in the 2017 Christmas series memorably made the final before scoring zero points in their defeat.
• Reading Chronicle reports on poor conditions in many houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) around Reading borough, and notes work between the Council and University.
• Building Engineer covers procurement practices for construction tendering and mentions a UoR paper about the use of integrated project insurance.
• covers the benefits of virtual work environments and innovation, and cites a report led by Professor Ben Laker (Henley Business School).
• UoR Law graduate and popular rapper Falz spoke to about how his legal training helps him to be a better artist.
• look at Reading’s hidden history including plaques commemorating famous former residents, and mentions plaques at London Road Campus for the Palmers and one for Wilfred Owen.
• Simply Vegetables reports on a search for apples previously grown in the Isle of Wight, and the article thanks UoR’s work at the National Fruit Collection.
• reports on a study in collaboration with the ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ looking at how wildflowers in orchards can boost pollination.