Reading in the news - Wed 30 Apr

Powercuts: (and again ), , and report on the recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal, with comments from Professor David Brayshaw (Meteorology). Further coverage by , , , , , , , ,   and . 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 article about the Biomass satellite mission to map all of the world’s forests.
• 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:

• 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.
• and 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.
• reports on a study involving the University, on the benefits of probiotics.

Food and farming:

• 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:

• and 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.
• 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:

• and 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:

• , , and report that Daniel Naftali, who holds a Master’s from Henley Business School, has taken on new leadership responsibilities at Fondul Proprietatea.
• 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.
• reports that Scott Barlow, who studied at Reading, has been appointed as director of building surveying at Essex property company Whybrow.