Reading in the news - Thu 8 May

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

Conclave: BBC Radio 5 Live (7 May), BBC Radio 5 Live (8 May) BBC Radio 4 The World Tonight, , , 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 . From our story: Conclave history and process explained by papal expert.

Business and society:

• , , , , , and mention research by Professor Keiichi Nakata (Henley Business School) on the British public’s feelings towards AI. Republished by . From our story:
• A report by Professor Jo Phoenix (Law) for Freedom in the Arts shows 90% of artists feel unable to freely express their opinions, reports , , , , and Times Radio.
• Henley Business School has renewed its partnership with Think, reports by and .
• 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 

• reports that researchers have received funding from ARIA to explore whether releasing electric charges into clouds could increase their reflectivity. Republished by , , and . From our story: Electric cloud research joins UK climate cooling programme
• , Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), WJCT (Jacksonville), WABE (Atlanta), and various regional American radio stations featured Professor Chris Merchant (Meteorology), discussing record-high ocean temperatures.
• , and republish an article from about solar power adoption in Zambia. Co-authored by Dr Eugene Mohareb (Construction Management and Engineering) and Dr Michael Peters (Construction Management and Engineering.
• and mention a study by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) that projects clear-air turbulence will increase along major flight routes for decades.
• highlights the launch of the edie Net-Zero Awards 2025. The University is listed among past winners.
• 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 , , , , , , , , , , , 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.
• mentions the University in an article about the financial challenges UK universities are facing.  Republished by , and .
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Alan Howard (Geography and Environmental Sciences), about his friendship with Don McLean, creator of the song “American Pie”.

Alumni:

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