It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Two centuries of Reading weather stories and observations have been chronicled in a new book celebrating the town’s rich meteorological history.
Reading Weather and Climate since 1831, by Dr Stephen Burt, combines vivid historical accounts and contemporary photography from the past 200 years.
It also includes meteorological data from the 120 years of continuous weather observations made at the University of Reading, one of Britain’s longest continuous daily weather records, together with earlier accounts from central Reading dating back to 1831.
From the scorching summers of 1911, 1976 and 2025, great snowstorms in 1814, 1927, 1963 and 2010, devastating floods in 1894 and 1947, Reading’s very own climate stripe and even a fatal tornado at Reading Station in 1840, the full diversity of British weather is revealed within its pages.
Dr Stephen Burt, from the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said: "Every daily observation is a small piece of the puzzle, and when you put them all together, they tell a remarkable story of how our climate is changing.
“Reading has been recording its weather for longer than almost anywhere else in Britain. I have spent much of my career immersed in those records, and the deeper you dig, the more surprises you find.
“Records like these help us understand what is normal, what is extreme, and what we might expect in the years ahead. This book is my attempt to bring that story to life for everyone."
A University of Manchester Professor has been appointed by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, as an Expert Reviewer for an independent assessment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA); an executive non-departmental public body that is charged with, on behalf of government, the mission to clean-up the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively.
Professor Zara Hodgson FREng is an internationally recognised expert in nuclear energy policy and research, and Director of the University’s Dalton Nuclear Institute. She has been appointed to support the NDA 2026 Review, which has been commissioned by the Government to provide assurance on the NDA’s performance and governance, and to make recommendations on improvements.
The Review is led by Dr Tim Stone CBE, a senior expert adviser to five previous Secretaries of State in two successive UK governments and the Chair of Nuclear Risk Insurers. Professor Hodgson will join a team of three other independent experts to support Dr Stone.
The review will focus on the NDA’s strategic planning and management, project and programme delivery, and financial management. It will assess how effectively the NDA delivers value for money for the taxpayer while maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency and governance across the UK’s civil nuclear legacy. Reviewers will challenge current practices, propose bold value-for-money recommendations, and highlight good practice while identifying areas for improvement.
Professor Hodgson said: “I am honoured to support this important independent review of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Working alongside Tim and my fellow Expert Reviewers, we have a time-critical opportunity to assure Ministers of governance and effective delivery in the NDA, and to provide advice on improvements to how NDA advances its long-term nuclear clean-up mission in the context of a new golden era for nuclear energy and Net Zero objectives.”
Professor Hodgson is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at The University of Manchester and has played a pivotal role in recent UK Government interventions to grow the UK’s nuclear fuel production capability. Her work has supported the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, strengthened energy security and helped build more resilient nuclear supply chains. At Manchester, she leads contributions to national nuclear programmes through high impact research, education and training, and independent advice.
Professor Hodgson’s appointment reflects The University of Manchester’s leadership in nuclear research and policy, and its long-standing role in providing independent expertise to inform national decision-making.
Influence of antibiotic use on mental health during pregnancy
Research points to association between antibiotic exposure and maternal psychological distress in early-to mid-pregnancy
Analysis of 94,490 pregnant women enrolled in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study shows that antibiotic use before and during pregnancy was associated with a higher likelihood of psychological distress during early- to mid-pregnancy.
Credit: Prof. Kenta Matsumura from the University of Toyama, Japan
Perinatal depression, which occurs during pregnancy or in the period after childbirth, is one of the most common mental health conditions experienced by women. The condition affects the well-being of the mother during both pregnancy and after childbirth, as well as the development of the child.
Multiple factors influence maternal mental health and recently, emerging evidence suggests an association between antibiotic use and maternal mental health. The study published in Volume 26 of the journal BMC Public Health on January 10, 2026, was conducted by Collaborative Researcher Kenta Matsumura, formerly a Junior Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health, University of Toyama, Japan, and currently a Professor at Aomori University of Health and Welfare, Japan, along with Dr. Hidekuni Inadera at the Toyama Unit Center of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), University of Toyama.
“While there are situations in which antibiotics are essential, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to the inappropriate use of antibiotics has become a significant concern. We wanted to understand how antibiotic use is associated with psychological distress among pregnant women,” shares Prof. Matsumura, as the inspiration behind the study.
To examine the relation between antibiotic use and psychological distress, the researchers analyzed data from 94,490 pregnant women enrolled in JECS, an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study designed to investigate how environmental factors are associated with children's health and development. Most women enrolled in the study were at around 12 weeks of pregnancy, and follow-up assessments were conducted when they were about 15 weeks pregnant.
Information on the participant’s antibiotic use was collected for the year before early pregnancy. This period covered two stages: from before conception until pregnancy recognition, and from pregnancy recognition until enrollment in the study. Participants were then categorized into three groups: those who did not use antibiotics, those who used antibiotics during either one of the two periods, and those who used antibiotics during both periods.
The researchers evaluated participants' psychological distress using the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), a six-item self-reported questionnaire in which participants answer six questions about their mental state.
The researchers then used the group that did not take antibiotics as the reference group to estimate the association between antibiotic use and psychological distress in the other two groups. They calculated adjusted odds ratio, a statistical measure used to estimate the strength of an association between two variables, in this case, antibiotic use and psychological distress.
"We found that antibiotic use before and during pregnancy was associated with psychological distress in early- to mid-pregnancy, and that this association showed a stepwise pattern in a nationwide dataset of approximately 94,000 participants," says Prof. Matsumura.
After accounting for potential factors that could influence both antibiotic use and psychological distress, such as maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education level, income, smoking status, alcohol use, marital status, and psychiatric history, the analysis showed that compared with no antibiotic use, the adjusted odds ratios for moderate psychological distress (K6 score of 5 to 12) were 1.12 for use during either period and 1.22 for use during both periods. For severe psychological distress (K6 score greater than 13), the adjusted odds ratios were 1.07 and 1.50, respectively.
The higher odds ratios observed with greater antibiotic exposure suggest that the likelihood of psychological distress during early- to mid-pregnancy was higher among participants who reported antibiotic use during more periods.
One possible explanation for these findings involves the gut microbiota, which can be altered by antibiotics. Changes in gut microbiota have been observed in various conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, and such changes have also been examined in relation to psychiatric conditions.
The researchers emphasize that these findings do not suggest avoiding antibiotics when they are medically necessary. Instead, the findings may contribute to ongoing discussions about appropriate antibiotic use and efforts to reduce unnecessary prescriptions.
"This study may encourage women who are planning pregnancy or in early pregnancy to become more aware of the appropriate use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are essential when medically necessary; however, increasing awareness about avoiding unnecessary prescriptions—such as for common colds—may also be relevant from a maternal mental health perspective," concludes Prof. Matsumura.
About University of Toyama, Japan University of Toyama is a leading national university located in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, with campuses in Toyama City and Takaoka City. Formed in 2005 through the integration of three former national institutions, the university brings together a broad spectrum of disciplines across its 9 undergraduate schools, 8 graduate schools, and a range of specialized institutes. With more than 9,000 students, including a growing international cohort, the university is dedicated to high-quality education, cutting-edge research, and meaningful social contribution. Guided by the mission to cultivate individuals with creativity, ethical awareness, and a strong sense of purpose, the University of Toyama fosters learning that integrates the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. The university emphasizes a global standard of education while remaining deeply engaged with the local community. The university also serves as a Regional Center for the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), contributing to large-scale national research on children’s health and development.
About Professor Kenta Matsumura from the University of Toyama, Japan Dr. Kenta Matsumura received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Human Sciences from Hokkaido University in 2004 and 2007, respectively. He joined the University of Toyama in 2018 as a Junior Assistant Professor. He is currently a Professor at Aomori University of Health and Welfare. Dr. Matsumura specializes in epidemiology, public health, mental health, nutritional psychiatry, and biological psychology and has published over 140 papers on these topics.
Funding information The JECS was funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
Periconceptional antibiotic use and early- to mid-pregnancy psychological distress in a nationwide birth cohort: cross-sectional analysis from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Survey: Americans strongly support autism research — but most don’t know brain donation is needed to advance it
Published during April’s Autism Acceptance Month, a new Autism BrainNet survey shows 70% haven’t even heard of brain donation
April 1, 2026 – Autism BrainNet today released new survey findings revealing a significant disconnect between Americans’ strong support of autism research and their limited understanding of the role postmortem brain donation plays in advancing it. The survey found that 70 percent of respondents had never heard of brain donation, despite 92 percent agreeing that analysis of the autistic brain is extremely or very important to advance research.
The findings highlight a sharp contrast with organ donation as more than 80 percent of respondents are familiar with organ donation and more than half are registered organ donors. However, only 15 percent of respondents know that brain donation is not included when you sign up for organ donation. It is a separate process.
“For researchers who study autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, postmortem brain tissue is a critical scientific resource that cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence, imaging technologies, or even animal experiments,” explained David G. Amaral, Ph.D., Scientific Director of Autism BrainNet and UC Davis Distinguished Professor. “At Autism BrainNet, our goals are to facilitate the highest quality autism research, provide accurate information about brain donation to individuals and families, and increase comfort with planning for donation before a time of bereavement.”
Survey Highlights Misunderstandings About Brain Donation
The survey, conducted Feb 26-Mar. 2, 2026 with 1,007 respondents, reveals widespread confusion about how brain donation works and who is eligible. For example, less than half of respondents know that postmortem brain donation needs to take place hours after death, not days or weeks after death, and not when a person is alive, as a small percentage indicated. Misunderstandings about eligibility are also common as nearly one‑third of respondents incorrectly believe certain medical or neurological conditions, specifically autism or epilepsy, disqualify someone from donating, despite their high value to researchers who need a heterogeneous selection of brains to study these conditions.
“My younger, autistic brother Ed led a rich and happy life, surrounded by friends and family who adored him and appreciated his many interests and his big, loving character,” said Kathy Stein, who donated her brother’s brain to Autism BrainNet. “When he passed, I donated his brain because it is a positive way to acknowledge what a wonderful person he was and to extend his legacy. Imagine how much we can learn about the biological causes of autism and related neurodegenerative disorders through his contribution.”
Autism BrainNet to Host Ask Me Anything Session on Reddit
During Autism Acceptance Month, Autism BrainNet will work to improve understanding of brain donation by hosting an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit on April 29 from 12-2pm ET. Available to answer questions about what brain donation is, how someone can become a donor, the process for brain donation, and more will be Dr. David Amaral, alongside Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation.
Dr. Amaral added, “Brain donation is for research purposes only, not for transplantation. While brain donation is not included in organ donor registries, brain donors can also be organ and tissue donors, and brain donation is not limited by most medical conditions. In fact, we most need postmortem brains from autistic people and those with related neurodevelopmental conditions to advance research. That’s why we encourage autistic adults, families, and care partners to learn more about Autism BrainNet.”
Autism BrainNet accepts donations from people with a diagnosis of autism, even when other diagnoses are present, from people with a genetic diagnosis associated with autism, whether or not they have a diagnosis of autism, and from nonautistic people. To preserve the scientific value of the brain tissue, a donation should be received within 48 hours after death, though donation may be possible later. There is no cost to families and all logistics are handled by Autism BrainNet. Brain donation does not impact any kind of funeral arrangements preferred by families.
About Autism BrainNet
Autism BrainNet, funded by the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International, is the bridge between the autism community and the worldwide community of scientists who are dedicated to a greater understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism BrainNet facilitates the collection, processing, storage and distribution of postmortem brain donations to advance autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders research worldwide. To learn more about brain donation and Autism BrainNet, please visit our website at AutismBrainNet.org or call the 24/7 hotline at 1-877-333-0999.
Media Contact:
Jessica Daitch
917-816-6712
jessica@jldcommunications.com
A new crab is settling in the Mediterranean: Early evidence of establishment of a Lessepsian species in the Ionian Sea
New research reveals the rapid expansion of the portunid crab, Gonioinfradens giardi, highlighting ongoing biological changes in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing rapid ecological transformations driven by climate change and human-mediated species introductions. Among the most striking processes is the increasing arrival and establishment of non-indigenous species entering through the Suez Canal, a phenomenon known as Lessepsian migration.
A new study published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria documents the rapid expansion of the Indo-Pacific crab Gonioinfradens giardi in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Italy. Following the first confirmed Italian record - a single specimen collected at Portopalo di Capo Passero in November 2025 - researchers documented 11 additional individuals between November 2025 and January 2026, providing early but compelling evidence that the species has moved beyond sporadic occurrence and may already be establishing stable populations in the region.
Our findings suggest that Gonioinfradens giardi is transitioning from occasional records to a more consistent presence in the central Mediterranean. This raises important questions about its potential ecological role and interactions with native species.
- explains Francesco Tiralongo, lead author of the study.
To reconstruct the current distribution of the species, the newly collected data integrates recent records with field observations obtained through a collaboration with local fishers utilizing standard artisanal fishing gears. The haul of a dozen individuals within a two-month period indicates that environmental conditions are becoming more favorable for its persistence. Furthermore, these captures mark the westernmost presence of the species in the Mediterranean Sea to date.
“The rapid emergence of this species highlights how dynamic and responsive Mediterranean ecosystems are to ongoing environmental changes,” adds Alberto Felici, co-author of the study. “Documenting these early phases of establishment is crucial for understanding future ecological scenarios and supporting informed management decisions.”
The establishment of non-indigenous crustaceans may have cascading effects on local ecosystems, including competition with native species and potential implications for fisheries. While the long-term impacts of G. giardi remain uncertain, its rapid spread reflects broader changes already underway in Mediterranean marine biodiversity.
This case adds to a growing list of species reshaping Mediterranean ecosystems. Continuous monitoring, including contributions from fishers and citizen scientists, will be essential to track these dynamics and support adaptive management strategies.
- Tiralongo adds.
The study contributes to the expanding body of evidence that the Mediterranean Sea is becoming a hotspot for biological invasions, emphasizing the need for coordinated research and monitoring efforts at regional and basin-wide scales.
Original source:
Tiralongo F, Leotta P, Accolla H, Tibullo D, Felici A (2026) Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 56: 145-149. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.56.185183
Specimen of Gonioinfradens giardi collected along the Ionian coast of Sicily on 23 December 2025, delivered by local fishers and preserved in the zoological collection of the Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea
Distribution map of Gonioinfradens giardi; new records along the Ionian coast of Sicily are shown in yellow (circles), while the red circle indicates the first published record.
Rapid expansion of a Lessepsian migrant crab, Gonioinfradens giardi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ionian Sea: New records and early evidence of establishment
