Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas12a), discovered a few years ago, is a method that detects even small levels of pathogens.

Professor Kevin J Zwezdaryk and researchers at the Tulane University School of Medicine, USA, are working on a cost-effective, CRISPR-Cas12a-based pathogen detection tool aiming to upgrade patient care.

Read more in Research Features

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1016/j.bmt.2023.03.004

Plant-based solutions for energy storage are gaining traction in the pursuit of greener technologies.

Dr Jun Young Cheong from the University of Glasgow, UK, investigates the potential of using gum waste from a tropical tree to create a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries in search of a more sustainable future.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2024.118467

While many leaders and businesses are attempting to put the pandemic behind them and focus on the ‘new normal’, have we thought deeply enough about what we’ve learned and what it means for future crises? In this episode, Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and her guest Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, discuss why everything is still to play for and the role we all have in co-creating a brighter future.

Find out more https://www.bristol.ac.uk/campaigns/responsible-business/

'Big Data' has appeared more and more throughout boardrooms and executive suites, in order to determine how organisations extract value from information. Its potential impact on a firms' earnings forecasts is of great discussion, but no direct link to forecast frequency has been made yet. 

Associate Professor Goh Beng Wee from Singapore Management University examines the interplay between firms' engagement in data analytics and their voluntary disclosure behaviour. 

Read the original article: doi.org/10.2308/HORIZONS-2020-145

Liquid crystal-based technologies could revolutionise the control of terahertz radiation — key to the future of high-bandwidth communications.

Dr Masahito Oh-e from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, considers how phase shifters and modulators may pave the way for faster, more efficient 6G networks.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1002/chem.201803330

Read more in Research Outreach

Pain isn't nice, but there are times when it’s necessary - If you don’t feel the pain you should, you’re at risk of doing yourself greater damage. If you feel pain you shouldn’t, that could the first signs of a deeper issue. 

Professor Rayaz Malik and Dr Ioannis Petropolous talk about their work on a new, non-invasive, inexpensive way of detecting early stages of neurodegeneration that could be as easy as an opticians appointment. 

Read their original research: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-2012 

Synthetic biology, as showcased by Stephen Freeland's work at UMBC, redefines biological systems for groundbreaking applications in biotechnology and medicine, promising to solve global challenges and unlock new frontiers in science.

Or, at least, that’s what ChatGPT has to say about it. 

Our interview also covers how Artificial Intelligence is changing the wet-lab experience of doing research. Plus, the importance of the public domain in owning, understanding, and advancing all the many ways the future is taking shape.

Read his original research : https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122281

Until relatively recently, diabetes was a terminal condition. Today, over 1 in 10 people are living with it, which says something about the success of insulin as a treatment, and also the concerning state of global nutrition. So, we've probably got diabetes pretty well figured out. Right?

Dr Alexander Hamilton speaks with us about his research into alpha cells, amino acids, and why we might need to rewrite the text book on diabetes.

Read the original research: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171039 

From the 1920s to now, technology has transformed radically; from the Spirit of St Louis to super-sonic stealth bombers, from the discovery of insulin to mRNA vaccines, from the candle-stick telephone to a 5G powerhouse in your pocket

As the reports of sensitivity to WiFi and mobile signals rise, we discuss the recognised restrictions , risks, and reasonable alternatives for public health with Michael Bevington from Electrosensitivity UK  

Find more at: https://www.es-uk.info/

In times of crisis, the public workforce faces unprecedented changes, redefining their roles and environments. The COVID-19 pandemic was no exception, with burnout and fatigue running high among public servants. What does that stress mean for employee behaviour, satisfaction and turnover?  

Assistant Professor Lee Seulki from Singapore Management University reports on data from South Korea, finding how demands like increased workload during crises can affect satisfaction.  

Read the original research: https://doi.org/10.1177/00910260231207332  

Digital devices have changed the information landscape in many ways, be it through podcasts such as this, or accessing medical care. Today, any illness requiring professional medical help may be made easier to manage thanks to having a digital device nearby.

Professor Leonard Egede speaks with us again about how accessing care via Telehealth tools is another facet of his research on race, finance and inequality. Importantly, he sets out the lessons learnt over the pandemic of how simple, cheap telemedicine interventions can improve healthcare access for all.

Read his original research: http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.12.03 

The pandemic disrupted leaders on every level. It forced them to re-examine their assumptions about their organisation’s purpose and place in society. It impacted their perceptions and their actions around responsible business, and their leadership attitudes and practices.

The worst of the pandemic is now firmly behind us – although we remain in the depths of an economic and cost-of-living crisis, with the war in Ukraine ongoing. In this first episode, Veronica and Katie are joined by Andrea Winfield, general manager for HR across the western Europe region for Microsoft, to explore what being a responsible business means in a post-pandemic world.

Find out more: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/campaigns/responsible-business/

Modern life can feel like one of constant crisis, through exposure on social media feeds, local news or even your personal life. Recovering from the physical and emotional toll of these is hard, but also essential. 

Doctor Sara Spowart from the University of South Florida, is a researcher specialising in the psychology of support around survival. Her framework of integrative happiness sets out a vital tool for all those affected by trauma to find happiness and stability in their lives again.

Read her original work at : https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107413

This interview includes discussion of war, natural disasters, poverty, assault and the pandemic. Listener discretion is advised. 

While data science can transform public sector policy-making, places like Lebanon lack the data infrastructure and governance rules needed to support public sector data analysis.

Professor Lama Moussawi and Raghda Kawass at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, examine how Lebanon can promote data analytics to improve policy-making and service delivery.

Read more in Research Features

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2017.1313045

Many of us first experience the concept of learning in formal school settings, but how do we learn in non-formal settings like museums and zoos?

This is a question that Professor Joe E Heimlich and colleagues at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), a science museum in Columbus, Ohio, USA are working to answer.

Read more in Research Outreach

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2022.2135353

In this episode of the Transforming Society podcast, Jess Miles speaks with Julia Mortimer, Journals Director and Head of Open Access at Bristol University Press.

They discuss recent developments in Open Access, including funder mandates, community-led models and the direction Bristol University Press are heading in.  In addition, they offer advice for authors, and potential authors, for navigating this fast-moving publishing landscape.

Find out more about Open Access on the Bristol University Press website.

Bristol University Press/Policy Press newsletter subscribers receive a 25% discount – sign up here.

Robots play an important part in our everyday lives. Non-autonomous systems can be found in industry, surgical theatres, and even our homes, and more autonomous robots are integral to space and deep-sea exploration.

Dr Sirko Straube and Professor Dr Frank Kirchner from the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) are seeking to translate this greater autonomy of space and maritime applications to the human sphere.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11447-2_4

Read more in Research Outreach: doi.org/10.32907/RO-140-6297744387

Communication and consent are key in doctor-patient relationships. Doctors need to know what’s expected of them, and patients have the right to receive adequate information about diagnosis and treatment, and seek damages if things go wrong.   

If that patient has mental health issues, how are their rights around informed consent and court challenges impacted?
  

Professor Gary Chan Kok Yew from Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University, has researched on the legal standards for ‘medical advice’ under Singapore’s legal system. His work covers how the rights of patients with mental health problems, who may be especially vulnerable to problems and challenges relating to doctor-patient communications, can be protected. 

Read the original research: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/4309/  

In this episode of the Transforming Society podcast, Richard Kemp speaks with Ed Atkins, author of A Just Energy Transition: Getting Decarbonisation Right in a Time of Crisis, about what is needed for an energy transition to be just.

They discuss the need to ensure decarbonisation doesn’t come at the expense of already marginalised communities, the role that green jobs will play and the importance of acknowledging that while an energy transition will change our everyday lives, it has the potential to change them for the better.

A Just Energy Transition by Ed Atkins is available on the Bristol University Press website. Order here for £26.99.

Bristol University Press/Policy Press newsletter subscribers receive a 25% discount – sign up here.

What are the spatial factors influencing health inequalities within a socio-economically homogeneous country?

Dana Hübelová, Alice Kozumplíková, and colleagues from Mendel University in Brno investigate health disparities across different regions of the Czech Republic. The team explore how economic conditions, social care access, and regional characteristics impact health, and why urban areas don't always have better health indicators than rural regions.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-01996-2

In this episode, Oscar Berglund and Elizabeth A. Koebele, Co-Editors of the Policy & Politics journal, talk to Jess Miles about the latest special issue – ‘Transformational change through public policy’.

They discuss what transformational change is, how public policy academia needs to adapt to bring it about and their hope to inspire a new generation of scholars by setting out the structure for a research program.

Read the special issue of Policy & Politics, ‘Transformational change through public policy’, on Bristol University Press Digital.

How can social annotation transform traditional reading into a collaborative learning experience?

Damijana Keržič and Vida Zorko from the University of Ljubljana delve into this question through their research on Diigo, a social annotation tool. They investigate its impact on student motivation, comprehension, and the correlation between learning approaches and online activity.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2269043

When decisions need to be made in politics, business or daily life, it's worth giving all due care to The Problem to be solved, and The Action to be taken.  This is also the foundation of classical philosophy - but when was the last time politics seem philosophical to you? 

Professor John Martin Gillroy of Lehigh University speaks with us today about how philosophical frameworks can teach us about practical policy. From understanding motivations, actions and decisions, he considers how todays dilemmas can be approached with a fully considered view of the politics, and the people, involved.

Read more about his work in Research Features

Find his original work at: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108100045.006 

Read the Matrix of Paradigms here.

Read his paper "Refining Our Understanding of Law and Policy Through Philosophical Method, Philosophical-policy and Legal Design" here

Read "Navigating Through the ‘jungle’ and Relaxing the ‘Dead Hand ’ of Philosophy in Legal and Policy Studies" here.

Read his draft chapter "Ecosystem Policy & Law : a Philosophical Argument for the Anticipatory Regulation of Environmental Risk" here.

Music source : Symphony No. 83 In G Minor "La Poule",  Joseph Haydn; Collegium Musicum, Vienna; Anton Heiller, Haydn Society (HSLP-1015), via Archive.org

In this episode, Alison Shaw, Chief Executive of Bristol University Press, talks about 25 years of publishing with a purpose to mark the end of the Press’ anniversary celebration year.

Alison speaks to Jess Miles about the past, present and future of the press and its mission to address global social challenges, support positive social change and to be a top-tier University Press recognised for the quality of its contribution.

Click here to watch the Bristol University Press 2021 round up video and read the brochure celebrating its anniversary year.

Bristol University Press/Policy Press newsletter subscribers receive a 35% discount – sign up here.

What are the risks versus rewards when challenging norms and pushing new boundaries in the quest for scientific discovery? 

Dr Alan Herbert, President and Founder of InsideOutBio, gives an honest account of his journey in the discovery of left-handed DNA in his latest book, and how the way we view DNA and genetics has evolved from old to new thinking. 

Read more in Research Features

Read Dr Herbert's book: Flipons: The Discovery of Z-DNA and Soft-Wired Genomes

Purchase the book: amazon.co.uk/Flipons-Discovery-Z-DNA-Soft-Wired-Genomes