ResearchPod

Microbes are everywhere. Their ability to adapt to environmental conditions means they can survive on surfaces and enter the food manufacturing chain where they continue to multiply. This presents a daunting uphill battle for food manufactures to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. 
Of the more than 200 pathogenic organisms that cause foodborne illness, Listeria monocytogenes is among the most concerning for public health.  
The team of Dr. Aliyar Cyrus Fouladkhah, Associate Professor at Tennessee State University, has pioneered validation studies offering invaluable insights into how high-pressure techniques can be adapted to decontaminate food such as ready-to-eat products. In doing so their work is and will be instrumental in making the food we eat safe and improving public health in the USA and worldwide.  
Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091858

Shrinkflation is the practice of reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same – a subtle form of inflation many consumers overlook.  
In this episode, we explore new research by Aljoscha Janssen at Singapore Management University, examining how widespread shrinkflation is in retail, why consumers react differently to size changes than price rises, and what this means for transparency and consumer protection. 
Read the original research: https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2024.0948

Menopause affects every woman differently, but for many the symptoms are significant and long-lasting. Yet despite effective treatments being available, many women never seek help.
This podcast from NHS Ayrshire and Arran explains how hormone replacement therapy works, the different forms it can take, and how to use it safely and effectively to manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. One size does not fit all when it comes to HRT, and patient knowledge and understanding of the options available is essential for safe and effective use.
For more information, speak to your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist, or visit the links below.
NHS Inform: nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-medicine/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt
Women's Health Concern: womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/27-WHC-FACTSHEET-HRT

In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Dr Rebecca Shepherd, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, whose unconventional journey from NHS histology labs to ivory identification expert has sparked a thriving research‑led enterprise.
What began as an enthusiastic promise to TV anatomist Professor Alice Roberts during a book‑tour lunch has since evolved into a sophisticated service using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to distinguish between elephant and mammoth ivory with remarkable accuracy. Along the way, Rebecca discovered a surprising global demand — from auction houses and museums to conservation organisations and private collectors — for non‑destructive, reliable ivory identification.
In this captivating conversation, Rebecca shares how an academic side‑project became a conservation tool, a business opportunity, and a deeply interdisciplinary research endeavour drawing on anatomy, chemistry, data science, archaeology and physics. She also reflects on learning to navigate pricing, legal frameworks, client relationships, and the unique opportunities that arise when curiosity meets enterprise.

🔍 In the episode:

·        Why anatomy is far from “all discovered”
·        How a chance email to Professor Alice Roberts changed Rebecca’s career
·        Using Raman spectroscopy to analyse ivory — and pushing accuracy to 99.7%
·        Collaborating with chemists, data scientists, conservationists and museums
·        The ethics, laws and complexities of the ivory trade
·        Building a research‑based service within a university environment
·        The practicalities of pricing, insurance, safety and client negotiation
·        How enterprise influences — and enriches — academic research
·        Advice for researchers thinking about commercialising niche expertise
 
🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions
The Enterprise Sessions bring together founders and researchers to share candid insights on spin-outs, start-ups, raising capital, and translating research into real-world impact. Our goal? To inform, inspire, and challenge myths about research commercialisation.
👍 Like, Share, Subscribe
If you enjoyed this episode, please like and share! Explore more at University of Bristol Enterprise Sessions and subscribe to our YouTube channel for future episodes.
Connect with our Guests:
Dr Rebecca Shepherd – LinkedIn
Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Food insecurity and sustainability are huge global challenges. Yet research suggests that farmers, retailers and consumers reject up to 40% of the food we produce because it simply looks unattractive. 
New research published by Singapore Management University looks at the psychology behind consumers’ behaviour and how to mitigate its effects. 
Read the original research: doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2025.06.004