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)
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
From waste to energy – weeds as a source of biofuel
“Historically, the international pellet market has focused on forest biomass,’ Dr Moreira said.
“But with regulations in Australia ruling wood pellets are not classified as renewable, we are trying to find alternative sources of biomass to produce pellets of the same quality.
“Wood has a lot of lignin, one of the most important components, and these weeds have a lignin content of about 25 per cent, which is competitive.
“The other key finding is we can make market-grade pellets, which means there are some weed-to-pellet conversion pathways that can provide market-grade biofuels we could sell.”
This work was done in collaboration with Ipswich startup - WorkEco, thanks to a seed grant from the Australian Government’s Strategic University Reform Fund (SURF).
Study co-author and AgriSustain lab leader Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav said the work aimed to reduce the environmental footprint and improve the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
“Agencies like the Australian Renewable Energy Agency have predicted bioenergy will supply 20 per cent of energy demand by 2050,” Dr Yadav said.
“It’s an optimistic but achievable target and a lot of research is required to bridge that gap.
“Another of our research areas is converting low value biomass and agricultural residue – such as crop stalks, straw, wood chips, and animal manure – into functional products.
“This work could provide a source of revenue for a startup, solve a problem for a local government and more importantly, reduce the environmental burden.”
Dr Yadav said the work was far from complete.
“We have many more weed species to test, but we know from a sustainability perspective, environmental weeds have a limit, and eventually, supply will become a problem,” he said.
“We’re also thinking about other potential sources of biomass, like green waste collected by councils and households and even some broadacre crops like sorghum.”
The research was published in Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments.
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland, established with and supported by the Department of Primary Industries.
The Journal of Medical Ethics(JME), published by BMJ, has just been ranked the number 1 bioethics journal in the world according to the 2025 Google Scholar Metrics, reaffirming its status as the leading global platform for cutting-edge work in medical and bioethics. The journal is co-led by Associate Professor Brian D Earp, Director of the EARP Lab (Experimental Bioethics, Artificial Intelligence, and Relational Moral Psychology Lab) within the Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE), based at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine). He recently took up the role of Co-Editor-in-Chiefalongside Professor Lucy Frith, University of Manchester, and Associate Professor Arianne Shahvisi, Brighton & Sussex Medical School.
The JME features articles on various ethical aspects of health care relevant to healthcare professionals, members of clinical ethics committees, medical ethics professionals, researchers and bioscientists, policy makers, and patients. It seeks to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice.
Google Scholar Metrics provides a widely used, publicly accessible measure of journal impact based on citation data. By ranking journals according to their h5-index, which captures the number of highly cited articles published in the last five years, it offers an indication of a journal’s influence and visibility within its field.
The announcement coincides with the journal’s 50th anniversary and a new chapter in its editorial leadership, with the appointment of the Associate Professor Earp, Professor Frith and Associate Professor Shahvisi as its new editors.
The new editors have published an open access editorial in the journal laying out their editorial philosophy for the journal, saying, "Between us, we have a mix of political opinions, and we have distinct academic and personal backgrounds. What we share is a conviction that reasoned argument, conceptual clarity and scrupulous engagement with evidence should be at the core of scholarship in medical ethics. We look forward to leading the JME over the coming months and years, continuing to raise the bar for tightly-argued, novel contributions in medical ethics and expanding the reach and inclusiveness of the journal."
“I’m honoured to help lead the Journal of Medical Ethics at such an exciting moment in its history,” said A/Prof Earp. “I’m especially looking forward to working closely with my fellow editors-in-chief to build on the journal’s strong legacy of publishing rigorous, influential, and timely work in medical ethics.”
With its international editorial team and interdisciplinary scope, the Journal of Medical Ethics continues to shape policy, practice, and scholarship at the intersection of medicine, ethics, and society.
Quad bike deaths are dropping, but experts say more action required
Study finds biggest drops coincided with state support to implement safety measures.
New research shows there has been a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since new safety standards were introduced five years ago, but public health experts say more needs to be done to keep Australians safe at work and on farms.
The authors analysed quad bike related deaths between 2001 and 2024 to provide a preliminary assessment of the impact of new safety standards introduced in 2020 and 2021. The Australian Consumer Goods (Quad Bike) Standard 2019, required all vehicles to meet a stability standard to reduce roll-overs, the fitting of an Operation Protector Device to reduce crush and asphyxiation injuries, and tags and labels featuring safety warnings.
The authors analysed 161 work-related quad bike deaths over 24 years (an average of 7 per year), 95 percent of which occurred on farms and 65 percent involved roll-overs. Crush and asphyxiation injuries accounted for over 50 percent of cases, with 25 percent being head injuries.
Overall, 74 percent of workplace quad bike deaths were in Australians over 50.
The preliminary data shows that across the country the rolling four-year totals of work-related quad bike deaths peaked in 2016-17, but dropped in 2024 after new safety measures were introduced.
The authors also found that death toll trends varied by state and territory. While work-related quad bike deaths dropped after 2020 in Victoria and Queensland, NSW experienced a small rise.
Nationally, after the Standard was introduced there also a small reduction in roll-over deaths, with Victoria experiencing a significant drop in this type of fatality.
Lead author Honorary Associate Professor Tony Lower, from AgHealth Australia at the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, says while the national drop in work-related quad bike deaths isn’t statistically significant, the initial findings are encouraging.
“While only preliminary, this research is positive news. It supports the early impacts of the Standard in improving stability and the benefits associated with fitting Operator Protector Devices. We will continue to monitor the data to provide robust assessment of the Standard.“
Honorary Associate Professor Lower says the study also provides insights into what can be done to save more lives.
“One of the most notable findings in this study was that there was a significant reduction in quad-bike deaths related to roll-overs in Victoria – beyond any reduction we saw in other states or territories.
“When the safety standard was introduced, the Victorian Government also put a focus on retrofitting existing vehicles with Operator Protector Devices. Victoria was also more proactive in requiring several other safety approaches such as helmet use and equipment maintenance – issuing a lot more improvement or prohibition notices. This is a model that other states should follow.
“To continue to keep Australians safe at work we need to ensure compliance with the Standard and extend these safety features to older quad bikes.”
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia says, “Quad bikes are a useful tool on rural properties around Australia. They are also used for recreation but can be dangerous.
“In addition to a number of deaths, around a thousand serious injuries a year result from quad bike use. Measures to reduce this toll are welcome and appear to be helping. But more should be done. Enforcement and compliance are essential for the new standards to have a genuine effect.
“Kids under 16 should not be riding them, and older blokes in particular need to take close care when riding them.
“All states should look at their efforts to apply and enforce the Standards and ensure all quad bike users are aware of the dangers, and the rules. Engineering controls like Operator Protector Devices, essentially bars behind the seat to protect riders if they roll, must be mandatory.
“The best farm injury is the one that never happens. Most of these deaths and injuries are preventable and that can be achieved at very little cost.”
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
When it comes to cybersecurity, humans are often seen as the weakest link, but new research suggests that with a little help, people can do a surprisingly effective job at identifying malware.
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from the University of Waterloo’s Cheriton School of Computer Science teamed up with University of Guelph cybersecurity experts to test how users, ranging from tech novices to experts, can respond to real-time legitimate and malicious software download requests in a simulated office setting.
“Most existing malware research analyzes ‘after action’ reports, that is, investigations into what went wrong after a successful attack,” said Daniel Vogel, a professor of computer science at Waterloo, and a co-author of the study. “Our study, which featured novice, intermediate and expert users, is the first malware research to observe user strategies in real time.”
Three-dozen participants received messages from fake coworkers in a Microsoft Teams-like environment, prompting them to download and install various programs. Participants had full control over whether to install the software and could research their choices however they liked.
In the initial trial, users identified malware with 75 per cent accuracy. Novice users were right 68 per cent of the time, while expert users achieved 81 per cent accuracy.
“It was interesting how novice users sometimes flagged legitimate software as malware due to a typo or poor interface design yet missed real malware when the clue was unusual system behaviour, like high processor usage,” said Brandon Lit, a PhD student in Waterloo’s Cheriton School of Computer Science and the lead author of the study.
In a second round of testing, the researchers provided participants with an enhanced task manager, as well as instructions about what red flags to look for, such as software accessing large numbers of files or network connections to other countries. With that modest support, the group’s malware detection rate increased to 80 per cent.
“Just having a bit of information puts beginner users on par with computer scientists,” Lit said. “Fostering critical thinking is one of the most important things we can do to increase security.”
Credit: Philip Hyland, PhD, Maynooth University, Ireland
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 5 August 2025 -- In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Professor Philip Hyland describes his extraordinary journey from personal struggles with anxiety to becoming one of the world's foremost authorities on posttraumatic stress disorders. The interview illuminates how his groundbreaking research on Complex PTSD fundamentally changed World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, directly impacting how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors.
From Personal Crisis to Scientific Revolution
Professor Hyland's path to scientific prominence began unexpectedly during what he describes as a "tough time personally" in his late teens and early twenties. Despite experiencing none of the typical risk factors for mental health problems, he found himself profoundly anxious, depressed, and unhappy. This personal crisis became the catalyst for a career that would reshape global understanding of trauma psychology.
"I was lucky enough to want to figure out what was wrong with me, to understand why I had become so unhappy," Professor Hyland reveals in the interview. This drive for understanding led him to psychology, where he discovered that science could be applied to understanding how people think and feel. His fascination with the human mind, combined with his admission that "you did not have to be brilliant at maths to be a psychologist," steered him away from his childhood interests in physics and astronomy toward a field where he would make unprecedented contributions.
Challenging Clinical Orthodoxy
Perhaps most controversially, Professor Hyland champions what many in his field consider heretical: prioritizing self-report measures over clinician judgments when assessing psychological symptoms. "I have an idea that most people in my field think is crazy," he states, "which is that if you want to know what a person is experiencing, it is better to rely on a self-report from that person than on a clinician's judgement of what that person is experiencing."
This revolutionary stance challenges decades of clinical tradition and has positioned Professor Hyland at the forefront of developing innovative measurement tools. His International Trauma Questionnaire, now used globally, exemplifies this patient-centered approach to psychological assessment. The tool's widespread adoption demonstrates how challenging conventional wisdom can lead to practical improvements in clinical practice.
Expanding Boundaries of Grief Research
Professor Hyland's recent expansion into grief research showcases his commitment to addressing overlooked aspects of human suffering. His latest work validates that people can develop prolonged grief disorder following the death of a pet, despite current diagnostic manuals not recognizing this possibility. "That irritated me, so I had to do some work on it," he explains, demonstrating his characteristic drive to challenge limitations in current psychological understanding.
This willingness to explore unconventional territories extends to his co-leadership of Ireland's first major sexual violence prevalence study since 2002, addressing critical societal issues through rigorous scientific methodology. Such work illustrates how Professor Hyland combines scientific excellence with social responsibility, using research to illuminate pressing public health concerns.
The Science of Serendipity
Throughout the interview, Professor Hyland attributes much of his success to "extraordinary good luck," describing his career trajectory as "winning the lottery over and over and over again." From his fortuitous pairing with supervisor Professor Mark Shevlin, whom he calls "the most intelligent and nicest person I have ever met," to his current position at Maynooth University, he emphasizes the role of chance encounters and supportive colleagues.
Yet this modesty belies the systematic excellence of his work. With 19,898 citations across more than 340 publications and recognition including the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award at Maynooth University, Professor Hyland's impact stems from rigorous methodology and innovative thinking rather than mere fortune. His role as Deputy Statistical Editor for the Journal of Traumatic Stress and Chair of the International Trauma Consortium further demonstrates his field's recognition of his expertise.
Pursuit of Truth Above All
When asked about his goals, Professor Hyland's response reflects his fundamental commitment to scientific integrity: "I never think about that. I do the work that interests me and that is important. I do it and I write it up. I never expect my work to have any impact, or even to be read by anyone." This dedication to truth over recognition aligns with his concerns about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science.
"I am concerned about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science," he states. "It is so important that people trust science (with a healthy degree of scepticism, of course) and trust the process of science that gives us the best understanding we have of the way the world is." His commitment to maintaining scientific objectivity while addressing deeply personal human experiences like trauma and grief exemplifies the balance required in psychological research.
Looking forward, Professor Hyland continues developing theoretical models of Complex PTSD while pioneering new measurement approaches that could transform how psychological symptoms are assessed globally. His work serves as a blueprint for how personal experience, combined with rigorous scientific methodology, can lead to discoveries that improve countless lives. This approach exemplifies the type of transformative scientific discourse found across Genomic Press's portfolio of open-access journals (https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/).
Dr. Philip Hyland's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas -- Genomic Press Interview series can be found in our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.
The Genomic Press Interview in Brain Medicine titled "Philip Hyland: Human responses to extreme stress and trauma," is freely available via Open Access on 5 August 2025 in Brain Medicine at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025k.0095.
About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639, online and 2997-2647, print) is a peer-reviewed medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal's scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.
WHAT THEY CALL CONCUSSION OR SERIOUS BRAIN TRAUMA WAS ONCE KNOWN AS SHELL SHOCK AND LAST CENTURY DURING THE BIG ONE WWI IT WAS AN EXECUTABLE OFFENSE ON THE BATTLEFRONT FOR COWARDICE
The 3D-RISE model enables realistic and editable construction site simulations by combining automated 3D reconstruction, segmentation, and mesh editing. It operates in two modes: 1) Scene preparation using 3DGS to reconstruct entire environments; 2) Model preparation using SAGA + SuGaR to extract and customize individual objects.
Credit: Ping Chai/RMIT University, Melbourne. Lei Hou/RMIT University, Melbourne. Xianwan Lo/The University of Melbourne, Melbourne. Guomin Zhang/RMIT University, Melbourne. Haosen Chen/RMIT University, Melbourne. Yang Zou/University of Auckland, Auckland.
Researchers have developed a novel framework that leverages automated 3D object segmentation and mesh reconstruction from real-world construction scenes to simulate dynamic and realistic construction sites. Publishes in Smart Construction journal, this innovative method significantly improves the realism and efficiency of digital construction simulations, offering a new pathway for safety planning, training, and AI-driven site management.
Construction sites are inherently complex environments, with ever-changing layouts, equipment, and safety requirements. Effective site management is essential to ensure project efficiency, reduce risks, and optimize logistics. Traditionally, this has required a physical on-site presence to inspect safety conditions, plan layouts, and manage daily operations. These manual processes are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but they also create challenges in accessing real-time site information, particularly as construction progresses.
The need for better data accessibility and remove site understanding has grown significantly, but existing construction datasets are often limited in scope. Most publicly available datasets focus on micro-level details such as specific equipment or worker actions, rather than offering a holistic view of the entire site. Without such comprehensive spatial data, it becomes difficult to plan layout, coordinate safety, or train workers in realistic environments. Furthermore, while 3D reconstruction tools such as photogrammetry, SLAM, and LiDAR exist, most applications remain static, limiting the interactivity, scene customization, and dynamic layout planning.
A growing body of research has identified this gap. The ability to not only recreate but edit and experiment with large-scale construction scenes in a virtual environment. Such capability is critical for dynamic construction site layout planning, where elements need to be adjusted in response to evolving project phases, material deliveries, or safety hazards. Realistic and interactive visualizations also play an increasing role in stakeholder communication, immersive training, and remote inspections. Yet the technical challenge remains, how can we create editable, realistic 3D site scenes without sacrificing visual fidelity or requiring extensive manual input?
To address these challenges, researchers have introduced a new simulation framework based on automated 3D segmentation and mesh construction. This approach captures real-world construction scenes through 360-degree video, extracts key objects using advanced segmentation models, and reconstructs them into editable 3D meshes. The result is a highly realistic digital replica of construction sites that can be rapidly synthesized and customized.
The pipeline integrates cutting-edge AI techniques for semantic understanding and 3D geometry processing. First, real construction scenes are captured using video or image sequences. These inputs are processed by segmentation algorithms to identify and isolate objects such as excavators, scaffolding, barriers, and materials. Next, surface-aligned mesh reconstruction techniques are applied to generate high-fidelity 3D models, preserving real-world proportions and geometry.
The resulting 3D construction scenes are not static replicas. Instead, they serve as editable simulations that can be modified, annotated, or populated with animations. This opens the door for applications such as virtual safety walkthroughs, AI-driven layout planning, and immersive construction training.
The framework not only improves visual realism but also enables automation at a previously unattainable scale. Simulation developers can now generate complex construction environments from real scenes within hours rather than weeks, with minimal manual intervention.
This paper “Revolutionizing construction site simulations with automated 3D segmentation and mesh construction” was published in Smart Construction.
Chai P, Hou L, Lo X, Zhang G, Chen H, et al. Revolutionising construction site simulations with automated 3D segmentation and mesh construction. Smart Constr. 2025(3):0019, https://doi.org/10.55092/sc20250019.
