New framework could defend factories from cyber-attacks

Texas A&M University

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Researchers recognized that most threats to industrial control systems originate from the operation technology environment, which monitors and controls physical devices and processes using hardware and software. If a cyber-attack breaches this environment, the plant’s productivity and safety are both at risk. 

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Credit: Rachel Barton/Texas A&M Engineering

Industrial processing facilities, like those used for chemical and petroleum engineering projects, have benefited from the constant technological advancements of modern societies. While technology can help boost a facility's efficiency, it also boosts dependence on digital technology — increasing vulnerability to cyber threats that can interrupt operations and compromise safety. 

Led by Dr. Faisal Khan, department head of the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC) at Texas A&M University, researchers have published a paper addressing the challenge of protecting processing facilities from cyber threats through a newly established framework, which highlights current problems and outlines proposed solutions.

Once cyber attackers gain access to a facility’s industrial control systems, the priority shifts from threat prevention to ensuring that critical operations can continue safely and without severe consequences.

“Our goal was to create a framework that identifies vulnerabilities, detects abnormal activity in real-time, and provides safeguards and mitigation strategies that enable the system to absorb changes introduced by an intruder while maintaining safe and resilient plant operations,” Khan said.

Researchers recognized that most threats to industrial control systems originate from the operation technology environment, which monitors and controls physical devices and processes using hardware and software. If a cyber-attack breaches this environment, the plant’s productivity and safety are both at risk.

Ensuring processing facilities and their critical infrastructures are safe from cyber threats protects surrounding areas from fuel shortages, power outages and water supply contamination. Many functions of day-to-day life rely heavily on processing facilities, and a cyber-attack on a plant can cause chaos in the affected areas. To prevent these catastrophes, researchers have emphasized the importance of real-time detection and deflection of cyber threats.  

 “Industrial control systems were not designed for cybersecurity, so safeguarding them takes more than blocking access,” said Dr. Rajeevan Arunthavanathan, a former post-doctoral researcher at MKOPSC and current assistant professor at the University of Regina, Canada. “Our framework keeps plants safe with real-time detection, mitigation and digital twins that test changes before they cause harm.”

Researchers hope to further prepare their framework for practical use in real industrial environments. The team plans to explore how early detection methods from IT systems can be effectively integrated with digital twin solutions, as this can support rapid response during cyber-attacks and serve as a pilot laboratory environment where unknown threats can be tested safely before they affect actual operations.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it is a safety issue for the entire process industry, said Khan. “This work provides a roadmap for industries to strengthen resilience in their operations, protect communities, and ensure that the critical services people depend on remain reliable even under cyber threat."

This framework’s development reflects a truly collaborative initiative of Texas A&M researchers, with each contributor bringing unique expertise to the complex issue of cybersecurity. 

Collaborating with Khan and Arunthavanathan on this research are Dr. Kalyan Raj Kota of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Dr. Tanjin Amin and Dr. Zaman Sajid from MKOPSC, and Professor of Practice Shreyas Kumar from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M.

Funding for this research is administered by the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the official research agency for Texas A&M Engineering.

 By Alyssa Schaechinger, Texas A&M University College of Engineering

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Journal

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Article Title

Are the processing facilities safe and secured against cyber threats?

 

Drop in childhood vaccination coverage: Dutch study identifies trends driven by socioeconomic factors

Vaccination coverage among Dutch children born between 2008-2020 against measles, mumps, rubella and diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis–poliomyelitis declined faster among e.g. children not attending daycare or from households with lower income.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

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In the Netherlands, the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) was established in 1957. This programme provides free and voluntary vaccinations against 13 serious infectious diseases and has drastically reduced child and young adult mortality across the country. However, recent trends show a decline in vaccination coverage, particularly for the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (DTaP-IPV) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. While 95% of Dutch children born between 2008─-2010 received vaccines against MMR and DTaP, coverage dropped successively over the years, and only 88─-89% of children born in the Netherlands in 2020 got vaccinated.

In their study published in Eurosurveillance, Pijpers et. al, identified several sociodemographic factors contributing to the observed decline in vaccination rates, including lower parental education, income, and migration background of parents. The retrospective cohort study used several data sources looking at more than 2,3 million children born between 2008 and 2020, a total of 2,323,838 children for MMR and 2,331,199 for DTaP-IPV. [1]

By the age of two years, 94% of children (2,174,229) had received the MMR vaccine, and 93% (2,172,402) had received the DTaP-IPV vaccine. Among the 2,319,001 children eligible for both vaccines, 97% had matching vaccination status. This meant they either received both vaccines or neither. Meanwhile, 1.4% were vaccinated only for MMR, and 1.3% only for DTaP-IPV [1].

General decline in vaccination coverage in the Netherlands reflects broader European trends
Coverage for the first dose of measles-containing vaccine in the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) decreased from 95% in 2018 to 92% in 2022 [2]. Common explanations for declining coverage include distrust in vaccines and governmental organisations, misinformation, and the influence of social media. These issues were reportedly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As outlined in this study, in 2022, in the Netherlands, trust in governmental institutions was below pre-pandemic levels, especially among individuals with lower maternal education levels, and was associated with lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake [3]. Parental perceptions of childhood vaccination also became slightly more negative after the pandemic, although the decline in the coverage had already begun earlier. 

Social media was seen to play a significant role in spreading misinformation regarding vaccination. Research on Dutch Twitter activity in 2019 showed how anti-vaccine narratives gained traction and influenced public opinion. Selective exposure to this type of content reinforces negative attitudes, and the unregulated nature of online anti-vaccine messaging increases the risk of uninformed decision making.

Decline in vaccination coverage more pronounced in specific population groups
The most substantial declines in vaccination rates for MMR and DTaP-IPV were observed among Dutch children of non-Dutch origin, children not attending daycare, those with self-employed mothers, and children in the lowest income households [1]. According to the study results, children of Moroccan, Turkish, Dutch-Caribbean, and Surinamese origin showed notably lower vaccination coverage. 

Qualitative studies have provided further insight into the reasons behind lower vaccination coverage among Dutch children with a migration background. As outlined in this study, results of a focus group in 2015 among parents of Moroccan and Turkish origin identified barriers such as difficulty understanding NIP information, limited consultation time, and challenges accessing vaccination centres.

Children not attending daycare also showed lower vaccination coverage. Vaccination is not required for daycare attendance in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, in these settings, parents are often asked about their child’s vaccination status which was seen to potentially influence their vaccination decision making. Given the close contact among children in daycare settings, higher vaccination coverage in these environments would be beneficial for preventing future outbreaks. 

Children from larger families (four or more children) had lower vaccination coverage than those from smaller families. This may be explained, in part, by the higher prevalence of large households within Orthodox Protestant communities, where vaccine hesitancy is more common. While lower income was historically associated with larger family size, recent trends suggest that higher income is becoming an increasingly important factor for having more children, particularly among mothers.

As outlined in this paper, systematic reviews have consistently found lower routine childhood vaccination coverage among children with lower parental socioeconomic status. In high-income countries, economic disparities in vaccine uptake are often linked to perceived risks, trust in government and healthcare professionals, and vaccine confidence, rather than financial access. 

Addressing the decline in childhood vaccination: A call for targeted action
The findings in this paper highlight not only a general downward trend in vaccination uptake but also widening disparities among sociodemographic groups, with children of non-Dutch origin, those from lower-income households, and those not attending daycare being disproportionately affected. These patterns increase the risk of localised outbreaks, especially where unvaccinated children are socially clustered. 

Pijpers et. al. state that “social clustering potentially creates environments where infections spread more easily. Therefore, further research to investigate networks of unvaccinated and nonimmune individuals is needed to assess the risk of spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.”.

As this paper outlines, further research is needed to understand the underlying causes affecting vaccine uptake among lower socioeconomic groups. Addressing misinformation, rebuilding trust in public institutions, and ensuring equitable access to vaccination services will be critical to reversing these trends and safeguarding children's health across all segments of society.

----Ends----
References/notes to editors:
[1]  Pijpers Joyce, van Roon Annika, Schipper Maarten, Stok Marijn, van den Hof Susan, van Gaalen Ruben, Hahné Susan, de Melker Hester. The decrease in childhood vaccination coverage and its sociodemographic determinants, the Netherlands, birth cohorts 2008 to 2020. Euro Surveill. 2025;30(39):pii=2500251. Available from https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.39.2500251

[2] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Threat assessment brief: Measles on the rise in the EU/EEA: considerations for public health response. Stockholm: ECDC; 2024. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/threat-assessment-brief-measles-rise-eueea-considerations-public-health-response
 
[3] Derksen E, Janssen L, Tummers-van der Aa M. COVID-19-vaccinatiegedrag. [COVID-19 vaccination behaviour]. The Hague: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek; 2023. Dutch. Available from: https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/longread/rapportages/2023/covid-19-vaccinatiegedrag

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Journal

Eurosurveillance

DOI

10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.39.2500251 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The decrease in childhood vaccination coverage and its sociodemographic determinants, the Netherlands, birth cohorts 2008 to 2020

Article Publication Date

2-Oct-2025

Portable sensor detects synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes and biological fluids

Researchers develop technology that identifies highly potent and dangerous psychoactive substances. The device can be used in emergency medical facilities and to help inform users and reduce the harm associated with consumption

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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Device connected to a cell phone’s USB port: tested with the substances AB-Chminaca and MDMB-4en-Pinaca, two of the most common and dangerous synthetic cannabinoids, the device demonstrated its ability to detect very low concentrations 

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Credit: Larissa Melo/INCT-SP

Even though electronic cigarettes do not contain any illicit substances, the liquid can cause serious health problems. Often, the nicotine concentration in these products is several times higher than in conventional cigarettes, promoting rapid addiction. Furthermore, in countries like Brazil, which have banned electronic cigarettes, it Is observed that the products offered to users do not undergo any quality control. A resolution by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, distribution, storage, transportation, and advertising of electronic smoking devices. 

“Some of these liquids contain up to 100 times more nicotine than a regular cigarette, whose legal maximum limit is 1 milligram of nicotine per cigarette. In addition, additives such as vitamin E acetate have been found in the liquids, which have caused deaths and permanent lung damage in users in the United States,” says Luciano Arantes, a researcher and member of the management committee of the Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Psychoactive Substances (INCT-SP).

The scenario becomes even more concerning when considering the clandestine use of synthetic cannabinoids in these devices. These substances are created in laboratories to mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component found in Cannabis sativa, or marijuana. However, synthetic cannabinoids are much more potent and can trigger neurological effects such as seizures, psychotic episodes, and even death from overdose.

“What we’re seeing is a chemical race. Clandestine groups are producing drugs with increasingly potent structures, requiring minimal doses to achieve the desired effect. As there’s no labeling or warning, users consume without knowing what they’re ingesting,” Arantes warns.

To address the problem, Brazilian researchers, in partnership with international colleagues, have developed a portable sensor that can accurately detect synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette liquids and biological fluids, such as saliva. The device is described in an article published in the journal Talanta.

“We developed an electrochemical method that identifies different synthetic cannabinoid molecules with high selectivity and sensitivity. The analysis can be done anywhere, with a small sample, and the sensor responds with a characteristic electrochemical signal,” describes Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo, the first author of the study, alongside student Cecília Barroso.

The device uses a boron-doped diamond electrode manufactured in collaboration with a group from the University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. “It’s a simple system: the electrode is connected to a portable potentiostat, which can be connected to a cell phone via its USB-C port or even via a wireless Bluetooth connection. The response is a current-voltage graph, with specific peaks that identify and quantify the substances present,” Melo explains.

“This sensor represents a major innovation in the field of portable devices, as it combines the portability of printed sensors with the high stability of boron-doped diamond materials, which can be reused countless times,” emphasizes Wallans Torres Pio dos Santos, a professor at the Federal University of Vale do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, and coordinator of the study.

The sensor was tested with two of the most common and dangerous synthetic cannabinoids, AB-Chminaca and MDMB-4en-Pinaca. It demonstrated the ability to detect concentrations as low as 0.2 µM, even in the presence of high levels of nicotine and other interferences. In chemistry, µM (micromolar) is a unit of measurement for the concentration of a substance in solution. One µM is equal to one millionth of a mole per liter.

“The great advantage of our device is its selectivity. Even with the complexity of the samples, we were able to focus only on the substances of interest. It’s like entering a dark room and illuminating only the spot we want to observe,” Santos compares.

In addition to its use as a screening tool by forensic police, the device can be used in public health to provide emergency care to individuals experiencing overdoses or other complications, as well as for preventive harm reduction initiatives. To this end, the research group partners with the “BACO Project: Toxicology and Toxicological Analysis as Sources of Information for Drug Policy”. “The goal of this project is to evaluate the use of new psychoactive substances at parties and festivals by analyzing oral fluid samples. Our partnership with BACO researchers aims to extend the initial objective of the project to allow not only saliva analysis, but also the immediate screening of substances that partygoers intend to consume,” Arantes explains.

“These synthetic cannabinoids are constantly changing. New variants are emerging all the time, and many of them are extremely potent and dangerous. Our goal is to develop technologies that can be put into practice. We want users to know what they’re consuming and be able to make informed decisions. This can prevent serious poisoning and even save lives,” Melo points out.

“Our surveys show that 63% of users don’t know what they’re consuming. Many think they’re using a known drug, but in fact, they may be using a much more potent substance. By identifying the substance on the spot, the sensor gives users the chance to make an informed decision about its use. This alone reduces risks and saves lives,” Santos points out.

The adaptability of the method is another strength highlighted by the researchers. “We’ve already developed sensors for other classes of substances, such as LSD and its synthetic analogues, cathinones, and phenylethylamines. We’re also working on incorporating colorimetric reagents into the sensors to facilitate visual interpretation of the results,” Arantes explains.

FAPESP supports the project through research grants awarded to José Luiz da Costa of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, who is a toxicology expert and partner in the group. Part of the analysis was done in collaboration with his laboratory, using real saliva samples collected in environments where the products are used.

“The saliva samples used in the study were collected as part of the BACO Project, developed at UNICAMP in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security [MJSP]. This project, in turn, is an offshoot of the research ‘The Toxicology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Epidemiology of Consumption through the Analysis of Hair and Oral Fluid Samples’, also supported by FAPESP, in which we conducted the first epidemiological survey in Brazil on NPS at parties and festivals. Based on the results of this research, the MJSP decided to support and expand the study, allowing for a much larger number of samples to be collected, from 500 samples in the initial project to 2,500 in the current one. This allowed us to form new partnerships, including this one with Professor Wallans’ group,” says Costa.

“The goal is to take science where it can have a direct impact. Experts, doctors, and health professionals need accessible, fast, and reliable tools to face the challenges posed by new drugs. What we propose is a practical, portable, and scalable solution,” Arantes summarizes.

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe. 

 

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Journal

Talanta

DOI

10.1016/j.talanta.2025.128574 

Article Title

A novel electrochemical method for detecting synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette and biological samples using a lab-made electrode

Running with a stroller lowers impact, potential injury risk, researchers find

Penn State

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READING, Pa. — For many parents with young children, getting back into a running routine means dragging out the jogging stroller. While it’s no surprise that pushing a bulky three-wheeler can feel harder and change the way you run, a new study led by researchers from Penn State Berks found that runners experience less impact per step, reducing their overall risk for injury.

The study, which was published in the journal PLOS One, also revealed a potential trade-off. While the impact per step is lower when running with a stroller, the torsion or twisting forces of the foot pushing off the ground increased. This motion, however, is not as consistently associated with injuries as step impact, the researchers said.  

“While there are a lot of data on running economy and effort, this is the first to look at how loading forces change with stroller running,” said Allison Altman Singles, associate professor of kinesiology and of mechanical engineering and senior author on the study. “Understanding this ‘biomechanical trade-off’ could inform stroller design, coaching strategies, as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation protocols for those who run with strollers.”

Up to 79% of runners experience injuries each year, according to the research team. The researchers said they set out to evaluate if and how key forces on the body associated with common overuse injuries change when running with a stroller.

They examined metrics related to vertical loading and torsional loading — the amount the foot twists on the floor when a runner pushes off the ground and moves forward. High vertical loading rates — or how fast force is transferred into the body — are associated with an increased risk of overuse injuries like knee pain, stress fractures and plantar fasciitis. An increase in torsional loading is also linked to stress-related injuries in the lower leg.

For this study, the researchers recruited thirty-eight healthy runners — men and women who were injury-free and ran at least five miles per week. Each participant ran with a stroller and without a stroller over a force plate, which measured the impact of each step.

The researchers found that when participants ran with a stroller, there was a significant reduction across all vertical loading metrics by at least 8% and up to 17%. In other words, there was less impact per step, suggesting a potential decrease in injury risk.

“When we're running with a stroller, we unweight ourselves vertically because we put our hands on the handlebars and lean into it a little. That allows some of our weight to shift and go through the stroller instead of our legs,” Singles said.

On the other hand, torsional loading metrics increased significantly with stroller running, with some measures rising by more than four-fold. The arms and torso naturally rotate while running in order to counterbalance the natural movement of the legs. Holding the handlebars could be limiting the rotation in the upper body, the researchers explained, which in turn increasing twisting forces under the feet to compensate. Stroller running may also require more twisting forces to propel the stroller forward and to keep it moving in a straight line.

While the increase in torsional loading could be a concern, Singles said that it’s much less established as an injury risk factor compared to vertical loading metrics and could potentially be countered with improved stroller design or running cues. However, more research is needed.

“The number one takeaway is that stroller running is not dangerous. This study shows that, in many cases, you have a reduced risk of overuse injury because of the stroller itself,” Singles said.

The research team is continuing to study stroller running including further examining these biomechanical changes and the types of injuries that stroller runners are prone to.

Other authors on the paper include first author Joseph Mahoney, who was previously associate professor of mechanical engineering and of kinesiology at Penn State Berks and is currently associate professor of mechanical engineering at Alvernia University, and Benjamin Infantolino, associate professor of kinesiology at Penn State Berks. Amy Lista and Diego Carbajal, who both earned an undergraduate degree from Penn State Berks, also contributed to the paper.

Funding from Penn State and Alvernia University supported this work.

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Journal

PLOS One

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0332616 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Biomechanical tradeoffs in stroller running: Reduced vertical impact loading and increased torsional injury risk