Poland is the 3^rdproducer of mushrooms in the world. Mushroom production in Poland accounts for nearly 25% of the total production in the EU, and it is still growing. One type of waste generated during mushroom production is mushroom spent compost (MSC), with a 5:1 (MSC: mushrooms) production rate. We investigated valorizing the MSC to produce fuel via torrefaction (‘roasting’, a.k.a. low-temperature pyrolysis). Specifically, we developed models for the MSC torrefaction kinetics using thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and the effects of torrefaction temperature (200~300 °C) and process duration time (20~60 min) on the resulting biochar (fuel) properties. The estimated activation energy value of MSC torrefaction was 22.3 kJ^.mol^-1. The highest higher heating value(HHV) = 17.9 MJ^.kg^-1d.m. was found for 280 °C (60 min torrefaction time). The temperature of torrefaction significantly (p<0.05) increased the HHVfor constant process duration. The torrefaction duration time significantly (p<0.05) increased the HHVfor 220 °C and decreased HHVfor 300 °C. The highest mass yield 98.5% was found for 220 °C (60 min), while the highest energy yield was found for 280 °C (60 min). In addition, estimations of the value (€132.3·Mg^-1d.m. or 27.7 €·Mg^-1w.m) and quantity of resulting biochar (from torrefied MSC with 65.3% moisture content) were made based on the 280°C (60 min) torrefaction variant, assuming the price of commercially available coal fuel. We have shown a concept for an alternative utilization of abundant biowaste (MSC). The initial economic evaluation showed that MSC torrefaction might be profitable. This research provides a basis for alternative use of an abundant biowaste and can help charting improved, sustainable mushroom production.

The emergence of cloud computing, big data analytics, and machine learning has catalysed the use of remote sensing technologies to enable more timely land management of sustainability indicators such as ground cover and grassland biomass, given the uncertainty of future climate and drought conditions. Here, we examine the potential of “regenerative agriculture”, as an adaptive grazing management strategy to minimise bare ground exposure while maximising pasture biomass productivity. High-intensity sheep grazing treatments were conducted in small fields (less than 1 hectare) for short durations (typically less than 1 day). Paddocks were subsequently spelled to allow pasture biomass recovery (treatments comprising 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months) with each compared with control treatments with lighter stocking rates for longer periods (2,000 DSE). Pastures were composed of wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia species), kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra), Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica, and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) were destructively sampled to estimate total standing dry matter (TSDM), standing green biomass, standing dry biomass and trampled biomass. We then invoked a machine learning model using Sentinel-2 imagery to quantify TSDM, standing green biomass and standing dry biomass. Faced with La Nina conditions, regenerative grazing did not significantly impact pasture productivity, with all treatments showing similar TSDM and green biomass. However, regenerative treatments significantly impacted litter fall and trampled material, with the high intensity grazing treatments causing more dry matter trampling, increasing litter, enhancing decomposition rates and surface organic matter. Pasture digestibility was greatest for treatments with minimal spelling (3 months), whereas both standing senescent and trampled material were significantly greater for the treatment with 15-month spell periods. Estimates of TSDM using machine learning with Sentinel-2 imagery underestimated TSDM in treatment plots but explained spatiotemporal variability associated within and across treatments. The root mean square error between the measured and modelled TSDM was 903 kg DM/ha, which was less than the variability measured in the field. We conclude that regenerative grazing with short recovery periods (3-6 months) are most conducive to increasing pasture production under high rainfall conditions, and we speculate that high intensity grazing is likely to positively impact on soil organic carbon through increased litterfall and trampling. Our study paves the way forward for using machine learning with satellite imagery to quantify pasture biomass at small scales, enabling management of pastures from afar.

Cancer is a complex and devastating disease that has engaged scientists and researchers for decades. Despite tremendous efforts, previous hypotheses about cancer development have not achieved significant breakthroughs. Evolutionary Cancer Cell Biology (ECCB) is a novel and emerging branch of oncological science that provides an evolutionary perspective on the origin of cancer. It reveals that the cancer genome evolved hundreds of millions of years ago, long before multicellular organisms such as metazoans and humans emerged. ECCB aims to unify all evolutionary insights, hypotheses, and theories into a cohesive framework. It investigates the intricate relationship between cancer genomics and ancient pre-metazoan genes that emerge when normal cells transform into cancer cells. It challenges the conventional wisdom of cancer research by suggesting that cancer could arise through intrinsic cellular mechanisms without genetic alterations and mutations. Furthermore, it postulates that somatic mutations are only secondary, downstream events in the process of oncogenesis.

In many Indian regions increased wastewater is both a threat and an opportunity. Efficient wastewater treatment and reuse schemes are needed in India to face impending water and fertiliser shortages. This study explores the application potential of wastewater fertigated Short Rotation Coppice systems (wfSRC) as a cost-efficient and promising solution for treating and reusing wastewater in a specific region (400 km2, 184 settlements) of Aligarh (UP), India. Based on real data from a local wfSRC pilot site using bamboo, willow, and poplar, we analysed the system’s treatment performance, nutrient recovery, carbon sequestration potential, land requirements, biomass production potential, and cost-benefit, under various scenarios. The results show that the pilot wfSRC system is efficiently treating 250 m3/day of domestic wastewater on 6,864 m2 of land, and serving 2,500 people. The land requirements for wfSRC systems vary depending on local conditions and user requirements, ranging from 2.75 – 25.7 m2/PE which equates to a required land area in the whole study region of between 108 and 1006 ha in 2036. This would produce up to 100 DM t/ha/yr of valuable biomass. Early local stakeholder involvement and monitoring of pollutants are recommended as priorities during the planning process for large-scale implementation of wfSRC systems in India.