China's ozone pollution has increased despite PM2.5 declines, with urban areas under VOC-limited conditions; large-scale NOx reduction is a proposed near-term control strategy. Ambient ozone direct catalytic decomposition coatings can deliver localized ozone removal at a lower projected economic cost.
LASIK surgery shows moderate improvement in quality of life but higher patient satisfaction rates compared to contact lenses. Complication rates are lower for LASIK, but dry eye issues are more prevalent with both methods.
A new method has been developed to increase tar yield from low-rank coal, resulting in improved fuel quality and reduced unwanted reactions. By redirecting volatile compounds towards a cooler central zone, the researchers were able to limit secondary cracking and increase total tar yield by approximately 8.5%.
Minimally invasive laryngeal surgery has shifted toward precision functional preservation with high-definition endoscopy and updated laser systems. Surgical strategies prioritize vocal function reconstruction with optimized microflap techniques and autologous tissue grafts.
The OSPREY trial found that proximal hypoglossal nerve stimulation significantly improved apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment has expanded eligible patient populations and is now approved for use in the US.
The True Grit program, a Rutgers Health study, evaluates a model for supporting independence in young people with spinal cord injuries as they transition from high school to adulthood. Participants in the 2024 cohort demonstrated progress toward their individual goals, with gains seen in participation scores and emotional resilience.
A study by the University of Oxford has identified the brain mechanisms that help us work out whether the consequences we experience are caused by our own actions or by circumstances beyond our control. The study found that confidence in our own decisions and estimates of external circumstances provide important clues.
Researchers developed a versatile hydrogel platform that enables the design of customised biomaterials for tissue engineering, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine. The platform preserves the functionality of incorporated biomolecules and supports high cell viability, enabling the creation of tissue-specific environments.
Uwe Wolfrum's research on Usher syndrome aims to prevent vision loss in patients with the disorder. His team uses human retinal organoids and pig models to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the disease, paving the way for gene-based therapies.
Developing new complex medical conditions is associated with higher disenrollment rates among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, particularly to traditional Medicare. States with Medigap guaranteed issue and community rating protections have higher disenrollment rates among beneficiaries with multiple new conditions.
A telemedicine-supported home-injection model for patients with breast cancer has shown to reduce treatment burden by improving convenience and saving time. Most patients who completed home injections chose to continue this approach beyond the pilot, but barriers such as insurance denials and higher copayments may limit its broader imp...
The Brexit referendum led to a sustained decline in EU-origin health care worker immigration to the UK, despite recruitment from non-EU countries. Policymakers should consider the impact of policy uncertainty, substitution dynamics, and global health equity when making decisions.
A new study finds that Brexit led to a decline in EU-trained doctors and nurses in the UK, but physician vacancies continued to rise, highlighting the need for careful consideration of immigration policies and their impact on healthcare staffing and access to care.
After the Dobbs v Jackson decision, out-of-state travel to North Carolina for abortion care increased, particularly from more restrictive Southeastern states. Patients also presented at later gestational durations and traveled farther for care, indicating increased logistical barriers after policy changes.
A KAIST research team has identified the molecular lock that keeps cells trapped in an altered state, opening a new path toward releasing that lock and reversing a cell's fate. The team developed a fundamental control technology called ROOT that can regulate these circuits and restore biological states to their original condition.
A new pre-rerouting strategy ensures seamless service continuity in LEO satellite networks by redefining routing metrics to account for link effective duration and available bandwidth. The strategy achieves a packet loss rate of 1% compared to 7% with conventional rerouting schemes.
The Apophis asteroid will make a rare 38,000 km flyby of Earth in 2029, offering a unique chance for planetary science and defense. The flyby will provide direct evidence for the structural evolution of rubble-pile asteroids and demonstrate the feasibility of various exploration modes.
Researchers developed a nanoplatform that addresses three barriers to TNBC immunotherapy by eliminating Tregs, destroying cancer cells, and activating innate immunity. In preclinical studies, the platform achieved 100% complete tumor regression and extended median survival beyond 70 days.
Researchers have identified a molecular switch driving the spread of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype with poor outcomes. Restoring a naturally occurring molecule called miR-342 reduced metastatic disease in pre-clinical models.
Advances in single-cell and spatial multi-omics are helping researchers understand brain development, disease, and therapeutic opportunities by integrating molecular layers with cellular and spatial context. This approach has revealed regulatory relationships and cell-type-specific changes in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, a...
PSMA PET/CT detected recurrent prostate cancer after minimally invasive treatments and identified malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with high accuracy. Researchers also found varying access to PSMA-targeted theranostics between Brazil and Europe.
A novel hierarchical motion planning method combines goal-biased RRT with sequential convex programming to plan high-quality trajectories for space redundant manipulators. The proposed method successfully satisfies obstacle avoidance, end-effector line-of-sight constraints, and joint torque limits, converging in 17 and 18 iterations fo...
Dr. Alex Aliper will share insights on how cutting-edge technological innovation can drive industrial growth at the Global Unicorn Summit, and discuss AI applications in precision medicine at MedTech World Asia. He will also present real-world case studies and explore industry challenges in applying AI to personalized healthcare.
Researchers developed a new tool, Bonsai, to visualize high-dimensional data on a tree, providing a faithful picture of the structure in the data. The tool reconstructs developmental pathways and identifies similar cells more accurately than existing methods.
A study by Keio University researchers has identified two blood proteins, beta-2-microglobulin and cystatin C, that are consistently associated with future disability in adults aged 85 years and older. These biomarkers have the potential to enable earlier interventions and preventive support.
A new study uses machine learning to predict which patients with coronary artery disease will benefit from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. The model accurately identifies 'non-responders' using data from cardiopulmonary exercise testing and pulse wave analysis, allowing for tailored treatment plans.
A large-scale study in China found the prevalence of PCOS among pregnant women increased from 0.79 to 19.0 per 10,000 between 2012 and 2021, with significantly higher risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Women with PCOS had increased risks of diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery, as well as fetal risk...
The APCCMPD and CHEST Medical Educator Diversity Scholar Fellowship aims to improve diversity in respiratory care. Anna Brady, MD, will mentor a fellow-in-training to develop a personalized curriculum and research project. Applications for the 2027 fellowship are now open until November 2.
Researchers have mapped Indonesia's seagrass ecosystems, identifying areas of high and low quality, and found that conservation efforts are needed for hotspots, coldspots, and areas with contrasting conditions. The study provides a spatially informed framework for prioritizing conservation and restoration efforts.
A research team from KIMS developed a highly durable platinum–nickel catalyst that suppresses nickel dissolution, enabling stable operation for 3,000 hours. This technology is expected to advance the practical application of water electrolysis catalysts for green hydrogen production, reducing platinum use and costs.
A recent study reveals that spending on microtransactions in free-to-play videogames is highly concentrated among a small minority of players, who account for the majority of revenue. Regulation is necessary to protect vulnerable players from potentially exploitative practices.
A HKU engineering team has achieved a breakthrough by uncovering the microscopic physical nature of ultralarge elasticity in covalent semiconductors. They discovered that ultra-large tensile strains in silicon and diamond originate from reversible atomic lattice displacements.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong discovered that fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) weakens plants' ability to efficiently use water and absorb carbon dioxide. PM2.5 pollution reduces photosynthetically active radiation and carboxylation capacity, hindering plants' ability to thrive and capture carbon.
Researchers review functional hybrids of liquid crystals and nanomaterials, enabling advanced multifunctional materials with tunable properties. These materials can display photothermal response, color switching, and encryption, among other capabilities.
Hydrogels with high-order structures can regulate pathways for force transmission, molecular transport, and biological signaling. The architectures can also improve the performance of wearable sensors, regulate drug release, and provide precise mechanical and biochemical cues for cells.
A new clinical framework reorients coronary disease management toward early detection and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. The framework proposes a risk-stratified screening pathway for adults aged 40 or older with at least one traditional cardiac risk factor.
Young-Seok Lee's PhD research developed an end-to-end efficiency optimization design method that achieves 97% of the theoretical maximum efficiency in wireless power transfer systems. This design method jointly optimizes the energy conversion process in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems, from transmitter to receiver.
Researchers at the ARC Centre for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems have developed a new method to manufacture wire-grid polarisers using kitchen foil, reducing production costs and time. The technique uses a nanosecond laser to carve a metal grid directly from the foil in just 15 seconds, making it a potential game-changer for the t...
A new study models a future net-zero European power system and tests it against 80 years of historical weather data to understand how it would handle stress with periods of low wind and solar generation, combined with high demand. The study concludes that the risk is greatest during winter when cold and wind-still conditions persist, h...
The team demonstrated ultrahigh Q integrated germano-silicate microresonators on silicon using flame hydrolysis deposition, achieving a propagation loss as low as 0.07 dB per metre. This work brings fibre-level low loss to photonic chips, enabling scalable and deployable chip systems for next-generation applications.
A study by HKU hydrogeologists identified microbial fermentation as the primary pathway for ammonium production in sediments beneath the Pearl River Delta, contributing to the region's exceptionally high natural groundwater ammonium levels. The research found that fermentation-related genes were most abundant across different sediment ...
The University of Hong Kong has pioneered 'RoboDojo', a unified benchmarking platform evaluating robotic manipulation across simulated and physical environments. The platform's initial findings reveal a significant performance gap between current robotic systems and human capabilities.
The University of Hong Kong will host the 2028 Magnetospheres of Outer Planets (MOP) Conference, a premier global symposium in space physics. Hundreds of top scientists will convene in Hong Kong to explore international collaboration on major Jupiter exploration missions.
A new review in Cardiology Discovery provides a structured clinical framework to identify and manage residual cardiovascular risks for patients surviving acute coronary syndrome. The framework groups risks into four categories and summarizes therapeutic options, emphasizing personalized risk re-evaluation for individual patients.
A recent study by HKUMed predicts a 50% increase in global infertility cases among women aged 35-49 by 2036, with East Asia bearing the highest burden. The research emphasizes the need for early fertility planning, assessment, and prevention to mitigate the growing health challenge.
HKU achieves record high in 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities, rising five places to 62 globally. The university retains its position as the top university in Hong Kong, driven by its commitment to academic excellence and world-class research output.
A comprehensive review highlights recent progress and emerging therapies for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including cardiac myosin inhibitors, interventional techniques, and gene-based approaches. The treatment options now offer expanded pathways for both obstructive and non-obstructive patient subgroups, but limitations and uncertaint...
A new navigation system for cyborg insects combines AI-based real-time terrain recognition with the cockroach's natural climbing ability, enabling faster and more efficient navigation. This approach allows the insects to traverse obstacles, climb walls, and cross holes with reduced detours and steering stimulation.
Blockchain scalability research proposes a five-layer framework to examine how blockchain can support AI agents, highlighting key challenges in data management, networking, consensus, execution, and application-level mechanisms. The study identifies future directions for building more reliable and scalable AI agent ecosystems.
Researchers develop a nickel carbene catalyzed asymmetric reduction of internal alkenes, achieving highly regioselective and enantioselective functionalization of inner alkenes. The method uses sterically hindered and tunably flexible NHC ligands, suppressing side reactions and achieving precise stereocontrol.
A new study suggests that younger, less genetically matched donors can produce encouraging outcomes for blood cancer patients. Researchers found that carefully selected mismatched donors can produce favorable outcomes, potentially widening access to a potentially lifesaving transplant.
Researchers found that hot temperatures during development reduced the brightness of Morpho butterfly iridescence, making them duller and more susceptible to predation. The effects of this color change on predators or possible mates remain unknown.
The PennPoa startup, founded by Penn State professor David Huff, has developed a strain of Poa annua that delivers professional putting surfaces at a fraction of the cost. The strain, which takes 8-12 weeks to establish, has hardy growth, density, and a fast putting surface, making it an ideal choice for luxury courses.
A meta-analysis of 9 studies on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) found no evidence of symptom worsening in patients with recurrent depression. In contrast, MBCT was shown to decrease the risk of symptom worsening compared to other treatments, including antidepressants.
Researchers review evidence on potential transmission of amyloid-beta and CAA through blood transfusions, citing a 2023 study that found recipients of contaminated blood had a higher risk of brain bleeds. The authors argue for additional safety measures, citing a cautionary tale from the Infected Blood Inquiry.
A new study reveals how memories change with age, with older adults struggling to recall specific details and general knowledge becoming more prominent. The research highlights the importance of understanding how memory evolves over a lifetime, shedding light on how to support healthy cognitive ageing.
Scientists have captured the first real-time glimpse of cellular machinery reading DNA inside a cell, revealing a more dynamic process than previously thought. The study used cryo-electron microscopy to map intact transcription complexes, showing variations in the RNA polymerase II subunits that were unexpected.
A large international study suggests that age may influence lung cancer biology and could help guide more personalized treatment strategies. Younger adults with non-small cell lung cancer are significantly more likely to have genetic alterations that can be matched with targeted therapies.
Researchers at Texas A&M University used VR technology with scent and touch to reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions in sailors on a U.S. Navy ship. The study found significant cognitive and emotional benefits, with applications beyond astronauts and long-term patients in hospitals.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that controlling red and blue wavelengths of white light can impact how people experience indoor temperatures, with a 1.3-degree Fahrenheit difference possible. The study aims to reduce heating and cooling demands and improve energy savings by widening people's thermal comfort zone.