A new study reveals that station leaders play a critical role in shaping firefighters' physical readiness. Crews staffed with fit captains and lieutenants scored noticeably higher on physical readiness tests than those without, suggesting that a complete leadership structure creates better environments for healthy routines.
The 11th HKU Quarterly Forum explored China's economic growth, highlighting the need for technology to support traditional industries. Keynote speakers discussed the role of technology in overcoming K-shaped divergence, globalization, and global financial markets.
Researchers have developed the most comprehensive map of isoform diversity in glioblastoma, a breakthrough that reveals thousands of previously unknown tumour-specific genetic isoforms. These discoveries suggest potential therapeutic targets for future personalised cancer vaccines and immunotherapies.
Papers AI provides a fully integrated AI assistant that reads project drafts, datasets, and references together, reducing the need to re-explain context. The platform supports various file types, including Word, Markdown, Jupyter notebooks, and CSV files, and ensures data never leaves users' hardware.
Researchers developed an edible coating made from agar, zinc, and tannic acid that reduces spoilage and maintains vitamin C and antioxidants in strawberries, grapes, and apple slices. The coating has a lower carbon footprint than refrigeration and can reduce food waste by up to 85%.
A cohort study revealed racial differences in sonographic evaluation, with a 76% completion rate and excellent cancer exclusion ability in Black women despite fibroids impairing endometrial visibility. Fibroid presence did not hinder cancer detection accuracy.
Research finds that lifetime adversity can shape people's beliefs about fairness and justice, making them more susceptible to conspiracy theories. Consistent evidence suggests that perceptions of injustice are linked to stronger conspiracy beliefs and lower trust in institutions.
A new study reveals how cannabis farming in California's Emerald Triangle is changing streams by pumping groundwater for irrigation. Researchers found that this practice can cause seasonal streams to stop flowing up to five weeks earlier and dry out streams that normally flow year-round, threatening salmon habitat.
A new study finds that fossilized feces played a crucial role in the Cambrian Explosion, a period when life on Earth diversified rapidly. The 'faecal revolution' suggests that the buildup of excrement encouraged marine life to evolve and diversify.
The study found that intratumoral Fusobacterium is associated with a more aggressive subtype of colorectal cancer characterized by limited immune response and increased disease recurrence. The presence of this bacterium also predicts poorer outcomes with adjuvant chemotherapy.
Researchers have identified a major genetic region associated with potato skin texture and linked it to the gene StPXG4, which encodes a peroxygenase. The study reveals that russeting develops from cracked outer layers remaining attached and accumulating during tuber growth.
A China-wide study reveals that hospital characteristics do not significantly shape nearby water resistomes, with geography and broader urban pollution being the main factors influencing antibiotic resistance gene patterns. Proper wastewater treatment can substantially reduce the environmental release of resistance genes from hospitals.
Researchers developed a transparent strain-insensitive stretchable ionic temperature sensor with improved sensitivity and stability. The sensor's strain-insensitive performance is attributed to a crack counteraction mechanism, which offsets the promoting effect of an enlarging electrode surface area as strain increases.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study demonstrates PUNCH's potential to improve space weather forecasts by tracking fast coronal mass ejections and predicting their arrival times. The mission's high-fidelity data enables accurate forecasting, with retro-forecasts predicting arrival times within a 30-minute window.
The Japan SciCom Forum 2026 will be held at Nagoya University, exploring the theme of communicating science in the age of AI. The event aims to facilitate discussion and collaboration among science communicators, researchers, and journalists.
A randomized clinical trial found that video-call peer support from trained peer mothers increased exclusive breastfeeding rates by 42.6% at two months postpartum and boosted maternal confidence. The low-cost, scalable approach offers a promising strategy to improve breastfeeding outcomes in healthcare systems.
Researchers have developed high-quality field-effect transistors using violet phosphorus, a layered semiconductor material. The devices showed robust unipolar n-type conduction and maintained stable performance over time, making them suitable for future electronic and optoelectronic applications.
A recent WSU study suggests that working from home alone is not a sufficient condition for successful breastfeeding. The researchers analyzed the effects of working from home on breastfeeding outcomes and found no significant correlation between the two.
A study by the University of Bonn and the Doherty Institute found that malaria infection permanently damages resident CD163 macrophages in the spleen, impairing their ability to recycle iron and communicate with other cells. This damage can lead to increased severity of future infections and worsened prognosis.
A USC study analyzed over 6,000 soil samples and found that the L.A. fires released lead into the environment, but preexisting contamination makes it difficult to distinguish the impacts of the fires. The study also found no evidence of post-fire contamination from other metals, and lead levels can vary widely across a property.
A $1.15 million USDA grant is expanding the HotHog app, which predicts heat-related risks in pigs. The app provides location-specific forecasts and alerts to help producers prepare for extreme heat, improving animal welfare and production efficiency.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that strong social bonds and public recognition for achievements can reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior among teenagers. The study analyzed data from nearly 200,000 Pennsylvania teens and found that personal connections with family, school, and community can decrease suicide risk.
Scientists at the University of Electro-Communications create a method to map dielectric response at the atomic level, revealing diamond's anomalous enhancement. This discovery could lead to the development of efficient electron sources and smaller electronic components.
A recent study published in Cancer Research found that sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, can restrict cancer metastasis by limiting cancer cells' access to cholesterol. Combining sildenafil with statins may enhance this effect, potentially improving survival rates among cancer patients.
A qualitative study found social license for AI in healthcare is conditional and dynamic, influenced by structural, performance, and relational factors. The findings provide evidence-based recommendations for designing and implementing AI tools that support both consumers and clinicians.
Researchers found that high-power pulses can distribute light evenly across seven cores in a multicore fiber, reducing fluctuations and improving stability. The effect is robust and not affected by disturbances such as bending or twisting, opening new possibilities for efficient and powerful laser systems.
Researchers at NUS CDE developed a self-repairing, recyclable substrate that repairs itself, grips metal conductors firmly and can be remoulded or broken down after use. The new material, called an intrinsically dynamic biosubstrate (IDBS), reduces electronic waste and enables recovery of valuable components.
Researchers developed realistic skin-like test models to reproduce a range of skin tones and simulate blood flow, helping device developers identify biases in light-based medical technologies. The models showed improved optical signals detection across different pigmentation levels.
HKU Chair Professor Xuhua He has been elected Vice President of the International Mathematical Union at 47, marking a historic milestone for Chinese mathematics. As the youngest VP in nearly two decades, he will shape global strategies and oversee major international awards.
A study published in the American Economic Review concludes that opaque markets are more fragile and prone to 'flash events', which are sudden, hard-to-explain market oscillations. Improving post-trade data disclosure and reducing opacity can mitigate these risks.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed an AI recommendation model that incorporates reinforcement learning to adjust to the uniqueness of each user. This approach improved human-AI performance over traditional one-size-fits-all decision support.
Ziyu Yao, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, has received a $674,100 NSF CAREER Award to advance AI interpretability research in code generation. She aims to develop a framework for mechanistic interpretation of language models and explore methods to improve code generation through interpretation-informed approaches.
Adults with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of fragility fractures, but new research found GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce this risk by 21% compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. The largest reductions occurred in hip, femur, and spine fractures.
A study covering 52 Atlantic Forest fragments found that natural dispersal of new plants is boosted by surrounding forest and rainfall regime. Seed richness increased as forest cover and precipitation increased, regardless of fragment size.
A new review suggests that continuous glucose monitoring technology offers no scientific evidence of improved health outcomes in people without diabetes. However, it may be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes by reducing HbA1c levels and minimizing finger-stick tests.
Researchers improved sunlight-driven photocatalyst performance by integrating two cocatalysts, stabilizing the unstable MoSe₂ phase and enhancing electron transfer. The new catalyst achieved a threefold increase in methane production compared to conventional TiO₂ photocatalysts.
A genome-level study reveals how genetic differences affect growth, tuber form, and carbohydrate allocation in Gastrodia elata. The research identifies a key signaling complex involved in regulating tuber development and carbohydrate allocation among cultivated forms.
Lip cosmetics products are routinely ingested and absorbed through lip tissue, but existing frameworks were never designed to assess this dual-pathway exposure route. Researchers found significant gaps in testing and regulation, including inadequate absorption data and outdated ingestion assumptions.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a cooling ceramic wall that utilizes porous ceramic cubes and energy-efficient evaporative cooling. The prototype, on display at TU Graz campus, significantly lowers the temperature by up to seven degrees Celsius in hot environments.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine suggests that good sleep quality is more important than screen time for helping adolescents succeed in school and maintain healthy friendships. Healthy sleep habits explained a substantial portion of the relationship between mental health symptoms and school performance.
Researchers from the Double Chooz collaboration have measured antineutrino emission from spent nuclear fuel for the first time. This discovery opens new perspectives for reactor monitoring, nuclear safety, and safeguards.
A highly linear and durable flexible strain sensor is developed using MoS2 van der Waals films, enabling reliable signal output under cyclic loading. The sensor's performance is stable over 40000 stretching cycles, making it suitable for applications requiring accurate deformation sensing in soft machines.
UC San Diego Health has been ranked as the top care facility in California and among the top 20 in the nation for eight medical specialties. The institution achieved this distinction through its patient-dedicated, collaborative spirit and commitment to delivering outstanding care.
Researchers developed a new approach to eliminate pathogenic bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontitis without harming healthy tissue. This therapy preserves beneficial oral microbes, reducing bone loss and improving oral microbiota in mouse models.
A comprehensive study found that Islamic bonds in Malaysia expanded the investor base, increasing businesses' access to financing and driving economic growth. The study challenged the assumption that introducing a new product divides an existing market, instead showing that it broadened the total amount of capital available.
Researchers report reductions of up to 75.8% in perfluorinated compounds after plasmapheresis treatment, while microplastics decrease in four out of four patients. The exact mechanism behind this effect is still unclear and requires further investigation.
Researchers have developed a new photonic architecture that enables scalable spatiotemporal interleaving networks for high-density integrated photonic convolution. The SPIN (Spatiotemporal Photonic Interleaving Network) framework reduces waveguide complexity and increases programmability in wavelength-domain interleaving, enabling comp...
A study found that lower cardiac output is associated with accelerated cerebral atrophy among older adults carrying the APOE-e4 allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Lower baseline cardiac output was linked to smaller brain volumes and larger inferior lateral ventricle volumes over time in APOE-e4 carriers.
Physicists have developed a method to visualize three-dimensional wavefunctions of molecules, enabling the study of molecular interactions. The technique, which uses a table-top soft-X-ray laser and powerful computer algorithms, allows for the imaging of features smaller than atomic scales.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
A new study by Oregon State University found that a cat-training program for children with developmental disabilities fosters healthy child behaviors and strengthens relationships between children and their family cats. The program also improves cats' social behavior, making them more confident and socially active.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
The inaugural Urban Systems Forum brought together scholars to explore cutting-edge technologies and multi-scale urban modeling approaches. Key findings include the need for a paradigm shift in urban research, emphasizing interdisciplinary integration, quantitative modeling, and a global perspective.
A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has discovered a crucial communication system on cell surfaces that plays a significant role in heart development. Alterations in three key proteins can disrupt this system, leading to congenital heart defects.
Researchers developed a disturbance observer to compensate for external disturbances, allowing the robot to reject disturbances while maintaining stable flight. The approach reduced the X-axis position error by 53.1% and improved overall stability.
Researchers have developed a breakthrough tandem electrode structure that integrates anodic and cathodic electrochromic materials on a single substrate, enabling seamless switching between transparent, brown, and blue states. This innovation allows smart windows to control both visible light and heat-producing near-infrared radiation f...
Researchers have identified Ruppia maritima as a resilient native seagrass species that can help restore degraded estuarine habitats. The species has a distinctive annual life cycle and a persistent seed bank, allowing it to persist through disturbance and regenerate when conditions improve.
Researchers at HKUST discovered a novel oxidant-free electrocatalytic mechanism for selective polymerization of organic pollutants, enhancing pollutant removal efficiency and economic feasibility. The new system achieved high selectivity and reduced energy demand, making it an attractive solution for wastewater treatment.
A new white paper highlights the risks of microplastics in supply chains and environments, with primary and secondary microplastics found in various products. Businesses are urged to take proactive measures to manage their microplastic exposure, including monitoring, circular business models, and recycled-content products.
The COSPAR Awards 2026 recognize Angela Bazzano, Gary P. Zank, Guenther Reitz, David Gary Sibeck, WANG Jinsong, Carlos Gabriel, John D. Rummel, Pascal Willis, Annapurni Subramaniam, ZHANG Keke, and others for their distinguished contributions to space science.