Researchers identified previously unknown viruses that bridge the gap between viruses and cellular protein compartments, challenging the theory that these compartments evolved solely from viruses. The newly discovered viruses share features with both viruses and cellular compartments, offering new clues about the origins of life.
HKUMed's new Centre for Health AI Research and Translation (CHART) aims to develop trustworthy AI solutions that deliver tangible benefits to patients and healthcare systems. CHART focuses on five key areas, including fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating research translation.
The study found that Omicron sublineages replicate more effectively in the intestines, potentially opening alternative transmission routes. EG.5.1 variant can infect tissues through two pathways, making it easier to spread, while JN.1 variant may persist in the gut without causing obvious symptoms.
The MeckUP Quest National Finals brought together 16 junior and senior secondary school teams to compete in an AI robotics challenge, with teams fine-tuning their projects before the final showdown. Expert mentorship from three leading universities - HKU, HIT, and BNU - provided comprehensive support for the participating teams.
Key strategies to safeguard ASEAN economies from global fragmentation were shared by Professor Mari Elka Pangestu, who emphasized the need for deeper regional cooperation to foster resilience. She highlighted the importance of leveraging frameworks like RCEP to foster shared supply chains and mutual localisation.
The University of Hong Kong's Division of Landscape Architecture has received an Outstanding Award at the World Landscape Architecture Awards for its rigorous fieldwork approach, ecological sensitivity, and bold speculative design strategies. The award recognizes the team's innovative teaching methodology, which challenges students to ...
Two HKU professors, Cecilia Chan and Michael Ng, receive the 10th Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award for their groundbreaking research in AI education and law. Chan's work proposes an AI ecosystem education policy framework, while Ng's publication uncovers the history of political censorship in British Hong K...
The Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme has shown strong participant engagement and high levels of satisfaction, with significant improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health indicators. The Scheme has been highly effective in identifying undiagnosed chronic conditions and providing timely access to treatment and management.
The University of Hong Kong will host the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2027, bringing together 2,000 participants to advance global health dialogue. The meeting will explore 'Health Across Borders' and coincide with the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's establishment and HKUMed's 140th anniversary.
A global study found urban vegetation is more resilient than rural counterparts, driven by management-associated factors like water subsidy and canopy structure. Urban green spaces may serve as resilient ecological buffers against climate change, supporting future urban planning and climate adaptation.
The University of Hong Kong has 502 and 406 scholars named in the single-year impact and career-long impact categories, respectively, securing the highest number among local universities. HKU scholars are recognized globally in various fields, including astronomy, geochemistry, and nanoscience.
A new study calls for locally tailored wastewater reuse in China to alleviate water scarcity. The researchers found that centralized wastewater treatment systems have reached efficiency limits and are not sufficient to meet the demand. A hybrid strategy combining centralized and decentralized treatment could meet national targets while...
An international study identifies five priorities for building human-centered, trustworthy, and equitable education in the era of AI-agents. Key priorities include AI-related competencies, automated formative assessment, and evolving role of teachers, emphasizing the need for transparency, reliability, and fairness in AI systems.
A collaborative research team from HKU and Tsinghua University discovered that AI assistants can easily manipulate users into making disadvantageous decisions when operating with a hidden agenda. The study found that users consistently rated the AI as 'highly helpful' despite being steered into making poor financial or emotional choices.
The research team developed a technology to address interfacial contact resistance, a key factor limiting hydrogen cell performance. By applying electrostatic spray deposition, they increased the contact area between the electrode and electrolyte, significantly improving energy efficiency and durability.
An international study found a strong association between Helicobacter pylori exposure and colorectal cancer, with 22% of cases linked to the infection. H. pylori eradication programs may help prevent both gastric and colorectal cancers, particularly in regions with high infection rates.
Researchers elucidated the structural basis of ApnO, an enzyme catalyzing two distinct reactions at a single active site. The study used X-ray crystallography to determine the enzyme's three-dimensional structure, revealing unique metal ion binding sites and their evolutionary origins.
A new Australian study reveals that teenagers and their families are under pressure due to long waits for specialist mental healthcare. Most GPs consider these delays unacceptable and say young people should ideally receive care within weeks, not months.
HKU Lecturer Dr. Michael Rivera has received the 2026 UGC Teaching Award for his innovative and community-focused teaching methods. He utilizes humanistic approaches to teach courses on biological anthropology and human diversity, promoting critical consciousness and transformative insights among students.
HKU has risen in academic reputation in the latest rankings, showcasing its scholarly excellence and research contributions globally. The university's sustained strength in teaching, research, and global engagement highlights its success in attracting world-class talent and fostering an impactful academic environment.
Researchers created a large, openly available neuroimaging resource from over 24,000 MRI scans of over 10,000 adolescents, providing unprecedented insights into how the brain's wiring develops during adolescence. The study identified highly consistent patterns of development across 21 study sites, despite differences in scanner technol...
Researchers found that white dwarf stars can exhibit a range of colors, including green, pink, and purple, due to the density of their atmospheres. The study used data from existing spectra to calculate the color each star's light would appear as to the human eye, revealing new insights into the color spectrum of these stellar remnants.
Researchers use extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy to measure nuclear radii of lutetium and ytterbium, resolving a long-standing anomaly and challenging current nuclear structure theories. The findings suggest significant even-odd effects in rare-earth elements, highlighting new challenges in nuclear structure research.
A large-scale clinical trial found that adults using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) spent approximately 5 additional hours each day within their target blood sugar range compared to those receiving routine care. Nearly twice as many CGM users achieved an A1c level below 7%, a common treatment goal for people with diabetes.
The Oxford Handbook of Climate Action brings together 60 experts to discuss human-based solutions and emerging climate technologies. The book explores institutional strategies, grassroots action, and regional chapters to provide a comprehensive understanding of climate action.
A major international study found that cortisol plays a normal and potentially supportive role in female reproductive cycles, increasing around ovulation. The review of 70 studies across the animal kingdom suggests that cortisol is not the enemy of reproduction, but rather a natural part of healthy ovarian cycles.
UChicago Medicine launches a groundbreaking clinical trial testing a new personalized cell therapy for advanced solid tumors, including ovarian cancer and melanoma. The treatment uses specially engineered T-cell receptors to detect hidden cancer proteins, expanding the number of cancers that can be targeted.
Researchers developed a biometric authentication technology that can identify users without storing fingerprint information. The system uses metasurface-driven loop-diffractive neural networks to process fingerprint information without reconstructing images or extracting features.
Climate scientists expanded scenarios to include public health complexities, providing comprehensive visions of possible population health and health system development. The expanded narratives explore how communities can prepare for shifting health risks in an uncertain future.
Researchers at KAIST created a technology that analyzes daily stress by identifying recurring smartphone behaviors, such as messaging and financial transactions. The system achieved an accuracy of over 95% in classifying behaviors across different apps, and its long-term data showed a more stable structure than conventional approaches.
A global study found that endometriosis guidelines worldwide are often underrepresented by adolescents, gender-diverse people, and those with lived experience. The review aims to develop standardized international guidelines to ensure consistency in diagnosis, treatment, and self-care.
A new study by UCL researchers highlights the importance of monitoring blood sugar and weight changes during the first 90 days after starting antipsychotic treatment. The study found significant metabolic changes during this period, particularly among patients with prediabetes and those who take certain antipsychotic medications.
International experts outline a blueprint for long-term care, including prevention-first pathways and access to specialized services, to address the growing burden of long-term complications after traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The study's findings highlight the need for coordinated care across different health systems to re...
Forecasters predict a Democrat victory in the House, but the Senate outcome is uncertain. The use of AI-generated 'synthetic personas' and prediction markets provides new insights into public opinion and election forecasting.
Researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have developed a camera-based technique called spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to assess skin changes in scleroderma patients. SFDI, which measures how light bounces back from the skin without touching it, found that light readings were different in peopl...
The rapid expansion of private testosterone prescribing may extend treatment to those with non-specific symptoms, raising concerns about overtreatment and strain on the NHS. National data on private prescriptions are needed to ensure evidence-based care and protect patients.
A recent study found that medical device adverse event reports are often incomplete, inaccurate, and delayed, with 55% exceeding the FDA's 30-day reporting deadline. The study highlights the need for immediate improvements to better protect patient safety and meet FDA standards.
Researchers found that beech seedlings that were slightly taller than their immediate neighbours at the end of their first year of life had a higher chance of survival two decades later. This suggests that even small initial differences in size contribute to long-term growth and survival.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a biobased carbon fiber using lignin and bio-oil, reducing costs to under $5 per pound while maintaining exceptional performance properties. This innovation has the potential to transform the aerospace and transportation industries.
Researchers are investigating the processes that shape river systems and influence their health and resilience. The 'Riverscapes in Transition' theme brings together science at the intersection of water, climate, landscape, and society, examining these connections across different environments and spatial scales.
A study from Ohio State University found that green space can help prevent gun violence, but its location and quality matter. In less disadvantaged neighborhoods, visible greenery and tree canopy were linked to lower odds of firearm-related homicides.
Researchers at Auburn University used flashes of laser light to align nanoscale polar regions in a crystal, providing strong evidence that the islands were already present before they lined up. This discovery opens a path toward ultrafast optical control and could inspire future technologies.
Researchers refined the age of the oldest human footprints in North America and found that humans witnessed a complete turnover of the landscape from conifer forest to sagebrush and oak steppe. The study reveals dynamic environmental conditions, including swings in water availability and severe aridity, within a century.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute find that bamboo can be turned into fuel at a competitive cost with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that using bamboo for fuel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 times lower than conventional petroleum diesel fuel.
The research team engineered a bacterial biocatalyst, PsGalOx, to produce greener pharma and food ingredients. The enzyme achieved 40 to 1800 times more efficiency at processing various sugars and alcohols.
A cross-disciplinary team at the University of Pittsburgh has developed a method to improve how researchers model transition metals, which are crucial for creating new materials and catalysts. The team's approach uses a combination of coupled cluster theory and Kohn-Sham density encoding to achieve high accuracy in simulations.
The study, supported by a $3.82 million grant, aims to capture daily stress experiences and their impact on heart health. Researchers will use a new survey tool, wearable technology, and laboratory testing to better understand how everyday experiences affect the body.
A new study found that states in New England, the Midwest, and West have a higher prevalence of alcohol use disorder among women, but fewer services that address women's unique concerns and common barriers to alcohol treatment. The study highlights the need for treatment programs tailored to women's needs, as research shows that these ...
A study found that stimulation of specific brain connections, including the cingulum bundle, forceps minor, and medial uncinate fasciculus, is associated with sustained clinical improvement in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The findings support connectome-based targeting for deep brain stimulation and may help researcher...
Stem Cell Reports will be the official meeting journal for the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting. The journal will provide complimentary ISSCR memberships for selected researchers and host a co-branded webinar in 2027.
A new study reveals how manganese-modified biochar helps beneficial fungi break down agricultural residues and accelerate the formation of valuable humic substances. The combination accelerates plant fiber decomposition and promotes the formation of more complex humic materials.
Researchers found that straw stimulates microbial activity and carbon transformation, while biochar improves soil structure and physical protection of carbon. Both straw and biochar combinations increased soil organic carbon by 19% compared to manure alone, providing two complementary carbon sequestration strategies.
New Horizon Press Limited, an independent open access academic publisher, has joined NISO as a Voting Member, enabling it to shape standards and practices for academic publishing. This membership will help New Horizon Press journals maintain metadata, article markup, and discoverability practices aligned with industry standards.
Scientists at the Université libre de Bruxelles have found that females renew their skin in a more coordinated way than males, with faster wound healing. This difference is controlled by sex hormones and could lead to personalized treatments taking into account patients' sex.
The new website features a clean, intuitive architecture and interactive elements that streamline exploration of Gladstone's transformative discoveries. The site highlights the institute's core disease and technology areas, making complex scientific concepts more inviting for patients and the scientific community.
Scientists warn of a surge in Galapagos iguana trafficking due to Super El Niño's impact on their primary food source, intertidal macroalgae. The species is already vulnerable to climate change, and confiscations have resulted in deaths and long road to recovery for surviving iguanas.
The study, published in the journal Extracellular Vesicles, found that tiny vesicles produced by neural stem cells can carry medicines to the brain and spinal cord despite the blood-brain barrier. In mice, nasal delivery delayed disease onset, improved movement, and protected motor neurons.
A new study suggests that 27% of land may already be conserved for biodiversity, but many habitats, including grasslands and shrublands, have limited protection. Conservation experts emphasize the need for effective management of these sites to achieve positive biodiversity outcomes.
A study published in Neurology found an association between epilepsy and young-onset dementia, with people with epilepsy being six times more likely to develop dementia than those without. The study suggests that people with epilepsy may benefit from earlier assessments of their cognitive risks and intensified management of risk factors.
A new study proposes frameworks for AI-safeguarding to ensure fair and effective use in social service agencies, highlighting the need for human oversight and bias reviews. The research aims to prevent AI from perpetuating existing biases and unfairly targeting marginalized groups.