Researchers at HKUST developed a new hydrogen fuel cell with 97% platinum catalytic activity after 100,000 cycles, outperforming current catalysts. The new fuel cell uses a hybrid catalyst with three active sites, accelerating reaction rates and achieving higher power delivery.
A research team led by Prof. Gan Jianping found a three-layered structure in the SCS rotating circulation with 'hotspots' of intensified currents along steep continental slopes. This discovery clarifies previous misunderstandings of water mass motion and demonstrates the first-ever 3D simulation and visualization system for ocean circu...
A HKUST research team developed a microscope combining 3PM with adaptive optics, achieving high-resolution imaging of neuronal structures in mouse cortices up to 750µm below the skull. This technology holds great potential to advance in-vivo imaging techniques and facilitate study of living brain.
A comprehensive study by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology revealed that anthropogenic low-volatility organic vapors play a critical role in forming secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and haze pollution in urban environments. The research found that oxidation of VOCs dominates OOMs formation, with nitrogen oxides significant...
A novel SURF4-to-proteoglycan relay mechanism regulates the secretion of sonic hedgehog (Shh), a key signaling molecule in cancer progression. The study offers new insights into inhibiting Shh secretion and shutting down the Hh signaling pathway to hinder cancer progression.
Researchers from HKUST have identified secondary RNA elements that control DICER's cleavage activity, improving miRNA expression and shRNA design for effective gene silencing. The study provides a foundation for designing accurate and efficient short-hairpin RNAs.
A research team at HKUST has developed a long-term in vivo imaging technique to study spinal cord injury, allowing for repeated and stable imaging without triggering inflammation. The breakthrough enables researchers to track microglia and understand their interaction with degenerating and regenerating axons.
Researchers at HKUST and UChicago have designed the basic elements needed for logic operations using liquid crystals, paving the way for novel computing methods. The team controlled topological defects to perform operations like amplification and switching, opening the door to potential applications in robotics and sensing.
Researchers at HKUST discovered a protein called CPEB1 that drives skeletal muscle stem cell activation to repair damaged muscle. The study reveals discordance between SC proteome and transcriptome during activation, showing post-transcriptional regulation.
A joint HKUST-University of Tokyo research team discovered that sodium chloride (table salt) exhibits anomalous behavior at its zero-dimensional corner, showcasing a 'higher-order' topology. This finding may inspire future designs for nanoscale conducting quantum wires and novel drug delivery methods.
Researchers at HKUST have found a way to control the quantum state through the loss of particles in an atomic system. This approach offers a new path towards realizing unprecedented quantum states.
Researchers found that T cells generated by vaccinations and COVID-19 infections are critical in limiting disease progression. The study suggests that a robust T cell response can offer protection against Omicron, even with its significantly higher mutations.
A research team has unveiled four distinct habitat-linked genetic groups of deep-sea limpets in the Northwest Pacific, shedding light on their historical population divergence and contemporary gene flow. The study's findings have implications for marine biodiversity conservation and environmental management, providing a scientific basi...
A HKUST research team found a nearly doubled Diatom/Dino ratio in the Pearl River Estuary over two decades, challenging the notion that higher ratios indicate better water quality. The study also reveals temperature and nutrient concentration play significant roles in diatom blooms.
The research team demonstrated III-V photodetectors grown on SOI, featuring large 3 dB bandwidths exceeding 40 GHz and low dark currents of 0.55 nA. The PDs have high responsivity and adjustable photocurrents.
Scientists from HKUST and PolyU develop an in-vitro vesicle formation assay to study cargo clients and factors that mediate vesicular trafficking. The study reveals cytosolic proteins associated with vesicle membranes, including FAM84B and PRRC1, and uncovers novel cargo proteins dependent on GTP hydrolysis.
Researchers from HKUST have developed a new approach to integrate complementary logic circuits into wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN) electronics. This innovation enables the creation of more efficient and compact power supplies for emerging applications such as data centers, autonomous driving, and electric vehicles.
A team of HKUST researchers has developed a low-cost, lightweight, and non-toxic battery that can harness solar energy and store it in a single device. The battery uses a lead-free perovskite material that absorbs light to generate charges, offering a promising solution for sustainable energy storage.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have discovered a non-classical nucleation process that can greatly facilitate ice formation on foreign surfaces. This finding has the potential to decelerate glacier melting and alleviate environmental concerns by predicting and controlling crystallization processes.
Researchers at HKUST have developed a novel genome-editing strategy to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathologies in genetically modified mouse models. The technology offers immense potential as a long-acting therapeutic treatment for AD patients, with lasting effects that prevent amyloid-related neurodegeneration.
Researchers at HKUST have revealed how surface ruthenium atoms improve hydrogen evolution and oxidation activities on platinum, opening a new venue for rational design of more advanced catalysts. This discovery rules out widespread theories and opens directions for future design of high-performance bimetallic electrocatalysts.
Researchers from HKUST decoded the chromosomal-level genome of a deep-sea gutless tubeworm and its co-living bacteria, revealing how the pair adapts to extreme habitats. The discovery provides insights into nutrient generation, biomaterial production, and microbial growth control.
Researchers have identified a new gene mutation responsible for non-familial cerebral cavernous malformation cases. The MAP3K3 c.1323C>G mutation is found in almost all patients with type II CCM lesions, allowing for potential targeted treatment without surgery.
A recent study by HKUST scientists analyzed data from over 850 recovered COVID-19 patients and found that most T cell epitopes targeted upon natural infection are unaffected by current SARS-CoV-2 variants. This suggests that T cell responses may be relatively robust, assuming vaccine responses mimic those of natural infection.
A research team at HKUST has discovered the mechanism of DNA melting and how an antibiotic called Myxopyronin inhibits this process. The study found that Myxopyronin binds to a partially closed form of the flexible clamp domain, diminishing the gate's ability to close and eventually inhibiting DNA melting.
Researchers at HKUST create a novel optical tweezers-coupled Raman spectroscopy platform to analyze proteins in low concentrations, particularly IDPs. The study successfully characterizes the structural features of alpha-synuclein, an IDP linked to Parkinson's disease, at physiological concentration.
Scientists have developed active liquid crystal systems that can exhibit autonomous behavior, self-regulate, and detect pathogens. These systems show high sensitivity to environmental stimuli, making them potentially programmable for various applications.
The research findings reveal that a novel microbial small molecule from Streptococcus mutans promotes biofilm formation via an unprecedented physicochemical mechanism. This discovery highlights the significance of secondary metabolism in mediating critical processes related to dental caries development.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed a novel approach to synthesize chiral tetraarylmethanes, a type of spherical molecule. The new method enables efficient access to this previously underexplored chemical space, with promising activity against cancer cells and enterovirus.
Researchers have discovered a dual symbiosis system in deep-sea vent-endemic snails, where they host both sulfur-oxidizing and methane-oxidizing bacteria for nutrient synthesis. This finding provides new insights into how animals thrive in extreme environments and sheds light on the adaptation to microbes.
Researchers have discovered a 19-amino acid insertion helix in the Orc4 subunit of yeast ORC that enables human-like DNA binding, transforming yeast into a humanized ORC. This finding provides new insights for cancer therapy and human development, including potential targets for anti-cancer drug screening.
The study reveals that N-terminal amphipathic motifs of certain Arf proteins determine their specific subcellular localization in a GTP-independent manner. This uncoupling of membrane association and activation may provide new insights for targeting proteins to specific intracellular locations.
Physicists at HKUST and Purdue University successfully simulated a system where multi-flavor fermions behave like bosons in three dimensions, a phenomenon known as bosonization. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying strongly correlated materials.
A novel cathode design concept has been proposed to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, which are considered attractive alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. The new design eliminates the polysulfide shuttle effect, reducing the battery's life cycle and increasing its energy density.
A new statistical physics method reveals patterns of selection in HIV evolution, distinguishing adaptive mutations from random variations. This approach could inform HIV vaccine design and develop better treatments against the virus.
Researchers at HKUST have identified novel molecular targets for Alzheimer's drug development, focusing on endothelial cells and microglia. The study reveals a link between blood vessel dysregulation and AD pathogenesis, as well as potential therapeutic interventions through the cytokine IL-33.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells responding to varying substrate stiffness. Metastatic breast cancer cells adapt their tension and viscoelasticity to survive in new environments, enabling the development of diagnostic kits and drug-screening tests.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technology to study the brain's deep structures at high resolution. The technology, called adaptive optics two-photon endomicroscopy, enables in vivo imaging of deep brain structures and sheds light on brain functions.
Researchers at HKUST have discovered a new mechanism that regulates planar cell polarity, a process crucial for development and organ function. The study reveals a critical protein interaction that enables efficient delivery of PCP proteins to the cell surface, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has developed a groundbreaking 3D artificial eye with capabilities surpassing human eyes, offering sharper vision and infrared detection. The innovative design features a nanowire light sensor array that eliminates blind spots and potentially enhances image resolution.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology discovered a key mechanism controlling muscle stem cell dormancy, involving the release of conserved introns upon activation. This discovery sheds light on the importance of Intron Retention (IR) in regulating gene expression and stem cell quiescence.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology developed an adaptive optics two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy system for high-resolution in vivo fluorescence imaging of mouse retina. This breakthrough enables detailed study of retinal structures and dynamics, shedding new light on neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of HKUST researchers has analyzed the genome sequence of the scaly-foot snail, a deep-sea creature with armor-like scales. The study reveals that the snail's unique morphology is largely determined by genes already present in other mollusks, such as squid and pearl oysters.
Researchers discovered multiple RNA elements in the upper stem of pri-miRNAs crucial for regulating miRNA expression. These elements affect miRNA processing, leading to dysregulation and abnormal cell activities. The study's findings may help interpret miRNA-related human diseases and develop clinical diagnostics.
A team of scientists at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology develops a novel optical technique to label single hemogenic endothelium cells in zebrafish embryos and track their descendants. The technology uses infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IRLEGO) to achieve precise single-cell labeling, overcoming previous limitations.
Researchers at HKUST have successfully grown III-V lasers directly on industry-standard silicon wafers without buffers, paving the way for efficient light interfacing and integrated Si-based photonic devices.
Researchers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed virtualized acoustic metamaterials that can be tuned flexibly using software programs. This technology enables a range of applications including broadband stealth, active sound absorption, super-resolution imaging, and beyond.
A team of HKUST scientists has identified potential vaccine targets for SARS-CoV-2, leveraging genetic similarity with SARS-CoV. The study found that only 20% of SARS-CoV epitopes map identically to SARS-CoV-2, but these promising candidates may offer protection against COVID-19.
Regulating lipid metabolism in neurons has been shown to promote axon regeneration, with triglyceride synthesis impeding and phospholipid synthesis promoting regrowth. This new direction for research may provide translational targets for CNS injury treatment.
Researchers have identified three mechanisms by which nitrogen oxides affect sulfate production, revealing that both low and high NOx levels can promote sulfate formation. The study highlights the need for policymakers to control NOx emissions in a way that balances reductions in both SO2 and NOx.