A study by HKUMed reveals EBV changes human genome structure in cancer cells, hijacking epigenetic systems to promote tumour growth and metastasis. Researchers identify genomic signature markers to predict metastasis likelihood and develop potential therapies targeting EBV's 'hooking' mechanism.
A new study by HKU ecologists reveals that intensifying El Niño events are disrupting arthropod populations across the tropics, leading to ecosystem function loss and destabilization. The team found significant biodiversity loss in multiple types of arthropods, with declines linked to weaker decomposition and herbivory processes.
A research team from HKUMed developed a world-first nasal organoid-based SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody Evaluation Platform, enabling accurate assessment of antibody and vaccine effectiveness. The platform uses respiratory organoids that closely simulate human respiratory tissues.
A new study finds that tropical cyclone clusters are becoming less frequent in the Northwestern Pacific and more common in the North Atlantic. The shift is attributed to climate change, highlighting the need for strengthened coastal infrastructure and emergency response systems.
Researchers capture unprecedented 130-year evolution of Planetary Nebula IC418, revealing significant changes in emission lines and implications for stellar evolution. The study offers unique evidence of how PN central stars evolve, prompting a rethink of existing models of stellar life cycles.
A recent study by HKU researchers uncovers a brain signature that measures emotional intensity and distinguishes it from automatic physiological responses. This discovery has implications for developing emotionally intelligent AI systems and offers a better understanding of how our brains create emotional arousal.
Researchers from HKUMed discovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows HCC to grow more aggressively and evade existing therapies. They developed a new small molecule inhibitor called CL26, which targets the AGPAT4 protein and improves treatment options for HCC patients.
Researchers from HKU mapped urban light pollution in Hong Kong, revealing an uneven distribution with a disproportionate share coming from decorative lighting installations. The study suggests regulating non-essential commercial lighting and optimizing building illumination to reduce light pollution levels.
A recent study published in Neuron suggests that humans tend to treat AI chatbots like social beings, attributing them with personality and feelings. This phenomenon called anthropomorphism may shape our interactions with AI and influence how our brains function in social contexts.
Researchers at HKUMed have identified peripheral neural stem cells outside the central nervous system, exhibiting properties similar to brain NSCs. This discovery challenges the long-held belief and holds great promise for innovative therapies in regenerative medicine.
The HKU Robocon <em> Virtus </em> team claimed the top prize at Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2025, showcasing innovative designs that blend AI with advanced robotics technology. The team's robot features a novel long pneumatic cylinder design and a lift mechanism that enhances dribbling capabilities.
Researchers at HKUMed found combining Astragalus membranaceus with methotrexate reduces chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. The combination therapy shows significant synergistic effects, enhancing treatment outcomes and addressing therapeutic limitations of MTX.
Project Mingde, a non-profit initiative by HKU, has won the 2025 Architizer A+ Award for its sustainable and culturally significant Duling Educational and Cultural Centre. The centre addresses water scarcity issues in Hakka villages through innovative designs.
A HKUMed study has confirmed the safety of lithium treatment for bipolar disorder, despite slightly higher rates of thyroid and kidney dysfunction. Regular monitoring can help mitigate risks, making lithium a viable option for managing mood episodes.
A global review of research on dam impacts found widespread disruptions to diadromous species, reducing abundance and genetic diversity. Dam removal is identified as the most consistently effective strategy for restoring connectivity and migration routes in fragmented rivers.
The International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction brought together experts from HKU, government, industry, and academia to share advancements in MiC. Key collaborations were announced with the HKSAR Government and Shenzhen authorities, aiming to expand collaboration networks and promote innovative applications of MiC.
A team of scientists, including HKU astrobiologist Professor Yiliang LI, are working together to identify regions on Mars suitable for microbial life. The mission aims to bring Martian samples back to Earth for detailed analysis using sophisticated instruments.
A study by the University of Hong Kong found that Mondays uniquely drive long-term biological stress in older adults, with a significant increase in stress hormone levels up to two months later. The 'Anxious Monday' effect is linked to dysregulation of the body's stress response system and has implications for heart health.
A team of researchers from HKU Dentistry has developed a groundbreaking AI system that can predict early childhood caries risk for individual teeth based on microbial characteristics. The system achieved an accuracy rate of over 90% and identified distinct patterns in tooth-specific microbial communities that foretell dental decay.
Researchers suggest early continental crust formed through deep Earth processes called mantle plumes, rather than plate tectonics. They analyzed ancient rocks and found evidence of a two-stage process involving mantle plume upwelling and gravitational sagduction of greenstones.
A groundbreaking development by HKU researchers enables drones to navigate unknown environments at high speeds and avoid obstacles using onboard sensors and computing power. The Safety-Assured High-Speed Aerial Robot (SUPER) demonstrates exceptional agility, navigating dense forests at night and skilfully avoiding thin wires.
A team of HKU astrophysicists has confirmed the existence of a retrograde planet in the nu Octantis binary star system, revealing the crucial role of binary star evolution in its origin. The discovery provides new insights into planetary formation and stellar evolution, particularly in tight binary systems with evolved stellar components.
A novel treatment combining locoregional therapy and immunotherapy has shown a 46% complete response rate for advanced liver cancer, with two-thirds of responders remaining cancer-free at three years. This approach is safe, effective, and sustainable, offering new hope for patients with late-stage disease.
A new study by Professor Guy Abel of the University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Meta and Harvard researchers, measures global migration flows using online data. The research provides comprehensive and near-real-time estimates, accounting for biases in social media usage to generate reliable insights.
Researchers have discovered that VPS72, a genetic culprit, drives liver cancer development by disrupting fat metabolism and manipulating gene activity. This disruption leads to excessive fat buildup in liver cells, fuelling tumour growth and promoting cancer progression.
Researchers from HKU developed a compact catenane with tuneable mechanical chirality, offering promising applications in materials science and nanotechnology. The study showcases an innovative isostructural desymmetrisation strategy to create chiral structures.
The HKUMed Sports Health initiative aims to unite sports development, medical education, research, and clinical services to foster a healthier society. The initiative will emphasize preventive care and rehabilitation, integrating sports health education into the MBBS curriculum.
Professor Chao Xiang has been honoured with the 2025 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for his pioneering research in silicon photonics. His work on integrating lasers for advanced photonic integrated circuits shows significant improvements in sensor accuracy, communication system bandwidth, and energy efficiency.
Researchers have identified dynamin 1 (DNM1) as a critical factor driving ovarian cancer metastasis. By inhibiting DNM1, aggressive cancer cells can be reduced in their ability to migrate and spread. The study provides promising new directions for targeted treatment strategies against this aggressive disease.
HKUMed has developed the TRICH score, a clinical tool that helps physicians identify ICH patients who need early triple anti-hypertensive medication. A separate study investigates the use of telemedicine for hypertension management in ICH patients to enhance patient care.
Researchers developed innovative, needle-free live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) offering broad protection against various virus subtypes. The LAIV platforms induce a robust immune response and are attenuated in mammalian cells, making them safe for use.
A landmark study found that a single oral dose of baloxavir marboxil significantly reduces influenza transmission within households. Conducted across 15 countries, the CENTERSTONE trial provides robust evidence for an antiviral treatment's potential to curb the spread of influenza.
Researchers have unveiled the secrets of deconfined quantum critical points (DQCPs), breaking away from conventional physics and offering a fresh perspective on quantum matter. The study reveals anomalous logarithmic behaviors and identifies a critical threshold value, suggesting DQCPs can resemble continuous phase transitions.
The HKUMed AI model achieves over 90% accuracy in classifying both thyroid cancer stage and risk category. The model reduces pre-consultation preparation time for frontline clinicians by approximately 50%, making it a significant advancement in precision management of the disease.
The 'Mainland-Hong Kong-Macao Scientists Forum and Exchange Activities 2025' brought together leading scientists to discuss advancements in materials science, biochemistry, and engineering. HKU's commitment to global scientific collaboration was highlighted through the event.
A research team at HKU has developed a computational tool called Argo to track antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in environmental samples, providing insights into their transmission and associated risks. The tool uses long-read sequencing and can accurately identify and quantify ARGs, enhancing host identification accuracy.
The event brought together over 300 participants, including educators and students, to raise awareness about climate change and its effects. Participants engaged in DIY workshops and keynotes from experts in meteorology and education, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary cooperation and youth empowerment.
Researchers from HKUMed identified early mutations and risk factors for stomach cancer, laying the foundation for improved prevention and early detection. The study also developed a biobank of 'intestinal metaplasia' organoid models to study early cancer development.
Researchers at HKU and CVVT create a nasal spray vaccine offering single-dose protection against H5N1 infection, inducing comprehensive immunity in the upper respiratory tract. The vaccine's high safety profile and ability to curb viral transmission make it a critical reserve for future outbreaks.
A team of HKU ecologists led an international initiative to study declining tropical insect populations, highlighting alarmingly limited knowledge and threats from urbanization, habitat loss, and climate change. The review emphasizes the need for more research and conservation interventions to maintain tropical biodiversity.
A cross-disciplinary research team from HKU has found a connection between oral microbiota and ASD, identifying 11 bacterial species as potential biomarkers. The study developed a prediction model with an 81% accuracy rate for early detection, paving the way for non-invasive screening tools during dental check-ups.
A study by HKU professor Bo Huang's team reveals fundamental principles governing population dynamics across cities. The research demonstrates that population movements scale predictably with urban density and distance from central hubs.
Professor Tatia Lee's award-winning paper reports a study showing Qigong improves processing speed, sustained attention, and hippocampal volume in healthy older adults. The results suggest that Qigong can benefit brain health through its effects on the immune system.
A large-scale epidemiological study found that higher muscle strength is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, even in individuals with high genetic susceptibility. The study highlights the importance of maintaining or improving muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D.
The 2025 Hong Kong Climate Forum brings together leaders to discuss climate change mitigation measures, green technologies, and policy support. Experts emphasize the need for global action and accelerated transformation of economies and societies.
The forum highlights AI's vast potential in optimizing energy production, accelerating new material inventions, improving climate modeling, and supporting green finance applications. It also emphasizes the need for a whole-of-community approach to harnessing AI's transformative power in combating climate change.
Researchers created a memristor-based brain-computer interface decoding system that achieves high accuracy while consuming significantly less energy than traditional systems. The system demonstrated impressive capabilities in real-world testing, including improved stability and accuracy through co-evolution with brain signals.
Researchers from HKU discover critical molecular changes that drive metastasis to lymph nodes and suppress immune responses, offering promising avenues for new treatment approaches. The study highlights the role of the protein POSTN and TGF-β signaling in tumor progression and immune evasion.
A study published by HKUMed has found that C-reactive protein (CRP) can worsen inflammation in diabetic kidney disease through the Smad3-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism. The research suggests that targeting CRP or the Smad3-NLRP3 pathway may provide new treatment options for patients with DKD.
Researchers from HKUMed identified Chchd10 as a novel regulator of adipose tissue homeostasis, accelerating subcutaneous fat formation and regulating antioxidant capacity. The study suggests that targeting Chchd10 levels could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating obesity.