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.
Researchers at HKU have developed a photocatalytic approach to converting methane into ethanol, achieving an impressive apparent quantum efficiency of 9.4% and a methane conversion rate of 2.3%. This innovative method offers a highly desirable approach to decarbonising the chemical and fuel industries.
HKU achieves exceptional results in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, ranking 4th globally in Dentistry and Education. The university leads in 33 out of 50 subjects locally, accounting for two-thirds of the ranked subjects.
HKU Dentistry has earned 2nd place in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, solidifying its position as a leading institution in dentistry. The ranking reflects the faculty's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and oral healthcare.
The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Education achieved a record-high ranking of 3rd globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The faculty sustained its first position in Asia and demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and educator development.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that poor sleep quality among older adults disrupts the brain's glymphatic system, leading to memory decline. The research team found that deactivation of the restorative glymphatic system negatively impacts normal brain function and cognitive health.
A study found that global biodiversity conservation funding is severely limited, with most threatened species receiving little to no support. The researchers call for a new approach to conservation funding, prioritizing all species equally.
Researchers at HKU have developed a neuromorphic exposure control system that mimics human peripheral vision to achieve unprecedented speed and robustness in dynamic perception environments. The system operates at 130 million events/sec, enabling edge deployment and addressing limitations of traditional exposure control.
Researchers analyzed over 9,200 towns and cities in Africa from 1950-2020 using remote sensing data to understand the evolution of urban systems. The study verifies the universality of urban system laws in African cities and identifies specific rules governing population growth and land use.
Researchers found that GLP-1 receptor agonists decrease whole-body fat mass by about 7.9 kg for every unit reduction in BMI, while muscle mass decreases by 6.4 kg. This suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists are more effective at reducing overall body fat than muscle mass.
A clinical research team from HKUMed discovered a novel gene DDX39B linked to a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome, causing developmental delay and hypotonia. The study used multi-omics analysis and identified six patients worldwide with variations in the gene, providing crucial information for targeted diagnostic and treatment plans.
Researchers at HKUMed have discovered how chemotherapeutic agents interact with microtubules to enhance cancer treatment. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between taxanes and microtubule acetylation.
Researchers develop 'entanglement microscopy' to map quantum entanglement in small regions of quantum systems, revealing intricate interactions and structures. The study reveals short-range entanglement at critical points and more gradual decline in entanglement with increasing separation.
A recent study found that 80% of NSAID allergy labels for stroke patients are inaccurate, leading to the use of less-effective medications and potentially dangerous consequences. The research highlights the need for thorough evaluation and management of drug allergies in Hong Kong.
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong have discovered that the PICH protein plays a vital role in preventing genetic errors during cell division, which can lead to diseases such as cancer. Without PICH, cells experience severe DNA damage and accumulate genetic errors.
A study by HKU ecologists highlights the ecological impact of releasing hybrid groupers into Hong Kong's coastal waters, disrupting local food webs and potentially becoming dominant predators. The research underscores the need for public education and conservation measures to mitigate unintended ecological impacts.
A recent HKU study found that ruminating on feelings of loneliness is closely linked to depression, not just actual loneliness. The research suggests targeting rumination and loneliness thoughts in interventions to curb depression.
A recent study by HKU ecologist Professor Alice C. Hughes reveals that almost 30,000 wild species were traded globally between 2000 and 2022, with over 50% sourced directly from the wild. This highlights the critical need for systematic monitoring of wildlife trade to assess its sustainability.
A research team at HKUMed successfully cultured human rhinovirus C using respiratory organoids, overcoming a 20-year challenge in virus cultivation. This breakthrough enables the study of HRV-C and expedites the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs.
Researchers have made valuable discoveries that could transform the conservation of two iconic cockatoo species. The studies uncovered new genetic insights, reshaping our understanding of these species and offering fresh hope for their survival amid severe threats from habitat loss and illegal trapping.
Professor Kaibin Huang, a renowned researcher at HKU, has been elected as a 2024 Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors. His pioneering work in multi-antenna communications, wirelessly powered communication, and edge AI has made significant impacts on quality of life, economic development, and society.
Professor Charles Schencking, a leading historian of modern Japan, has been elected as a Corresponding Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities. His expertise in digital humanities, Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, and linguistics will foster collaboration with international institutions.