Researchers have discovered a new parameter controlling the main auroral structure of planets, explaining differences in aurora displays on Earth, Saturn and Jupiter. This study provides insights into planetary magnetic fields and solar wind interactions, enhancing our understanding of space environments.
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong have developed a novel method to label proteins in specific cells and capture their interactions. This approach, MACSPI, uses a chemical probe to isolate and study tissue-specific protein-protein interactions, shedding light on organ development and disease pathogenesis.
The HKU Engineering team has developed an interactive multi-stage robotic positioner for MRI-guided stereotactic neurosurgery. The system enables precise interventions with a precision error of less than 3mm, demonstrating immense potential for integration into clinical practice.
Theoretical physicists from HKU collaborate with experimentalists to uncover a novel quantum state known as 'Dirac spin liquid' in YCu3-Br material. The discovery provides compelling evidence for the existence of Dirac spinons, expected to exhibit unique characteristics similar to Dirac particles.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong develop a novel fluidic system called VasFluidics, which can modulate fluid compositions via spatially-different reactions. This discovery has promising applications in developing artificial blood vessels and biomimetic platforms for various biomedical applications.
Scientists at HKU have studied the volcanism of the Apollo basin and its surroundings, revealing diverse and complex volcanic activities. The study suggests that crustal thickness may be the primary cause of lunar asymmetrical volcanism, which can be tested by returned Chang'e-6 samples.
Soil invertebrates, particularly termites, contribute significantly to forest litter decomposition worldwide. The study highlights the importance of invertebrates in driving ecosystem processes and conserving biodiversity.
A four-year study found tai chi improved sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and physical function in advanced lung cancer patients. Tai chi demonstrated superior benefits over aerobic exercise in terms of mortality risk reduction and fatigue reduction.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have made a breakthrough in organic photovoltaics, enabling efficient and stable solar cell devices. By controlling the degree of aggregation of a new electron-accepting molecule called Y6, they improved charge generation efficiency and stability.
HKU researchers created Quantum-Enhanced Diamond Molecular Tension Microscopy (QDMTM) to study cell adhesion forces, offering enhanced sensitivity and precision. The technique differentiates cells in various adhesion states, aligning with previous findings.
Researchers led by Professor Jin Wu at HKU have developed a method to map plant functional traits from space using time-series satellite data. The approach combines vegetation spectroscopy and phenology, providing insights into ecosystem functioning and biodiversity.
A 20-year longitudinal study of over 3.6 million mother-baby pairs found no clear link between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and ADHD in children, suggesting shared genetic and familial factors may be at play.
A multidisciplinary research team from HKUMed has developed an innovative screening platform to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on disease severity. They identified two FDA-approved drugs that can ease disease severity and discovered emerging viral variants with high potential to pose a significant risk to public health.
Research finds that supplementing propionate suppresses neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson's disease by regulating interorgan signalling. Increasing propionate levels rescues transcriptional aberration and enhances energy production, promoting neuronal health without protein aggregate dispersal.
Researchers mapped global Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, finding a significant surge in WUIs over 35 years, with 6.62 million square kilometers at risk of wildfires. The study provides essential insights for effective fire management and resilient community development.
Researchers at HKU made a significant breakthrough in understanding the role of the secretin hormone in regulating energy metabolism and bone homeostasis. They found that secretin plays a vital role in controlling both appetite and bone density, challenging traditional views of its primary function.
Researchers at HKU discovered how DNA copying machine passes on epigenetic information to maintain gene traits. They found a chaperone complex FACT that interacts with parental histones during replication, ensuring faithful propagation of epigenetic info.
HKU chemists have developed a novel heterogeneous copper photocatalyst that enables the efficient formation of cyclobutane rings, a crucial structural element in pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds. The new catalyst exhibits high stability and recyclability, making it more economically and environmentally sustainable.
Researchers at HKUMed developed a PD-1-enhanced DNA vaccine that induces sustained virus-specific CD8+ T cell immunity in an AIDS monkey model. The vaccinated monkeys remained free of AIDS for six years without cART, demonstrating the potential of this strategy as a third-generation DNA vaccine for AIDS prevention and immunotherapy.
Researchers identified rare variants in the SLC6A9 gene linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), disrupting glycine uptake and leading to aberrant glycinergic neurotransmission. The study suggests sodium benzoate as a potential preventive therapy, paving the way for targeted treatments and personalized medicine.
HKU Engineering researchers developed a groundbreaking quantum sensing technology using neuromorphic vision sensors, improving speed and resolution in widefield sensing. This breakthrough holds potential for various applications in fields like monitoring dynamic processes in biological systems.
A recent study by Professor Joseph Michalski and his team has revealed a vast number of diverse volcanoes in Mars' ancient crust, including lava domes, stratovolcanoes, calderas, and large shields of ash. These findings suggest that intense volcanism occurred on ancient Mars, causing the crust to collapse into the mantle.
Astrophysicists from the University of Hong Kong have solved a 20-year-old mystery surrounding the lower-than-expected amounts of sulfur found in planetary nebulae. Using high-quality data, they found that sulfur and oxygen exhibit strong correlations, effectively dispelling previous claims about the anomaly.
A research team led by HKU physicists has introduced a solution to address optical loss in polariton propagation using synthetic complex frequency waves. This approach enables more efficient light-based devices, improved accuracy in sensors and imaging techniques, and enhanced nanophotonic circuits.
A research team at HKUMed has identified PLK4 as a novel therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) carrying the TP53 mutation. The study found that PLK4 inhibition induces DNA damage, cell ageing and abnormal cell division, triggering the immune system via the cGAS-STING pathway.
A research team led by Professor Yuan Lin has made a major breakthrough in showing how plastic strain develops in individual cells and propagates within the tissue. The study reveals the biophysical mechanisms behind cellular and tissue plasticity at different scales, providing critical insights for regenerative medicine.
A genomic analysis of seized pangolin scales reveals that they were sourced from West and Central Africa, highlighting the complex pathways of illegal trade. The study's findings can inform conservation efforts and support enforcement measures to protect endangered species.
Researchers at HKUMed successfully cured stage 4 liver cancer by reducing it to stage 1 using a combination of stereotactic body radiation and immunotherapy, followed by successful removal through living donor liver transplantation. An 85-year-old patient with two liver cancers was also treated and recovered well.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 observational studies found a significant association between sedative-hypnotic medication use and an increased risk of fractures. The study estimates that users have a 30% higher risk of fractures compared to non-users, with the highest risk associated with benzodiazepine and z-drug use.
Researchers have developed a new method called ambient noise differential adjoint tomography to visualize rocks with fluids, potentially advancing the discovery of water and oil resources. The technique uses portable seismometers to record natural vibrations, revealing tiny holes filled with fluids in rocks near active faults.
Researchers have developed a light-activatable prodrug nanomedicine that combines anti-angiogenic and photodynamic therapy to treat wet AMD. The treatment is minimally invasive and shows excellent therapeutic efficacy without side effects.
The University of Hong Kong's 'Super Steel' team has developed a novel stainless steel with superior corrosion resistance, enabling its potential application in green hydrogen production from seawater. The new steel exhibits comparable performance to current industrial practices using Titanium while being much cheaper.
A team of international experts is pushing for evidence-based policy making by investigating the neural mechanisms underlying social media usage. Current studies have shown that excessive use can affect brain systems related to motivation, emotion, and cognition.
The University of Hong Kong has developed an innovative 'AI virtual patients' diagnostic application that leverages generative AI technology to provide personalized patient cases for medical students. This initiative enhances professional skills, improves patient history-taking accuracy, and addresses geographical barriers in medical e...
Global cities have made significant progress in increasing physical greenspace coverage and reducing inequality in human exposure to urban greenspaces. The study found a marked reduction in greenspace exposure inequality over the past two decades, with faster rates of reduction in developing countries.
A HKU engineering team has achieved a major breakthrough in battery technology by developing a high-performance quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion (Mg-ion) battery. The new design offers a sustainable, safe, and high-energy-density alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers utilized the IXPE telescope to capture the first polarized X-ray imagery of SN 1006, revealing a connection between magnetic fields and high-energy particle outflow. The discovery expands scientists' understanding of supernovae remnants.
A large-scale study found that replacing sedentary time with physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, especially in individuals at high genetic risk. The study analyzed data from over 77,000 participants and found that even small amounts of physical activity can lower relative risk.
A study published in The Lancet found that adding an anti-inflammatory painkiller called piroxicam to the morning-after pill increased pregnancy prevention by 94.7% compared to the pill alone. The combination regimen showed no significant difference in adverse effects.
A team of international researchers has discovered a controllable nonlinear Hall effect in twisted bilayer graphene, which holds promise for applications in new materials and quantum information industries. The nonlinear transport behaviour can be easily controlled and manipulated by adjusting the dispersion of flat bands and twist ang...
A retrospective cohort study found that surgical patients discharged with opioids had a significantly higher risk of persistent opioid use, unplanned health service utilisation, and mortality. The study highlights the importance of discussing pain management options with clinicians to mitigate these risks.
Researchers at HKU introduce a novel dual Trojan Horse strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by mimicking iron uptake. This approach enhances the effectiveness of sideromycins and prolongs their lifespan, offering hope in the fight against superbugs.
A clinical trial by HKUMed evaluates the effectiveness of a combination of intravenous corticosteroids (IVS) and periarticular corticosteroids (PAS) in TKA patients. The study finds that IVSPAS leads to improved pain relief, functional recovery, and discharge rates compared to individual treatments.
Researchers at HKUMed uncovered a novel intercellular interplay between tumour cells and endothelial cells initiated by sEV-vWF, facilitating liver cancer development and metastasis. The study suggests a potential therapeutic approach by blocking sEV-mediated tumour-endothelial communication.
Researchers propose a new method using synthetic complex frequency waves to compensate for optical loss in superlensing, improving imaging resolution. Experiments demonstrate enhanced imaging results with hyperbolic metamaterials and polariton metamaterials.
Researchers from HKUMed and CityU have generated human neural stem cells with enhanced therapeutic potential for treating spinal cord injuries. The new findings, published in Advanced Science, show that reducing the expression of the SOX9 gene promotes motor neuron formation and improves survival and integration of the stem cells.
The University of Hong Kong's research team has proposed a universal unit to standardize data sharing in antimicrobial resistance surveillance. This approach aims to enhance comparability across studies and facilitate globally coordinated efforts against antimicrobial resistance. The team's work has the potential to significantly chang...
Researchers developed Fibro-Gel, an injectable hydrogel with tunable release profiles and biocompatibility, addressing limitations of conventional drug delivery via hydrogel. The system promotes wound healing with accelerated rates of new tissue regeneration and de novo tissue formation.
A team of researchers developed a pioneering technological solution using diamond-based anti-counterfeiting labels with unique Physically Unclonable Functions. The labels can be scanned using a phone, making them highly suitable for commercial products, and are extremely tough and cheap to produce.
A study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that metformin may promote healthy ageing by reducing biomarkers of ageing and increasing telomere length. The research team used genetic analysis to identify variants associated with metformin use, suggesting a potential role for the drug in promoting healthy longevity.