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.
Researchers have discovered a new enzyme, SbSOMT, that unlocks the potential for health-promoting compounds in sorghum. The enzyme catalyzes the production of O-methylated stilbenes, which have been shown to possess anti-ageing, anti-neurodegeneration, and anti-diabetes properties.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have made a breakthrough in understanding how memories are consolidated in the brain. Using functional MRI, they found that thalamic spindle activities can improve memory retention and activate specific areas of the brain.
Researchers developed MicroSpine, a shape-transforming structure mimicking the human spine, with soft-hard components that can act as microactuators. The system demonstrates precise actuation modes and temperature-controlled release of guest objects.
The Multidisciplinary Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) has been shown to improve treatment response rates for patients with advanced solid cancer, with 64% of patients benefiting from the MTB-guided approach. The board provides a systematic precision oncology strategy for treatment selection, combining expertise in multiple disciplines.
A research team from HKUMed has developed a new platform to rapidly engineer and select the best precise genome editors for therapeutic applications. The platform allows for parallel testing of hundreds of base editor variants, enabling the selection of the most suitable ones with maximal efficiency and minimal undesired edits.
Researchers at HKUMed have developed a novel microneedle patch that uses ultrasound-responsive antibacterial nanoparticles to effectively treat skin infections caused by P. acnes bacteria. The treatment promotes pain-free delivery and facilitates skin repair, offering a non-antibiotic approach for acne and other skin conditions.
A study published in the International Dental Journal demonstrates the use of artificial intelligence to detect signs of gum inflammation, such as redness, swelling, and bleeding, from intraoral photographs with high accuracy. The technology enables population-wide monitoring of gum health and personalized dental care.
Researchers at HKU have designed a self-assembling artificial spherical chromatophore nanomicelle system that mimics the photosynthetic apparatus of bacteria, achieving high stability and efficiency in solar energy conversion. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable solutions for carbon-neutral fuels and renewable energy.
The HKU team's PULSAR boasts full onboard perception, mapping, and control capabilities in indoor and outdoor environments without external instruments. It can detect static and dynamic obstacles, track complex trajectories, and navigate autonomously even in complete darkness.
A new catalyst converts methane into formaldehyde using sunlight, achieving nearly 100% selectivity and high conversion efficiency. The synergy of copper and tungsten atomic species enhances the overall efficiency and selectivity of the process.
A study led by Dr Mike YY Leung found that internal fixation surgery using titanium plates and screws (SSRO) improves patients' oral health-related quality of life faster than traditional IVRO. Patients who underwent SSRO had better physical and mental health-related QoL, with improvements starting as early as 2 weeks after surgery.
Researchers develop a novel wavelength-selective intelligent colloid system that achieves light-controlled multi-dimensional phase segregation, enabling the creation of programmable photochromic ink for various applications. The system relies on rearranging existing pigments rather than generating new chromophores.
A research team from HKU has developed a new type of electroconductive hydrogels with outstanding mechanical strength and manufacturability, enabling various bioelectronic devices. The material shows high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, making it suitable for applications such as neural prosthetics and cardiac patches.
Researchers at HKU developed a novel smart manufacturing method for dental crowns using generative AI, producing personalised crowns with high accuracy that mimic natural teeth. The 3D-DCGAN algorithm improves the quality of design through internal competition between a generator and a discriminator.
Researchers found Dark Matter does not consist of ultramassive particles but rather ultralight particles that travel like waves. The discovery resolves an outstanding problem in astrophysics and provides new insights into the nature of Dark Matter.
The study found that the global prevalence of H. pylori infection declined from 58.2% in 1980-1990 to 43.1% in 2011-2022, with a decline of about 0.39-0.83% per year. Despite this decline, over 40% of the adult population still carries the infection, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
A research team created the first human respiratory organoid culture system, enabling scientists to study COVID-19 and its variants. The study found that the BA.5 Omicron variant exhibits dramatically increased infectivity and replicative capacity in human nasal and airway organoids.
A research team led by Dr Gary Ying Wai Chan reveals the function of enzyme ANKLE1 in cutting chromatin bridges, preventing DNA damages and autoimmunity. This discovery has significant implications for understanding immune responses and developing new strategies to prevent diseases such as cancer and autoinflammatory disorders.
Researchers developed tendon-mimetic hydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties, including excellent Young's modulus and strength, by mixing aramid nanofibers with polyvinyl alcohol. These hydrogels show promising capabilities for tissue repair and implantable medical devices.
Researchers at HKU use single-cell transcriptomic data and phylostratigraphy to estimate the evolutionary origin of different cells in C. elegans. They find significant variation in transcriptome age among cell types, revealing insights into adaptation and developmental patterns.
A team of researchers has discovered that chromium(III) supplementation can regulate glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice by targeting ATP synthase activity. This process improves mitochondrial deformation caused by high glucose levels and boosts glucose metabolism.