Hong Kong

Clean hydrogen energy is a good alternative to fossil fuels and is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. Researchers around the world are looking for ways to enhance the efficiency and lower the cost of hydrogen production, particularly by improving the catalysts involved. Recently, a research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) developed a new, ultra-stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst, which is based on two-dimensional mineral gel nanosheets and does not contain any precious metals. The catalyst can be produced in large scale and can help achieve a lower hydrogen price in the future.

A research team led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified a molecular target for bone anabolic therapies using a selected aptamer that serves as an inhibitor of sclerostin, a protein that prevents bone growth. The discovery offers hope for the development of an effective next-generation treatment for osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta that is free of cardiovascular risk compared to the marketed antibody drug.

At the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony today (15 December), Lingnan University (LU) conferred honorary doctoral degrees upon three distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective professions and valuable contributions to the well-being of society. Prof Woo Chia-wei, GBS, CBE （吳家瑋教授）received a Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa [in absentia], Ms Anna Wu Hung-yuk （胡紅玉女士）, GBS, JP received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, and Dr Zhang Yimou （張藝謀博士） received a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa [in absentia]. Ms Anna Wu expressed her gratitude to the University on behalf of all Honorary Doctorates. She also shared the importance of engagement and transformation to resolve conflicts. She said: “Many young people are pessimistic about the future of Hong Kong. Many need to heal their bruised spirit. What can be more important than encouraging our youths to explore the constraints and opportunities in the community together, and build a shared future for themselves and others? This is the time to equip them with essential transformative skills. Let them be the architects of human relations and create space for interaction and engagement.”

International research co-authored by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) found that a major type of marine species can adapt to ocean acidification. Considered a major breakthrough in marine biology research, the findings were recently published in the prestigious academic journal Nature Climate Change.

A research team led by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has invented an all-water robotic system that resolves the constraints of bio-inspired robots through revolutionary scientific advances.

Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong will confer honorary doctoral degrees upon three distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective professions and valuable contributions to the well-being of society. The honorary doctorate recipients are Prof Woo Chia-wei, GBS, CBE (吳家瑋教授), Ms Anna Wu Hung-yuk (胡紅玉女士), GBS, JP and Dr Zhang Yimou (張藝謀博士).

Research led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) involving the use of a pioneering female sterility technique has led to a breakthrough in the production of hybrid rice seeds. Compared to the commonly used “three-line” male sterility technique in hybrid rice seeds production, the novel approach enhances the efficiency of hybrid rice production by eliminating rice seeds that have been produced due to the self-pollination of the “restorer line”. The novel technique enables fully automatic harvesting of hybrid seeds by machines, which can substantially reduce harvesting costs.

Over the years, Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong has resolutely promoted education for sustainable development on campus and in the community. To showcase their outstanding achievements in driving sustainable development with community partners, and to encourage the public to adopt low carbon living, the University held the Sustainable Development@Lingnan University-cum-Opening Ceremony of Carbon Neutral Action‧Mobile Exhibition on Low Carbon Living today (1 December).

A Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) collaborative research team has synthesised a nanoparticle named TRZD that can perform the dual function of diagnosing and treating glioma in the brain. It emits persistent luminescence for the diagnostic imaging of glioma tissues in vivo and inhibits the growth of tumour cells by aiding the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs. The nanoparticle offers hope for the early diagnosis and treatment of glioma, especially cerebellar glioma, which is even harder to detect and cure with existing methods.

The Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies (APIAS) of Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong had successfully hosted the Care for Carers and Ageing in Place: The Way Forward for Carer Support Policy and Service Forum on 10th November to present the findings of Care for Carers and Ageing-in-Place research projects and explore future policies and practices for tackling the needs of informal carers. Nearly 70 representatives from influential social welfare organisations, social enterprises and LU students joined the forum.

Four Doctor of Education students from Cambodia recently arrived at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) as part of a World Bank project.

Thirty-four scholars of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) were named among the top 2% most-cited scientists in the world, in an annual list released by Stanford University.

Research led by the School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified cryptotanshinone, a compound extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza, with the potential for the treatment and prevention of gastric cancer associated with bile reflux. The researchers unveiled the mechanism of how bile reflux induces gastritis and gastric cancer. They explained that refluxed bile acids (BAs) lead to the proliferation of pro-inflammation bacteria that promote gastric carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer.

Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong has been putting great emphasis on research and knowledge transfer for social good. Two distinguished LU scholars’ knowledge transfer project “Personalised vocabulary learning system based on artificial intelligence techniques” , an integration of AI techniques and education, was recently awarded the Gold Medal and International Special Award at the 7th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN) 2022, organised by the Toronto International Society of Innovation & Advanced Skills (TISIAS).

The Council of Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong approved today (17 October) the recommendation of its Search Committee to appoint Prof S Joe Qin, who is a world-leading data science expert, as the next President for a period of five years.

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) shone once again in the 2021 top 100 universities granted US utility patents, according to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). CityU placed 29th in the world, its highest-ever position and 22 places better than last year. Furthermore, CityU was ranked first among local institutions for the sixth consecutive year.

A study led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has revealed the association between rapidly fading antibody levels in some recovered COVID-19 patients and a high plasma concentration of a metabolite called glycylproline (gly-pro) and its producing enzyme.

Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong will confer Honorary Fellowships upon four distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their professions and valuable contributions to the community.

Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong highly values research and knowledge transfer that generate social impact and demonstrate care for the community. LU honoured 72 LU faculty members for their outstanding performance in research and contributions to knowledge transfer in raising the community’s quality of life and contribution to society during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years.

Gender nonconforming youth are often subject to bullying and harassment, but the negative effects of this experience are not well understood. Previous studies have found that gender-nonconforming youth are at heightened risk of depression, social withdrawal and avoidance behaviour compared to gender-conforming youth. The association between gender nonconformity and psychological distress has been found to be more common among adolescent boys than girls. Both heterosexual and sexual-minority individuals can be subject to victimisation based on their gender expression, regardless of their actual sexual orientation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals across the globe experience prejudice, discrimination, hate crimes, and many other forms of victimisation. As a fundamental means for transforming and advancing the conditions of LGBT individuals, collective action has gained increasing attention in research, policy and practice over the past decade. It has been used to advocate for LGBT rights, such as anti-discrimination laws, marriage equality, adoption and parenting, and legal recognition of gender. While collective action is influential in driving public awareness and policy changes, little is known about the psychological effects on individuals undertaking collective action.

A study led by researchers from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has demonstrated that a multifunctional organic compound named F-SLOH has the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at an early stage. The team found that it can inhibit the aggregation of amyloid-beta (Aβ), and reduce the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins and neuroinflammation in the brain to improve the pathological features of AD. The findings have been published in the international academic journal Redox Biology.

Dr Yang Lan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong, has written a book chapter entitled ‘The Role of Feedback Orientation in Converting External Feedback to Learning Opportunities for Implementing Assessment-as-Learning in the Context of Feedback’. The chapter, which features in the book Assessment as Learning: Maximising Opportunities for Student Learning and Achievement (Z. Yan & L. Yang [Eds], Routledge, 2021), looks at students' feedback perceptions conceptualised in a construct called feedback orientation and the links with learning opportunities. The key argument is that not all feedback can be effective.

Improved reading comprehension is the ultimate goal of all models of reading development and programmes of reading instruction. Syntax, or sentence structure, plays a key role in reading comprehension. Syntactic complexity has been consistently identified as the most important determinant of text readability. But how students draw on their awareness of syntax in their reading remains unclear; the mechanism is even more ambiguous in bilingual students. The research by Dr Tong Xiuhong, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology (PS), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), explored learners’ understanding and awareness of sentence structure – whether and how syntactic awareness supports reading comprehension both within and across first-language (L1) Chinese and second- language (L2) English for Hong Kong bilingual readers.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has announced the launch of the world’s first “Turing AI Orchestra” today (9 August) as the next milestone in its visionary plan to broaden the scope and explore potential opportunities in art co-creation by humans and artificial intelligence (AI).

A recent study “Hong Kong residents’ view on reopening land borders with Mainland” conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) at Lingnan University (LU) shows that Hong Kong citizens are greatly affected by the current quarantine measures implemented by the Mainland government for inbound travellers. Nearly 65 per cent of respondents said their income has been reduced, 70 per cent found their jobs were affected, and 30 per cent have lost their jobs. 70 per cent of respondents hope that the government will provide medical subsidies and telemedicine services for citizens stranded on the Mainland, and 65 percent said they would be happier with the government if there were quarantine-free travel to the Mainland.

Intergenerational support between aging parents and adult children is important for the well-being of both groups, especially during public health emergencies. However, few previous studies have examined the effects of daily support between parents and children on their well-being during public health emergencies. To bridge this gap, a study by Dr Jiang Da, Assistant Professor at the Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, examined the association between daily support and well-being in mothers and their adult children during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Students of the Master of Arts in Curating and Art History (MACAH) at Lingnan University in Hong Kong has curated two exhibitions, to be held at Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) at Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon from 13-21 August 2022. Titled Re · Count and Healing Self Healing respectively, the exhibitions feature works by 10 local and international artists in a variety of mediums such as ceramics, tattoo, and painting. The curatorial team hopes to create an introspective space for the audience to reflect upon their psyche amidst exhausting and often frustrating social lives.

Dr Lao Hongling, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), The Education University of Hong Kong, has co-authored a book chapter entitled ‘Dancing with Chains: How Does Assessment-as-learning Fit in China?’

Prof Yusuf Ikbal Oldac, Research Assistant Professor of the School of Graduate Studies of Lingnan University in Hong Kong (LU) has been awarded the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) Newer Researchers Prize for his research proposal entitled “Scientific collaborations between the United Kingdom and Middle Eastern and North African countries in the post-Brexit and post-pandemic world”. He will receive funding to carry out the project, and join the Society’s Research and Development Committee for one year as a new researcher member starting from 1 January 2023.