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HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory, and Hong Kong Meteorological Society hold earthquake detector design competition
The Earthquake Detector Design Competition was jointly organised by the HKU Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Observatory, and Hong Kong Meteorological Society, under the project titled "Earthquake in Hong Kong?", which was supported by HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund granted by University Grants Committee. The competition aims to enhance knowledge of and interest in information technology and seismological instrumentation among the young generations. Over 450 participants from primary, secondary and international schools ranging from Primary 4 to Secondary 6 joined the competition. The Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) was the champion of the junior category, and Christian Alliance Cheng Wing Gee College Team 2 was the champion of the senior category.
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HKU and Kyoto U reveal a new strategy to enhance the efficiency of cereal straw for biofuel production
Researchers from HKU and Kyoto University (Kyoto U) revealed a new strategy to allow cellulose in rice straw to release its fermentable sugar more efficiently. Currently, expensive and complicated procedures are required to loosen lignin, a complex polymer which provides mechanical strength and structural integrity in plants, in order to utilise cellulose more efficiently during the production of bioethanol. According to the findings by HKU plant biochemists Dr Clive Lo Sze-chung and Dr Lydia Lam Pui-ying and Kyoto U lignin specialist Dr Yuki Tobimatsu, when flavone synthase II (FNSII), a key enzyme involved in tricin synthesis was knocked out, the lignin content in rice straw was reduced by approximately one-third, the yield of glucose from cellulose degradation was increased by 37% without any chemical treatment. In other words, the efficiency of ethanol production can be enhanced at a lower treatment cost for lignin.
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HKU scientists achieve breakthrough in laser imaging; 100 times faster than existing technology
Dr Kevin Tsia, Associate Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at HKU and his research team developed a new laser-scanning imaging technique that overcomes the limitations of existing technologies, providing more than 100 times faster in scan speed with high image resolution. The new technique could empower new discovery in basic scientific research, with potential applications in a new generation of biomedical microscopy for precise and early diagnosis of diseases including cancers. Dubbed free-space angular-chirp-enhanced delay (FACED) imaging, at the heart of the technique is the “infinity mirror” – a pair of parallel mirrors. Researchers applied this “device” with a subtle twist (~ 0.01 degree). They combine ultrafast pulsed laser and a “tilted” mirror-pair to create an ultrafast sweeping laser beam. Combining FACED imaging with microfluidic technology, the team demonstrated high-resolution and high-throughput single-cell imaging at 10,000 to 100 000 cells per second, which is almost 100 times faster than current microscopy. Such a high throughput imaging could be particularly beneficial for cancer diagnosis by providing an effective and efficient method to detect rare cancer cells in a pool of billions of blood cells.
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HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention announces Hong Kong Altruism Index and launches mobile application to promote altruistic acts
The HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention conducted a survey on altruism in late 2016. A total of 3,016 Hong Kong citizens were randomly recruited in the study on their altruistic behaviours and well-being status. According to statistical analysis, the well-being of people in Hong Kong is positively associated with the overall altruism scores, monetary donation, blood and organ donations and informal help. A mobile app "Helppiness" was also launched to provide information on helping opportunities including volunteering work, Flag Day donation, blood donation, and daily acts of kindness. Users can search and record a wide range of helping opportunities using the app. They can also upload information to promote informal helping in society.
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HKU study reveals traditional blood thinner drug is associated with a higher risk of osteoporotic fracture compared to newer drug
The HKU Faculty of Medicine analysed 8,152 atrial fibrillation patients who had attended public hospitals in Hong Kong from 2010 to 2014. The study revealed for the first time that when comparing the traditional drug warfarin to the newer drug dabigatran, warfarin was significantly associated with higher risk of osteoporotic fracture, which may increase the morbidity and mortality among the elderly, compared to dabigatran.
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Faculty of Social Sciences and six NGOs launch "Jockey Club Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness"
With HK$87million in funding support the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences and six NGOs will launch a three-year pilot programme called "Holistic Support Project for Elderly Mental Wellness" that aims to provide a mature, evidence-based service model for the promotion of elderly mental wellness in the community. More than 2,000 volunteers and over 100 elderly volunteers will be trained to identify elders with symptoms of depression. Four pilot locations have been selected in this project: Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, and Tseung Kwan O. The campaign will conduct 69,000 visits and reach 3,800 elderly people.
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HKU research team identifies mutation in H7N9 virus which enhances human infection
The research team from the State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases of HKU and the HKU Department of Microbiology have identified a mutation in the H7N9 virus which gives it a greater ability to infect humans while continuing to circulate effectively in poultry. Professor Chen Honglin who headed the research said this study provided an important biomarker for monitoring the emergence and transmission of avian influenza viruses in humans and preventing human-to-human infection. The mutation can also serve as a novel target of anti-influenza drug development.
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