KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

Let's Yoga! FITMIND IS ATTITUDE

Targeting at psychosis patients' problems of weak physical and learning abilities, the Department of Psychiatry of HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and the Early Psychosis Foundation (EPISO) jointly developed a simple 23-step yoga sequence named "FITMIND Yoga 23-postures" to enable patients to keep the momentum of practising yoga. Research by the Department of Psychiatry found that yoga could help improve the patients' movement and senses, as well as their abilities to receive and process information. In the next few months, the Department of Psychiatry and EPISO will organise a series of charity activities to promote "FITMIND Yoga", including free yoga classes, distribution of promotional pamphlets and instructional yoga videos to patients for self-learning. A 3D photo exhibition named "FITMIND IS ATTITUDE" was held at Times Square, Causeway Bay from March 11 to 16, and a "FITMIND Yoga Mega Fund-raising Event" at Diocesan Boys' School will be held on April 6.

HKU develops new technology for identifying rare cancer cells and detecting early cancer

A multi-disciplinary research project, led by the HKU Engineering Faculty with members from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, has developed a new optical microcopy approach integrating existing fiber-optic and laser technologies, called Asymmetric-detection Time-stretch Optical Microscopy (ATOM), which can better detect rare cancer cells at an earlier stage in an ultrafast speed more accurately and efficiently. The development and application of this technology will hold great promise in advancing early cancer diagnosis or post-chemotherapy relapse detection.

HKU to expand "Youth Quitline" services to contribute to a smoke-free Hong Kong

HKU's "Youth Quitline", established to help young people quit smoking, has received over 5,000 telephone enquiries and provided cessation counselling for 1,257 (up till September, 2013) youth smokers over the past eight years. 21.9% of participants quitted smoking after receiving services of the "Youth Quitline". It was found that the main reasons for young people to quit smoking were to lead a healthy life and save money. The Tobacco Control Office has granted further funding for the University to continue the existing services, as well as to expand the services through multi-media platforms to reach more youth smokers.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2013

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Results of the 2013 Faculty KE Awards are now available.

HKU and Universities in USA find face masks can reduce the spread of influenza

There is very little scientific research on whether wearing surgical face masks can help to reduce the spread of influenza. In view of this, the School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Harvard School of Public Health have conducted a study on this issue and are the first to report that influenza carriers who wear surgical face masks can reduce the amount of viruses being disseminated into the environment by more than 70%, thus reducing the spread of influenza in the community.

HKU's collaborative study finds limited efficacy of non-pharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Supplementation with omega-3/omega-6 free fatty acids such as cod liver oil, elimination of artificial food colorings and psychological treatments are often regarded as treatments for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some parents may prefer non-pharmacological interventions for their children with ADHD. However, a recent research study, with participation by the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and conducted by The European ADHD Guidelines Group, shows that there is still limited evidence on the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions. Parents should be made aware of the results of the current study. This analysis provides an important reference about ADHD management for clinicians.

HKU partners with Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) to launch handbook and mobile phone app for blood patients

HKU and Queen Mary Hospital have launched a handbook, website and smartphone app that will provide medical professionals and patients with information on the latest treatments available for blood cancers and diseases. The project was funded by HKU and the Queen Mary Hospital. The protocol marks a new model of medical practice in Hong Kong, which allows quick exchange of new knowledge and experience. It is the first time that online technology is harnessed in the dissemination of medical management and treatment standards in Hong Kong.