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KE Spotlight

  • HKU research team identifies mutation in H7N9 virus which enhances human infection

    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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  • HKU Faculty of Medicine presents "Big Shots" photo exhibition in celebration of 130 years of medicine in Hong Kong

    HKU Faculty of Medicine presents "Big Shots" photo exhibition in celebration of 130 years of medicine in Hong Kong

    The HKU Faculty of Medicine hosted an opening ceremony for the "Big Shots" Photo Exhibition, as part of the yearlong celebrations to mark "130 Years of Medicine in Hong Kong". The exhibition consists of two sections: World of Doctors to feature the works of renowned photographer Ducky Tse on the challenges and moments in the lives of 29 Faculty professors, alumni and students; and Doctors’ World, a collection of photographs taken by 32 alumni and curated by Professor Richard Yu and Dr Leo KK Wong. The exhibition will be open to the public from now until March 29 at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library. After that it will be staged at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centrefrom May 4 to May 30. Part of the works will be exhibited at six other locations throughout Hong Kong between April 1 and May 27.

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  • HKU Emergency Medicine Unit develops mobile app on AED application

    HKU Emergency Medicine Unit develops mobile app on AED application

    A survey by the HKU Medical Faculty's Emergency Medicine Unit (EMU) revealed a general lack of first-aid skills and knowledge among the public, which resulted in the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases in Hong Kong among the lowest in Asia. Of the 401 people interviewed, only 22% had received Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training and only 12% had training in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) application. The survival rate of cardiac arrest cases happening outside hospital was about 2.3% in 2012-13, which was lower than the rates in South Korea (8.5%), Japan (5.2%) and Taiwan (4.6%). EMU has initiated a series of community projects to improve first-aid knowledge of general public, including elderly CPR course and domestic workers CPR workshops and seminars. The team has also started a resuscitation project at 30 secondary schools and developed a free mobile app to provide instructions on AED application and help users locate the nearest devices.

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  • HKU supports "Young and Alcohol Free" campaign

    HKU supports "Young and Alcohol Free" campaign

    The Department of Health launched a new publicity campaign entitled "Young and Alcohol Free" supported by the HKU School of Public Health. The campaign aims to step up efforts to combat underage drinking. According to Associate Professor of the School of Public Health Dr Daniel Ho, parents are children's main source of alcohol, common pro-drinking practices encourage their children to drink and parents often underestimate the severity of underage drinking. An HKU study revealed that primary and secondary school students residing with parents, siblings and grandparents who were drinkers were more likely to develop drinking habits than those whose families did not. Moreover, children, especially primary school pupils, exposed to pro-drinking practices such as buying alcohol, pouring alcohol and opening bottles for parents were more likely to start underage drinking.

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  • HKU 'Youth Quitline' helps a quarter of participants quit smoking

    HKU 'Youth Quitline' helps a quarter of participants quit smoking

    Since its establishment in 2005, “Youth Quitline” has helped nearly a quarter of the participants quit smoking at the six-month follow-up and helped 11.5% of those who did not quit smoking reduce cigarette consumption.

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  • A Pioneer for Healthcare Reform in China

    A Pioneer for Healthcare Reform in China

    The HKU-Shenzhen Hospital was conceived as a model for modernising the management of the Mainland public hospital system. Five years since its establishment, the Hospital is well on its way to fulfilling its mission.

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  • Balancing Act

    Balancing Act

    Balance impairment among the elderly often leads to serious issues such as falls, broken bones, and long convalescences in hospital. A new initiative of the School of Public Health hopes to improve the situation through dancing.

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