KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU academic urges less consumption of groupers which face extinction

A study conducted by HKU Biological Sciences Professor Yvonne Sadovy has found that at least 20 grouper species are facing extinction. Professor Sadovy said threatened species such as HK grouper and longtooth grouper, which were found in HK waters, should be protected by law. She has urged the government to protect them through legislation and tighter monitoring of grouper trade, and to set a good example by serving sustainably caught seafood in official functions.

Mineral treasures of China on display at HKU Stephen Hui Geological Museum

A special exhibition of mineral treasures of China will be held at the HKU Stephen Hui Geological Museum, in association with the Mineralogy Society of HK, until August 30, 2013. Over 50 world-class mineral specimens from private collection of Dr Guanghua Liu will be on display.

HKU academic discovers selective use of natural condiments may reduce cancer risk

HKU Biological Sciences Associate Professor Dr Wang Ming-fu discovered that selective use of natural condiments such as grapefruit, tomato sauce and green tea as meat seasoning may significantly reduce cancer risk. By incorporating appropriate cooking methods, such condiments can also lead to the formation of some novel food components that helps preventing cancer. Dr Wang and three other HKU researchers will be presented with University Outstanding Young Research Award 2012 in the Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Knowledge Research on March 27.

The largest ever database on night sky brightness developed by HKU reveals very serious light pollution problems in Hong Kong

An HKU research team, led by Dr Jason Pun Chun-shing of the Physics Department, developed the HK Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Network (NSN) in May 2010, which is the largest ever database on night sky brightness. Over 5 million night sky brightness measurements have since been collected. The Hong Kong urban night sky was found to be 100 to 1,000 times brighter than the international dark sky standard between 8:30-11:00pm, making it one of the most light-polluted cities in the world. In European cities like Madrid and Florence, the readings were normally below 100 times the standard. The NSN was funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund of the Environmental Protection Department, and the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund. Results of the project will provide the scientific basis for the Government in possible developments of regulations on outdoor lighting usages.

Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards 2012

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. Following the successful launch of the Faculty KE Awards, the KE Award (Non-Faculty Unit) has been introduced this year with the same objective for the independent centres, institutes and units of the University.

Madagascar's Menagerie Floated from Africa: One of the Greatest Unresolved Mysteries of Natural History has been Finally Laid to Rest

Madagascar is home to a 'bizarre' repository of creatures, many found nowhere else on Earth. But how they arrived on the island has baffled scientists for centuries. Jason Ali, Associate Professor in HKU's Department of Earth Sciences, tells the story of his research that seems to confirm the theory that the animals rafted there.

HKU and the Servier Research Group Join Hands to Develop a New Line of Pharmaceutical Products in the field of Osteogenesis

The University of Hong Kong has collaborated with the Servier Research Group, the second largest French pharmaceutical company, on the research and development of drugs for osteogenesis.