Media

More than a Feeling

Bioethicist Dr Zohar Lederman has been exploring the philosophical implications of the individual and social harm caused by loneliness, and practical solutions.

A Measure of the Problem

HKU scholars have been investigating the effects of loneliness and social isolation in different cultures and the possibility of having a universal framework to identify people at risk.

Neighbourhood Effects

Evidence shows that urban density and planning can have direct effects on social isolation and loneliness. Therein could lie a solution, says urban scientist Professor Chinmoy Sarkar.

When Foreign Governments Meddle in Elections

Both the US and Russia have strong track records of meddling in foreign elections, including each other’s. In a year when billions of people are voting, Professor Dov Levin offers a timely overview of the methods and consequences of such interventions.

Pet Project

Four-legged robots have a problem. What happens when one of their legs breaks or stops operating? Research by Professor Lu Peng is providing a solution that is also taking these robots further along the path to being truly interactive.

Star Quality

Astrophysicists develop new proposals for studying the earliest stars in the universe, uncovering secrets of its origin and offering deeper insights into the incredible journey from the primordial cosmos to the world we live in today.

The Bigger Picture

Using an innovative combination of the Sentinel-2 satellite mission and its dynamic time-series capabilities, along with phenological observations, biological scientists have made a promising advancement in mapping plant functional traits from space.

Invisible Engineers

New findings highlight the critical role of invertebrates in breaking down forest litter and thereby helping sustain carbon and nutrient cycling.

Maternal Instinct

Researchers from HKUMed have found that extending Hong Kong’s statutory paid maternity leave led to a significant improvement in maternal mental health. The findings have significant implications at a time when birth rates worldwide are falling and labour force shortages are a significant problem.

Hep to a Cure

World-leading hepatitis researcher, Professor Yuen Man-fung, has made serious inroads towards a cure for some hepatitis B patients. He is also working to get more people tested so they can seek treatment for this silent but harmful virus.

The Fear Factor

Professor Cora Lai Sau-wan of the School of Biomedical Sciences has deepened our understanding of where and how fear memories are stored in the brain – and shown how these memories could potentially be erased.

A Slippery Slope to Depression

Professor Tatia Mei-chun Lee and her colleagues have been investigating brain activity to see how loneliness can tip people into depression and what might be done to mitigate the effects.

Relief for the Lonesome

HKU researchers have been investigating interventions to help alleviate loneliness among Hong Kong’s elderly.