Croucher News

December 2025

New imaging method reveals brain activity in natural state 31 December 2025

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology scientists develop brain imaging technology enabling subcellular resolution studies in awake mice without anaesthesia for neurological research.

Study suggests optimal vegetation levels for psychological wellbeing 30 December 2025

University of Hong Kong researchers analysed four decades of global studies to identify moderate urban vegetation coverage as optimal for mental health.

Carbon nanotube “fingerprints” could help authenticate connected devices 29 December 2025

Carbon nanotube randomness creates unique chip IDs that are harder for AI to predict, supporting rapid authentication for drones, vehicles and IoT systems.

Nature's repeating patterns classified for the first time 24 December 2025

Researchers catalogue 100 examples of tessellated biological structures, revealing convergent evolutionary solutions to structural challenges across species.

Olive oil component found to boost cancer-fighting immune cells 23 December 2025

Oleic acid enhances gamma-delta T-cell activity against tumours; palmitic acid weakens these immune cells through inflammatory cell death.

Sun’s hidden fields power extreme gamma rays 22 December 2025

Hidden horizontal magnetic fields beneath the Sun may bend incoming cosmic rays, producing extreme gamma rays that shed light on solar magnetism and its role in space weather.

Tougher interfaces extend perovskite solar cell life 19 December 2025

Researchers design robust molecular contacts in inverted perovskite solar cells, improving thermal and cycling stability while preserving near‑record power conversion efficiency.

Hong Kong's snakes thrive through rescue efforts and shifting attitudes 18 December 2025

Research shows improved snake populations due to 26-year rescue programme, public tolerance, and reduced local consumption for traditional dishes.

Mental health advice favours adding over subtracting 17 December 2025

A study finds humans and AI consistently recommend adding activities rather than removing harmful ones to improve mental wellbeing.

AI helps map aggressive ‘immune‑hot’ brain tumour subtype 16 December 2025

Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology define an aggressive ‘immune‑hot’ brain tumour subtype and develop an AI tool to detect it using routine and molecular data.

New solar cells could turn ordinary windows into power generators 13 December 2025

New screening method identifies materials that absorb invisible light, enabling windows to produce power without blocking natural daylight.

Ocean sunfish deploy hidden throat fangs to trap jellyfish prey 12 December 2025

Hong Kong-led research shows adult ocean sunfish use extendable, backward-curving throat teeth to grasp jellyfish, converging on similar feeding strategies seen in sea turtles.

Methadone can cut post-surgery pain by 60 per cent 11 December 2025

Chinese University of Hong Kong researchers found methadone provides better, longer-lasting pain relief than morphine after heart surgery while reducing opioid consumption.

Croucher Foundation presents awards to Hong Kong researchers 10 December 2025

Croucher Foundation held its annual Foundation Day Dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony on 8 December to present awards to its new scholars and fellows.

Listening to lava reveals the ocean's hidden volcanic eruptions 9 December 2025

Researchers have decoded mysterious underwater sounds as imploding steam bubbles, enabling remote monitoring of submarine volcanic activity for the first time.

New microlaser biosensor detects disease biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations 8 December 2025

Hong Kong researchers have created a highly sensitive biosensor using microlaser technology to detect disease markers at exceptionally low levels.

Timely intervention saves lives as researchers quantify impact of mental illness 5 December 2025

Meta-analysis of 10 million patients reveals depression doubles death risk, but antidepressants and other therapies substantially lower mortality rates.

Portuguese man of war 5 December 2025

Find out more about the hidden world of the Hong Kong jellyfish.

Satellite laser tracking reveals ice melt now drives most sea level rise 4 December 2025

Researchers used satellite laser ranging to show melting ice contributes 60 per cent of sea level rise since 1993.

Light-activated probe reveals how plant compound tetrandrine fights viruses 3 December 2025

Hong Kong Polytechnic University researchers used photoaffinity probes to identify how tetrandrine blocks viral replication by binding to lysosome proteins and disrupting calcium flow.

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