Croucher News

January 2026

Metabolic disruption in rare genetic disorder offers clues to brain health 30 January 2026

Research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong reveals how impaired fuel-switching capacity connects metabolic and neurological symptoms in a rare inherited disorder.

Moon's parent planet Theia formed closer to the Sun than Earth 29 January 2026

New research traces the Moon-forming impactor Theia to the inner Solar System using iron isotope measurements.

Room-temperature method uses electrical current to build drug molecules carbon by carbon 28 January 2026

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed an electrochemical approach that simplifies complex molecule construction for medicines and materials.

Ultrafine plastics can cross into fish bloodstreams and remain in tissues 27 January 2026

City University of Hong Kong study reveals nanoplastics enter fish bloodstreams and accumulate in brain, gills, liver, and reproductive organs.

Soft materials engineered to respond differently depending on direction of applied force 26 January 2026

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology researchers have created materials with directional stiffness, allowing soft robots to grip delicately yet resist external forces.

Hong Kong Baptist University team discovers two soft coral species in Greater Bay Area waters 23 January 2026

Researchers used integrative taxonomy to identify previously misidentified species, revealing overlooked marine life in Hong Kong and Zhuhai.

New electrolyte design enables safer high-energy batteries 22 January 2026

New electrolyte design keeps lithium-ion batteries safe even when punctured, overcoming a major obstacle to electric vehicle adoption.

Subtle crystal twists shape light emission in advanced perovskites 21 January 2026

Research led by the University of Hong Kong shows that tiny structural distortions in layered perovskites govern their light-emitting performance, guiding future device design.

Scientists map how signals move through the brain 20 January 2026

Hong Kong Baptist University researchers have built a modelling framework that infers both the direction of brain signals and region-specific activity patterns from existing data.

Entanglement may make hard calculations easier for quantum computers 19 January 2026

Research suggests entanglement can make quantum simulations more efficient and proposes a built‑in approach for checking accuracy.

Hydrogel device captures electricity from humid air 16 January 2026

A team at the University of Hong Kong has developed a hydrogel that generates electricity from moisture in the air.

How to push solar tandem cells towards 40% efficiency 15 January 2026

Researchers outline routes to 40% perovskite–silicon tandems by improving durability, manufacturing uniformity, and comparable lifetime testing.

How plants form 'liquid' protein clusters to survive heat stress 14 January 2026

Scientists reveal how plants form specialised molecular clusters to activate their cellular recycling system under heat stress.

Three researchers receive Croucher's most prestigious fellowships for 2026 12 January 2026

Croucher Foundation awards two million Hong Kong dollars each to three scholars advancing computing technologies and maternal health.

Sand jellyfish 10 January 2026

The latest in our immersive series on Hong Kong's jellyfish.

Gut microbe may weaken liver cancer immunotherapy 9 January 2026

A University of Hong Kong-led study associated higher levels of Phocaeicola vulgatus with poorer responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors; in mice, indole-3-acetic acid improved treatment response, pointing to a potential add-on approach.

Making powerful generative AI cheaper and more collaborative 8 January 2026

Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Hongxia Yang argues collaborative, low-cost model training and merging can broaden access to generative AI and cut hallucinations.

Brighter reds, less wasted power 7 January 2026

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology report 31% efficient red quantum‑rod LEDs by preventing leakage through pinholes.

Big data identifies rare antipsychotic risks 5 January 2026

University of Hong Kong analyses hospital records to estimate rare antipsychotic risks, including gynaecological cancers and infections, with low absolute rates.

Arctic sea-ice slowdown tied to North Atlantic winds 2 January 2026

Scientists link slower post-2012 September sea-ice loss to the North Atlantic Oscillation, warning faster melting may return.

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