Media

A NEW SPIN ON Fake News

What constitutes ‘fake news’? And how can we distinguish it from the real thing? Professor Rachel Sterken in Philosophy has been considering these questions in the context of new technologies and platforms such as social media, that pose challenges to the knowledge environment.

THE FACT-CHECKERS

THE FACT-CHECKERS Professor Masato Kajimoto and his journalism students fact-check news and rumours on social media. The job is only getting harder.

ADVANCING INTELLIGENCE

In developing highly complex digital computers, researchers are seeking to learn lessons from Mother Nature, including how the brain works and quantum physics systems.

ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES

An innovative project which uses genomic analysis to determine where smuggled pangolin scales originated may bring a breakthrough in stopping the illegal trade of these endangered animals.

A GUIDE TO TOURISM IN HONG KONG

Hong Kong has positioned itself as a travel destination for nearly a century. But the tourists and attractions have changed with the times, reflecting bigger developments in the city and the world, as HKU historians are finding.

NEW HKU ANTIBIOTIC DRUG READY FOR TRIAL

An antibiotic drug developed at HKU that is effective against drug-resistant strains has been approved for clinical trials by Mainland China authorities.

THE SECRET'S OUT

HKU researchers have shown how the hormone secretin helps regulate appetite and bone loss, opening a new pathway to control obesity and osteoporosis.

INSIGHTS ON INDIGENOUS AINU

Tracing the origins of modern debate on indigeneity and inclusion, research opportunities in Japan have shed light on connections between the Japanese proletarian movement and the Ainu people in the early to mid-20th century.

THE SUICIDE WATCH

Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai has been tracking Hong Kong’s suicide rate for more than two decades and developing programmes to help reduce it. The recent period has been one of the worst for young and old alike.

SPEAKING TO POWER

More than one billion people in China use social media. Professor Yanhui Wu studies the benefits and drawbacks to the country’s information landscape.

REINING IN TECH PLATFORMS

Fake news and misinformation are easily published and circulated on platforms such as Google, Facebook and YouTube. There are moves to make these media responsible for the messages they convey.

STUCK ON SCROLLING

Social media platforms bombard us with information in ways that can be addictive and possibly harmful to mental health. HKU scholars consider the consequences for young and old.

MEASURE OF THE MUTATIONS

A cutting-edge screening platform enables rapid large-scale assessment and quantitative analysis of the severity and infective strength of SARS-CoV-2 mutations.

TAKING THE STRAIN

In the ongoing battle to fight new COVID strains with new vaccines, an HKU-led research team have discovered that basing the vaccine booster on the related but distinct virus, SARS-CoV-1, may produce more effective protection.