Environmental disasters affect both urban and rural communities, but rural communities suffer more severely. In a study in a rural community in Odisha, India, examining everyday factors such as income, housing, education, and access to basic services, the authors show how rural communities are exposed to the dangers of cyclones and how targeted actions can help communities recover faster and become more resilient.

Microplastics are increasingly found in agricultural soils worldwide, raising new questions about how they interact with widely promoted climate solutions such as biochar. A study reveals that these tiny plastic particles can significantly alter how biochar affects soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial life.

Climate change has been driving the rise of extreme weather conditions in recent years, placing immense strain on urban infrastructure such as sewer systems. Compromised sewer systems can lead to leakage, overflow and even flash flooding, threatening public health and safety. To address these vulnerabilities, a research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a multi-tiered model integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), facilitating more cost-effective and intelligent sewer system management, ranging from predicting exfiltration severity and pinpointing leakage-prone zones to monitoring and forecasting overflow occurrences in high-risk areas. 

Mixed methods study (ethnographic and text analysis) explored whether nature-based videography could convey the same benefits as physical exposure. The team found that people who participated in immersive, mindfulness-based video tours offered by a prominent global tourist agency experienced mindfulness benefits such as relaxation, hope and anticipation. The experiences also cultivated a profound sense of connection with the environment that could be supportive of conservation efforts.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) remains a global health challenge with limited regenerative therapeutic options. This review delineates advancements in stem cell-based therapies, emphasizing their potential to restore auditory function through cellular regeneration and molecular modulation.

A research team from the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has developed a titanium implant surface that can be activated by near-infrared (NIR). With just 15 minutes of NIR irradiation, this surface can eliminate 99.94% of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms without the use of antibiotics, while simultaneously promoting bone-implant fusion. Based on titanium dioxide (TiO2), the same compound found in titanium’s natural surface oxide layer, the design may offer practical advantages for compatibility with existing titanium implants and future clinical translation. This innovative technology could be applied to various common orthopaedic implants, including joint replacements, fracture fixation devices, spinal fusion cages, dental implants and craniofacial implants. It offers a new solution to combat implant infections. The findings were published as a cover story in the international journal Cell Biomaterials.