Machining, involving the precise cutting and shaping of materials, is a key manufacturing process. As industries increasingly adopt the use of high-performance materials with high strength and hardness, traditional machining methods often fall short in delivering the required precision. A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a ground-breaking machining technology that combines laser and magnetic fields during diamond cutting, enhancing cutting smoothness and surface quality while reducing a material’s subsurface damage and tool wear. This dual-field approach demonstrates exceptional manufacturing capabilities that surpass existing field-assisting cutting techniques, making possible ultra-precision machining of a range of challenging advanced materials.

A new study published in Big Earth Data systematically evaluates the data quality of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) in ecological conservation applications. Focusing on red-crowned crane habitats in Hokkaido, Japan, the research compares VGI data from eBird and OpenStreetMap (OSM) against authoritative datasets from GBIF and CASEarth. The findings indicate that while VGI demonstrates higher thematic accuracy and broader spatial coverage for vector-based species distribution data, OSM exhibits significant classification errors and coverage gaps in raster-based land use data, particularly for croplands and grasslands. This study underscores the critical need for tailored validation strategies across different VGI types to enhance their utility in ecological research.

The inaugural editorial of Biological Diversity launches the journal as a multidisciplinary global platform advancing biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use to address the global biodiversity crisis.

Artificial intelligence is currently controlled by a number of tech giants in the United States and China. One professor believes Europe can choose to take a smarter and more democratic path.

RNA is fundamental to all life, governing gene expression, regulating biological processes, and influencing growth, development, and cellular metabolism. However, elucidating the precise mechanisms of these functions requires methods to probe the complex structure, dynamics, and interactions of RNA molecules. In recent years, RNA segment-selective labeling has emerged as an essential technique for studying RNA structure, function, and dynamics.

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.