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PolyU research reveals sharp depletion in soil moisture, driving land water to flow into the oceans and contributing to a rise in sea levels

The increasing frequency of once-in-a-decade agricultural and ecological drought has underscored the urgency of studying hydrological changes. A research team from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has collaborated with international experts to analyse the estimated changes in land water storage over the past 40 years by utilising space geodetic observation technology and global hydrological change data. This innovative method has revealeda rapid depletion in global soil moisture, resulting in a significant amount of water flowing into the oceans, leading to a rise in sea levels. The researchprovides new insights into the driving factors behind the alarming reduction in terrestrial water storage and rise in sea levels. The findings have been published in the international journal Science. Since polar motion reflects mass redistribution within the Earth system, integrating models and observations across the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere is crucial. However, previous challenges in measuring terrestrial water storage, particularly groundwater and root zone soil moisture, limited understanding of hydrological depletion at continental scales. Prof. Jianli CHEN, Professor of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informaticsand core member of the Research Institute for Land and Space and the international team employed satellite altimetry and gravity missions, including the Gravity Recovery and Satellite Experiment (GRACE), and GRACE Follow-On, to enable continental-scale observations of terrestrial water storage variations. By integrating this with global mean sea levels and polar motion data, the team has explored terrestrial water storage depletion patterns. Notably, this study introduced novel methods for estimating global soil moisture, which improves the accuracy of continental and global scale modeling to enable a more effective understanding of soil moisture variations under climate change. The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is recognised as the largest single contributor to the rise in global sea levels, adding approximately 0.8mm annually. This study reveals that between 2000 and 2002, the global terrestrial water storage significantly declined, with a total of 1,614 billion tons of water lost to the oceans, which is twice as much as resulting from the current melting of Greenland ice, and equivalent to a 4.5mm rise in sea levels. Since then, the rapid loss of terrestrial water storage has been followed by a more gradual but continuous depletion, with no signs of recovery. In addition, compared to the period from 1979 to 1999, a notable decline in global average soil moisture was observed from 2003 to 2021. Between 2003 and 2011, the Earth’s pole shifted 58cm toward 93° East Longitude, demonstrating that the continued decline in soil moisture is leading to a reduction in terrestrial water storage. The team also pointed out that precipitation deficits and stable evapotranspiration caused by global warming, changing rainfall patterns and increasing ocean temperaturesare likely the key factors for the abrupt decline in terrestrial water storage. The ERA5-Land soil moisture data of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ corroborates these findings, showing substantial terrestrial water storage losses in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. In Asia and Europe, the affected areas expanded from northeastern Asia and eastern Europe to broader regions across East and Central Asia, as well as Central Europe, following the sharp water storage depletion observed between 2000 and 2002. With increasing agricultural irrigation in regionssuch as northeast China and the western United States, and global greening, soil moisture may further diminish in semi-arid areas with intensive agriculture and high levels of greening. The team suggests the need for improved land surface models which consider these factors for a more comprehensive understanding of long- term changes in terrestrial water storage. Prof. Jianli Chensaid, “Sea level change and Earth rotation serve as indicatorsof large-scale mass changes in the Earth system. Accurately measured sea level change and variation in Earth rotation provide a unique tool for monitoring large-scale mass changes in the global water cycle. By integrating multiple modern space geodetic observations, it enables comprehensive analysis of the driving factors behind changes in terrestrial water storage and sea level rise. This, in turn, provides reliable data for climate and Earth system science experts to further investigate drought issues, aiding authorities in formulating water resource management and climate change mitigation strategies to address new challenges posed by climate change.” 

MHRC Member awarded HMRF grant to evaluate mobile app for early detection and intervention for postpartum depression

Prof. Jessie LIN, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, has been awarded a grant of about HK$500K from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR, for the project “Enhancing clinical care for postpartum depression using ecological momentary assessment and intervention: a feasibility randomized controlled trial with “MotherCare” mobile app”. Designed by the PolyU research team, the app provides personalised, real-time and mindfulness-based ecological momentary interventions (EMI) for postpartum women with depression according to their emotional states. The evaluative study includes a three-month randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 40 participants, assessing the mobile app’s usability and acceptability, as well as participants’ adherence to the intervention and their improvements in mood and emotional regulation. The research has significant clinical implications for the early detection and management of postpartum depression in Hong Kong and beyond.

PolyU journal Nexus hosts forum on smart sustainable development promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Cell Press co-hosted the Nexus Forum 2025 from 8 to 10 May. Themed “Collaborative Innovation for Smart Sustainable Development”, the Forum served as a vital platform for promoting exchange and collaboration in interdisciplinary research and innovation, facilitating the advancement of smart technology and sustainable development. The three-day Forum featured keynote speeches, a panel discussion, oral and poster presentations, and an editorial workshop, attracting over 170 participants, including academic experts and authors, as well as consulate and industry representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Additionally, over 300 PolyU faculty members and students also participated in the event. During the opening ceremony,  Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyUPresident; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Qingyan CHEN, Chair Professor of Building Thermal Science and Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); and Prof. Jerry YAN, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings and Editor-in-Chief of Nexus, warmly welcomed the participants from around the world. Prof. Jin-Guang Teng remarked, “In celebrating the first anniversary of Nexus, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing innovative research in applied sciences, engineering, technology, and inter- and multi-disciplinary fieldsto address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.This forum and Nexus reflect PolyU’s unwavering dedication to pioneering research and scholarship that directly benefits society. Looking ahead, PolyU will continue to champion transformative research through strategic platforms including the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, which conducts breakthrough interdisciplinary research in frontier domains of socioeconomic importance; the newly established PolyU Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI), which strengthens our leadership in cutting-edge AI research and applications; and our network of translational research institutes across various cities in mainland China that address local industrial and societal needs.” The Forum featured three inspiring keynote speeches centred around three core themes: innovative techniques for sustainable cities, industrial and interdisciplinary solutions for sustainability, and carbon neutrality and energy system transformation. The speeches sparked thought-provoking discussion on the latest technologies and industry developments in these areas, highlighting how collaborative innovation and research can help shape a sustainable future for all. The distinguished keynote speakers included Prof. Michael OBERSTEINER, Director of Environmental Change Institute of University of Oxford; Prof. HE Kebin and Prof. TU Shandong, Members of Chinese Academy of Engineering; Ms Louise BERGHOLM, Consul General of Sweden to Hong Kong and Macau; Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PAAI; as well as scholars and representatives from Tsinghua University, San Diego State University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, East China University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Lingnan University, CLP Power Hong Kong, HK Electric, the Hong Kong Green Building Council, and Strategy Department of Tencent. The first two keynote speeches covered topics such as Sweden’s best practices in developing sustainable cities, generative AI applications, innovative engineering solutions for sustainable built environments, and breakthroughs in electric vehicle battery storage technology. The third keynote, themed “Carbon Neutrality and Energy System Transformation”, is co-organised by the PolyU International Centre of Urban Energy Nexus and the Tsinghua University Institute for Carbon Neutrality. It focused on the latest achievements in cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in carbon and earth sciences, environmental science, energy and power engineering, data science, and intelligent technology.Topics included climate risk mitigation strategies, sustainable Modular Integrated Construction, and AI-driven co-simulation in power and carbon markets. At the panel discussion titled “Technology Innovation for Decarbonisation of the Power Sector”, scholars from PolyU, local, mainland China, and overseas universities, as well as representatives from two local power companies introduced and explored the research projects supported by the Strategic Topics Grant under the Hong Kong Research Grants Council. In addition, multiple oral and poster sessions were organised to allow participants to share their views and exchange research findings on different topics, thereby facilitating knowledge exchange and transfer. The editing workshop, co-organised by the PolyU Graduate School, drew over 180 PolyU postgraduate and undergraduate students. Editors-in-chief and editors from seven academic journals, including Nexus and Nature Energy, introduced young researchers to the skills and tools necessary for writing scientific papers. The workshop aimed to enhance the readability and impact of their manuscripts, and to demonstrate the skills of integrating advanced technologies into research. Nexus is Cell Press’s first partner journal in cross-disciplinary subjectsand the first title published in collaboration with a university. To learn more, please visit https://www.cell.com/nexus/home.

PolyU research unveils hidden microbial threats to ecosystem caused by plastic waste

A research team led by Prof. Nathanael JIN Ling, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has shed light on the often-overlooked microbial threats associated with plastic waste. The team is developing a global database and model to map the trajectory of the harmful microbiomes carried by plastic debris and to forecast the potential ecological risks. The research team combined field-collected samples and publicly available raw data to analyse the microbial communities in the plastisphere and its associated natural environments, covering freshwater, seawater and terrestrial ecosystems. Providing a comprehensive overview of the unique and diverse microbial communities of the plastisphere, the findings have been published in the international interdisciplinary journal The Innovation. The research found that, in all three environmental systems, microbial communities in the plastisphere differ markedly from those in the natural environment, in terms of both the genera of microorganisms present and their coexistence patterns. These communities consist of fragile networks of specialised microorganisms, which are rarely encountered in nature. Compared with microbial communities in the natural environments, microorganisms in the plastisphere boast a pronounced ability to decompose organic compounds, potentially increasing the release of greenhouse gases and accelerating carbon turnover. The findings also highlight disturbances in the nitrogen cycle caused by the plastisphere, especially in freshwater ecosystem where bacteria that release harmful substances such as nitrite and nitrous oxide thrive. In addition, a significant rise in pathogens that pose risks to humans, animals and plants is spotted in the plastisphere. Notably, some of the pathogen species have not been detected in the corresponding natural environment previously, which indicates the potential of the plastisphere to carry pathogens across ecosystems. These findings underscore the urgent need to address plastic pollution, as plastics not only pose environmental hazards, but also act as vectors for transmitting microbial diseases that can lead to a cascade of ecological and public health consequences. By prioritising interdisciplinary research and policy action, society can better anticipate and curb the hidden dangers posed by plastic-borne microbiomes. This a critical step towards safeguarding ecosystems and human health in an increasingly plastic-dependent world. Press Release: https://polyu.hk/HemJD Full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666675823001716 Online coverage: Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3GHySnw Dim Sum Daily - https://polyu.me/4d871sQ Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4iOENnZ Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3GHDuKm CCTV - https://polyu.me/4iTBs7q Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4jNKXWZ Chinese Headline New Media - https://polyu.me/3RTmRhe

The 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. Pedro Alvarez explores breakthroughs in nanotechnology for water treatment

Prof. Pedro Alvarez, George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, USA, delivered the 38th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment” on 6 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 60 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,000 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome and introduction of the speaker by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR. Prof. Alvarez kickstarted his presentation by underscoring the critical role of water treatment and relevant innovations in safeguarding public health, ensuring access to clean drinking water and bolstering sustainable economic development. He highlighted limitations in conventional water treatment, stressing the urgent need for technological advancements to tackle these challenges. Prof. Alvarez discussed the emerging opportunities that nanotechnology offers to revolutionise water treatment systems. He explained how it can improve pollutant-removal efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enable cost-effective decentralised solutions. Illustrative examples included:  • Electrosorption using highly conductive and selective electrodes to remove multivalent ions that can cause scaling. • Solar-thermal processes, enabled by nanophotonics, to desalinate with membrane distillation. • Disinfection and advanced oxidation using nanocatalysts. • Electrocatalytic degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants of emerging concern. In conclusion, Prof. Alvarez affirmed that nanotechnology holds significant promise for advancing sustainable resources management, enabling safe and low-energy water treatment and reuse. He envisioned that high-performance modular systems that would deliver multifunctional solutions with minimal infrastructure requirements. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. WANG Tao, Management Committee Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space and Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment. The audience engaged in a productive discussion spanning practical applications, safety considerations and cost effectiveness of nanotechnology in water treatment with Prof. Alvarez. Please click here for an online review.

Prof. QIU Anqi appointed as Director of Mental Health Research Centre

We are delighted to announce that Prof. QIU Anqi, Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, has been appointed as Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), effective from 1 May 2025. Prof. Qiu is a Global STEM Scholar under the Global STEM Professorship Scheme of the HKSAR government. She also holds an adjunct professorship in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University. Her previous roles include Deputy Head for Research and Enterprises at the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the National University of Singapore (NUS); Director of the BME Innovation Centre at the NUS Suzhou Research Institute; and Master of Eusoff Hall at NUS. Specialising in computational analyses, Prof. Qiu is deeply committed to understanding the origin of individual health differences across a lifespan. Her research team develops innovative technologies in medical data analysis deep learning to leverage complex and informative datasets that include disease phenotypes, neuroimaging and genetics to further her research, which yielded high-impact publications in Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Mental Health, American Journal of Psychiatry, Biological Psychiatry, IEEE Transactions in Medical Imaging and Medical Image Analysis, among others. More recently, Prof. Qiu has been elected as Council Chair of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, an international society dedicated to advancing the understanding of the anatomical and functional organization of the human brain using neuroimaging.

PolyU’s AI and medicine-engineering integration empowers a new era of medical excellence

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to harnessing medicine-engineering integration and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare to drive innovations and translation of research outcomes into real-world solutions. These efforts support the development of precision medicine, preventive medicine, and primary healthcare, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA), while also contributing to Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub. PolyU has established a strong foundation in medical and health research, supported by key infrastructure, including seven relevant research institutes and centres under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), 19 university-level research institutes and centres, and four University Research Facilities. By integrating expertise from engineering, medicine, and public health, these facilities drive the development of innovative solutions to advance healthcare in Hong Kong and beyond. PolyU encourages interdisciplinary research that combines healthcare with AI, engineering, and data science. The newly-established PolyU Academy for AI empowers researchers to conduct research that integrates medicine and engineering. This initiative accelerates the deep integration of AI across key fields, including drug discovery, mental health, medical imaging, radiotherapy, Chinese medicine, biomedical engineering and cell immunotherapy. PolyU continues to attract world-class scholars to spearhead interdisciplinary research at the convergence of medicine, AI, engineering, and data science, pioneering a new era of healthcare innovation. The University has achieved notable success in securing funding for health and medical research, ranking first in Hong Kong for both the number of projects and the amount of funding received from the Collaborative Research Fund under the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), with 14 projects in the 2024/25 exercise. PolyU also ranked second among local tertiary institutions in terms of total RGC funding in 2023/24. Over the past five years, several of PolyU’s health and medical research projects have received RGC funding. Between 2018 and 2022, the University also ranks third among local tertiary institutions in terms of average funding secured from the HKSAR Government’s Health and Medical Research Fund. Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) said, “PolyU adheres to a patient-centred approach, leveraging our strengths in medicine-engineering integration and AI-driven healthcare to advance medical innovation and knowledge transfer. With our world-renowned researchers, state-of-the-art research facilities, and extensive experience in medical education – particularly in training allied healthcare professionals – PolyU is confident in its ability to establish Hong Kong’s third medical school. We look forward to cultivating the next generation of clinician-scientists who will pioneer medical breakthroughs, ultimately contributing to the global vision of ‘Health for All’.” Find out more about PAIR’s seven research institutes and centres related to the medical and healthcare fields: Research Institute for Future Food Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems Research Institute for Smart Ageing Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation Mental Health Research Centre Research Centre for SHARP Vision   Press Release: https://polyu.hk/zhUNI   Online coverage: i-Cable - https://polyu.me/4jvqA0o CCTV - https://polyu.me/3YfX0Uf; https://polyu.me/4iFcQil China Daily Hong Kong Edition - https://polyu.me/4jQ2Jbs Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3EtVCGZ; https://polyu.me/3GxpN0E Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4jGNrWQ Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3Gw88WX (subscription required) Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3RA6tSD Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/42S7Z7I am730 - https://polyu.me/3SckO7U Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3Sb23lg Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/42xQBX6; https://polyu.me/4cOGeRY Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4joL376 Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/44NiImv Line Today - https://polyu.me/3EKAnk9 China News Service - https://polyu.me/4iDq4fO ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/4lQFQqg The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/4cXcrXG Southern Finance - https://polyu.me/4cP13g9 The Paper - https://polyu.me/3SaapcR Wuxi Daily - https://polyu.me/4jwVjuc Science Net - https://polyu.me/44LXNjI East Money - https://polyu.me/42xJ5eJ NetEase - https://polyu.me/3EsIrpN Sina - https://polyu.me/432c1vw Sohu - https://polyu.me/3ENII6A qq - https://polyu.me/3EHhuP4 Yidianzixun - https://polyu.me/4juQjWX China Headlines News Media - https://polyu.me/3EsLnml The GBA Times - https://polyu.me/3RDpjbq dyhjw.com - https://polyu.me/3Ethi69 HK01 - https://polyu.me/4cPdkRI People.cn - https://polyu.me/42zEvNa Guangzhou Daily - https://polyu.me/43f9m0H Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/42ToLDE kankanews.com (Shanghai Media Group) - https://polyu.me/42VsfFu Yangcheng Evening News - https://polyu.me/42XHpu5 CMG The Greater Bay Area - https://polyu.me/4iSHJjK    

RCDTT unveils large language model-based tourist satisfaction index, providing comprehensive analysis to enhance Hong Kong tourism service quality

The Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT) has developed an innovative, large language model (LLM)-based assessment framework “Hong Kong Tourist Satisfaction Index” (HKTSI), to evaluate the satisfaction level of inbound tourists to Hong Kong from 2012 to 2024 across different tourism-related sectors, temporal scales and regions. Findings reveal that, while performance variations across different regions were clearly indicated, the TSI rebounded and reached its highest-ever recorded score after the temporary decline during the pandemic. The TSI was initially introduced in 2009, using a questionnaire-based methodology to evaluate tourists’ satisfaction with various tourism services. Seeking to provide a more comprehensive and accurate analysis, the team has transformed the framework by adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theories from management science, economics and computer science, and leveraging the advanced LLM technology. The enhanced TSI framework offers multi-dimensional analysis, enabling TSI measurement across different dimensions, such as service topics, service sectors and trip types, temporal scales (monthly and annually) and regions. This adaptable approach provides stakeholders with timely, data-driven insights to guide service improvement, policy development and strategic decision-making. As technology advances, both destinations and visitors increasingly rely on information and communication technologies to make their decisions. In support of the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector, by harnessing artificial intelligence, LLM and big data analytics, the enhanced TSI assessment framework aims to offer more precise and targeted advice for strengthening tourism service quality and bolstering Hong Kong’s global competitiveness. Press release: https://polyu.hk/ZwEXx Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3RyFwi5 China Daily - https://polyu.me/4lNRYIz Travel Daily News - https://polyu.me/4jqr9bR Hospitality Net - https://polyu.me/3ExiyVL Mirage News - https://polyu.me/3S4laNR Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4jtSJoP Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3EIcPwh (subscription required) Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4jBPPy4 Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4cUFPhc RTHK - https://polyu.me/3GvxRPq (42:14 - 55:46)  

Prof. John SHI shares low-altitude economy and sustainable development in urban informatics in newspaper

Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Director of PolyU–Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Futian), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Urban Informatics and Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing, pointed out in a recent interview with Southern Metropolis Daily that smart city development must integrate technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data and geospatial information technology, and leverage drones and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving low-altitude economy, thereby enhancing cities’ urban perceptions and governance efficiencies. Prof. Shi stressed that the development of urban informatics can benefit from the interdisciplinary integration of urban science, computer science and geomatics, and the construction of cross-sectoral common spatial data infrastructure. He suggested drawing on Hong Kong’s successful experience in developing the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure Portal and building a similar platform for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area with Shenzhen being the starting point, thereby optimising resource utilisation, enabling refined smart city management and driving the region’s sustainable development. Online coverage: NetEase - https://polyu.me/4lCoNYT Sohu - https://polyu.me/42k6gJ

Prof. SO Kwok-fai shares lifestyle interventions for mental health at PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. SO Kwok-fai, Director of GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration at Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, delivered the 37th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Mental Health and Lifestyle Intervention” on 17 April 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted about 100 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube. The lecture commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Associate Director of PAIR, followed by an introduction of the speaker by Prof. WONG Kwok-yin, Vice President (Education). Prof. So kickstarted his presentation by emphasising the importance of disease prevention in safeguarding human health. He highlighted that rapid economic development, an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle, heightened social competition and other factors have contributed to a rise in mental health challenges, chronic conditions, sub-health syndromes and aging-related diseases. Prof. So elaborated on several neuropathological mechanisms, such as monoamine neurotransmitters, neural circuits, and neuroglial cells. In addition to these central factors, he also discussed how circulating hormones, including glucocorticoids, profoundly influence mental functions, suggesting the interplay between peripheral tissues and central nervous system nuclei.  Additionally, he highlighted the antidepressant effects of light therapy, underscoring the role of the nucleus reuniens in mediating the spatial memory-enhancing outcomes of such treatment. Furthermore, Prof. So presented evidence that taking glucagon-like peptides can alleviate symptoms of depression and reduce the side effects of traditional treatments on the body. Last but not least, Prof. So underscored the need for healthcare focus to shift from curative to preventive medicine, advocating lifestyle strategies such as regular exercise, light therapy and using supplements derived from goji glycopeptide as effective preventive measures. The event concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Sylvia CHEN, Interim Director of Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Associate Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS), where attendees engaged in in-depth discussions with Prof. So. Please click here for an online review.