To enhance the development of medical diagnosis and treatment of multiple specialty diseases, two local universities announced the collaboration with several top-notch overseas institutions respectively.

The annual Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) is already underway. Several advisors from local universities were invited to share their insights into scientific research at the Sharing Sessions with Advisors held at the Hong Kong Science Museum on January 24, 2019. Students were provided with valuable advice and guidance on the aspect of research and development and were guided to overcome the challenges they might encounter when preparing their projects.

ISO / IEC 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” is the most important international standard for laboratories carrying out calibration and testing activities around the world. To reflect the latest changes in laboratory environment and work practices, a new edition of the standard, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, has been issued. The new edition focuses more on information technologies and incorporated the use of computer systems, electronic records and the production of electronic results and reports. It also introduces the risk and opportunity aspects. It is the first time that the standard has covered a risk-based thinking and adopt a process approach.

Organised by the Joint School Science Exhibition Preparation Committee (JSSEPC) and co-presented by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Joint School Science Exhibition (JSSE) has served as a perfect platform for secondary school students to put science into practice over the years. In its 52nd edition, the JSSE to be held in late August 2019 will showcase innovative scientific models, inventions and investigation results. This annual event not only arouses public interest in science, but also encourages the exchange of scientific knowledge among youngsters all over the world. The JSSE has been held successfully for the past 51 consecutive years and has been well-attended with a record of over 30,000 visitors last year.

Researchers from the University of Maryland, College Park have invented a new fabric that automatically regulates the amount of heat that passes through or is retained, depending on the ambient environmental conditions. When conditions are warm and moist, the fabric allows the heat pass through infrared radiation. On the other hand, when conditions become cooler and drier, the fabric traps the heat next to the body.