logo
Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025

Hong Kong Baptist University Showcases World-Leading Research in Digital Health & Systems Medicine at THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2025 – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) illuminated the path to global well-being as the Global Health Innovation Partner and sponsor of the Health and Wellbeing Track at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2025, from June 16-19, 2025. At this gathering of over 5,000 global thought leaders, HKBU presented its comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy for health and well-being, spearheaded by its Health & Drug Discovery research cluster.
HKBU's 'Well-being Zone' showcases interdisciplinary global health, with sessions like Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and Mindfulness Karate reflecting its 'exercise is medicine' approach to holistic well-being.
Firmly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, HKBU's vision for health transformation drives from data to actionable insight. It comprehensively integrates mental and digital well-being, real-time analytics, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. This includes blending traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge sciences like chemical biology and data analytics, complemented by advancements in environmental, physical, and social sciences.
A Hub for Holistic Health
A highlight of HKBU's presence was the 6,000-square-foot 'Well-being Zone', thoughtfully designed to embody the principle that health is holistic and interconnected. This innovative Zone brought the concept of interdisciplinarity to a global audience by seamlessly integrating diverse fields, from martial arts and mindfulness to cutting-edge digital health monitoring:
HKBU scholars presented cutting-edge research on global health and Chinese Medicine at GSDC 2025.
Highlighting HKBU's research strength in the transformative power of technology for global health, Professor Martin Wong, Provost & Chair Professor of Computer Science, emphasised, 'HKBU's recent top-50 global ranking in databases, design automation, and artificial intelligence underscores our collaborative ethos. By integrating advanced AI methodologies with clinical, pharmaceutical and social-science expertise, we are optimising diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enhancing surgical assistance. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a global hub for cutting-edge research and higher education.'
Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research & Development), highlighted HKBU's strategic edge, 'Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead East–West integration in digital health and systems medicine. HKBU combines the rigour of life sciences with robust Chinese Medicine research, underpinned by advanced data analytics. This powerful synergy enables us to tackle complex health disparities at biological, social, and environmental levels, and build resilient, equitable health systems to meet future global challenges.'
In addition to numerous insightful presentations and the interactive experiences, HKBU Provost Professor Martin Wong gave a keynote at the session entitled 'Reframing Sustainability through the Lens of Chinese Heritage and Innovation' convened by the China Education Association for International Exchange.
HKBU also released the 'Evolving Legacy: Decoding the Scientific Trajectory of Chinese Medicine' Report (https://cm-evaluation.scm.hkbu.edu.hk/) in collaboration with Elsevier. This report examines the development and evolving research landscape of Chinese Medicine and its growing influence on modern healthcare.
Hashtag: #HKBU
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?
Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

Yahoo

time40 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

One Small Thing newsletter: A daily tip to promote wellbeing Hey, everyone! You may know all about putting together balanced meals, but what about the best time to eat them? One dietitian had some tips. Let's dive in. Eat most of your calories before sunset Everyone's eating habits vary, but dietitian Collin Popp says 'front-loading' calories, or getting most of your calories earlier in the day, may be better for health. Why? This approach aligns with your circadian rhythm and may improve energy, metabolism, blood sugar control and even sleep. Front-loading calories can also help curb hunger, which may prevent overeating post-sunset. An easy way to break down your daily calories is 25% to 40% at breakfast, 30% to 40% at lunch and 15% to 20% at dinner, with snacks making up the rest of your day. Don't forget to include enough protein, healthy fats and fiber in each meal. [Today] One small thing to buy Do you prefer a bigger breakfast or dinner? Why? Let me know. About One Small Thing: One Small Thing is a daily health newsletter from Yahoo News.

Low FT3 Levels Predict Risk for Nerve Damage in Diabetes
Low FT3 Levels Predict Risk for Nerve Damage in Diabetes

Medscape

time5 hours ago

  • Medscape

Low FT3 Levels Predict Risk for Nerve Damage in Diabetes

TOPLINE: In euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), relatively higher free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels within the normal range were linked to a lower risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and better nerve function. METHODOLOGY: In euthyroid patients with T2D, lower FT3 levels within the normal range can worsen glucose and lipid metabolism and increase the risk for nephropathy and retinopathy, but the association of FT3 levels with peripheral neuropathy remains unclear. Researchers in China examined the relationship between FT3 levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in 1422 euthyroid patients with T2D (mean age, 58.04 years; 33.97% women) who underwent electromyography during hospitalization. Participants were considered euthyroid if their thyroid-stimulating hormone level was 0.25-5.5 IU/mL, free thyroxine level was 9.0-25.5 pmol/L, and FT3 level was 2.5-7.0 pmol/L. A diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was made in those who showed neuropathic symptoms (neuropathic pain, paresthesias, numbness, sensory distortion, unsteadiness, or falls) and signs (pain sensation abnormalities, vibration sensation abnormalities, loss of the ankle reflex, touch/pressure sensation abnormalities, or temperature sensation abnormalities) during or after confirmed diabetes diagnosis. Nerve conduction studies of the distal limbs (median, ulnar, common peroneal, sural, and superficial peroneal nerves) were conducted in all participants, and distal motor and sensory nerve latencies, action potential amplitudes, and conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves were recorded. TAKEAWAY: Among all participants with T2D, the 519 who were diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed significantly lower serum FT3 levels than those without the condition (P < .001). The risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was reduced in participants with FT3 levels between 4.3 and 4.7 pmol/L (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.81) and 4.7 and 7.0 pmol/L (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.21-0.52) compared with those with FT3 levels between 2.5 and 3.8 pmol/L. Participants with neuropathy had slower, weaker nerve responses and longer latencies than those without, with higher FT3 levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy being linked to faster nerve conduction and shorter latencies. A Mendelian randomization analysis using the ThyroidOmics Consortium and the UK Biobank genome-wide association study data also indicated a causal relationship between low FT3 levels and the risk for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (inverse variance weighted β = -0.655; P = .035). IN PRACTICE: 'Within the normal range, a relatively high level of FT3 (> 4.3 pmol/L) was associated with a reduced risk of DPN [diabetic peripheral neuropathy]. Thyroid hormones may be beneficial for patients with DPN if their FT3 levels are near the low end of the normal range,' the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Bing'er Xu, Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. It was published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its single-center design and focused on hospitalized patients with T2D in Shanghai. It measured only specific peripheral nerves' conduction parameters. The Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted only in Europeans, requiring validation in other ethnic populations. DISCLOSURES: This study received support from the National Science and Technology Major Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, and other sources. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

Burnout Isn't New—We Just Have A Name For It Now
Burnout Isn't New—We Just Have A Name For It Now

Forbes

time5 hours ago

  • Forbes

Burnout Isn't New—We Just Have A Name For It Now

Dr. Sunil Kumar, Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Executive Health Coach & Burnout Reset Expert. Creator of the PREP™ Protocol. We often talk about burnout as a modern affliction—a byproduct of inbox overload, back-to-back Zoom meetings and the culture of hustle. But the truth is, what we call "burnout" today has been part of the human experience for centuries. We've simply evolved in how we understand it and, unfortunately, in how widespread it's become. Looking back through history reveals something surprising: Burnout is not a new problem. It's an old warning sign. A red flag from the body and mind that something vital is out of balance. Burnout Before 'Burnout' Long before it had a clinical label, people were breaking under pressure physically, emotionally and spiritually. Ancient Greek physicians like Hippocrates spoke of "melancholia," a state of deep sadness and fatigue, often triggered by life's demands. During the Middle Ages, monks described a similar state called "acedia," a mix of apathy, exhaustion and meaninglessness that made even prayer feel burdensome. In the late 1800s, American neurologist George Beard coined the term "neurasthenia," a diagnosis used for "modern nervousness." The symptoms were familiar: exhaustion, anxiety, irritability and a loss of motivation. It was often observed in professionals during the Industrial Revolution, especially those living in cities, working long hours and constantly "switched on." Sound familiar? Though these terms fell out of fashion, the experience they described never went away. A Word For What We Were Feeling It wasn't until 1974 that the term "burnout" was formally introduced by Dr. Herbert Freudenberger, a New York psychologist. Working in a free clinic, he noticed a troubling trend among his colleagues and himself: once-passionate health workers becoming irritable, drained and detached. He described this state as "burning out," like a candle that had been lit too long. Not long after, Christina Maslach, a social psychologist, took the concept further. Through years of research, she and her colleagues developed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), identifying three core dimensions of burnout: 1. Emotional exhaustion 2. Depersonalization or cynicism 3. Reduced sense of personal accomplishment Her work shifted burnout from a vague complaint to something measurable and, most importantly, something we could do something about. From The Margins To The Mainstream At first, burnout was mostly discussed in the context of "helping professions": doctors, nurses, teachers and social workers. But as global pressures grew, it became clear that burnout wasn't confined to a single industry. In 2019, the World Health Organization recognized burnout in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), defining it as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. That definition mattered. It finally acknowledged what millions had been feeling: Burnout is not about weakness but about systems that don't support the humans within them. The Pandemic: A Global Burnout Test If burnout was simmering before, Covid-19 brought it to a boil. Healthcare workers faced relentless demands, often without adequate support. Parents juggled work, homeschooling and caregiving. Frontline employees risked their health to keep society functioning. Even those working from home found the boundary between personal and professional life erased. A 2021 McKinsey report found that over a third of employees globally were experiencing burnout symptoms. The impact was especially severe for women and caregivers. Burnout was no longer something individuals whispered about in corridors; it became a collective cry for help. It's Not Just About Working Too Much One of the most important shifts in understanding burnout is realizing it's not just about long hours. As Maslach and Leiter emphasized in an influential 2008 study, burnout is more closely tied to mismatch when there's a gap between our values and our work, between effort and recognition, between what we give and what we receive. Factors like lack of autonomy, chronic stress without relief, poor leadership or workplace culture, and feeling undervalued or isolated—these aren't fixed with a holiday or a yoga class. They require systemic change. What History Teaches Us About Healing History reminds us that burnout is not a passing trend; it's a recurring signal. And every generation has faced it in different forms. But here's the difference: We now have better tools, data and awareness than ever before. From trauma-informed care and leadership training to lifestyle medicine and evidence-based well-being strategies, we have pathways forward if we choose to walk them. Burnout is not a personal failure. It's often a rational response to an unsustainable situation. As leaders, clinicians, educators and humans, we have a responsibility to create environments where people can thrive, not just survive. That starts with listening to the signals both in ourselves and in the systems we shape. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store