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Mead Johnson Nutrition’s Cross-sector Formula Cans Recycling Program Claims Silver for ‘Best PR Campaign – Sustainability’ at PR Awards 2021

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 30 September 2021 – Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong’s (“Mead Johnson”) city-wide formula cans recycling program with cross sector cooperation, was recognized at MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s PR Awards 2021, receiving the Silver award in the ‘Best PR Campaign – Sustainability’ category.

 

Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited receives the Silver award in the ‘Best PR Campaign – Sustainability’ category at PR Awards 2021.

 

To encourage Hong Kong citizens to lead greener lives, Mead Johnson launched “We CAN Protect the Future” Formula Cans Recycling Program in 2021. Created in partnership with 24-hour online shopping mall, HKTVmall under Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited (“HKTVmall”) and the World Green Organisation (“WGO”), the program aims to raise awareness among the public on the importance of recycling and urge parents to safeguard the future of their children by taking immediate actions to protect the environment and be the role models of green living.

 

The Program offered consumers access to a reliable channel for recycling their used formula cans at the six collection points at HKTVmall O2O Shops across the city. The WGO also provided expert guidance and insights to ensure all collected cans are properly handled and recycled. To ensure proper storage and transportation of all collected cans, all cans were transported by a specialized delivery team to a local recycling plant. The cans were then destructed and shipped to another facility for further processing. Molten metal will be recycled into raw metal materials for different purposes. Over 1,500 clean formula cans were collected within 20 days to preserve useful metal resources to reduce waste and protect our environment. Mead Johnson is also planning to launch the second phase of the program to encourage the public to build recycling habits, and hence create a cleaner, healthier world together.

 

“Mead Johnson has been providing parents with high-quality nutrition products. Apart from that, it also works hand in hand with consumers to safeguard the environment. In valuable partnership with HKTVmall and the WGO, we provided an accessible, reliable and trusted recycling method through the recycling program to protect the environment with parents together,” said Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, General Manager, Hong Kong, Taiwan & Cross-Border of Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited. “It’s an honour to be recognised for our ongoing efforts and we are motivated to continue making a positive difference in the community, guided by Mead Johnson Nutrition’s mission of empowering parents to nourish the best start in life.”

 

Organised by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, PR Awards are definitive awards to honour excellent public relations campaigns across Asia and the judging panel was composed by independent public relations veterans coming from different industries in the region.

 

About Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited

Mead Johnson Nutrition has been established for more than a century since 1905. As world’s renowned infant and child nutrition brand, Mead Johnson Nutrition has led the way in developing science-based paediatric nutrition products, guided by the mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life. Currently, Mead Johnson Nutrition provides more than 70 products in over 50 countries.

With excellent quality, Mead Johnson Nutrition has earned trust by nutritionists and parents. Its dedicated and rigorous attitude, continuous innovation, tireless pursuit of excellence and caring feedback to the community have also helped it establish a good brand image.

Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited has landed for a half century, providing Hong Kong parents with high quality, science-based products, various parenting information and professional advice, gaining trust and support from parents.

Mead Johnson Nutrition’s scientists and healthcare professionals are paying efforts on the formula for children with special nutrition needs and Mead Johnson Nutrition is one of the very few brands that insists to produce the formula for metabolic disorders’ children, giving hopes to them.

For more information visit http://www.meadjohnson.com.hk/

#MeadJohnsonNutrition

About PR Awards 2021

PR Awards 2021 is organized by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE as the definitive awards programme for PR practitioners on both the client and agency side. Designed to recognise outstanding work in the PR and communications industry, there are 30 enterable categories offered to reflect the diverse industry verticals and disciplines across the public relations spectrum. For more information, please visit: https://awards.marketing-interactive.asia/prawardshk/

About MARKETING-INTERACTIVE

MARKETING INTERACTIVE is Asia’s leading source of advertising, marketing and media intelligence reaching out to CMOs across Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. With a massive audited circulation of 24,673 copies (ABC audited) and over 200,000 subscriptions in its daily newsletter by professionals across Asia, MARKETING INTERACTIVE has one of the highest readerships across the region. Besides, MARKETING INTERACTIVE has brough together thousands of thought leaders in marketing, mar-tech business industry through hosting numerous flagships event across Asia for more than a decade. For more information, please visit: https://www.marketing-interactive.com/

ONLY Aesthetics Launches New Aesthetics Treatment ONLYCOOL® – The World’s First And Only Cryo Plasma Technology

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 30 September 2021 – ONLY Aesthetics (All About Aesthetics Pte Ltd), the largest multi-award-winning aesthetics group in Singapore, recently launched the world’s first and only cryo plasma technology, ONLYCOOL®.

ONLY Aesthetics was founded to fill the void in the medical industry and provide aesthetic treatments that were not readily available in Singapore. The aesthetics group proudly invests in state-of-the-art technology to provide the highest performing treatments to get the best results for its clients. Hence, in addition to a medical aesthetics company, ONLY Aesthetics is also considered a technology company by its co-founders.

This focus on technology has allowed the aesthetics group to provide FDA-approved medical aesthetics treatments and secure several exclusive distributor rights for the latest medical aesthetic technology in order to achieve the best results for its clients.

One of its latest treatments is ONLYCOOL®, a non-invasive and non-painful aesthetic treatment for the face. Utilising the world’s first and only cryo plasma technology, ONLYCOOL® improves skin texture and pigmentation.

It treats a variety of conditions ranging from acne scarring, wrinkles and fine lines to moles, warts and polyps. This cryo plasma technology is also able to treat stretch marks and eye lifting, and tighten up flabby and loose skin while increasing skin’s elasticity and collagen production, with minimal skin damage.

ONLYCOOL® serves as an alternative to existing treatments such as CO2 Lasers and Fractionals treatment which are increasingly obsolete due to their invasive and painful natures, and their tendency to cause hyperpigmentation (a condition that may take up to 24 months to clear up, if it is not permanent).

Besides ONLYCOOL®, ONLY Aesthetics also provides a variety of treatment programs such as hair removal, face, eyes, and body treatments, as well as pain recovery and doctor treatments.

The aesthetics group has been recently awarded 4 awards at the Daily Vanity Spa & Hair Awards 2021, namely Best Innovative Treatment, Best Hydration Facial, Best Brightening/Whitening Facial Treatment and Best IPL Salon.

More information on ONLYCOOL® can be found at https://onlyaesthetics.sg/services/onlycool/.

About ONLY Aesthetics

Established in 2005, ONLY Aesthetics was founded to rise above the inadequacy of the then-newly saturated market of medical aesthetics. The co-founders believed in the calling to reach out to clients who wanted to better themselves, without short-changing them. The brand prides itself on its state-of-the-art technology and the exceptional results it has achieved for its clients. This is testified by its raving reviews on Google and Facebook and the multiple awards and accolades it has received over the past 15 years in the aesthetics industry. ONLY Aesthetics has outlets in over 8 locations across central Singapore including Dhoby Ghaut, Raffles Place and City Hall.

#ONLYAesthetics

Orient Europharma Launches Two Premium Skin Boosters Aimed to Deliver the Diamond Feel Skin® Result to Consumers

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 30 September 2021 – The term “Working from Home” is no longer foreign to us as we have pivoted quickly to adapt to this new working lifestyle since early last year. With the increased usage of video conferences for virtual meetings and gatherings, it is important that we pay extra attention to our complexion and the condition of our skin now more than ever.

Many people are finding different solutions to achieve flawless skin and to boost confidence at the same time. Understanding this, Orient Europharma Malaysia (OEP MY) is excited to introduce two Premium skin boosters into aesthetic market – the Diamond Feel Forte and Dermal Sign E+. Developed in Korea, these products are loved by celebrities and K-pop stars alike and have been listed in more than 20 countries worldwide as the number one choice of skin booster brand. Malaysian can now also enjoy flawless much like our favourite K-Pop stars. The products are administered by aesthetic doctors as a combination treatment for up to three to four sessions with an interval of two weeks. After completion of the treatment, skin will appear plumper, brighter, more hydrated and has a rejuvenated effect that gives out a diamond-like aura.

Diamond Feel Forte contains 67 active ingredients and is a total solution for skin problems. It delivers the most optimal results for improving moisturization and fine lines by using semi cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Scars are healed using plant stem cells extract and Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which is a DNA extracted from salmon and can accelerate the healing process of skin. Skin condition is boosted using booster collagens by growth factors, peptides and amino acids. By using Diamond Feel Forte, clinical studies have shown that the product boosts collagen production by 256% and is able to perform healing effects by 78% after three days of the first treatment, while increasing skin moisturizing by 215%, decreasing inflammatory factors by 53% and inhibiting aging factors by 71.6% after six days of the first treatment. With three to four sessions of the treatment, skin will exude a diamond-like glow.

Dermal Sign E+ is a semi cross-linked hyaluronic acid based intensive solution that helps develop outstanding and long-lasting brightening effects for those who are looking for a clearer complexion and pigmentation free skin. This product contains triple brightening ingredients such as glotathione (a water-soluble ingredient), tranexamic acid (a brightening ingredient mainly used in medicine for the therapy of pigmentation) and AA2G (anti-oxidant effect of stabilized Vitamin C). Clinical data shows that Dermal Sign E+ helps reduce the production of melanin (pigmentation) better than Arbutin (a cosmeceutical that fades hyperpigmentation) in a brightening effect test. DermalSign E+ reduces the figure of tyrosinase by 59.5% after the first treatment. Tyrosinase is responsible for the first step in melanin production, thus reducing tyrosinase will significantly improve the appearance of dark spots (pigmentation, melasma, chloasma).

 

 “I am thrilled to introduce these two excellent products to consumers and aesthetic doctors in Malaysia. Treatments using the Diamond Feel Forte and Dermal Sign E+ are only available at authorized aesthetic clinics, where trained professional aesthetic doctors and consultants will advise clients for the best treatment plan based on the condition of their skin. Both newly launched products have been scientifically tested, safe, effective and Muslim-friendly. Clients will be able to notice a smoother and brighter complexion after only three to four times of treatments,” says Head of Anti-aging Business of Orient Europharma Malaysia, Ms Iris Lin.

 

TV host, actress and radio DJ Linda Onn is the first celebrity to try out Diamond Feel Forte and DermalSign E+ combination treatment. “As a public figure, appearance is very important. In the past, we have assistants to ensure that we are presentable at all times but with the ongoing pandemic, things have been changing. Being a mother to a young child also keeps me on my toes and I may have also neglected my skin a little bit. I was given the opportunity to try the new treatment and after only a month of treatment, my complexion is now more radiant, youthful and hydrated,” commented Linda.

 

The Diamond Feel Forte and DermalSign E+ combination treatment requires three to four sessions in two-week intervals, with a maintenance period of every six months based on skin conditions. The treatment is priced at RM 2,500 for each session and consumers can get a discounted package price for RM 6,000 for four sessions (total saving of RM 4,000). The combination treatment is now available at Sliq Clinic, Xeoul Clinic, Nextmed Clinic, X Infinity Clinic, Lara Clinic, Yuri Clinique, Dr Nazelia Clinic, B&Co Clinic, Klinik Dia Raissa, Klinik Dr Diana, Bright Clinic, M Touch Clinic, Cellesis Clinic, Calla Aesthetic, Infinity Clinic by Dr Nadz, Regalion Clinic, Kaiteki Clinic, Anggun Medi-Klinik and other authorized aesthetic clinics. Come to your aesthetic doctors to experience the secret of Diamond Feel skin® of K-pop stars! 

 

 

List of authority Aesthetic Clinic Outlets:

Clinic Name

Area

Contact Number

Sliq Clinic

Home

Ara Damansara

017-2775580

KL Eco City

012-7727134

Xeoul Clinic

https://www.xeoulclinic.com/

Subang

012-9696428

Nextmed Clinic

NextMed Registered Medical Clinic

Petaling Jaya

011-33420688

Cheras

016-2349728

Setia Alam

010-2380688

X Infinity Clinic

https://x-infinityclinic.com/

Sunway Geo Avenue

011-19099900

Kota Damansara

011-19099900

Lara Clinic

https://laraclinic.my/

Shah Alam

017-6348045

Yuri Clinique

https://www.yuriclinique.com/

Setia Alam

019-4718050

JB

019-5468050

Dr Nazelia Clinic

Home

Shah Alam

011-26659191

Alor Setar

016-3438090

B&Co Clinic

https://beautyncoclinic.com/

The Garden, KL

0 19-669 9239

Klinik Dia Raissa

https://klinikdiaraissa.com/

Seremban 2

018-3224295

Klinik Dr Diana

https://drdianaclinic.com/

Seremban

018-268 3774

Bright Clinic

https://brightclinic.com.my/

Sunway Geo Avenue

016-9323000

M Touch Clinic

https://mtouchclinic.com.my

Bukit Jalil

017-320 2168

Cellesis Clinic

https://cellesisclinic.com/

Sri Hartamas

018-988 3168

Regalion Clinic

https://www.regalionclinic.com/

Kepong

010-2323136

Kota Damansara

013-3919155

Kaiteki Clinic https://www.kaiteki.my/

Bukit Jalil

011-33017188

Anggun Medi-Klinik

Temporary

Wangsa Maju

012-6259817

Shah Alam

012-6759817

Cyberjaya

012-6759817

Calla Aesthetic

Putrajaya

019-6686867

Infinity Clinic by Dr. Nadz

Kuala Lumpur

011-2781 1007

About Orient Europharma Malaysia (OEP MY)

Orient EuroPharma Malaysia (OEP MY) – one of the most reliable companies in domestic market was established in 1997, a subsidiary of Orient EuroPharma Co., Ltd. (OEP). Aside from prescription medicines, OEP MY has expanded its business across nutricare (Karihome) and aesthetic fields. OEP MY aesthetic team aims to bring premier, high quality and breakthrough products from worldwide to the high-end consumers in Malaysia through aesthetic doctors.

#OrientEuropharma

Citibank Hong Kong Proactively Underpins the Development of Digital Banking and Innovation

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 29 September 2021 – Citibank Hong Kong earlier partnered the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to participate in its Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Accelerator 2021. The programme allows us to enhance our connection and exchange with local and overseas tech ventures, accelerating the digital transformation for banking services.  It also serves a platform for us to create synergies with industry players, sparking innovation through co-creation to achieve viable solutions, nurturing FinTech talents and fostering the ecosystem.  Mr Nailesh Shah, Head of Digital Channels and Experience, Citibank Hong Kong attended the Partner Sharing Session at the Demo Day yesterday and shared with event participants the insights and experience of collaborating with local and overseas tech ventures.

 

Please download Photo 1 Here.

Please download Photo 2 Here.


Republic of Korea Continues Food Support for Returning Migrant Workers in Quarantine

Republic of Korea Continues Food Support for Returning Migrant Workers in Quarantine
Republic of Korea Continues Food Support for Returning Migrant Workers in Quarantine.

The Government of the Republic of Korea announced its support to the Ministry of Health and the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue providing food to returning migrants in mandatory Covid-19 quarantine.

Schneider Electric Wins ‘Sustainable Infrastructure Vendor of the Year’ at the CRN UK Tech Impact Awards

  • Award reflects Schneider Electric’s leadership in sustainable infrastructure solutions and its commitments to helping partners and customers reduce their environmental impact
  • To date, Schneider Electric has helped its partners and customers reduce 320 million tonnes of CO2
  • Green Premium™ products accounted for more than 76% of sales in 2020
  • Circular economy addressed though Trade-UPS and ECOFIT™, recycling, and take-back programs

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 29 September 2021 – Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been awarded ‘Sustainable Infrastructure Vendor of the Year’ at the CRN Tech Impact Awards 2021. The award recognises the company’s leadership in developing sustainable and energy efficient technologies for data centers and edge computing environments, and its proven track record in helping partners and customers deliver solutions that address the crucial issues of sustainability and the circular economy. Launched in March 2021, the CRN Tech Impact Awards honours the vendors, distributors, IT resellers and MSPs leading the way in addressing their own environmental and social impact, and that of their technologies, solutions and services.

 

At Schneider Electric, sustainability is part of our DNA. Our purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and our resources, and work with our channel community to bring progress and sustainability through digitization and electrification to a wide range of industries including data centers, energy grids, buildings, and industrial facilities.  Named as Corporate Knights’ ‘Most Sustainable Corporation in the World’ in 2021, Schneider Electric has a history of driving digital transformation globally and today it works with both channel partners and customers to reduce their environmental impact through technological innovation and sustainable business strategies.

 

The company’s Green Premium™ products, for example, offer sustainable performance by design and accounted for more than 76% of sales in 2020. Its ECOFIT™ and Trade-UPS, recycle and take-back programs address the circular economy and ensure the responsible disposal of discarded infrastructure technologies such as MV equipment and UPSs. Further, its EcoStruxure™ solutions and Energy & Sustainability Services directly enable customers to reduce their CO2 footprint and deliver an average of 20% reduced carbon emissions.

 

The company is also no stranger to Net Zero and has worked tirelessly to address the impact of scope-3 emissions on the environment by creating strategies to minimise CO2 in its supply chain and throughout its partner ecosystem. Today its public commitments include:

  • Accelerating its 2030 goal of carbon neutrality in its extended ecosystem by five years to 2025;
  • Removing gas and ensuring the end of SF6 by the end of 2025;
  • Reaching net-zero operational emissions by 2030 as part of validated SBT target;
  • Achieving a net-zero supply chain by 2050.

In 2020, Schneider Electric announced it was accelerating its sustainability commitments and promised to help customers save/ avoid 800M tonnes of carbon emissions by 2025. Just a short time into that program, it has helped to reduce CO2 by 320 million tonnes. Further, it has launched The Zero Carbon Project, an initiative to halve the carbon emissions of its top supply chain partners by 2025, and a call to action already joined by 91% of them.

 

Sustainable technologies for the channel

 

Data center and edge computing energy demands are increasing exponentially and a new report from Schneider Electric found that IT Energy Demands could increase 50% by 2030.  To help partners design, build and deploy sustainable data centers from the cloud to the edge, Schneider has created an industry-leading portfolio of solutions to address the issues of sustainability and energy efficiency. They include:

  • EcoStruxure Data Center Solutionsbringing together power, cooling, racks and management to support sustainable IT in edge applications and data centers.
  • EcoStruxure IT – The industry’s first vendor-agnostic, open, interoperable remote monitoring software platform enabling partners to gain data driven insights that drive sustainable decision-making and digital services.
  • Single and three-phase lithium-ion uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) – such as its Galaxy series; a Green Premium UPS providing up to 99% efficiency when operated in ECOnversion mode.
  • Uniflair Cooling – free cooling system offering 25% more efficiency and sustainability than comparable systems.
  • Liquid cooling technologies – offering 14% lower CapEx and up to 30% energy reduction compared to air-cooling.
  • EcoStruxure Micro Data Centers – pre-integrated, energy efficient edge computing systems combining power, cooling, security, IT and software.
  • SF6-free switchgear – utilising pure air instead of SF6 gas, which has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Further, its EcoStruxure Micro Data Centers offer partners the ability to design, build, and deploy edge facilities sustainably. These systems are used by Alliance Partners such as Cisco, Dell, and HPE to create a standardised, repeatable approach to edge computing, essential to reducing emissions at the edge. 

 

“Climate change has become the greatest challenge of our time, and the role of channel partners has never been more crucial,” said Karlton Gray, Channel Director, Schneider Electric, UK and Ireland. “No single company can reduce its environmental impact alone, and only through greater collaboration, digitization and transparency, can we make Net Zero a reality. At Schneider, our mission is to be your partner for efficiency and sustainability, and we’re truly delighted to have been named the CRN Tech Impact Sustainable Infrastructure Vendor of the Year.”

 

To learn more about Schneider Electric’s sustainability commitments, visit the website.

 

About EcoStruxure™

EcoStruxure™ is our open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform. EcoStruxure delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity for our customers. EcoStruxure leverages advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity to deliver Innovation at Every Level. This includes Connected Products, Edge Control, and Apps, Analytics & Services which are supported by Customer Lifecycle Software. EcoStruxure™ has been deployed in almost 500,000 sites with the support of 20,000+ developers, 650,000 service providers and partners, 3,000 utilities and connects over 2 million assets under management.

From energy and sustainability consulting to optimizing the life cycle of your operational systems, we have world-wide services to meet your business needs. As a customer-centric organization, Schneider Electric is your trusted advisor to help increase asset reliability, improve total cost of ownership and drive your enterprise’s digital transformation towards sustainability, efficiency and safety.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive, and Empowered values.

https://www.se.com/hk/en/

Follow us on:

https://twitter.com/SchneiderElec

https://www.facebook.com/SchneiderElectric?brandloc=DISABLE

https://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electric

https://www.youtube.com/user/SchneiderCorporate

https://www.instagram.com/schneiderelectric/

http://blog.se.com/

Hashtags: #CRNTechImpact #Sustainability

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Hong Kong Baptist University invents novel cell sensor for rapid and low-cost screening of drug-resistant bacteria

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 29 September 2021 – A research team led by scientists at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has developed a novel cell sensor with a barcode-like micro-channel structure that enables rapid and low-cost screening of drug-resistant bacteria. The invention could potentially be used on a large-scale in resource-limited situations such as frequent safety screenings of water, food and public facilities, as well as urgent surveys of massive samples during an infectious disease outbreak, particularly in developing countries.

 

A research paper on the novel invention was published in the international academic journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

A research team led by Dr Ren Kangning, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU (left), designed a fully automatic, microscope-free antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) system. It enables rapid and low-cost screening of drug-resistant bacteria by scanning the “barcode” on the cell sensor with a mobile app, which is shown by Chan Chiu-wing, a member of the research team and a PhD student of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU (right).

 

The cell sensor with a barcode-like micro-channel structure comprises two main parts: a cell culture zone and a “barcode” cell sensor.

A rapid and low-cost testing approach

 

Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections, but the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have created the problem of drug resistance. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is used to determine which antibiotics can effectively inhibit the growth of a certain type of bacteria effectively. However, conventional AST methods are too slow, as they require 16 to 24 hours for results, while modern rapid ASTs are expensive and require elaborated laboratory equipment. A rapid and cost-effective strategy is therefore needed to screen bacterial samples onsite, with advanced laboratory testing arranged only for those suspected of containing drug-resistant bacteria.

 

In response to this need, a research team led by Dr Ren Kangning, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU designed a fully automatic, microscope-free AST system. It comprises two main parts: a cell culture zone and a “barcode” cell sensor. The cell culture zone consists of a set of micro-channels filled with fluids that contain cell culture media as well as different concentrations of the antibiotic. The “barcode” cell sensor contains an array of “adaptive linear filters” arranged in parallel that resembles a “barcode” structure. Users can finish the onsite screening within three hours by scanning the “barcode” with a mobile app developed by the researchers, and it will indicate whether any drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria is present in the sample.

 

Quantity of bacteria represented by bar length

 

When conducting AST with the system, bacterial samples will be injected into and incubated in the cell culture zone. Bacteria in the test sample inside the micro-channels show different proliferation rates depending on different concentrations of the antibiotic.

 

After completion of the culture period, the bacterial cells will flow through the “adaptive linear filters”. The cells will not accumulate around the nanopores on the sidewalls of the micro-channels, instead they will be driven down by the fluid and be collected from the end of the micro-channels. The accumulated cells will then form visible vertical bars, the lengths of which are proportional to the quantity of bacteria cells cultured under the different concentrations of the antibiotic.

 

A cell phone equipped with a macro-lens can then be used to photograph the “barcode” created by the AST. The image will be analysed automatically by the mobile app.

 

Results consistent with conventional AST

 

After the culture period, if all the “bars” of the cell sensor have similar lengths, it means the tested antibiotic cannot inhibit the growth of the bacteria, and thus the bacterial sample is resistant to the tested antibiotic. If the length of the “bars” is in general inversely proportional to the concentration of the antibiotic in the micro-channels, it shows that the tested antibiotic is generally effective at prohibiting the growth of the bacteria, and thus the bacteria is not drug-resistant. When two adjacent “bars” show a sharp difference in terms of length, it indicates that the antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic leaps when its concentration reaches a particular level.

 

The research team tested E. coli and S. aureus with the “barcode” cell sensor and the results were consistent with those of the conventional AST. The test can be completed in three hours, which is much faster than the conventional AST. Microfluidic approaches developed by other researchers can also attain comparable speed, but they rely on expensive instruments for analysis in general.  

 

Potential for use in resource-limited regions

 

“Our ‘barcode’ testing system is a promising new tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. We hope that it will benefit the routine screening of drug-resistant bacteria in the food industry, public areas and healthcare facilities as it does not require advanced clinical facilities or professional testing skills,” said Dr Ren.

 

The “barcode” cell sensor has a low production cost, and it is estimated to be below one US dollar per piece. The research team has filed a patent application for the “barcode” cell sensor. “We plan to develop our invention into a portable AST instrument, and ultimately, we hope it can be used in resource-limited regions,” Dr Ren added.

 

Apart from researchers from HKBU’s Department of Chemistry, the research team of the “barcode” cell sensor also included scientists from the Department of Computer Science at HKBU and the School of Medicine at Stanford University.

#HongKongBaptistUniversity #HKBU

Cushman & Wakefield Commits to Industry-Leading Science Based Targets and Reaching Net Zero Emissions Across Its Value Chain by 2050

Real estate firm sets ambitious science-based targets and commits to partnering with clients to achieve net zero value chain emissions by 2050

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 29 September 2021 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK), a leading global real estate services firm, recently announced ambitious science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In addition, by signing up to the Business Ambition for 1.5ºC campaign, Cushman & Wakefield pledges to reach net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

 “With buildings generating a significant portion of the world’s carbon emissions, we recognize Cushman & Wakefield plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable future for the real estate industry and beyond,” said Brett White, Executive Chairman & CEO of Cushman & Wakefield.

 

Cushman & Wakefield will immediately focus efforts on its corporate offices and operations by committing to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 market-based GHG emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Scope 1 includes direct emissions, and scope 2 emissions are from purchased heat and electricity.

 

The firm’s science-based targets will not only reduce absolute GHG emissions from its corporate operations, but will also include the facilities it manages on behalf of its clients, some of the world’s largest real estate owners and occupiers.

 

Leading by example, the firm commits to partnering with its clients (representing 70% of its scope 3 value chain emissions) to set their own science-based targets by 2025. Notably, approximately 99% of Cushman & Wakefield’s emissions come from facilities it manages on behalf of clients, and the firm is committed to actualizing its vision of a sustainable future that extends beyond its own corporate footprint.

 

These targets have been approved by the SBTi.

 

Additionally, by 2050, the firm pledges to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain, encompassing all direct and indirect business elements that contribute to GHG emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3). This target was pledged through the Race to Zero campaign and the SBTi’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C pathway—initiatives using climate science frameworks to reach net zero in a global effort to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

“As a leader in the commercial real estate industry, we understand environmental action requires bold commitments aligned with climate science,” said John Forrester, President of Cushman & Wakefield. “These commitments further our ongoing efforts to reduce our impact and our clients’ impact on the environment as well as mitigate the impacts of climate change. We have an opportunity and responsibility to continually evaluate our organization and hold ourselves accountable for the intended outcomes. We realize our work goes beyond the present moment and will impact generations to come.”

“We congratulate Cushman & Wakefield on setting science-based targets consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement,” said Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Managing Director, Science Based Targets at CDP, one of the SBTi partners. “By setting ambitious science-based targets grounded in climate science, Cushman & Wakefield is taking action to prevent the most damaging effects of climate change.”

 

These recently announced science-based targets build upon Cushman & Wakefield’s longstanding commitment to reducing its own environmental impact across the property life cycle, in addition to suppliers’ and clients’ impact. In 2020, the firm achieved a 1.1% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 (market-based) GHG emissions; a 2.5% absolute reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions; and a 14% reduction in total scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per million square feet (MSF) of office space. Cushman & Wakefield also worked with clients to provide energy and sustainability services to over 370 MSF of space in the U.S. in 2020. More information is available in the firm’s 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

 

Learn more about Cushman & Wakefield’s science-based targets and net zero commitment.

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global advisory services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners, with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 22 offices serves local markets across the region, earning recognition and winning multiple awards for industry-leading performance. The firm had global revenues of US$7.8 billion in 2020 across core services including valuation, consulting, project & development services, capital markets, project & occupier services, industrial & logistics, retail and others.


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