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新一期季刊隆重登場！

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Mia Heller's Magnetic Solution to Remove Microplastics from Water

Earlier this month, Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos, a researcher at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico City, announced promising results from her long-term research on treating human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Using an innovative, non-invasive method called photodynamic therapy (PDT), her team reported success in eliminating HPV and pre-cancerous lesions in a small group of women, a development that could reshape approaches to cervical cancer prevention and treatment.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/6_XNVBXSZHJDN_5_GPXM_5_IQ_2_AKGUY_98b58dfff7.avif" alt="6XNVBXSZHJDN5GPXM5IQ2AKGUY.avif"><figcaption>Photo from El Universal</figcaption></figure>HPV and Its ImpactHPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, approximately 80% of women will encounter the virus at some point in their lives. While most HPV infections clear up on their own, certain high-risk strains can persist and lead to cervical cancer, a major global health concern—particularly in Mexico, where cervical cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women, highlighting the urgency of effective interventions.Currently, there is no existing cure for HPV. Prevention hinges on vaccination (recommended for children and young adults) and regular screening, while treatments focus on managing symptoms like genital warts or removing precancerous lesions. These interventions, such as cryotherapy or surgical excision, can be invasive and carry risks, underscoring the demand for safer, more targeted options.Photodynamic TherapyDr. Eva Ramón Gallegos has spent over 20 years refining photodynamic therapy, a technique that uses light and a photosensitizing agent to destroy abnormal cells while sparing healthy tissue. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both diseased and healthy cells, PDT offers precision by targeting only damaged areas.In her method, a drug called delta-aminolevulinic acid is applied to the cervix. This compound is absorbed by cells and converted into protoporphyrin IX, a light-sensitive substance that accumulates more in abnormal cells than in normal ones. After a period of time is allowed for the drug to clear from healthy tissue, a specific wavelength of light is applied, activating the protoporphyrin IX to produce reactive oxygen species that destroy the targeted cells.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/national_institute_of_allergy_and_infectious_diseases_DT_Ldex_F73_Us_unsplash_32c4ca49ab.jpg" alt="national-institute-of-allergy-and-infectious-diseases-DTLdexF73Us-unsplash.jpg"><figcaption>Photo from Unsplash</figcaption></figure>Reported ResultsDr. Ramón Gallegos’s study involved 29 women and yielded impressive, though preliminary, outcomes:<ul><li>85% Cure Rate for HPV Alone: Among women with HPV but no cervical lesions, 85% tested negative for the virus post-treatment.</li><li>85% Success with HPV and Lesions: In women with both HPV and pre-cancerous lesions, 85% saw both the virus and lesions eliminated.</li><li>42% Efficacy Without HPV: For women with lesions but no detectable HPV, the treatment cleared lesions in about 42% of cases.</li><li>100% Success with Higher Dosage: Doubling the delta-aminolevulinic acid concentration reportedly eradicated HPV in 100% of women with the virus but no lesions.</li></ul>These results suggest PDT could not only treat HPV infections but also stop progression to cervical cancer by addressing early-stage abnormalities.Context and LimitationsThe findings build on a previous IPN report from 2019, where Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos first announced similar success with PDT in a larger cohort of over 400 women. However, peer-reviewed publications confirming these results—particularly the February 2025 announcement—are not yet available, suggesting the need for caution until further studies are conducted. The small sample size of 29 women in this study also limits broader conclusions.Photodynamic therapy itself is an established technique, but its application to HPV is new. The U.S. National Cancer Institute notes that PDT is limited to surface-level conditions because light cannot penetrate deeply into tissue. A 2023 study in Medicine on PDT for other conditions also reported mild side effects such as burns, scarring, and temporary light sensitivity, consistent with Dr. Ramón Gallegos's findings of minimal adverse effects compared to surgery or chemotherapy.<figure class="image"><img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/ZUOFFVSF_65_DMXEGQ_57_ILX_5_KW_6_U_38992b7fe1.avif" alt="ZUOFFVSF65DMXEGQ57ILX5KW6U.avif"><figcaption>Photo from El Universal</figcaption></figure>A Step Toward a Cure?Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos’ research proves the potential of photodynamic therapy to transform women’s health. Though her work suggests a hopeful future, rigorous follow-up and long-term studies are required to confirm whether HPV clearance is sustainable, as well as to assess the rates of recurrence. If validated, Mexico could emerge as a leader in HPV treatment and reduce the global burden of cervical cancer and, with further development and peer-review, could provide a certified, non-invasive solution to HPV—potentially saving millions of lives in the future.

Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos: Pioneering Solutions for HPV and Women's Health

Jeremy Chapnick

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Jane Yiying Zhang: Leading the Hydrogen-Powered Charge to our Green Future

不論是大人還是小朋友，愛玩玩具的心都一定不會變。但是，在玩耍的同時，你又知道它們背後的科學原理嗎？不如去玩具科學館一探究竟吧！
近日正式開放的「香港玩具科學館」，是領展於樂富廣場開設全港首個把玩具與科學元素首度結合的展覽館。館內設有五大互動科學主題區，包括「物理科學區」、「錯覺創意區」、「科學體驗區」、「動腦解謎區」及「珍藏玩具廊」，展出不同種類的玩具，讓大家在親身試玩的同時，學習當中的科學原理，更可以啟發小朋友的科學創意思維。 
<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/nd_0773.jpg" title="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場" class="paragraph-image" alt="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場"/>玩具科學館的展覽費用全免，而在暑假期間的週末更特設導賞員，向參觀人士講解玩具背後的科學原理，加上還會派發DIY創意視覺玩具紀念品，必定會成為一家大小在暑假期間「寓學習於玩樂」的好選擇。
「物理科學區」<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/nd_0562_1.jpg" title="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場" class="paragraph-image" alt="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場"/>「錯覺創意區」<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/hk_toy_science_museum_3.jpg" title="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場" class="paragraph-image" alt="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場"/>「科學體驗區」<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/fu_zhi_-nd_0640.jpg" title="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場" class="paragraph-image" alt="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場"/>「動腦解謎區」<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/hk_toy_science_museum_5.jpg" title="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場" class="paragraph-image" alt="贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場"/>Text︰Tiff Chan 
Edit︰Joey Chen

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贏在「寓學習於玩樂」！全港首個玩具科學館登場

物料，非常概括又含糊的一個統稱。生存在世，凡是能用手觸及的都是物料；研究和發明物料的人彷彿都是深不可測，想不到眼前的Elaine正是其中一員。從紡織物料開始，她後來指涉應用在醫學和汽車工業的記憶合金，又跨界將設計融入藝術。她的作品秉承設計的精神，著力改善生活，同時不失樂趣玩味。
<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/jes189a175p06x1.jpg" title="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲" class="paragraph-image" alt="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲"/>踏入3月，一連串大型藝博會令香港藝壇再度蓬勃起來。適逢去年初獲頒Design Miami的設計新星獎，讓Elaine躋身參與今年Art Central，成為這門大型盛事的一份子。Elaine稱：「Design Miami的獎項猶如設計界的的奧斯卡，門檻很高，因為需要業界人士提名才有機會競逐，而事實上我還是到宣佈結果一刻才知道自己得到了這殊榮，感到很驚喜和榮幸！Swarovski是當時的評審之一，因而造就了我們合作的機緣。雖然製作過程時間非常有限，但我很感激團隊給予的技術支援，以及品牌的開放思維──他們只要求我的作品要創新，甚至毋須用上他們的水晶呢！」 
是次作品名為《Sundew》，靈感源自一種同名的植物。這種毛氈苔形同捕蠅草，以鮮艷的外型和迷人香氣誘導昆蟲接近，然後捕獲它們。Elaine以這樣的設定化成壯觀的水晶裝置展區，利用香氣模擬真實情況，以糅合水晶粒的手工紡織品製做眩目的光線，配上富驚喜的機械動態「捕捉」觀眾，要只顧低頭為打卡而玩手機的人們猛赫然停下來，與作品交流互動，她解釋：「Biomimicry（仿生物科技）是我喜愛探討的命題，大自然中有其奧妙的運作機制，我想以這樣輕鬆的方式介紹給觀眾。」
<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/jes189a175p02x1.jpg" title="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲" class="paragraph-image" alt="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲"/>利用設計改善生活
作為研究員的Elaine，可不是每天坐在工作室，不問世事埋頭研發冰冷的新物料，事實上她熱衷為發明注入溫度。除了顧念自然環境，也發起關懷人文的項目，「3年前我開始來往貴州進行與當地人交流的計劃。那裡的傳統紡織技術絕美，可惜隨年青人遷徙至大城市打工而出現文化斷層，而他們的非常可惜。為了保存這個傳統，我跟這些村民合作，提供現代物料，如尼龍予織女們按他們代代相傳的方法製作。」 
成品是一幅幅精密大器、滿佈細節的布料，由於部份組織的特質堅韌，更可扭塑不同造型，用於時裝上可製作不同配飾，Elaine便以這種物料造了一件可隨意更改形狀的頭飾。現今大城市崇尚手工藝，她希望有天能將新設計引進精品的生產工業，令貧窮的婦女可以自給自足。「 從前那套設計理論是局限於平面圖像或一件物件，追求美感。在我眼中，現在的設計是一個平台、社區甚至系統；我們想改善的不止是個人生活，而是群體的水平。在貴州的項目中，目標受眾是當地的少數民族，所設計的是找方法去轉換他們的製作，令富民族色彩的手作跟時尚接軌，最終讓他們在文化認同或經濟上受惠。」<img src="https://prd-cdn.jessicahk.com/files/jes189a175p07x1.jpg" title="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲" class="paragraph-image" alt="開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲"/>科研不是男性專利
秉持造福人群的理念，她在英國頂尖的聖馬丁學院中由紡織入手，繼而攻讀智能物料；作為物料設計師，她參與過的製作包括布料、應用在汽車業的合金、耐用的手機設計，實在變化萬千，層出不窮，她總結：「概念上紡織的成品不一定只是衣物，所造的物料的定義從來都很廣闊，它可以是柔軟的、堅硬的、彈性的、流動的。從學院走到工作研究的場域，我學會將抽象的想法應用在現實社會，看到它如何提升人民的生活質素。研究是個奇妙的過程，學會事物背後的操作都有利我改善設計的成果。」 
即使參與藝術創作，Elaine的作品也運用上設計的思維。製作包含多感觀體驗的《Sundew》時，那怕是與英國香氛專家一同塑造模仿植物的香氣，乆以至扭緊裝置上的一顆螺絲，也是她親力親為，一手包辦。看她拿著扳手輕鬆爬上長梯，自顧自修理裝置頂部的組件，一晃眼又見她手執焊槍處理細碎零件，整個流程好比特技演出。相信很多女性都會跟我一樣，當下浮現在腦中的是：電子這回事，我懂甚麼？她謙遜笑說：「對於學習電子零件和操控，我總算能易於掌握。其實作為女性，我不認為對我在工作上有任何阻礙，表現也不亞於男性，畢竟最重要還是練習和不恥下問；事實上，女性的手指比較纖細，在做接焊等細致工序時，理應有靈活的優勢！」 
那麼，從事研究和開發的行業定是陽盛陰衰，這是定理嗎？「Yes and no。工作上的確多數與男性接觸，但最近我到訪了馬來西亞的學院，發現他們所有工程師都是女性，所以凡事無絕對，都是成見罷了。反過來說，因為工作所需我們都不能穿戴華衣上班，或者令很多女性覺得很沒趣，於是對這個行業都打退堂鼓，哈哈。」 
吳燕玲（Elaine Yan Ling Ng）物料設計師 The Fabrick Lab創辦人 
生於英國，畢業於聖馬丁學院，主修紡織設計、其後攻讀碩士，集中研究智能物料。她曾於日產汽車歐洲設計總部工作，開發汽車物料；2011年獲諾基亞受聘，及後搬往北京出任其高級物料設計師。2013年成立個人設計及研究工作室The Fabrick Lab，從事多媒體創作，翌年公司基地隨她的移居遷至香港。2015年於榮獲Design Miami的施華洛世奇未來設計師大獎 / Swarovski Designers of the Future獎項，亦令她贏得將於本年Art Central藝博會上展出與Swarovski合作製作大型互動裝置作品的機會。
Text: Alice Liang 
Photo：Raymond Chan, Courtesy of interviewee and Derek Photography

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開拓物料的想像 吳燕玲

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