Knowing how viruses change in the initial weeks of an infection can provide important information about their adaptability. Researchers from the Ruhr University Bochum Departments of Molecular & Medical Virology and Translational & Computational Infection Research, Germany, have taken a closer look at the early phase of hepatitis E infections. To do this, they worked closely with the blood donation service of the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW in Bad Oeynhausen, a hospital of Ruhr University Clinics Bochum. The team analyzed samples from 80 blood donors who were determined to have a HEV infection during a routine screening. The results are published in the journal mBio from July 10, 2026.

Over the past 20 years, microrobots have moved from scientific vision toward biomedical reality. A perspective article by Bradley J. Nelson from ETH Zurich reviews how microrobots, typically ranging from about a millimeter down to a few microns in size, are being developed as intelligent microscale machines for future precision medicine. Inspired by the motility and adaptability of microorganisms, these systems are designed to function in low-Reynolds-number environments, where viscous forces dominate and conventional macroscale actuation principles are no longer applicable. The article discusses the physical constraints of microscale locomotion, major propulsion mechanisms, fabrication and material strategies, embodied intelligence, biomedical applications, and remaining translational challenges. It further suggests that advances in biocompatible materials, high-resolution imaging, magnetic navigation, and AI-driven control may support the future transition of microrobots from laboratory prototypes to clinically relevant tools for next-generation precision medicine.

As cosmetic procedures become increasingly normalized worldwide, new research suggests that for some women, repeated treatments may become addiction-like rather than purely cosmetic. The study found that one in five women who had undergone cosmetic procedures met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use, with low body esteem and problematic social media use emerging as the strongest risk factors.