Computer illustration of a cross-section (orange strands) of a lipid nanoparticle carrying viral mRNA
Science Photo Library / Alamy
Virus-like vaccines typically trigger strong immune reactions; however, mRNA versions are significantly quicker and less expensive to manufacture. We now benefit from mRNA vaccines that encode for virus-like nanoparticles instead of individual proteins, as is the case with current COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
Grace Hendricks and her team at the University of Washington in Seattle have demonstrated that an mRNA version of a coronavirus nanoparticle vaccine provokes immune responses in mice that are up to 28 times stronger than those elicited by standard mRNA vaccines.
According to Hendricks, some mild but unpleasant side effects of mRNA vaccines result from the body’s immediate response to the injected mRNA and the lipid particles encapsulating it. A more potent vaccine could enable lower dosages. “This means we can maintain the essential immune response while reducing the dose, thus minimizing side effects,” she explains.
The first vaccine was comprised of a weakened “live” virus and is highly effective, yet poses risks for individuals with compromised immune systems. This was followed by inactivated vaccines containing “dead” viruses, which are safer but challenging to produce.
The advancement continued with protein subunit vaccines that generally include only the exterior proteins of the virus. These are even safer than inactivated vaccines, but airborne proteins often fail to induce robust immune responses.
As a solution, vaccine developers began embedding viral proteins into tiny spheres to create spiky structures resembling viruses to the immune system, yet as safe as protein subunit vaccines. This is achieved by modifying existing proteins to self-assemble into small spheres with protruding viral proteins known as vaccine nanoparticles.
During the pandemic, Hendricks’s colleagues worked on a COVID-19 nanoparticle vaccine called Skycovion. Although it received approval in South Korea in 2022, mRNA vaccines had already made significant advances by that time, leading to limited use of Skycovion.
mRNA vaccines are significantly faster and more straightforward to produce than protein-based vaccines, as they provide a recipe for protein assembly, while the challenging task of protein synthesis is executed by the body’s cells. The viral proteins coded by these first-generation mRNA vaccines eventually protrude from the cell surface, inducing a more effective immune response compared to free-floating proteins but still falling short of the efficacy seen with nanoparticle vaccines.
Currently, Hendricks and her colleagues have merged the advantages of both methods by developing a vaccine that consists of mRNA encoding Skycovion. After the vaccine proteins are produced within cells, they organize into nanoparticles that have shown efficacy in mouse studies.
“This was merely a proof of concept for this gene transfer,” Hendricks stated. She and her team are already advancing what they term mRNA-launched nanoparticle vaccines targeting influenza, Epstein-Barr virus (which can lead to cancer), and various other viruses.
“I am excited about the potential of mRNA-launched protein nanoparticle vaccines.” said William Sheeff from The Scripps Research Institute in California, who is working on an HIV vaccine. “My colleagues and I have published impressive immunogenicity results with two mRNA-launched nanoparticles in clinical trials and several similar particles in mouse models. This new research enhances the existing body of work.” Despite this promising trajectory, the United States has announced significant cuts to funding for the development of mRNA vaccines.
Apple is set to unveil major software updates for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch this Monday, significantly altering the icons, lock screen, and overall system appearance, along with introducing features for compatible devices.
Unveiled during the company’s developer conference in June, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe introduce a new liquid glass design, offering a softer, rounder look that enhances the overall user interface.
Here’s what you should know regarding the update:
When can I get it?
Updates for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS typically become available around 6pm in the UK (1pm in New York and 3am in Sydney). Unlike other manufacturers, all eligible Apple devices can download and install these updates immediately upon release.
Which devices are supported?
All Apple smartphones starting from the 2019 iPhone 11 and newer can install iOS 26. The 2018 iPad Pro, 2019 iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Mini (5th generation), and iPad (8th generation), along with all newer tablets, are also supported. Furthermore, iMacs from 2020, Mac Studios from 2022, and Mac Pros from 2019 onward can run macOS 26 Tahoe.
How can I install it?
To download, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, navigate to General > Software Updates. If available, tap on Install, confirm, restart, and exit. You can also update using a Windows computer via iTunes or the Mac app.
For watchOS 26, ensure that your iPhone 11 or later is running iOS 26. Then, open the Watch app on your phone and go to General > Software Updates to start the installation. Ensure your smartwatch is on the charger to complete the update.
On your Mac, update through System Settings, going to General > Software Update.
What is the cost?
Apple updates are free of charge. If prompted to pay for an update, it is likely a scam.
What happened to iOS 19-25?
Apple has adopted a new year-based naming format for its software updates. Thus, iOS versions 18 and earlier released between September 2024 and 2025 are now replaced by iOS 26 and subsequent versions from 2025-2026. This is akin to sports season naming conventions.
Liquid glass design
Each operating system now sports a cohesive translucent design, reminiscent of frosted glass bubbles overlaid on a flat background, providing depth to your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, influenced by the Vision Pro headset. Buttons, menus, icons, and notification banners are shiny and responsive, enabling translucence with wallpapers and content below them.
iOS 26
The liquid glass aesthetic on the home screen and icons is one of the most significant changes in iOS history. Composite: Apple
The liquid glass redesign alters the shape and appearance of home screen icons and widgets. Alongside redefined app icons, you have the option to make them translucent in color.
Notifications and other elements now bounce from the top of the screen. A widget appears on the bottom of the lock screen that dynamically scales the clock size based on the number of notifications displayed.
Dynamic and concealed buttons
Buttons will condense when not engaged. For instance, the camera app has been optimized to conceal extra modes behind sliders or larger pop-up menus. Safari’s address bar and navigation buttons shrink into a small button at the bottom while scrolling. You can access tabs and controls by swiping up or tapping the 3-dot button.
Easier spam filtering
Enhanced spam filtering is integrated into the phone and messaging applications. Composite: Apple
The phone app can automatically screen calls from unknown numbers by answering and asking why they are calling before your iPhone notifies you. Messages will screen texts from new senders to detect spam, organizing them into separate inboxes. The phone app also allows you to hold while waiting for customer service representatives.
Both the phone app, FaceTime, and Messages now feature live translation capabilities.
Game Center App
The new gaming app acts as a centralized hub on your iPhone, featuring a game library that showcases what your friends are playing, replacing the Arcade for tracking achievements, competitions, and gaming events.
iPadOS 26
iPadOS 26 features a significant upgrade for multitasking, aligning more closely with macOS. Composite: Apple
iPadOS shares the new visual redesign with the iPhone, featuring clear icons and hidden buttons. More importantly, it introduces an innovative multitasking feature tailored for users utilizing iPads as laptop substitutes.
Mac-like menu bar and full windowing
The familiar macOS menu bar is now available on the iPad. Composite: Apple
A key addition for the iPad is the introduction of the Mac-like menu bar and window management features. You can swipe down from the center at the top of the app screen to access a menu bar containing various functionalities including settings, files, views, and more as on a Mac.
It features the classic red, yellow, and green three-dot menu allowing you to close, minimize, and resize windows. Holding the button reveals tiling and movement options similar to macOS, or you can manually resize windows to your desired size. Swipe to expose, flick left or right to snap apps to the sides, or flick to make an app full-screen.
You can easily open and overlap multiple windows, tile them side by side, or transform your home screen into a desktop interface akin to a Mac.
Preview and Files Apps
The Files app has been enhanced to streamline document and file management on your iPad. You can designate a default app for certain file types, similar to a computer setup. Specific folders like Downloads and Documents can now be directly added to the dock for easier access.
The Preview app from Mac is now on your iPad, allowing the viewing, editing, and annotation of PDFs, images, and more with Apple Pencil.
watchOS 26
watchOS 26 enhances your fitness experience and includes many features from iOS 26. Composite: Apple
The liquid glass design of the iPhone is even more prominent on the Apple Watch, featuring notification bubbles overlaying the Watch Face, floating buttons within apps, and smart widget stacks for a softer aesthetics.
Workout Companion
Apple’s new Fitness for Fitness chatbot, named Workout Buddy, provides ongoing conversation and motivation during workouts similar to the guidance offered by an Apple Fitness+ Coach. It marks significant training achievements, such as reaching specific milestones or pacing goals and summarizes your workout afterward. This feature requires Bluetooth headphones connected to the watch and an iPhone 15 Pro or later nearby.
Sleep Score and Hypertension Alerts
The sleep app calculates a sleep score every morning, giving you an overview of your rest quality. For Series 9 or Ultra 2 and newer watches, a blood pressure monitoring feature will alert you if hypertension signs are detected over the past 30 days.
Wrist Flick
Apple has introduced innovative gestures to the touch-free capabilities of the new Watch. A simple wrist flick away from you will reject notifications, alarms, and alerts. Additionally, double-tap gestures offer an easy way to dismiss things or interact with the watch without touch.
New Watch Faces
A selection of new and improved watch faces is included with watchOS 26. Composite: Samuel Gibbs/Guardian
Three new clock faces have been introduced. Flow features a large digital display that utilizes a liquid glass design, changing colors in response to movement. Exactograph separates hours, minutes, and seconds into distinct analog dials available in various styles. Ultra-exclusive waypoints surround the time with live compasses pointing to landmarks and significant locations. Additionally, revamped photo faces feature floating numbers.
macOS 26 Tahoe
macOS 26 Tahoe incorporates the same liquid glass design elements as the other updates. Composite: Apple
macOS receives a majority of the new features and design updates seen in iOS and iPadOS, including rounded window corners and glass-like design elements.
Phone App
The Phone app allows you to initiate and manage calls seamlessly. Composite: Apple
Apple enhances the Phone app on Mac, enabling calls through Wi-Fi and connected iPhones. It shows recent calls, voicemail, contacts, includes new call screening features, and maintains iPhone assist functionality.
Live activities, such as sports scores and streaming updates, are now visible in the Mac’s menu bar.
Spotlight
Actions have been incorporated into the Spotlight search system. This allows you to send messages and emails, generate notes, and set reminders, all directly from the search bar. You can filter files by type, group them, find documentation from third-party cloud services, and explore apps, files, clipboard history, and other content instead of using traditional search methods.
Apple’s latest Worldwide Developers Conference saw the company’s artificial intelligence features take a back seat. While new functionalities were announced for the Apple Watch and Vision Pro, alongside enhanced software designs known as Liquid Glass, and new phone and camera applications, Apple’s AI-related announcements were limited to minor upgrades amidst pressure to keep pace with competitors heavily invested in AI.
One anticipated feature is Live Translation, offering real-time language translation across messaging, FaceTime, and phone apps, incorporating multiple capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence. It’s noteworthy that similar features have been available on the Android platform for some time. Additionally, a new Fitness app has been introduced, utilizing AI-generated voices to assist users during workouts.
Consumers may soon experience enhancements in AI for applications beyond mobile. The company revealed that it enables app developers to utilize Apple’s large-scale, on-device language model, enhancing AI experiences in third-party applications. Users will have the choice to opt in or out of sharing their data or information off-device with developers.
At last year’s WWDC, Apple announced a suite of upgrades for Siri, aiming to make the virtual assistant more engaging and dynamic. However, many of these features remain unreleased despite Apple’s assurances.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s VP of Software Engineering, previously mentioned that “this task required more time to reach a quality standard,” referring to the delay.
Forrester VP principal analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee noted that Siri’s muted presence was “deafening.”
Chatterjee stated, “This subject was quickly brushed aside, leaving next year shrouded in uncertainty. While Apple continues to refine the features of Apple Intelligence, superficial updates like text corrections and whimsical emojis cannot satisfy the demand for an intuitive, interactive AI experience. The timeline for Siri’s evolution is rapidly approaching, and Apple needs significant advancements.”
Additionally, Apple has formed a partnership with ChatGPT, a strategic move to help the iPhone maker compete with AI giants such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, suggested that Apple may need to forge more partnerships to stay competitive.
Ives concluded, “Overall, WWDC articulated the developers’ vision, but following last year’s setbacks, there was no remarkable progress in Apple Intelligence as Cupertino remains cautious.”
“We understand the strategy, but this is a significant year for Apple to capitalize on the AI front, possibly compelling us to pursue larger AI acquisitions to advance this strategy.”
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