Month: February 2026

HBO Max To Launch In The UK & Ireland On Thursday, March 26

For the first time ever, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream content from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place on HBO Max, one might ask now is there a need or will we cancel something else to avail of this as the monthly subsriptions add up and are getting costly.

Award winning Max Original, The Pitt, will premiere in the UK & Ireland on HBO Max from launch, including all of the first season available from day one

2026 features one of HBO’s best ever slates, upcoming content will include new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, as well as the debut of Lanterns from DC Studios

Movie fans will be able to watch the Academy Award nominated slate and best of the box office including Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One

Sports fans will access their TNT Sports streaming subscription via HBO Max in the UK starting Thursday, March 26

Subscribers will have four monthly entertainment plans to choose from starting at £4.99 per month, with viewers able to enjoy the complete HBO Max entertainment line-up, including recently released movies, starting at £5.99 per month in the UK & Ireland

In the UK & Ireland, the service will be available directly via hbomax.com and via launch partners including Sky and Prime Video

 

LONDON, UK – HBO Max, the premier global streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is launching in the UK and Ireland on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Already available in over 110 territories worldwide, HBO Max offers the ultimate mix of best-in-class series, movies, extraordinary real-life stories and, via TNT Sports in the UK, live sport. For the first time, audiences in the UK and Ireland will be able to stream the exclusive collection of unmissable stories from HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, DC Studios and Max Originals, all in one place via HBO Max.

HBO Max will also become the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK, giving subscribers access to top quality live sports content including the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby, UFC, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis, Grand Tour cycling and much more.

Unmissable Shows and Movies
At launch, the complete first season of 2025 Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award Winning Max Original The Pitt will be available to stream for the first time in the UK and Ireland, with episodes of the latest second season rolling out weekly.

HBO Max will be the home of brand-new HBO Original series, including Lanterns, based on the iconic DC title “Green Lantern” which premieres summer 2026, and the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series.

Within the first few months alone, subscribers will have access to a range of new HBO Original Series including DTF St. Louis, Rooster and the third and final season of The Comeback.

Beginning March 26, HBO Max will be the only place subscribers in the UK and Ireland can catch up on all seasons of the blockbuster HBO Original Euphoria, before the arrival of its highly anticipated third season in April.

In addition, an extensive range of the HBO and Warner Bros. Television libraries – from Succession to Friends, The Sopranos to Game of Thrones and more, will be available in full, exclusively on HBO Max.

Movie fans will also be able to enjoy the best of the box office including the record-setting Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another and Sinners, as well as Superman, A Minecraft Movie, Dune: Part One and rediscover the magic of the entire Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.

New streaming home for TNT Sports
HBO Max will include the full range of TNT Sports content and live coverage. Subscribers can stream exclusive matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, as well as every Gallagher PREM Rugby match, Premiership Women’s Rugby, more than 1,000 live cycling broadcasts each year including every stage from the Tour de France, every match from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, every MotoGP race, plus the World Snooker Tour, the winter sports season, Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and much more. With an unchanged price of £30.99 per month for TNT Sports, the service will offer subscribers a standalone TNT Sports plan or ability to purchase alongside select HBO Max plans1, providing fans with the ultimate sports streaming experience that includes innovative in-app features across key sports and events – putting fans in control of how they watch.

In March, sports fans will be able to enjoy a full weekend of live Gallagher PREM Rugby, plus more live football with Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Champions League quarter finals streaming live in early April.

Following HBO Max’s launch, TNT Sports will also continue to be distributed via existing partners in the UK & Ireland. discovery+ will continue as the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK until TNT Sports moves to HBO Max on 26 March. From this time, fans who subscribe to TNT Sports via partners2 in the UK will be able to access it on HBO Max.

JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “After decades of delighting audiences in the UK & Ireland with our remarkable stories and brands, it’s a huge thrill to finally bring it all together on HBO Max, and also offer it directly to all consumers. Starting at just £4.99 per month or £5.99 for our complete entertainment offer – HBO Max brings the most differentiated and best streaming offer to market.”

Andrew Georgiou President & Managing Director for Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe said: “Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here. HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros. and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition. Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together.”

Accessible and flexible range of plans for every viewer
Beginning March 26, viewers in the UK and Ireland will have a range of entry points to HBO Max spanning four monthly entertainment plans, providing accessible and flexible options to suit all preferences. In the UK, TNT Sports is also available as standalone plan or can be purchased alongside select HBO Max entertainment plans1.

The following will be available from launch beginning March 26:

  • Basic with Ads (£4.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies, excluding movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Standard with Ads (£5.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD, with 30 downloads3
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies, including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Standard (£9.99/month): Stream on 2 devices in Full HD, with 30 downloads3
    • All the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad free basis,4 including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • Premium (£14.99/month): Stream on 4 devices in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos (where available) and 100 downloads3
    • The ultimate HBO Max experience with all the best HBO Max shows and movies on an ad free basis,4 including movies that first stream on the service following their theatrical release window.
  • TNT Sports Plan (£30.99/month): Including TNT Sports 1-4, TNT Sports Ultimate, live event feeds and TNT Sports Original Documentaries (limited to two of your available streams)
    • Can be purchased within the UK as a standalone plan or in addition to select entertainment plans1. 

Available direct and via launch partners
At launch HBO Max will be available direct from hbomax.com, for more details go to hbomax.com.

In addition, HBO Max launch partners in the UK & Ireland will include Sky and, announced today, Prime Video giving customers even more ways to access award-winning entertainment, movies and live sport .

Watch Your Way
HBO Max will be available on all major devices including TVs, set-top boxes, streaming devices, mobiles, tablets, game consoles and platforms including Android, EE / BT TV, Fire TV, iOS, LG, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, Virgin TV and Xbox.

Subscribers will be able to create up to five personalised profiles, receive tailored recommendations and enjoy features like Continue Watching and, depending on your plan, offline downloads. Families will also be able to set up kid-friendly profiles with age-appropriate content and parental controls.

HBO Max will be available for pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play beginning March 12.

Global Expansion of HBO Max
The UK & Ireland launch marks a major milestone for the service as it completes its European rollout. HBO Max launched first in the US in 2020 and has since expanded across Latin America, Europe and Asia. For Q3 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery reported 128 million streaming subscribers.

Children spending 4+ hours on screens face 61% higher depression risk

A new Nature Portfolio study reveals that excessive screen time in children is associated with significantly detrimental mental health outcomes across several disorders: ADHD, anxiety, behavioural problems and even depression.

According to clinicians from Flow Neuroscience, a company behind the first FDA-approved non-drug, non-invasive depression treatment, the issue is even bigger than the study reveals, as these children are often overprescribed antidepressants and have limited treatment alternatives due to their age.

Based on data from over 50,000 US children aged 6-17, the study revealed that excessive screen time, categorized as four or more hours per day, is associated with increased odds of mental health issues, raising the likelihood of depression by 61%, anxiety by 45%, behavioural or conduct problems by 24% and ADHD by 21%.

“What is most concerning about these results is the high probability of depression,” says Dr. Hannah Nearney, M.D., clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience. “While there are effective treatments for depression, treatment from a young age can present challenges that may further negatively impact a patient’s life, partly due to the side effects associated with antidepressant use. Unfortunately, non-drug alternatives are often limited to talking therapy, leaving a gap in the provision of services and exposing vulnerable children to increased risk.”

According to the study, physical activity emerges as the most influential protective factor between screen time and mental health problems, accounting for up to 39% of that relationship.

In comparison, irregular bedtimes are culpable for up to 23,9%, and short sleep duration explains around 7,24% of the relationship between screen time and mental health issues.

“What’s most important is that we now know the main determinants and protective factors regarding a range of mental health issues in children. The odds can be significantly reduced with adjustments in behaviours such as physical activity, and expanding the tools we can use to combat these illnesses,” highlighted Dr. Nearney.

The data from the study also indicated that this problem will escalate, as nearly one in every three children spends too much of their time in front of screens, suggesting the behaviour is normalized.

Meeting guidelines for physical activity (which is more than 60 minutes per day) is already low, with only one out of five children achieving this standard. And just one out of four children maintains a consistent weekday bedtime routine.

Given the limitations and risks associated with prescribing SSRIs to children, including a small but measurable increase in suicidality, there is a growing need to explore alternative, non-pharmacological treatments.

In this context, the first FDA-approved non-drug treatment, based on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is expected to become available in the US later this year. However, it is not approved for children under 18.

“Due to long waiting times, not enough attention is given to children and adolescents with mental health problems such as depression. Too often, they’re pushed into the trial-and-error pathways with antidepressants, even at a young age. We hope that such tools as brain stimulation will become available for these young people too, but what we can do in the meantime is to follow the suggestion of studies like the latter one, and not only avoid screen time, but also regulate our sleep schedules, add physical activity to children’s daily lives, and explore other similar options,” highlighted Dr. Nearney.

Even though currently, children don’t have non-drug, at-home, FDA-approved tools for depression treatment, an increasing amount of research supports that such technologies as tDCS are safe for pediatric use.

In the meantime, this Nature study reframes youth mental health as largely a preventable behavioural challenge and shows that many risks stem from modifiable habits like screen use, physical activity, and sleep.

FUJIFILM instax mini link+ smartphone printer review

The FUJIFILM instax mini link+ smartphone printer is their latest new offering and comes with a total new design which is nice to see and I like it.

The new design is catchy looking like their new mini Evo cinema which will be up here on site soon and quite a chang from their previous printer we reviewed and it had people asking questions here and when out and about with it.

A new app has also been developed for the new printer which has an array of features which we go through in the video review below and is simple to use.

This is for the creative type like all their previous printer with an array of modes to pick from such as simple print design print simulation print and multiple print modes also frame and video print feautres.

There is also remote printing and a cool feature that allows you to tilt the printer to zoom in and out which I really like.

Picture quality seems to be better this time around which I am liking an you can enjoy better photos this time around but mostly daytime photos or good lighting but with all the features in the app you can enhance any picture.

You can also use 3D augmented reality and take images before printing which is nice but not for me I am just point shoot and print as with any photo I would take on my phone.

Overall the new app and features are executed well here and with the new robust printer with a cool design will be a welcome addition for all fans.

 

 

instax mini link+ App

 

Main Features: 

Simple Print Mode

With mini Link+, users can utilize Simple Print mode in the instax mini Link™ app to print photos directly from their smartphone’s camera roll, or even print out saved images from their Pinterest® account for some handheld inspiration.

Design Print Mode

This mode captures every detail in users’ images – from text to illustrations or other graphics, the images show the finest details with precision.

Simulation Mode

Simulation mode lets the user see what the photos will look like before they print, whether the image is going on a wall, a shelf, a table, or more, this mode lets you experiment with placement and style, to ensure your printed image fits your design plan.

Multiple Print Mode

Multiple Print Mode on the instax mini Link™ smartphone app lets users print up to 10 images3 they have previewed and selected in Simulation Mode – in a single step. This ensures smooth printing of images in the sequence the user selected, with no waiting.

Frame Print Feature

With this feature, users can customize their images by applying a frame, adding a sticker, or even adding a text caption.

Video Print Feature

Within the instax mini Link™ smartphone app, the Video Print feature allows users to isolate the perfect frame within a video they have shot with their smartphone, and output that frame as a printed image.

Bold Design

The mini Link+ smartphone printer is purposefully designed with a slim, easily portable form factor in a sophisticated black with a striking orange color accent. Additional features within the instax mini Link™ smartphone app include:

 

  • Remote shooting capability 
  • Collage Print functionality
    • Users can gather multiple images and print them in collage format on a single instax™ mini photo
  • Light/Dark user interface modes
  • instaxAiR Studio™ feature
Users can add 3D Augmented Reality effects before taking photos in the app

BUY https://instax.ie/cameras/mini-link-plus/

See our instax reviews 

Unboxing 

Video Review

How do emergency services navigate complex indoor spaces during critical situations?

When smoke fills a stairwell or a crowd surges toward a locked exit, seconds decide outcomes, and indoor navigation becomes as critical as the siren outside. Recent high rise fires, large venue evacuations, and more frequent multi agency drills have pushed emergency services to modernize how they move inside complex sites. The challenge is immediate: GPS weakens indoors, signage disappears in darkness, and even familiar buildings turn hostile when alarms, debris, and panic reshape every corridor.

When every second counts

Could you pick the right stairwell first? Firefighters and paramedics often enter with incomplete information, and they must choose routes quickly while heat, noise, and stress distort judgment. Dispatchers start with pre incident plans, verified access points, known hazards, and on site contact numbers, then they push that package to vehicle terminals and command tablets, so crews do not waste minutes hunting for a service entrance. Teams confirm their entry point on arrival, and they report changes fast, because a locked fire door or a disabled elevator can reroute the entire operation.

Radio remains essential, yet modern responses add structured data so teams do not rely on memory under pressure. Many services conduct surveys before emergencies occur, and they store hydrant locations, standpipe connections, sprinkler control valves, elevator overrides, and rooftop access routes in shared systems that supervisors can update after renovations. Incident commanders assign sectors, track who advances where, and enforce accountability checks at set intervals, because losing a crew inside a maze multiplies risk for everyone.

Maps that work indoors

How do you map a building you cannot see? Indoor mapping platforms convert architectural plans into navigable layers, with rooms, stair cores, restricted zones, and critical equipment marked clearly for operational use, rather than for a glossy brochure. Responders use those layers to plan approach routes, identify alternate exits, and avoid dead ends that trap teams when fire spreads or structural damage blocks corridors. When renovations change layouts, updated mapping prevents crews from sprinting toward a door that no longer exists, and it helps commanders choose safer paths as conditions evolve.

The best tools respect emergency constraints: they load fast, they work offline, and they present simple symbology that stays legible in low light or on a shaking screen. A crew leader can open a floor, tap a stairwell, and share a route to a teammate entering from another side, which keeps teams aligned even when they cannot meet face to face. Platforms such as Visioglobe.com show how indoor maps, routing logic, and searchable points of interest can merge into a single operational view, so navigation stays usable when voice instructions and visibility fail at once.

Finding people fast

What if the victim cannot call out? Locating occupants and responders often depends on indoor positioning, because GPS fades indoors and raw radio signal strength can mislead in steel heavy environments where reflections bounce signals into false confidence. Wi Fi and Bluetooth can estimate location using existing infrastructure, while Ultra Wideband can deliver higher precision in selected zones, and inertial sensors can bridge short gaps when signals drop in stairwells or underground corridors. Agencies rarely bet on one method, and they fuse inputs to stabilize results when smoke, moving crowds, and radio congestion turn clean diagrams into messy reality.

Finding people also means tracking teams, and that is where procedures and devices meet. Some departments use wearable tags or telemetry systems that log entry time, assignment, and last known position, while commanders monitor air supply limits and set check in points that prevent silent drift into danger. Venues can help by sharing live building data, such as elevator outages, access control status, and door sensor alerts, because a locked gate can funnel evacuees into a bottleneck and trap responders behind them.

What venues can do next

Book an indoor mapping and safety audit, then set a budget for updates, device replacement, and drills that keep crews fluent. Prioritize basements, plant rooms, and long corridors, and test offline access during exercises. Look for safety grants, smart city funds, and resilience aid to cover part of the rollout.

NBI end of year update: over 450,000 homes, farms and businesses now ready to connect

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company responsible for delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), has announced its final quarterly update for the contract year ending 31 January 2026, confirming that all surveying and design work is now complete and that 82% of the entire network is built with those premises available for a connection. The remainder (18%) is under construction with the main infrastructure build scheduled to complete this year.

Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., said:

“The progress being delivered under the National Broadband Plan represents one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the State. With the rollout now running ahead of schedule nationally, the scale of achievement is clear and demonstrates what can be delivered through sustained investment and a strong focus on delivery.

 

“Tens of thousands of kilometres of fibre have been laid, and communities right across the country are now seeing the tangible benefits of high-speed connectivity. This programme is transforming rural Ireland and reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every home, farm and business, no matter how remote, can participate fully in Ireland’s digital future.”

 

Performance update:
By contract year end (31 January 2026), NBI has delivered:

  • 100% of all surveying and design work is complete;
  • 100% of the network either built or currently under construction;
  • 451,433 premises passed, representing a 33% year-on-year increase;
  • 164,708 premises connected, representing a 43% year-on-year increase.
  • 63,064km of fibre cable laid, enough to circumnavigate the Earth 1.5 times.

There are now 451,433 homes, farms and businesses passed with NBI fibre across the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area. When a premises is passed, an order can be placed to connect to high-speed fibre broadband on the NBI network through a choice of over 50 broadband providers actively selling on the network.

 

According to the recent ComReg Quarterly Report, more than one million premises across Ireland are now subscribed to fibre-to-the-home broadband, and National Broadband Ireland is encouraging premises in the Intervention Area to check availability in their area and order today.

 

TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “This year’s results demonstrate the sheer scale and momentum of the National Broadband Plan. With every part of the network now designed and either built or under construction, and over 450,000 premises ready to connect, we are firmly into the final delivery phase of this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project.

 

More than 164,000 homes, farms and businesses are already connected to high-speed fibre on the NBI network, transforming how people live, work and do business in rural Ireland. With the final phase of construction now underway, we are on track to complete the main rollout by the end of this year.”

 

NBI’s fibre broadband rollout under the National Broadband Plan is delivering broadband services to what is known as the State’s Intervention Area, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband. The Intervention Area now stands at 566,000 premises which signals an increase of c.29,000 since the time of contract signing.

 

People living and working in rural Ireland can enter their Eircode on the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, to check if their home or business is included in the rollout and find out how to get connected.

 

As the main rollout phase of NBI’s network nears completion, demand for connections continues to grow strongly. 164,708 premises are now connected to the NBI network, with take-up rates continuing to exceed original projections and international benchmarks, particularly in areas where the network has been live for longer.

 

NBI is now fully focused on the final stages of construction and accelerating connections across the country, ensuring every premises in the Intervention Area can avail of future-proofed, high-speed broadband.

 

All stats are correct for our contract year, ending 31 January 2026. For the latest stats on our programme delivery, please see www.nbi.ie.

8 Alternatives to CRM Software: Are They Worth the Hassle?

Software tools are designed to make your life easier and to ensure that your business runs as smoothly as possible. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a prime example of that.

What you are getting with a good payment processing crm package is a solution that encompasses all of your requirements and gives you easy access to all the data insights you need.

Naturally enough, that comes at a price. It’s not hard to make a case for saying that CRM software is well worth the investment, when you consider what it gives you. However, you might be tempted to see if there are any alternatives that could be viable, or are they simply too much hassle because they don’t do everything you need?

Let’s take a look at some alternatives to CRM software and what they offer.

Kanban offers a sale-orientated alternative

If you are looking at an alternative CRM solution that is focused on sales targets and data, a Kanban board is well worth a look.

In a nutshell, it is designed to be a no-code visualization tool for managing workflow. A key difference to What Kanban offers compared to a spreadsheet is that it focuses on delivering the most important data rather than making you trawl through large amounts of data.

Documents serve a simple purpose

Sales documentation tends to be repeatable. Whether it’s a guide to your products, a contract, or a proposal, there’s a good chance you will be using the same format more than once.

In that respect, if you use something like ClickUp Docs it becomes a simple process to build a series of templates that can be used repeatedly.

Manage your contacts in email

Another straightforward alternative would be to embrace what products like Google Workspace or Microsoft Outlook have to offer. Both of these software packages give you access to a plethora of integrated tools.

That means you can customize your inbox. However, it;s a far more limited option compared to CRM software.

A simple database for your sales contacts

Another ClickUp feature is a free downloadable tracking template called Lists. This allows you to centralize information and create multiple databases. Again this is a binary solution without all the bells and whistles of paid CRM software.

Spreadsheets are always worth considering

Easy to create and interact with, spreadsheets are always worth considering. Data entry is straightforward and the various sorting options can be very useful and easy to use.

However, spreadsheets have clear limitations in comparison to CRM software.

Digital whiteboards help collaboration

If you like the idea of being able to engage and collaborate in a user-friendly way, digital whiteboards are worth considering.

It is a good way to enjoy smooth communication across your sales team, but it does have its limitations.

See your contacts in a different way with maps

Arguably, customer maps represent one of the most innovative alternatives to CRM software.

This gives you the ability to plot contacts by address and location, which can be very useful in a sales-orientated environment.

Directories serve a purpose

Last but not least, the use of directories in project management software offers a next-level alternative to spreadsheets, without offering as much as CRM software.

As a simple way to store contact data and track sales progress, directories serve a purpose.

As you can see, there are ways to organize your data without using specific CRM software. However, it’s abundantly clear that these alternatives can’t match all the features of paid CRM software, so they may not be worth the hassle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4D-Printed Vascular Stent Activates at Body Temperature

Researchers fabricate micro-architected coronary artery stents comprising polycaprolactone-based shape-memory polymer composite

Next-generation vascular stents can make cardiovascular therapies minimally invasive and vascular treatments safe and less burdensome. In a new advancement, researchers from Japan and China have successfully proposed a novel adaptive 4D-printed vascular stent based on shape-memory polymer composite. The stent exhibits mechanical flexibility, radial strength, biomechanical compliance, and cytocompatibility in in vitro and in vivo experiments, making them promising for future clinical applications.

Cardiovascular diseases constitute a major global health concern. Various complications that affect normal blood flow in arteries and veins, such as stroke, blood clot formation in veins, blood vessel rupture, and coronary artery disease, often require vascular treatments. However, existing vascular stent devices often require complex, invasive deployment procedures, making it necessary to explore novel materials and manufacturing technologies that could enable such medical devices to work more naturally with the human body. Moreover, the development of patient-specific, adaptively deployable vascular stents is crucial to further advance minimally invasive cardiovascular therapies and make vascular treatments safe and less burdensome for both patients and healthcare providers.

In an innovative breakthrough, a team of researchers from Japan and China, led by Professor Shinjiro Umezu from the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Japan, has successfully developed a new 4D-printed vascular stent that expands naturally at body temperature, eliminating the need for external heating and potentially enabling safer and less invasive treatments. 

The team also included Yannan Li, Yifan Pan, Chaolun Xu, Jianxian He, Jingao Xu, Dr. Kewei Song, and Dr. Ze Zhang from Waseda University, Prof. Chikahiro Imashiro and Dr. Kayo Hirose from The University of Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Chen Gao from Southeast University, China, Dr. Junbo Jiang from South China University of Technology, and Prof. Runhuai Yang from Anhui Medical University, China. Their novel findings have been published online in the journal Advanced Functional Materials on January 15, 2026.

In this study, the researchers leveraged a polycaprolactone-based shape-memory polymer composite to fabricate micro-architected coronary artery stents through projection micro-stereolithography 4D printing technology. This technology utilizes ultraviolet light to create micro-sized objects with high-resolution features. Scientists used this technology to create such micro-coronary artery stents. Notably, they precisely modulated the thermal transition temperature to approximately 37 °C by utilizing diethyl phthalate as a plasticizer, facilitating quick and automatic shape recovery with no external heating. 

Finite element simulations and a viscoelastic stress relaxation model confirm that the developed stents remarkably balance mechanical flexibility and radial strength, and demonstrate long-term biomechanical compliance. Moreover, while in vitro studies using human umbilical cells exhibited excellent cytocompatibility, in vivo implantation experiments in mice indicated the potential for clinical application. 

Prof. Umezu points out the immense potential of their innovative next-generation technology. “Our work provides a robust platform for next-generation adaptive vascular stents with programmable mechanics, intelligent deployment, smoother integration with human body, and reduced need for complex procedures, offering significant potential for personalized treatment in anatomically complex vascular structure.” 

The present work may help address challenges in vascular treatments and could be utilized in other implantable medical devices. The coronary artery stents developed in this study highlights high operational feasibility and engineering controllability. These advantages also demonstrate highly tunable and personalized fabrication of stents for diverse patient groups.  The findings of the study showcase a generalized approach for the development of vascular implants, with significant potential for clinical translation. 

“Consequently, our research could contribute to future vascular stent technologies used in minimally invasive procedures, potentially simplifying deployment and reducing the need for additional equipment. The same approach may be applicable to other implantable medical devices that are designed to respond to the body’s natural environment,” highlights Prof. Umezu. 

SteeleSeries Valentines offers for the gamer in your life

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and gaming should could and can be at the heart of every great relationship, whether that’s for couples, roommates, friends, or just showing yourself a little self-love. From 6th-14th February, SteelSeries.com will be offering a buy one, get one 40% off on all products excluding Arctis Nova Elite & Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2.
Here are some strong SteelSeries picks that make it easy to treat someone (including yourself) this year, whether you prefer some cozy couch co-op or side-by-side PC battle stations:
Check out some of the offers below..
  • Arctis Gamebuds: Toggle between your phone and your console with these comfortably designed in-ear headphones. We have a review coming for these soon and they are fantastic 
  • Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: Enjoy the premium audio experience with SteelSeries’ signature, award-winning headset! 
  • Arctis Nova 3 Wireless: Available in multiple new colourways, meet the budget, lightweight king/queen with presets for over 200 games including Call of Duty, Fortnite and even Arc Raiders in the Arctis App and GG software.
  • Rival 3 Gen 2 Wireless: Available in multiple new colourways, meet the next-generation gaming mouse with subtle RGB lighting and pro-level performance at an affordable price.

SteelSeries reviews

Team GB’s winter athletes who are getting ‘In My Zone’ with TCL technology, ahead of Milano Cortina 2026.

As Team GB athletes enter the final crucial days of preparation for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, technology leader TCL is unveiling “In My Zone” – its first major athlete-led content campaign in the UK that brings audiences closer to the everyday lives of Britain’s winter athletes.

TCL, a global leader in consumer electronics and the world’s No.1 Ultra-large, Mini LED TV brand and Official Olympic Partner, is showcasing how its premium technology seamlessly integrates into the daily routines of Team GB athletes, supporting them not just in preparing to perform at their best, but in the vital moments of family life that make sporting success possible.

Real Athletes, Real Moments

“In My Zone” moves beyond traditional sports sponsorship to reveal the authentic, relatable moments that define an athlete’s journey. Through short-form social content created with the athletes themselves, fans will see how TCL’s premium QD-Mini LED TVs, soundbars and home technology support everything from analysing track footage and self-coaching sessions, to gaming for mental reset, family movie nights and recovery routines.

Across the campaign content, athletes share their personal perspectives on what being “In My Zone” means to them. Adele Nicoll, Team GB Bobsleigh pilot, explains in her clip: “Being In My Zone means I am 100% confident and focused on what I need to do. My TCL TV allows me to look over all of the track videos online so that I am really confident when I am standing on that block ready to compete what it is exactly that I need to be doing.”

Meanwhile, Bruce Mouat, Team GB curler and reigning world champion, reveals: “Being In My Zone for me is controlling all the controllables, making sure that I have everything in place to make me be the best at performing when it comes to the crunch moments. TCL takes me out of the zone by letting me unwind in my own house, having the ability to watch movies, TV shows and blare the music as loud as possible. It helps me just unwind from a stressful day at training.”

Technology That Powers Performance and Life

The campaign will feature TCL’s highly awarded television range including the Premium QD-Mini LED 144Hz C7K series and C6K series, alongside TCL soundbars. Content themes span five key areas all designed to showcase how technology enhances both the 1% performance gains athletes chase and the everyday moments that keep them grounded.

From “Replay + React” videos where athletes critique their own competition footage, to “Game On” content showing how gaming helps mental agility and injuries, the campaign celebrates the complete athlete experience. Fans will also get behind-the-scenes glimpses of wellness routines, training hacks, family time and the personality behind the podium performances.

Diana Fan, Marketing Manager at TCL UK, said: “TCL, as a Worldwide Olympic Partner, is honoured to be working with Team GB, a symbol of sporting excellence and national pride. Our mission to ‘Inspire Greatness’ aligns perfectly with the values of Team GB. Through ‘In My Zone,’ we’re going beyond traditional sponsorship to show how our industry-leading technology genuinely supports athletes in every aspect of their lives – from analysing the split-second decisions that win medals, to the downtime that protects their wellbeing.”

Tim Ellerton, Chief Commercial Officer at the British Olympic Association, added: “We’re delighted to see this campaign go live on the eve of Milano Cortina 2026 as we seek to encourage fans across the nation to get behind our athletes. At Team GB we are committed to shining a light on every part of our athletes’ stories, and this campaign with TCL plays an important role in showcasing how meticulous preparation is just as important as rest and relaxation for any athlete on the road to an Olympic Games.”

‘In My Zone’ Content will begin rolling out across athlete social channels, TCL UK’s platforms and Team GB from 6th February 2025, continuing through the Olympic build-up into early 2026.

A Long-Term Commitment

As a Worldwide Olympic Partner, TCL’s sustained commitment to sport, innovation and community in the UK will go beyond Milano Cortina 2026 to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, 2030 French Alps Winter Games, and 2032 Brisbane Summer Games.

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from 6-22 February 2026 across multiple venues in northern Italy.