[andyman]

Tiny metal particles have been shown to cause changes to DNA across a cellular barrier - without having to cross it.

The nanometre and micrometre scale particles resulted in an increase of damage to DNA across the barrier via a never-before-seen cell signal process.

Reporting in Nature Nanotechnology, the researchers say the mechanism could be both a risk and an opportunity.

They say the preliminary result is relevant as more medical therapies rely on small-scale particles.