Nanogene

Nanogenes are a type of sub-atomic robot capable of healing superficial wounds in seconds, used as medical equipment by certain advanced races such as the Chula.

Inadvertently, they created the Empty Child plague when they found a dead child wearing a gas mask and inflicted with fatal physical wounds and because they had never seen a human before they belived that this was their default form. Using the child as a template they set about turning all humans to match the attributes of this child. (injuries and gas mask bonded to the face).

They eventually recognized the real DNA by finding the child's mother, therefore coming to the conclusion that they where incorrect and reversing the process. Since the Chula used these nanogenes in war it also enhanced the subject's physical abilities specifically super-Human strength, telepathic abilities and the ability to communicate using certain mediums (radios, phones and typewriters). (DW: The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances)