Electronic Noses Can Smell If You Have Asthma

Asthma affects about 300 million people around the world, but can be difficult to diagnose. That’s why scientists designed an electronic nose which can sniff the air exhaled by a patient to determine whether he or she has asthma.

The electronic noses basically consist of a bunch of gas sensors which sample and analyse inhaled and exhaled air. And based on initial testing, they’re rather accurate:

In a test involving 14 people, the electronic nose proved to be 87.5 percent accurate, compared to conventional tests like fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and lung function tests, which were 79.2 percent and 70.8 percent accurate respectively.

Now if only they can combine combine these asthma detectors with breathalysers then every horrid driver could get a free medical exam before being handcuffed. [Science Daily via Inhabitat]