Scientists Can Detect 17 Diseases Using Only a Patient’s Breath

Scientists have detected 17 diseases by examining someone’s breath and using artificial intelligent sensors.

Morad K. Nakhleh and his team of 56 researchers from five different countries, led by the Israel Institute of Technology, published their findings in the journal of “ACS Nano”.

Researchers explained that diseases have unique chemical properties and by analyzing someone’s breath they were able to identify “chemical signatures”. In turn, they discovered diseases that the person was experiencing. Scientists examined over 1,400 patients and detected 17 unique diseases including several different types of cancers, irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Scientists accomplished this study by using a type of chemical identification machine often used in chemical experiments called mass spectrometry and artificial intelligent sensors. From there they identified the unique chemical components and their composition and linked it to information associated with particular diseases.

Ultimately, researchers were able to detect the diseases with 86% accuracy in blind experiments. But, researchers argue this type of technology and medical intervention could lead to a more personalized diagnosis and classification of diseases without expensive or noninvasive procedures.

Artificial Intelligent Breath Sensors

Moreover, these new discoveries are predicated on new technology called “artificially intelligent nanoarray” developed by Hossam Haick, professor at the Israel Institute of Technology. It’s a fast and inexpensive piece of AI technology that analyzes the chemical compounds and matches them to select diseases.

This is not the first time researchers have used this type of technology to detect cancer or other diseases. In 2014, Haitham Amal and his team of researchers published a study in the International Journal of Cancer revealing their ability to detect ovarian cancer from an exhaled breath. By examining 182 females, the study was able to detect cancer with 89% accuracy.

Then in 2015, researchers published a study in the journal of “Oncotarget” scientistes revealed their ability to determine genetic differences in breast cancers among women using the same type of technology.

This news comes as Silicon Valley’s tech titans invest heavily into AI. In fact, Amazon’s popular Internet of Things product, Amazon Echo and Amazon Dot were among the most popular items sold and shipped by the e-commerce giant. The AI product was so popular that the company was unable to keep up with the number of orders.