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E-nose Sniffs Out Nasty Resistant Bacteria

Posted by Zonk on from the nanotech-nosehairs dept.

geekroot's dad writes "There have been several tries for an Electronic nose that seek out various airborne elements - they can find cancer, monitor recycled air for NASA and find nasty bacteria better than lab tests. Now as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) becomes a problem not only in hospitals but in everyday life some British scientist have built a super nose to find the 'little buggers'."

1 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. Bug sniffers by Cutterman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Years ago one of my med school teachers taught us to sniff wounds for infection. He said that with a bit of practice you could quickly learn to discriminate infections and it's true.

    Even now I often sniff dressings for infection and I'm right most of the time. The odour of different infections are quite characteristic and you can easily tell if it's light or heavy.

    Gets some funny looks at times, but I can usually beat the labs by 24 hours. My students think I'm a bit odd, but I notice that now they too take a surreptitious sniff and then pronouce wisely!

    Long live the Mark I nose.....