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NASA's eNose Sniffs Out Brain Cancer

ScienceDaily is reporting that an electronic nose developed by NASA for monitoring potential leaks on the ISS may be able to sniff out brain cancer. "The electronic nose, which is to be installed on the International Space Station in order to automatically monitor the station's air, can detect contaminants within a range of one to approximately 10,000 parts per million. In a series of experiments, the Brain Mapping Foundation used NASA's electronic nose to sniff brain cancer cells and cells in other organs. Their data demonstrates that the electronic nose can sense differences in odor from normal versus cancerous cells. These experiments will help pave the way for more sophisticated biochemical analysis and experimentation."

7 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. what movies was that? by Twillerror · · Score: 3, Funny

    What movie was it that a guy pissed into a smart toilet every morning which could detect changes in diet and shit...we are one piss closer.

  2. NASA's eNose can sniff everything by impaledsunset · · Score: 5, Funny

    I heard that NASA's eNose is so sensitive it could tell a homeopathic preparation from pure water.

    1. Re:NASA's eNose can sniff everything by interkin3tic · · Score: 3, Funny

      Homeopathic medicine humor, eh? I would have said something like it can tell american beer from water, but I guess that's a little low brow compared to yours.

  3. I'm going for the borscht! by rts008 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now we can finally put an end to all of the squabbling going on in the ISS.

    With the NASA Nose, we will finally be able to prove once and for all whose farts smell the worse, and by how much!

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  4. And then by RomulusNR · · Score: 2, Funny

    we will be able to cure cancer with Febreeze.

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  5. Re:Heard that before - about 5 million times by cperciva · · Score: 2, Funny

    If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say "if I had a nickel", I'd have a lot of nickels.

  6. really now by speedtux · · Score: 2, Funny

    NASA's electronic nose to sniff brain cancer cells and cells in other organs

    I don't want NASA's nose anywhere near my organ.