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Robots might soon be able to ‘smell’ cancer

Published

3 years ago

Farwa

Chemicals in patients’ breath, sweat, and tears can point towards cancer.
All organisms release volatile organic compounds.
Robots being able to smell diseases is a concept called “volatolomics”.

Detecting diseases might become easier in the future with robots’ ability to “sniff” hidden illnesses, surprisingly including cancer, by smelling a person’s breath.

Scientists are trying to find out techniques that can analyse chemical compounds in patients’ breath, sweat, and even tears and point towards diseases. Experts believe these chemicals are like “fingerprints” leading to diagnosis.

Researchers call the concept “volatolomics” and make it clear that the robot will not be commercially available at any time.

Whenever we smell anything, the nose encounters volatile organic compounds, which evaporate very quickly and have a low boiling point. These are the products of human metabolism that can be excreted out in some form.

All organisms release VOCs for various purposes like communication, reproduction, and even defense. Similarly, the body releases VOCs as a response to biological changes as well like falling sick.

Electronic noses (e-noses) have been found to have a high level of diagnostic accuracy for the detection of cancer in exhaled breath according to a systematic review and meta-analysis by a group of Dutch researchers.

A combination of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can study exhaled breath samples.

A study, for example, suggested that ovarian cancer has certain markers.

In the review article on Hospital Healthcare Europe, 52 publications that included more than 3,000 cancer patients (including lung, gastric, breast, and prostate) were included in the analysis .

While volatolomics is a relatively new concept, scientists report that the idea has existed for centuries. Back then, however, scientists did not have the technology to experiment.

With machine learning and artificial intelligence, scientists can put their knowledge to use. Nanomaterial sensors, for example, can accurately recognise VOC fingerprints coming from food, beverages, pollution, and people.

The findings appeared in the journal Nano Research and Hospital Healthcare Europe.

Latest News

Weekly Press Briefing from the Foreign Office: Pakistan Applauds Russia-Ukraine’s Limited Ceasefire

Published

4 minutes ago

Bilal

Pakistan has expressed hope for a lasting solution and praised the efforts made to mediate the temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements with Afghanistan were emphasized by the foreign office.
Watch this in-depth report by our journalist, Abdul Hai Aryan, for further information.

Latest News

The National Assembly’s Speaker denounces the Quetta blast

Published

7 minutes ago

Bilal

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Speaker of the National Assembly, has denounced the bombing that occurred close to a Quetta police mobile van.
He sent his condolences to the victims’ families, expressing profound sadness and grief for the loss of two lives.
Additionally, he prayed for the quick recovery of the attack’s wounded civilians and security personnel.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called the attack a shameful attempt to undermine Pakistan’s growth and humanity and vowed to act decisively with those responsible.

Latest News

Jumatul Wida 2025: Let the tears speak for themselves

Published

11 minutes ago

Bilal

Jumatul Wida is the last Friday of Ramadan, and Muslims around the world celebrate it with great reverence.

The Islamic community considers the day to be very important. Mosques are places where Muslims congregate to pray in large numbers, read passages from the Holy Quran, and partake in other devotional and religious activities.

The faithful ask Allah Almighty for pardon and blessings on this day of days.

Like everywhere else, Friday prayers are celebrated with particular preparations in Pakistan. Ramazan’s farewell Kalam, “Alwida Mahe Ramazan,” reverberates in mosques.

With tears in their eyes, the faithful recite this kalam as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.

Friday prayers will be offered by millions of people at mosques all around the nation. The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and the Data Darbar and Badshahi mosques in Lahore draw a lot of visitors on this day.

Taking a look at Suparco’s estimate for Eidul Fitr 2025

Prayers will be given specifically for Pakistan’s development and prosperity as well as for the global unity of Muslims.

Law enforcement organizations (LEAs) have implemented security measures in mosques to guarantee seamless operations.

The Night of Reversibility (SHAB-E-QADR)

On Thursday night, Muslims nationwide observed a potential Shab-e-Qadr (Night of Reverence) with intense prayers and devotional activities.

Islam places great importance on Laylatul Qadr, which commemorates the completion of the revelation of the Quran on the 27th night of Ramadan.

This auspicious night (one in the last 10 days of the holy month) is described in the Quran as “one better than a thousand months”. The faithful offered prayers and sought Allah Almighty’s blessings and forgiveness on the night of nights.

Badshahi Mosque Khateeb Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad led the special collective prayer on Thursday night.

Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain was among the participants.

Maulana Azad, who is also chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, prayed for the unity of Muslims, protection of the ‘Haramain Shareefain’, stability of the country, national solidarity, country’s progress and prosperity, and freedom of occupied Jammu and Kashmir besides Palestine.

He said the entire nation should seek forgiveness of Allah Almighty on this holy night. “One should serve humanity with generosity in the holy month,” he said.

Earlier, Takmeel-e-Quran (Holy Quran completion) was discussed with veneration.