Physicians have known for millennia that the smell of human breath can reveal certain medical conditions. Until now it has been a subjective assessment based on the nasal sensitivity and experience of the doctor. But that may change with the development of a device that can detect a tell-tale odour from a patient and diagnose their condition.rnThe prototype detector works by identifying the presence of molecules of gases that are responsible for the distinguishing odour. For example, acetone smells like rotten fruit and can be a result of one form of diabetes. A whiff of fish could be caused by cirrhosis of the liver.
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