Honeybees can detect incredibly small concentrations of cancer-indicating chemical compounds.
Honeybees can detect lung cancer in human breath with 82% success rate.
Researchers at Michigan State University made synthetic breath mixtures to test honeybees' neural responses.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at Michigan State University have found that honeybees can detect lung cancer in human breath with remarkable accuracy. The insects were able to distinguish between healthy human breath and breath containing lung cancer biomarkers with an impressive 82% success rate.
The team, led by Debajit Saha and Elyssa Cox, created synthetic breath mixtures that mimicked both healthy human breath and lung cancer-affected breath. They then exposed honeybees to these mixtures and recorded their neural responses.
The researchers found that the honeybees could detect incredibly small concentrations of cancer-indicating chemical compounds, even in parts per billion. This ability could potentially be used to develop new diagnostic methods for lung cancer.
In future studies, the team plans to develop a noninvasive lung cancer test using a device that only requires patients to breathe into it. The sensor inside would then analyze the chemicals present and provide immediate results.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Early detection of lung cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes, making this research a promising development in the field of cancer diagnosis.
It's important to note that while this discovery is exciting, it should not be taken as definitive proof that honeybees can diagnose lung cancer on their own. Further research and testing are needed before any diagnostic tools based on this finding can be developed for clinical use.
MSU researchers are using honeybees to detect lung cancer in human breath.
Bees have an amazing sense of smell and can differentiate between cancer and healthy cells, as well as the subtypes of lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell).
The next step is testing on humans both healthy and those with cancer. A device for breathing into for a diagnosis is being developed.
Early detection of lung cancer can change the treatment regime and make it less aggressive.
