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From Science Sphere 💨 A Breath Test for Early Lung Cancer DetectionResearchers have developed a prototype breath sensor that could one day detect lung cancer in seconds — no needles, scans, or invasive tests required.The device works by measuring isoprene, a compound found in human breath. People with lung cancer tend to have lower isoprene levels, but the difference is subtle and hard to detect. Using nanoflakes made of platinum, indium, nickel, and oxygen, the team built a sensor so sensitive it can detect isoprene at 2 parts per billion — far better than current technology.In a small trial, the breath test correctly distinguished between eight healthy individuals and five lung cancer patients: those with cancer had isoprene levels below 40 ppb, while healthy participants were above 60 ppb. The sensor also performed well in humid conditions and could specifically identify isoprene among other gases in breath.While more research is needed — including larger studies, algorithm development, and device miniaturization — this approach could lead to an affordable, non-invasive, and rapid lung cancer screening tool. Given that lung cancer kills 1.8 million people annually, often because it’s caught too late, early detection through breath analysis could be a lifesaver.RESEARCH PAPER 📄Cheng et al, "Ultrasensitive In2O3-Based Nanoflakes for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and the Sensing Mechanism Investigated by Operando Spectroscopy", ACS Sensors (2025)