Doctor's assistant could be a gas

摘要

Gas sensors normally used to test components for premium cars could one day help doctors diagnose difficult gastrointestinal illnesses and metabolic diseases.rnThis is the belief of researchers at Warwick University, who are integrating such gas sensors into a medical tool that would study the fermentation of undigested foods in the colon - a process that can affect colonic health and influence metabolic behaviour.rnIt has traditionally been difficultrnto study fermentation and the volatile organic compounds it generates because it is difficult to access the colon.