Slideshow: When Bad Breath Means Bad News

A simple breath test promises to become an excellent diagnostic tool for identifying chronic conditions like neurological disorders and diabetes. Hector Mackenzie reports from Inverness, Scotland.
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Once the equipment has been paid for, breath tests can be performed at a very low cost. Marker gases given off in the breath have been linked to a number of illnesses, including schizophrenia, and early diagnosis through simple, noninvasive tests has massive commercial potential. Ness Foundation research head Dr. Brian Ross, is shown analyzing a sample.Hector Mackenzie

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Dr. Brian Ross, head of the Ness Foundation, shows a Teflon-lined bag developed to store breath. These simple devices help scientists determine patients' level of oxidative stress.

Hector Mackenzie