Boston Researchers Train Bees To Detect Diabetes

[Northerner]

“Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions, not only in the US but worldwide,” says Dr. Allison Goldfine, a diabetes specialist at the Joslin Diabetes Center.

She is helping foreign graduate students, Tobias Horstmann and Juliet Phillips with their research project. They’re trying to use bees to sniff out diabetes.

Bees don’t have traditional noses, but through their antenna, they can smell 10 million times better than humans. The students have collected bees, placed them in cartridges and trained them to detect a chemical called acetone, found in higher concentrations in the breath of people with diabetes.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/08/14/boston-researchers-train-bees-to-detect-diabetes/

I think I've heard it all now! 😱

 

[Vicsetter]

If they did that with dogs there would be an uproar from the animal rights people. Surely it only works if your diabetes isn't in control (ketones being produced).
How do you stop people in developing countries (nice terminology we use these days) from eating the honey?😱

 

[Vicsetter]

I think I've heard it all now! 😱

I doubt it😛

 

[HOBIE]

Does that we will BEE followed by Bees 🙄 I like Bees 😉

 

[Sally71]

I can smell the acetone on my daughter's breath when she has got ketones, don't need bees!

Although an A&E nurse told me that some people can't smell it, and whether you can or not is genetic!

 

[ypauly]

So a diabetics biggest problem which is getting filled with tiny holes that sting can be detected by an insect that wants to.........


Hive heard it all too

 

[Andy HB]

This story will create a bit of a buzz!