The veils are equipped with small disposable sensors, which scientists call Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing (SHERLOCK).
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MIT’s James Collins began developing portable sensors years ago to help diagnose Ebola and zika viruses.
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Reliable as PCR
The freeze-dried sensors are surrounded by a layer of water, which is released when the user presses a button and sends a signal that he wants to be tested.
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Once the dry ingredients have soaked in water, they analyze the accumulated breath droplets and begin testing them for the presence of covid.
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Peter Nguyen, a researcher at Harvard University and one of the main authors of the research, confirmed that the assay is as reliable as highly sensitive PCR assays and as fast as the antigen assays used for lengthy analysis of the presence of coronavirus.
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Accurate and cheap
The test is so accurate that it can also distinguish between different mutations, Business Insider pointed out.
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The whole device is also cheap – the prototype cost five dollars (about 108 crowns) and the form for commercial use could be produced even cheaper.
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