Nasal swab may catch Alzheimer’s disease earlier — here’s how it works

Nasal swab may catch Alzheimer’s disease earlier — here’s how it works

Scientists may have sniffed out a breakthrough when detecting Alzheimer’s. The degenerative disease, which affects millions of Americans and gradually destroys memory, thinking skills and the capacity to perform basic tasks, is still notoriously difficult to detect, especially in its initial stages. But researchers have created a breakthrough nasal swab test that can pick up early signs, … Read more

Passengers freak out over how ‘gross’ plane seats are — as proven in swab test: ‘I’ll never fly again’

Passengers freak out over how ‘gross’ plane seats are — as proven in swab test: ‘I’ll never fly again’

Sure, flying by the seat of your pants can be fun — but just how filthy is that seat?  Airplanes are notoriously unsanitary. From the carpets to the overhead bins and the windows to the walls, germs abound.    Now, a scientific swab test has unveiled the eye-popping amount of grime there is where frequent … Read more

NYC company develops simple swab test that can tell how well you’re aging

NYC company develops simple swab test that can tell how well you’re aging

Cheek, please! A biotechnology company headquartered in Manhattan has developed an “aging” clock that uses information from the cells in your cheeks to predict your biological age. Biological age is the age of your cells and tissues — this number can differ from your chronological age, which is the number of years you’ve been alive. … Read more

Would you volunteer for a nasal swab after a long flight? Why the CDC wants you to

Would you volunteer for a nasal swab after a long flight? Why the CDC wants you to

After being stuffed into an airplane cabin for a long, redeye flight from overseas, you’re finally on your way home — but first, the government wants to shove a cotton swab up your nose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking passengers returning from international destinations at four U.S. airports to volunteer for … Read more

New Discovery Means Parkinson’s Could Be Diagnosed With a Swab in Just 3 Minutes

New Discovery Means Parkinson’s Could Be Diagnosed With a Swab in Just 3 Minutes

When it comes to developing treatments and eventual cures for diseases, being able to diagnose a condition early and accurately makes a huge difference – and scientists have now developed a quick, reliable method of identifying people with Parkinson’s disease. The test can be run in as little as 3 minutes after a skin swab … Read more