When she isn't happily bounding around the grass at her farm near Bangalore, Chloe, an adorable four-year-old Labrador cross, works on a very special mission. Wearing a harness and a helmet packed with sensors, she looks just like a little superhero on a vital rescue mission.
Alongside 14 other dogs — mostly Beagles and Belgian Malinois from rescue centres —, Chloe is part of a pioneering scientific programme. Their goal? To use the exceptional power of their noses, combined with artificial intelligence, to sniff out microscopic odours linked to serious diseases in human breath.
Impressive accuracy in the fight against illness
The testing process is as simple as it is clever. Patients breathe into a cotton mask for about ten minutes, which is then presented to the dogs on custom-built platforms. In just one hour, these four-legged detectors can screen thousands of samples with incredible efficiency.
As reported by France 24, a recent study published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology reveals that this method can identify seven types of cancer with an impressive 90% accuracy. This promising breakthrough could make early screening widely accessible and save countless lives.
Treats, play and ultimate well-being
For the creators of this technology, the well-being of these furry heroes is the absolute priority. The dogs only work for 30 to 45 minutes a day and see each session as a fun game of hide-and-seek. Every time a pup correctly identifies a target scent, an automatic dispenser rewards them with a tasty treat.
Whether they freeze completely in front of the sample or scratch the floor enthusiastically, each dog alerts their handler in their own unique way. This is further proof of the unique bond between humans and their most loyal companions, who are capable of working miracles for nothing more than a gentle stroke and a tasty reward.
Translated from the FR Wamiz website using artificial intelligence
