Mastodawn

_Kl0udy Jul 11, 2023

Imagine if you could rapidly detect COVID-19 in public places by testing the air. Now you can! Researchers have developed a groundbreaking new air monitor that can detect the presence of an infected person in as little as 5 minutes. (1/3) 🧵
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39419-z

Real-time environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols - Nature Communications

Rapid detection of respiratory pathogens circulating in indoor environments could facilitate improved infection prevention responses. In this proof-of-concept study, the authors develop a pathogen air quality monitor for real-time direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and demonstrate its application in rooms of people with SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Nature

Dr Zoë Hyde Jul 10, 2023

The compact device, which measures 12 x 10 x 10 inches, has a sensitivity of ~80% and can detect as few as 7 viral RNA copies per cubic metre of air with a resolution of 5 minutes.

The major limitation of the prototype is noise (75-80 dB; similar to heavy traffic), although the researchers are trying to develop a quieter version with low-noise motors and/or sound-proofing. (2/3)

Dr Zoë Hyde Jul 10, 2023

The device currently costs about $1,400-1,900 to build, and 40 cents per sample.

However, the researchers believe that mass production will substantially reduce the cost of both the device and sampling (to as little as a few cents per sample).

This device could be a game-changing way to protect schools, offices, aged care facilities, hospitals, shops, and other public places from COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens (it’s not limited to just SARS-CoV-2). (3/3)

Kevin Leecaster Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde
What are the maintenance costs like? Scientific equipment is not cheap to keep working well in my experience anyways.

Dr Zoë Hyde Jul 10, 2023

@GreenFire There is more information about costs in the supplementary material accompanying the manuscript.

The researchers say that they’re “currently working with an experienced industry manufacturer for scale-up and mass production” so I think there’s a real possibility of purchasing and maintaining this for a reasonable cost.

WrathofJan 🌞🌻🌎🖖Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde @GreenFire

WOW!!!!

Meeschaatser Jul 10, 2023

@GreenFire @DrZoeHyde Doesn't matter. Maintenance represents easy revenue. Having the workforce leave their workspace and continuously interrupting production however, isn't.
Let's face it: exploiters just don't think public health is valuable enough to be worth the effort of minimizing spread of desease.

theseege Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde
Very cool. Now let's figure out how to build it without cows and llamas.

Bass #Antifa #EcoHumanist Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde What to do, when detecting virus(es)? Too late...

[empty]Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde We will probably be wearing these things on masks in 10 years

Dwight Williams (💉 x9)+😷🇨🇦Jul 10, 2023

@allanb @DrZoeHyde

Two years, not ten. If we push.

From Robin with Love Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde @AE4WX Let’s get these to market!

JoeChip Jul 10, 2023

This is great but shouldn't it be the next step *after* we implement upgrades in building HVAC (especially schools)?

Siderea, Sibylla Bostoniensis Jul 10, 2023

Are you under the impression that the people working on this are the same people responsible for implementing school HVAC improvements?

JoeChip Jul 10, 2023

@siderea
Uhm no. The research is great and I have no objection at all to it being implemented. My comment was an observation about overall policy priorities regarding indoor air standards. Sorry if I worded it poorly.
@DrZoeHyde

Dr Zoë Hyde Jul 12, 2023

@JoeChip You’re right. I’d want to see ventilation and air filtration prioritised - you’d get the most impact from these. But I can think of settings where a tool like this would currently be very valuable. For example, I think it would have the potential to provide early warning of potential outbreaks in aged care (and hopefully prevent them).

Katja Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde all those improvements, but no implementation (apart from Davos obviously) of what we know now in schools or work, not even mentioning hospitals 🤦🏽‍♀️ still great work and thanks for sharing

Pusher Of Pixels (old account)Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde very cool!

Tho my sarcastic dark humor side offers to build raspberry pi device that just beeps every 5 minutes for half the price 😬😬😬

tessarakt Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde will be used for parlaments and board meetings. Not worth it for anything else.

Billy Smith Jul 10, 2023

Whiskers 🇦🇺Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde Just think of the possibilities!

Julia Harvey Jul 10, 2023

@DrZoeHyde wow. Game changer once it’s fully developed.

mypalmike Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde Using binary search, you just need log(N) rooms and time to figure out who specifically is infected.

/s (mostly)

acm Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde This seems like a big deal!!!!

Gavin Volure’s Peanut Butter Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde @ariadne As a critically acclaimed covidphobe I endorse this message

Ariadne Conill 🐰

@iBlame @DrZoeHyde i'm more interested to see how this technology can be adapted to detect other aerosolized viruses (like flu) as well as strains of COVID

Gavin Volure’s Peanut Butter Jul 11, 2023

@ariadne @DrZoeHyde My thoughts exactly! This could be a real game-changer.

J.H.Noyes Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde
We've always been able to do that with high degree accuracy using dogs. We just chose not to do it. It doesn't have to be a big scary dog--smaller breeds like Shi Tzus, Pugs, and Chihuahua will work just fine.

https://www.sniffspot.com/blog/dog-training/comprehensive-guide-to-scent-training-for-dogs

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs

Scent Work allows your dog or puppy to use its incredible nose and it gives you an excuse to spend time together in a highly enriching experience.

Sniffspot

dal Jul 11, 2023

@DrZoeHyde this better be affordable and accessible 😢