article_snippet: A San Francisco firm has developed a sensor that identifies gases and molecules released in a person’s breath that could hint at an underlying illness.
article_snippet: In addition to detecting volatile compounds in the breath, A San Francisco firm said Sensor could be used to identify compounds released by rotting food .
article_snippet: San Francisco-based BoydSense has therefore developed software that can identify at which point the level of a gas or compound is beyond what is considered normal.
article_snippet: In particular, the sensors build on current breath gas analysers that are used to detect early signs of diabetes and even lung cancer.
article_snippet: In addition to detecting volatile compounds in the breath, Mr Thuillier said Sensor could be used to identify compounds released by rotting food.
highlights_snippet: The technology recognises and analyses gases for so-called biosignatures .
  
highlights_snippet: Gases on the breath, for example, can be early indicators of disease .
  