News Chemistry

Catching your breath

The amounts of certain molecules in exhaled breath could be markers for disease.

By Rachel Ehrenberg

- More than 2 years ago

Scientists would like to take your breath away. Literally.

A person’s breath is more than 99 percent water — and then a cocktail of many other molecules. Scientists are working to understand how the amounts of various molecules can serve as markers for some diseases, such as lung cancer.
BREATH AS EVIDENCE A person’s breath is more than 99 percent water — and then a cocktail of many other molecules. Scientists are working to understand how the amounts of various molecules can serve as markers for some diseases, such as lung cancer.