Researchers at the Palo Alto Research Center have created a tiny new portable device that could make a huge difference to people in developing nations that might be HIV positive. Here’s how it works:
- The person who is being tested has their finger pricked to draw blood.
- The blood sells are sent through a laser beam for analysis.
- A detector analyzes the blood to look for T cells.
- If the T cells number fewer than 250 then antiretroviral HIV treatment can be recommended.
Health workers in third world countries would be able to take this device with them to rural areas where HIV testing might otherwise be impossible. Sounds like a good plan.
