Artificial intelligence at the service of medicine
Artificial intelligence is increasingly present in our society. But some sectors seem to use it more than others, which is particularly the case for medicine.
Recently, researchers at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, have developed a new technology to detect the first signs of illness, which is surprising to say the least.
In a study published on October 21, 2025 in the journal
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, the research team explains that they are in a project to develop advanced sensors which, thanks to artificial intelligence, can detect early signs of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease… from sweat.
Why the sweat?
Although this new technological innovation may seem strange, it is actually well thought out. Indeed, sweat is not only a liquid that serves to cool the body, but also a vehicle of biological information. More simply, sweat is a bit like a “mini-report” on what is happening in our body.
If its main composition remains water and salt, it also contains a wide variety of substances. Previous studies had shown that sweat transports electrolytes, hormones, proteins and peptides or even metabolites such as glucose. Its composition can vary depending on several factors, including diseases.
“Sweat sampling is painless, simple and non-invasive. “Anyone who is already interested in tracking their health using wearables like an Apple Watch, for example their heart rate, number of steps or blood pressure, would be interested in the information that sweat can provide,” said Dr Dayanne Bordin, co-author of the study and an analytical chemist at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in comments reported by
SciTechDaily.
Patches that use AI
In the study, the researchers explain that they want to develop new patches capable of continuously collecting sweat which, thanks to advances in microfluidics (technology which consists of manipulating very small quantities of liquid inside tiny channels) and flexible electronics, can provide regular information on health.
They were inspired by the patch already available on the market to analyze sweating rate and sodium loss.
“There are already sweat monitoring devices on the market, such as the Gatorade patch, which is a single-use sticker to wear, combined with an app to analyze your sweat rate and sodium loss, and provide personalized advice,” explained Dayanne Bordin.
With the help of AI, researchers could identify specific metabolites and interpret complex biochemical signals present in sweat and detect certain medical problems early, with the goal of making these patches small, energy-efficient and secure.
They say the technology could help athletes track their electrolyte losses or prove they're not doping, and allow people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar without taking blood.
Before seeing these sweat analyzer patches land, the research team plans to carry out other studies.
Source: SciTechDaily
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