(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) (THE CONVERSATION) As with weeds in a garden, it is a challenge to fully get rid of cancer cells in the body once they arise. They have a relentless need to continuously expand, even when they are significantly cut back by therapy or surgery.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the #1 cause of death globally and encompasses a broad set of over a dozen disorders that compromise the function of the heart and blood vessels. The major cause of CVD by far, however, is the pathological process of (CDC, 2022). Like the accumulation of rust within pipes, involves the gradual build up of plaque within arteries which compromises the flow of blood and oxygen in the body. Strikingly, is responsible for more than 40% of all deaths worldwide, and 80% of those deaths are in individuals 65 years and older. This includes mortality from devastating pathologies that are among the leading causes of death like coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and stroke (Pahwa, 2022).

A new test that ‘fishes’ for multiple respiratory viruses at once using single strands of DNA as ‘bait’, and gives highly accurate results in under an hour, has been developed by Cambridge researchers.

The test uses DNA ‘nanobait’ to detect the most common respiratory viruses – including influenza, rhinovirus, RSV and COVID-19 – at the same time. In comparison, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, while highly specific and highly accurate, can only test for a single virus at a time and take several hours to return a result.

While many common respiratory viruses have similar symptoms, they require different treatments. By testing for multiple viruses at once, the researchers say their test will ensure patients get the right treatment quickly and could also reduce the unwarranted use of antibiotics.