Tears are a fluid that we naturally secrete in order for our eyes to function properly. You can also experience these tears that we shed as a reaction of our brain, which controls our emotions, or a tear that has no emotional reason, by chopping onions. But scientists say tears can be an indicator of not only our emotional but also physical health, and that tears can be used to detect diseases.
According to a scientific study published in ACS Nano, researchers have discovered that our body’s cellular signals are transmitted in tiny information sacs called tears. The study, named iTEARS by Wenzhou Medical University, aims to have a high degree of certainty and easy detection of people’s diseases.
In the experiment, the researchers collected a few drops of tears from various people. The collected samples were placed in the device used for such studies, which could filter the samples and read the findings, and the result was obtained within 5 minutes. The results revealed that there were some distinct patterns in the tears.
Experts predict that the Tear Exosomes Analysis Combined with Rapid Isolation Systems – iTEARS project will pave the way for the use of human tears in disease detection and this method can be widely used such as blood and urine tests. With the iTEARS method, it is aimed to shed light on diabetes patients. This method, which can follow the evolution of diabetes, has become the focus of the scientific world.
One of the study authors, Luke Hee, said they will continue to advance their work to detect disease from tears. It was stated that if the studies continue in a positive way, it can even be used to detect various mental diseases, especially depression.
WHAT IS ACS?
ACS, the American Chemical Society, is a non-profit organization authorized by the US Congress. It conducts various chemistry studies for the benefit of the whole world. This organization, which is among the most cited sources in the scientific literature, is extremely reliable.
