Topic: New fingerprint analysis and drug use detection

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

Images that show how fingerprints can be used to reveal whether you are a smoker, an avid coffee drinker, or even a hard drug user, have been revealed by UK scientists.

It exploits the fact that the breakdown products - metabolites - of substances people consume are deposited in sweat found in pores in their fingerprint ridges. To detect these metabolites they use gold nanoparticles.

Though not mentioned I would think that this could be used in the future as a disease check as well.  It should (in my opinion of course) work much better if done directly on the skin of the individual.  If I'm right this could become the basis of some relatively quick tests for various diseases as well.

[Electric Eye]

I do not know if this is related subjectwise Nem, but it just shows what "signals" our bodies can give off as to our health and use of substances. A friend is an auto tech at the Mercedes dealership here in Austin. He used to be a potsmoker. Not anymore, and at least for a couple of years. I asked him what inspired him to quit. He was like "dude, they get a strand of my hair for drug screens here", and it seems that the hair strand cannot be cheated on like with some urine tests.

I also know one person who attends a group at the VA clinic who has an state authorized electronic monitoring device on his ankle, and not only does it have GPS tracking, it also detects when a person has been drinking! It monitors his vital signs and even sweat content! 

But never fear, soon he will not be alone. For Toyota has already designed a steering wheel that can tell if a person has even had one drink, and those wonderful people at MADD are pushing the politicians to make it a Federal requirement on ALL vehicles. Nevermind the fact that cell phone drivers have taken the crown away from the drinkers in causing automotive accidents.  Ever since 2004.