The Science Life Animals

With a little convincing, rats can detect tuberculosis

Rodents that excel at detecting land mines could make a difference in a widespread disease

African pouch rat

SENSITIVE SCHNOZ  African giant pouched rats are trained to sniff sputum in the lab and pause at TB-infected samples.

APOPO

By Yao-Hua Law

- More than 2 years ago

What do land mines and tuberculosis have in common? Both kill people in developing countries — and both can be sniffed out by rodents that grow up to 3 feet, head to tail.