Scientists have developed a new way to diagnose heart attacks—with a simple, thermometer-like device, doctors could diagnose heart attacks using less materials and with a lower cost.

Thermometer-like device could help diagnose heart attacks. Source: American Chemical SocietyAccording to Sangmin Jeon and his colleagues from Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, it is possible to tell whether someone has had a heart attack by measuring the level of a protein called troponin in the person’s blood. The protein’s concentration rises when blood is cut off from the heart and the muscle is damaged.

Using current systems, detecting troponin requires large, expensive instruments and is often not practical for point-of-care use or in low-income areas. Such countries are responsible for three-quarters of the deaths related to cardiovascular disease.

Inspired by the simplicity of alcohol and mercury thermometers, the researchers created a similarly straightforward way to detect troponin. It involves a glass vial, specialized nanoparticles, a drop of ink and a skinny tube. When human serum with troponin—even at a minute concentration—is mixed with the nanoparticles and put in the vial, the ink climbs a protruding tube and can be read with the naked eye, just like a thermometer.