Lingerie is about to become a lifesaver. UK researchers are developing a bra that would detect breast cancer, and hope to stitch the same technology into briefs that spot prostate cancer, reports the Discovery Channel. Serving as an early-warning system, the underwear would monitor temperature changes between areas of internal tissue, often an indication of cancerous tumors.
Fiber-like antennas would transmit the info to a microchip, and specialized software would sound an audio or visual alarm if conditions indicated the likely presence of cancerous cells. The team aims to have a functioning prototype in one year, but the bras won't be Victoria's Secret material: they require too much power for prolonged use but could be worn during checkups. (More cancer stories.)