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Humans have nasal respiratory fingerprints (cell.com)
76 points by srameshc 40 days ago | hide | past | favorite | 30 comments


Kind of a silly personal anecdote, but growing up, my father had a unique "strained" nostril breathing pattern and bad sleep apnea + COPD. I became 'hyper aware' of people's breathing patterns - to the point where people at work had fun with it - standing behind me breathing normally. I could identify who it was > 90% of the time (they were not trying to breathe quietly or differently). I often thought of people's breathing signature as sort of factor to identify them by. I certainly didn't think I was the first person to note this.

More interestingly, I'm also able to pick out people who have early signs of "decreased health" based on their breathing pattern at rest - I don't think it's overly difficult.

This study appears to cover both aspects - creating a breathing fingerprint and estimating BMI. I certainly wasn't aware of breathing differences associated with cognitive state. Bravo to the researchers for formalizing all of this - hope some positive interventional techniques are driven by these findings.


Recommend reading "Breath" by James Nestor. A surprisingly readable book on the topic

https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/B082FP...


Did not know this existed; thanks very much for posting that - even the comments are insightful. Added to my next order!


is there any sensor data from stuff like apple health care that could be put into an ML to detect such changes on breathing fingerprint?


Your thoughtful question is definitely along the lines where the research could change health outcomes. Apple Health currently tracks trends over time and can alert if any disconcerting trends are identified. If Apple were able to capture a breathing signature at rest, say once a month, trends could be identified (via training data, as you mention) and data optionally provided to healthcare providers.

Some people who are alone (including my father) have no idea that they have sleep apnea or 'odd' breathing - for apnea, they're obviously asleep, and for other breathing factors, it's usually a slow and unnoticeable progression.


> is there any sensor data from stuff like apple health care that could be put into an ML to detect such changes on breathing fingerprint?

Pixel (all of android?) devices have some sleep-time snoring/breath interruption detection built in.

As far as I know, they do this with just microphone so the apple watch should be able to do this, too.

Plotting the measurements over time would be really cool!


Can't wait for my phone to identify me by making an impulse response recording of my nose so I can convince it that I'm me at 6 in the morning.


Modern security recommends two form factor authentication. Still need the finger print or heartbeat tracker to login.

Apple recommends using the piss test sensor that will sequence your DNA for the security enclave decryption key. Holding the finger print while delivering the data stream maximizes security. Someone might of too the piss out if you without knowing.


iOS 20 will come with matching dissolving air-tablets you swallow every other Monday, ID nanoprobes are then slowly secreted by the kidneys. The Genius Bar will corroborate your identity and watch you swallow the pill.


They demonstrated it on a 24h recording, not likely applicable for phone unlock...


TOO MANY ID FAILURES. PLEASE ESKIMO KISS YOUR PHONE FOR 24 HOURS TO CONFIRM IDENTITY.


Dogs approve but demand apps of VR chasing squirrels and treat delivery apps.


You’re going to have to, though..


For the past few years I have had difficulty working out in the yard, and then in 2018 it got harder and harder to breathe. After many tests, it was a CT scan that showed Emphysema, and scarring in my lungs. I quit smoking 8 years ago, but the damage has been done. I got to a point I couldn’t catch my breath and was coughing so hard I thought the top of my head would blow off; nothing was really working to help my condition. Finally, I started on the COPD formula, and with the help of this treatment, I’m active again. Its effects on emphysema are amazing; all my symptoms gradually faded away. I breathe much more freely now and no longer need my oxygen cylinder! Google uinehealthcentre. net to get this formula. I'm surprised a lot of people with COPD/emphysema haven't heard of the formula.


Today it requires wearing a mask to effectively capture the data. I wonder if we will see this done acoustically or via some other non-intrusive, remote method.


> I wonder if we will see this done acoustically or via some other non-intrusive, remote method.

Would be interesting if this could be used to reliably diagnose sinus issues.


There should be nothing surprising about this. Any physiological characteristic of a human being, -subject as it is to thousands or millions of morphological variations caused by the fuzziness of biological creation- can quickly become a unique identifier. All you need is a method for quantifying it. We started with fingerprints in the 19th century, now we have man others, and especially DNA. Respiratory "fingerprints" aren't useful in the sense that they're left behind like DNA or fingerprints, but as a biometric marker, they make sense.


Not very practical when they have to record the sample for several hours with a mask. I'm sure in 10 years they'll be able to do it with a 10 second sample as you walk by, though.


I once went to see a doctor because of anxiety, and they had me try some simple breathing exercises. That was when I first noticed how much my breathing pattern changes depending on my state. Now whenever I feel tense, I consciously slow down my breathing and it actually helps me feel more in control. After reading this article, the idea of a breathing fingerprint makes a lot of sense to me. It probably reflects not just physical traits but also your current state.


It appears like you need a rather long sample (hours) to have a good chance of identifying someone.


Is a fingerprint only workable as an identifier in 94 out of 97 people? (I assume no because ex. Apple shipped touch ID)


Wasn't there an app for recording and analyzing coughs for the early detection of cancer or similar?


I guess I'll just have to Wim Hof Breathe all day so they can't catch me!


you can get a link to the paper if you click "Article" at the bottom.


In the future, US citizens wanting to exercise their 4th amendment right against unlawful seziure of their biometrics will do so by ceasing to breathe.

Because you can't require a warrant for biometrics that you impart to the (public) environment around you, like fingerprints on a door handle, saliva on a discarded cigarette, or in this case... air.


You can make illegal the possession, transport, sale or use of dossiers collecting that and similar data, though. We won't, because the people who own our governments wouldn't like it. But it is a choice.


Maybe in some other countries where the people get to influence the laws in a process called Democracy and Free Press.


Better wear clean suits while they are at it:

"DNA captured from the air could track wildlife, invasive species—and humans. Technology could be a boon for science, but raises ethical concerns"

https://www.science.org/content/article/dna-captured-air-cou...


Unlawful sneezure


LOL ...




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