A new test can identify a patient’s blood type in just 30 seconds with 99.9 percent accuracy, a study shows.

    The new paper-based test can be performed without the need for specialist equipment. After analyzing 3,550 blood samples, the scientists found it deciphered results in just two steps.

    Mismatched blood can lead to death, but this particular type lacks antigens* that can trigger immune* reactions.

    Each blood type contains its own antigens, and if it detects foreign chemicals it can trigger a body-wide response.

    However, because O can safely be given to anyone, this can lead to huge pressure on supplies of the specific blood type, New Scientist reports.

    Hong Zhang of Third Military Medical University said: “The rapid turnaround time of the test could be ideal for resource-limited situations, such as war zones, remote areas, and during emergencies.”

    To create the test, the scientists used chemical reactions between blood serum* proteins and a common dye.

    They applied a small sample onto a test-strip containing antibodies* that were built to recognize different blood types. The results appeared as visual color changes — teal* if a blood group antigen was present in a sample, brown if not.

    With slightly more time but still in less than two minutes the test was able to identify multiple rare blood types.(SD-Agencies)