Blood poisoning (sepsis) is fast and frightening, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, killing up to half of its victims. Therefore, a bedside blood test, being developed by British researchers at the University of Liverpool, could allow early treatment, improving the outcomes and maybe even saving lives. Using a biomarker already validated by the group, the researchers are working with Sepsis Limited, a Liverpool-based company, to develop a rapid and robust point-of-care test that uses a drop of blood. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is supporting the £1.2 million (about $1.9 million) project. There are no reliable and rapid tests for sepsis, and as Dr. Enitan Carrol, from the University's Institute of Translational Medicine, said: "We want to help doctors make the appropriate clinical decision at the bedside, without having to wait for results from a laboratory." Release