The saliva exam is similar to a home pregnancy test but comes without a crisis of character. You spit on a strip of paper, follow the simple instructions and the kit will produce a scent profile based on the proteins in your spittle. Pump this information into an online dating service using this type of data - and it can supposedly find your special siren.

The idea is based on a study by Claus Wedekind from the mid-90s. A group of men wore the same t-shirt for two days so the garments would assume their natural smell. A group of women then picked the t-shirt they found most appealing based on scent - consistently plumping for men who had immune systems most different from their own. In evolutionary terms, scent (disguised as attraction) was offering the women’s offspring more comprehensive immunity.

The B.O. technology could lead to some novel pick up lines, and sadly there is no dating service in Hong Kong using this type of data yet, but we thought you’d be fascinated. What’s more, until scent profiling reaches these shores, you can still find out whether your girlfriend is a good match by ordering two kits online.

A scientific reason to dump her.