German researchers have developed a breakthrough method that uses infrared spectroscopy and machine learning to identify multiple health conditions from a single drop of blood plasma. With this technique, known as molecular infrared fingerprinting, diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be precisely identified and the metabolic syndrome can be predicted up to 6.5 years in advance. The study published in Cell Reports Medicine shows the potential for more accessible and comprehensive healthcare, even if further validation is required for different populations.