Detecting melanoma before it becomes visible is a major challenge in dermatology. Now, with researchers from Université de Montréal, scientists at Université du Québec’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have developed a promising solution tested on mice. Called SMEAR-ULM, it’s a high-tech system that can detect skin cancers at their earliest stages by measuring tiny temperature variations at the surface of the skin. Led by INRS professor Jinyang Liang, the research team’s findings are published in Nature Sensors.  The work was carried out in close collaboration with several research teams, including ones led by INRS professor Fiorenzo Vetrone and, at UdeM, pharmacology professor Davide Brambilla and medical professor Sylvain Meloche.  The potential impact of the work is significant, the scientists say.