Researchers from Tulane University and Shenzhen Third People's Hospital have developed ActCRISPR-TB, an improved CRISPR-Cas12a assay enabling rapid, affordable tuberculosis diagnosis using non-sputum samples like oral swabs and stool. The one-pot assay delivers results within an hour, overcoming limitations of sputum collection that hamper diagnosis in many patients, especially in low-resource settings. Published in Nature Communications, the test demonstrated superior sensitivity compared to conventional sputum-based methods and holds promise for community-level TB detection. The assay integrates recombinase polymerase amplification and CRISPR technology for enhanced sensitivity and operational simplicity, potentially transforming TB control in high-burden areas.