Tulane University researchers developed ActCRISPR-TB, a novel CRISPR-Cas12a assay capable of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA from tongue swabs within an hour. The single-pot, isothermal reaction integrates amplification and detection, providing paper strip readouts akin to COVID-19 home tests. Sensitivities of 74% in oral samples and over 90% in respiratory and other specimens surpass traditional sputum testing, which is often inaccessible, especially for asymptomatic or pediatric patients. This innovation could transform TB screening in low-resource settings.