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Smart Underwear Tracks Flatulence, Reveals Surprising Gas Stats

2/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Maryland developed 'Smart Underwear' to measure flatulence by tracking hydrogen gas released by gut microbes.
The device was tested on 57 participants, revealing substantial individual variation in gas production.
A study found healthy adults fart an average of 32 times daily, higher than the commonly reported 14.
Researchers plan to use the data to establish a baseline for flatulence to inform digestive-issue treatments and gut-health understanding.

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Story summary

Researchers at the University of Maryland developed 'Smart Underwear' to measure flatulence by tracking hydrogen gas released by gut microbes.
The device was tested on 57 participants, revealing substantial individual variation in gas production.
A study found healthy adults fart an average of 32 times daily, higher than the commonly reported 14.
Researchers plan to use the data to establish a baseline for flatulence to inform digestive-issue treatments and gut-health understanding.