Story at-a-glance Chronic inflammation drives diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer and autoimmune conditions. However, standard tests only measure generalized inflammation and does not pinpoint the exact tissues affected Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method to track inflammation at its source using antibodies that detect molecular markers left by reactive oxygen species (ROS) Unlike traditional markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), this new approach could allow doctors to identify specific organs under inflammatory stress, leading to earlier and more precise diagnoses Emerging research challenges the idea that chronic inflammation is just unresolved acute inflammation. Researchers suggest it results from a lack of anti-inflammatory mediators, not just excessive inflammatory signaling Key drivers of chronic inflammation include excess linoleic acid, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, endotoxins and electromagnetic fields (EMFs)