Flu cases surge nationwide; simple test uncovers hidden cancer-linked chemicals on firefighter gear; wireless implant calms gut inflammation in IBD – Morning Medical Update

Flu surge builds nationwide

Flu activity is ramping up quickly across much of the U.S. following the holiday season, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating 7.5 million cases as of December 31, up from 4 million the week prior. There have already been more than 3,000 deaths. As reported by NPR, a newly dominant influenza A subclade that emerged after vaccine strains were selected is helping drive the surge, particularly the East, Midwest and Southern U.S.

While this year’s vaccine is a partial mismatch, early data suggest it continues to blunt severe illness and hospitalizations. For physicians, familiar advice applies: reinforce vaccination where possible, encourage early testing and consider antivirals, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset. The numbers continue to climb, and the peak still appears to be ahead.

Wipe test reveals hidden PFAS on firefighter gear

A quick wipe of firefighter gear can uncover cancer-linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals that are otherwise invisible, according to a new study from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Researchers found PFAS on every set of gear tested — including inside breathing masks — raising concerns about ongoing exposure long after fires are out. Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study describes the test as the equivalent of turning on a blacklight, giving departments a simple, non-damaging way to decide when gear needs cleaning or deeper decontamination. The findings help explain firefighters’ elevated risk of cancer and point to a practical exposure-reduction step that could have real downstream health impact.

Wireless implant taps nerves to calm IBD

A soft, battery-free implant that stimulates the splenic nerve eased inflammation and restored immune balance in a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a new study in National Science Review. Built entirely from conductive hydrogel, the wireless device conforms to delicate nerve tissue, avoiding the scarring and fibrosis that often doom rigid implants. In animals with chronic colitis, daily 20-minute stimulation reduced colon damage, limited weight loss and shifted gut T cells away from pro-inflammatory responses toward regulatory ones. Researchers say the work points to a new class of “electroceutical” therapies that could one day complement or reduce reliance on systemic immunosuppressive drugs for IBD and other chronic inflammatory conditions.