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1. 1. Neuroscience

   Negative expectations have stronger and longer-lasting effects on pain than positive ones

   A new study finds that nocebo effects, where people expect a negative outcome from treatment, are more powerful and persistent than placebo effects, with implications for patient-practitioner communication.
2. 1. Cell Biology
   2. Cancer Biology

   3D cell cultures provide new insights on lung cancer treatment response

   Researchers have shown that activation of the protein YAP, which helps tumours grow, differs between two- and three-dimensional culture models, pointing to more predictive systems for testing cancer therapies.
3. 1. Microbiology and Infectious Disease
   2. Epidemiology and Global Health

   Viral ‘backbone’ underlies variation in rotavirus vaccine effectiveness

   A new study has shown that full-genome differences between rotavirus strains influence vaccine effectiveness, highlighting the need for a broader approach to vaccine design.
4. 1. Immunology and Inflammation
   2. Microbiology and Infectious Disease

   Hidden virus harboured by fruit flies may influence experimental accuracy

   A new study suggests the presence of Nora virus in laboratory strains of Drosophila fruit flies influences their resilience to stress and bacterial infection and can confound experimental studies of ageing.

5. Media Coverage: January roundup of eLife papers in the news

   High-profile news coverage that eLife papers generated in January 2025, including CBC, India Education Diary and LiveScience.
6. 1. Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

   Study identifies novel mechanism for tissue repair in wake of cell death

   Researchers have characterised how dying, or necrotic, cells contribute to the body’s regeneration process, with potential implications for wound and tissue repair.
7. 1. Neuroscience

   New Drosophila analysis tool opens up neuroscience research to resource-limited settings

   Researchers have developed an easy-to-use, publicly available analysis pipeline and inexpensive hardware to record and quantify aggression and courtship behaviors in fruit flies.
8. 1. Neuroscience

   Hunger shifts attention towards less healthy food options

   A new study has revealed how hunger influences dietary decisions by shifting attention towards tastier, but less healthy, food options.
9. 1. Neuroscience

   Scientists map neural wiring of vocal circuits in songbirds

   A new study provides the first detailed map of how sensory and motor circuits interact in the zebra finch brain, offering insights into how songbirds learn and refine their songs.
10. 1. Ecology
    2. Evolutionary Biology

    Birds’ high blood sugar defies ageing expectations

    A large-scale comparative study suggests that some birds have evolved mechanisms to avoid the harmful effects of high blood sugar, granting insights into metabolism and ageing.