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.
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In our latest monthly media coverage roundup, we highlight the top mentions that eLife papers generated in January. You can view the coverage, along with the related research articles, below:

In Evolutionary Biology:

Jagielska et al.’s Short Report/Reviewed Preprint, ‘New soft tissue data of pterosaur tail vane reveals sophisticated, dynamic tensioning usage and expands its evolutionary origins’, was featured in:

  • India Education Diary – Ancient Reptiles’ Flight Secrets Unveiled In New Discovery
  • CBC – Solving the mysteries of our solar system, and more
  • LiveScience – 'Sexy' pterosaur tail should have been nightmare for flying. How did it work?
  • The Jerusalem Post – Pterodactyl tail vanes functioned like ship sails, says latest research
  • Observer Voice – Unraveling the Secrets of Pterosaur Tails
An early pterosaur. Image credit: Adapted from Jagielska et al. (CC BY 4.0)

Thomas et al.’s Research Article/Reviewed Preprint, ‘Seasonal and comparative evidence of adaptive gene expression in mammalian brain size plasticity’, was featured in:

In Genetics and Genomics:

Tateossian et al.’s Research Article/Reviewed Preprint, ‘DYRK1A kinase triplication is the major cause of Otitis Media in Down Syndrome’, was picked up by:

This study was also summarised by the eLife press release, ‘Gene discovery sheds light on common ear condition in people with Down syndrome’.

Vignale, Garcia et al.’s Research Article/Reviewed Preprint, ‘Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) genome provides new insights into convergent evolution of caffeine biosynthesis’, was picked up by:

In Plant Biology:

Orlovskis et al.’s Research Article/Reviewed Preprint, ‘The phytoplasma SAP54 effector acts as a molecular matchmaker for leafhopper vectors by targeting plant MADS-box factor SVP’, was picked up by:

  • Observer Voice – Bacterial Parasite Manipulates Plant and Insect Interactions

This study was also summarised by the eLife press release, ‘Parasite ‘matchmakers’ genetically alter plant cells to attract insects’.

The leafhopper, Hemiptera cicadellidae. Image credit: Gail Hampshire via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Media contacts

  1. Emily Packer
    eLife
    e.packer@elifesciences.org
    +441223855373

  2. George Litchfield
    eLife
    g.litchfield@elifesciences.org

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eLife transforms research communication to create a future where a diverse, global community of scientists and researchers produces open and trusted results for the benefit of all. Independent, not-for-profit and supported by funders, we improve the way science is practised and shared. From the research we publish, to the tools we build, to the people we work with, we’ve earned a reputation for quality, integrity and the flexibility to bring about real change. eLife is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Max Planck Society and Wellcome. Learn more at https://elifesciences.org/about.