Cognition and neuroscience doctoral student Hailey Welch is the lead author of a study appearing online Nov. 5 in Cell Reports that examined the role of the vagus nerve’s branches in digestive signaling. She also has received a Ruth L. Kirschstein Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health to support her progress toward her doctorate at The University of Texas at Dallas. Her research charts the molecular and functional profiles of sensory neurons in the vagus nerve of rodents using genetic sequencing, imaging and functional assays, providing a potential explanation for why right-sided vagus nerve signaling activates the release in the brain of dopamine.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus which disproportionally affects new-borns and infants. Marking the start of the 2025/26 season for respiratory diseases in Europe, ECDC issues a rapid scientific advice on effective ways to mitigate the impact of RSV disease in infants through immunisation interventions.