Sentence:  Over the past few years, however, <WSD>interest</WSD> has waxed again. A series of epidemiological studies, none big enough to be probative, but all pointing in the same direction, persuaded Emma Wilmot of the University of Leicester, in Britain, to carry out a meta-analysis. This is a technique that combines diverse studies in a statistically meaningful way. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Attention that is given to or received from someone or something.