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Articles by Emily Packer
Single cell map helps predict childhood Crohn's severity and treatment response
Credit: MART PRODUCTION from Pexels Researchers have created a detailed map of childhood Crohn's disease before and after treatment to help understand disease progression. The study, published in eLife, is described by the editors as an important study that substantially advances understanding of pediatric Crohn's disease, mapping its cellular makeup and how patients respond to treatment.
Single cell map helps predict childhood Crohn's severity and treatment response
Researchers have created a detailed map of childhood Crohn's disease before and after treatment to help understand disease progression. The study, published in eLife , is described by the editors as an important study that substantially advances understanding of pediatric Crohn's disease, mapping its cellular makeup and how patients respond to treatment. The editors add that the evidence is compelling, based on thorough analyses and underpinned by rigorous methodology.
MRI model reveals microstructural brain changes linked to Huntington's disease
Researchers have shown that an imaging model can detect microstructural abnormalities in the brain associated with Huntington's disease, potentially offering a new method for monitoring disease progression and evaluating new treatments. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. Their study, published today in eLife , is described by eLife's editors as fundamental.
Human neural tube organoid morphogenesis after ZIC2 knockdown. Credit: eLife (2026). DOI: 10.7554/elife.108224.3 A new genetic screening method allows researchers to efficiently modulate individual genes across entire tissues and provides new insights into human development. The research, published in eLife, is described as a landmark study by the journal's editors.
Babies' brains respond to music by three months of age—while moving to it begins by their first birthday
A study suggests babies' brains recognize music from as young as 3 months of age, while spontaneous movements to music emerge by their first birthday and their ability to match movements to it develops later. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. Researchers have discovered that music begins to shape how we move within the first year of life.
Tooth fossil analysis suggests 'brawn before bite' in early Asian mammals
Association of paleopalynological data from the Nanxiong Basin, South China, and late Paleocene niche expansion in endemic Asian fossil eutherians. Credit: eLife (2026). DOI: 10.7554/elife.108917.4 An analysis of fossil teeth from mammals that lived in China following the most recent major mass extinction suggests size came before both shape and function as diets diversified.
Female chickadees seek cognitively skilled males for extra‑pair matings, study shows
A photograph of a social male chickadee feeding the female in a natural cavity nest. Credit: Vladimir Pravosudov (CC BY 4.0) Female chickadees living in monogamous mating systems will proactively seek out males that have better cognitive skills than their nest mate, according to new findings.
Genome-wide analysis uncovers clues to Faroese ancestral history
A photograph of Gásadalur, Faroe Islands. Credit: Variant Bio (CC BY 4.0) Genome sequencing has revealed insights into how current-day residents of the Faroe Islands can trace their ancestry to a North Atlantic founder population and how evolutionary forces have shaped their genomes since.
Crabs' iconic sideways walk evolved from common ancestor, study suggests
Some of the true crab species included in the study 'Evolution of sideways locomotion in crabs,' Clockwise from top left: Two photographs of Tuerkayana hirtipes; Cardisoma carnifex; and Ocypode sinensis. Credit: Tsubasa Inoue and Junya Taniguchi, CC BY 4.0 Researchers have provided new insights into the evolutionary origin of sideways walking in crabs.
Climbing behaviors of tree-dwelling mammals unlock insights on early primate evolution
Researchers have shed new light on the features that enable tree-dwelling mammals to move effectively through their environments, providing insights into the evolution of the distinct upright postures seen in primates. The study, published in eLife, is the first to compare upward and downward climbing behaviors across a broad range of tree-dwelling (arboreal) mammal species.
Study reveals potential therapeutic target for treating glaucoma
Researchers have identified a metabolically sensitive cell subtype in the eye's drainage system which shows early signs of dysfunction in a genetic mouse model of glaucoma. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. The study, published in eLife, provides what the editors say are fundamental findings, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or slowing the development of glaucoma.
Study reveals potential therapeutic target for treating glaucoma
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers have identified a metabolically sensitive cell subtype in the eye's drainage system which shows early signs of dysfunction in a genetic mouse model of glaucoma. The study, published in eLife, provides what the editors say are fundamental findings, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or slowing the development of glaucoma.
Scientists unravel neural networks that guide guilt and shame-driven behaviors
Feelings of guilt and shame can lead us to behave in a variety of different ways, including trying to make amends or save face, cooperating more with others or avoiding people altogether. Now, researchers have shed light on how the two emotions emerge from cognitive processes and in turn guide how we respond to them. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. Their study is published in eLife.
Scientists unravel neural networks that guide guilt and shame-driven behaviors
Neural basis of compensatory sensitivity. Credit: eLife (2025). DOI: 10.7554/elife.107223.3 Feelings of guilt and shame can lead us to behave in a variety of different ways, including trying to make amends or save face, cooperating more with others or avoiding people altogether. Now, researchers have shed light on how the two emotions emerge from cognitive processes and in turn guide how we respond to them. Their study is published in eLife.
Origins of Wnt signaling reveal protein superfamily across the Tree of Life
Researchers have described a large set of previously unrecognized enzymatic domains—named the Lipocone superfamily—and outlined their evolutionary pathway from bacterial defense molecules to key players in human development.
Scientists reveal neural mechanism that could lead to better pain relief
Researchers have pinpointed the precise pathway in the brain that suppresses pain in times of threatening situations. The study in mice, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by editors as a timely and important contribution to our knowledge of the circuit mechanisms of fear-conditioned analgesia—the natural suppression of pain in dangerous situations.
Study reveals intricate molecular detail of human DNA repair process
Researchers have revealed the structural mechanisms of a major DNA repair pathway in human cells. The research, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as a landmark study with compelling evidence on how an important player in DNA repair—the RAD51 filament—promotes the exchange of strands between DNA molecules that contain homologous (identical or similar) sequences.
Targeting a single gene may reverse cognitive deficits in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Researchers have identified a promising strategy to improve memory and brain cell function in models of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. The study, published in eLife, shows that reducing the levels of the protein EMC10 can restore both cellular and cognitive function in mouse and human cell models of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. The editors describe this as an important study, backed by compelling evidence supporting EMC10 reduction as a promising therapeutic strategy.
New fruit fly resource reveals nerve circuits that control flight and courtship
A team of researchers have created a new resource for studying motor control of wing movements in fruit flies. The study, published recently as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as an important resource paper presenting a library of cell-type-specific genetic driver lines that label wing-related motor and premotor neurons in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.
Viral 'backbone' underlies variation in rotavirus vaccine effectiveness
Researchers have shown that differences in the entire rotavirus genome—not just its two surface proteins—affect how well vaccines work, helping to explain why some strains are more likely to infect vaccinated individuals.
Hidden virus harbored by fruit flies may influence experimental accuracy
Researchers have revealed that the presence of Nora virus in fruit flies can increase their sensitivity to bacterial infection and could limit their lifespan. The study, published today as a reviewed preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as important work with convincing data supporting new insights into virus-host interactions in the Drosophila gut. They add that the findings serve as a warning for scientists who use fruit flies as a model to study gut physiology.
How necrotic cells contribute to the body's regeneration process
Researchers have shed new light on how tissues in the body are repaired following the damage and premature death of tissue cells. Their study in fruit flies, which first appeared in eLife as a Reviewed Preprint and is now published as the final version, describes what the editors call fundamental discoveries with solid evidence for how dying (or necrotic) cells contribute to tissue regeneration through a previously uncharacterized mechanism.
Drosophila analysis tool opens up neuroscience research to resource-limited settings
A simple, freely available analysis tool and hardware for analyzing fruit flies allows opportunities for researchers in low-income settings or out in the field to screen for genes and nerve circuits underlying complex social behaviors. The study, published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, presents what the editors describe as a valuable open-source and cost-effective method for automating the quantification of male aggression and courtship in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).
Hunger shifts attention towards less healthy food options, study finds
New research suggests that when people are hungry, they focus more on the tastiness of food and tend to ignore nutritional information, which may contribute to poor dietary decisions. The study, published as a revised Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described as important by the eLife editors.
Scientists map neural wiring of vocal circuits in songbirds
Researchers have mapped the long-range synaptic connections involved in vocal learning in zebra finches, uncovering new details about how the brain organizes learned vocalizations such as birdsong. The study, published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as having fundamental significance and compelling evidence clarifying how four distinct inputs to a specific region of the brain act on three distinct cell types to facilitate the learning and production of birdsong.
Birds' high blood sugar defies aging expectations
A large-scale study of 88 bird species reveals that some birds with high blood sugar levels show resistance to protein glycation, suggesting they have evolved mechanisms to avoid the harmful effects typically associated with glucose metabolism. The study is the first extensive, comparative analysis of the relationship between blood sugar levels, glycation rates, diet and life history in birds.
Blood metabolites may reduce genetic risk of glaucoma
Scientists have revealed why not all individuals with a high inherited risk of glaucoma may ultimately develop the disease. This collaborative study from researchers in the U.K., U.S., and Japan is published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, and presents valuable findings on the importance of the plasma metabolome in glaucoma risk prediction, according to the editors.
Computational tool extracting disease-specific drug response signatures could improve cancer treatment discoveries
A new computational tool could help researchers identify promising drug combinations for treating cancer, according to a new study. The research, published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as an important and timely study, with the potential to revolutionize personalized cancer treatment strategies by providing a method to predict effective drug combinations to treat the disease.
Cell polarity coordinates jellyfish larval development along a central axis, study finds
Scientists have uncovered a key mechanism in jellyfish embryos that provides new insights into how the body plan of these animals develops along a central axis from their "head" to "tail." The study, published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as a significant and fundamental contribution to the field.
Study suggests stalled amyloid protein production drives Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is likely caused by stalled protein processing in the brain, according to a new study. The research, published today in eLife, is described by editors as a fundamental study providing insights into how mutations in the presenilin-1 (PSEN1) gene affect processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which—once processed into amyloid beta (Aβ) protein—is known to build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Parasite 'matchmakers' can genetically alter plant cells to attract insects
Scientists have revealed a parasite's role in boosting male insect appeal by modulating host processes to facilitate female attraction, thereby enhancing the parasite's own transmission and survival. The study, published in the eLife journal, is described by the editors as highlighting an important discovery: a bacterial pathogen's effector influences plant responses that in turn affect how the leafhopper insect carrier of the bacteria is attracted to the plants in a sex-dependent manner.
Scientists identify brain cell type as master controller of urination
Researchers have identified a subset of brain cells in mice that act as the master regulators of urination. The research, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by editors as an important study with convincing data showing that estrogen receptor 1-expressing neurons (ESR1+) in the Barrington's nucleus of the mouse brain coordinate both bladder contraction and relaxation of the external urethral sphincter.
New tool reveals how malaria sticks to red blood vessels
Scientists have unveiled a new tool for studying the highly variable traits that allow malaria parasites to stick to red blood cells and evade the immune system. The study, published today as a reviewed preprint in eLife, introduces an important approach for generating Plasmodium falciparum parasite lines that express specific variants of a sticky adhesin molecule, according to eLife's editors.
Study links social observation to brain activity in decision-making
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: People tend to adjust their choices between a safe and risky decision based on their perception of an observer's opinion, according to new research.
Arthropods dominate plant litter decomposition in drylands
Researchers have shown that larger insects such as woodlice and beetles play as much of a crucial role in leaf litter decomposition across different habitats and seasons as microbes and smaller invertebrates.
Computational tool can pinpoint causal relationships from complex biological data
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Computational tool can pinpoint causal relationships from complex biological data
Researchers have developed a tool that provides new insights into cause-and-effect relationships between cells and how these change over time. The research, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as a fundamental study presenting a new data-processing pipeline that could be used to better understand cell–cell interactions.
Computational tool can pinpoint causal relationships from complex biological data
1 hour ago Discover new clues about how our ancient relatives disappeared from time. In 2015, a paleoanthropology team discovered jaw remains of a roughly 42,000-year-old Neanderthal in France. • Over the next several years, the team, lead by Ludovic Slimak, found more of the Neanderthal’s remains and began to …
Study reveals how insulin-producing cells work together to respond to metabolic demands
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Scientists have revealed how a population of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in the fruit fly brain works together to produce a concerted response to metabolic demands and internal state changes.
My Serendipitous Stint as Fishmonger-Filmmaker
Since January 2020, the oyster has been my world. It was then I decided to make a movie about this charismatic bivalve that cleans the water, builds habitat and protects the city against storm surges.
Holding Back the Tide
2024 Movie Release Calendar Jason Dietz Find a schedule of release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated daily.
Ants detect and monitor low levels of moonlight to navigate at night, new study shows
Nocturnal bull ants can use low-level moonlight to navigate at night, according to new research. The study, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as important work that substantially advances our understanding of nocturnal animal navigation and the ways that animals use polarized light. The evidence supporting the conclusions is convincing, and the work will be of interest to biologists working on animal navigation or sensory ecology.
Higher light levels may improve cognitive performance
Exposure to higher levels of light can help people feel more awake and increase cognitive performance, probably by influencing the activity of parts of a brain region called the hypothalamus, according to new research. The study, published in eLife, is described by the editors as of fundamental importance, and represents a key advancement to our understanding of how different levels of light affect human behavior.
Fruit fly pest meets its evolutionary match in parasitic wasp
A parasitic wasp that preys on the young of a prolific fruit fly pest demonstrates both molecular evolution and behavioral adaptations in the face of ecological pressures, according to new research. The study, published in eLife, is described by the editors as valuable work, with convincing evidence to suggest that the Trichopria drosophilae (T. drosophilae) wasp might be a potent biological weapon to control Drosophila suzukii (D.
Simulations reveal mechanism behind protein buildup in Parkinson's disease
Researchers have used computational models to understand what drives the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, a key culprit in the development of Parkinson's disease. The study, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as providing important biophysical insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the association of alpha-synuclein chains, which is essential for understanding the development of Parkinson's disease.
Study finds plankton use UV light sensors to detect pressure change and avoid getting swept away
Researchers have uncovered how sea-dwelling plankton respond to pressure changes and propel themselves through the water, using tiny protrusions called cilia. The research, presented in eLife, as a reviewed preprint, was described by the editors as a fundamental study that addresses the question of how certain zooplankton change their direction of movement in response to pressure—a phenomenon known as barotaxis.
Fish display distinct individual behaviors when swimming to find food, finds study
Fish from the same species can evolve their sense of smell and display individual foraging 'personalities' to successfully find food in different habitats, according to new research. In the study, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, researchers developed a high-throughput behavioral assay to test spontaneous swimming and differences in the sense of smell of individual Mexican cavefish larvae.
Protein allows poison dart frogs to accumulate toxins safely, shows study
Scientists have identified the protein that helps poison dart frogs safely accumulate their namesake toxins, according to a study published today in eLife. The findings solve a long-standing scientific mystery and may suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating humans poisoned with similar molecules. Alkaloid compounds, such as caffeine, make coffee, tea and chocolate delicious and pleasant to consume, but can be harmful in large amounts.
How shifting climates may have shaped early elephants' trunks
Researchers have provided new insights into how ancestral elephants developed their dextrous trunks. The study, published Nov. 27 as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, combines multiple analyses to reconstruct feeding behaviors in the extinct longirostrine elephantiforms—elephant-like mammals characterized by elongated lower jaws and tusks.
Laser-powered 'tweezers' reveal universal mechanism viruses use to package up DNA
Researchers have used laser-powered 'optical tweezers' to reveal a universal motor mechanism used by viruses for packaging their DNA into infectious particles. The research, published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as a fundamental study that could be paradigm-shifting for our understanding of how viral DNA motors work and the precise roles of individual proteins in the motor complex.
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