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Nature retracts paper on novel brain cell type against authors’ wishes
A 2022 paper was retracted after an independent team of researchers reanalyzed the data and questioned its validity.

Nature retracts paper on novel brain cell type against authors’ wishes
A 2022 paper was retracted after an independent team of researchers reanalyzed the data and questioned its validity.
Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits
People with the syndrome, caused by variants in the gene PTEN, often have autism or cancer, or both, but it depends on the genetic diversity encoded in the components of distinct cell signaling pathways, according to a new study.

Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits
People with the syndrome, caused by variants in the gene PTEN, often have autism or cancer, or both, but it depends on the genetic diversity encoded in the components of distinct cell signaling pathways, according to a new study.
2025 Brain Prize honors pair of cancer neuroscientists
Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler share the $1.4 million award for their discovery of synapses between brain cancer cells and neurons.

2025 Brain Prize honors pair of cancer neuroscientists
Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler share the $1.4 million award for their discovery of synapses between brain cancer cells and neurons.
New human brain atlas charts gene activity and chromosome accessibility, from embryo to adolescence
The resource profiles millions of single cells across the developing cortex, revealing when, where and how certain cell types emerge and illuminating possible origins of autism and other conditions.

New human brain atlas charts gene activity and chromosome accessibility, from embryo to adolescence
The resource profiles millions of single cells across the developing cortex, revealing when, where and how certain cell types emerge and illuminating possible origins of autism and other conditions.
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.

Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
Faked results lead to retraction of high-profile cancer neuroscience study
An investigation found that the experiments required more animals than the scientists had purchased.

Faked results lead to retraction of high-profile cancer neuroscience study
An investigation found that the experiments required more animals than the scientists had purchased.
Going deep: The Transmitter’s top long-form stories in 2023
Our favorite features and book excerpts from the past year delved into the neurobiology of cancer; problems with survey data; free will; mathematical minds; and questions around one startup’s quest to treat brain conditions with cell therapies.

Going deep: The Transmitter’s top long-form stories in 2023
Our favorite features and book excerpts from the past year delved into the neurobiology of cancer; problems with survey data; free will; mathematical minds; and questions around one startup’s quest to treat brain conditions with cell therapies.
Making cancer nervous
Nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body can turbocharge tumor growth — a finding that not only expands conventional ideas about the nervous system but points to novel therapeutic targets for a range of malignancies.

Making cancer nervous
Nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body can turbocharge tumor growth — a finding that not only expands conventional ideas about the nervous system but points to novel therapeutic targets for a range of malignancies.
Mitochondria mediate effects of PTEN mutations
Whole-genome sequencing data — which include information about mitochondrial DNA — offer clues to why mutations in the same gene can lead to autism or cancer.

Mitochondria mediate effects of PTEN mutations
Whole-genome sequencing data — which include information about mitochondrial DNA — offer clues to why mutations in the same gene can lead to autism or cancer.
The cloudy connection between fragile X and cancer
People with the autism-linked syndrome lack a protein implicated in several cancers, but it’s unclear whether — or how — they are protected from malignancies.

The cloudy connection between fragile X and cancer
People with the autism-linked syndrome lack a protein implicated in several cancers, but it’s unclear whether — or how — they are protected from malignancies.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Autism-linked copy number variants always boost autism likelihood
By contrast, varied doses of the same genes decrease or increase the odds of five other conditions, with distinct biological consequences, two new preprints show.

Autism-linked copy number variants always boost autism likelihood
By contrast, varied doses of the same genes decrease or increase the odds of five other conditions, with distinct biological consequences, two new preprints show.
Everything everywhere all at once: Decision-making signals engage entire brain
The findings, gleaned from the most comprehensive map yet of brain activity during decision-making in mice, show that the process is even more distributed than previously thought.

Everything everywhere all at once: Decision-making signals engage entire brain
The findings, gleaned from the most comprehensive map yet of brain activity during decision-making in mice, show that the process is even more distributed than previously thought.
Astrocyte networks span large swaths of brain
The networks are plastic, connect brain regions that aren’t connected by neurons and may enable long-distance communication between astrocytes, a new preprint shows.
Astrocyte networks span large swaths of brain
The networks are plastic, connect brain regions that aren’t connected by neurons and may enable long-distance communication between astrocytes, a new preprint shows.