Evolution
New look at lampreys rewrites textbooks on origins of sympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic neurons pepper the embryos of the jawless fish—Earth’s first vertebrates—and overturn the idea that “fight or flight” was an innovation of jawed vertebrates.
New look at lampreys rewrites textbooks on origins of sympathetic nervous system
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
Number-associated neurons help crows link values to symbols
Comparable neurons also exist in primates, which shared a common ancestor with crows more than 300 million years ago, suggesting that the ability to “count” evolved independently in the two lineages.
Number-associated neurons help crows link values to symbols
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
In deep water with Gül Dölen
A researcher's existential crisis led to a scientific breakthrough.
Gene repeats tied to autism may prevent anemia
Extra copies of a gene called BOLA2 predispose people to autism and may protect against iron deficiency.
Gene repeats tied to autism may prevent anemia
Zebrafish show true colors as models for autism sleep studies
Sleeping zebrafish show two patterns of neuronal activity that are analogous to those in people.
Zebrafish show true colors as models for autism sleep studies
Evolution of autism genes hints at their fundamental roles in body
Genes associated with autism are ancient, and mutations in them have wide-ranging effects on the body, indicating their importance.
Evolution of autism genes hints at their fundamental roles in body
Explore more from The Transmitter
Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
It’s past time to stop using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test
The widely used measure of “theory of mind” needs to be re-examined, along with the long-standing claim that autism is linked to a lack of this ability.
It’s past time to stop using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test
The widely used measure of “theory of mind” needs to be re-examined, along with the long-standing claim that autism is linked to a lack of this ability.
Robots boost data consistency in rodent studies reliant on mechanical, optogenetic stimulation
Two new devices take experimenter variation out of the equation, the lead investigators say.
Robots boost data consistency in rodent studies reliant on mechanical, optogenetic stimulation
Two new devices take experimenter variation out of the equation, the lead investigators say.