Science and society

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Photograph of the BRIDGE team and students visiting a laboratory.

Sharing Africa’s brain data: Q&A with Amadi Ihunwo

These data are “virtually mandatory” to advance neuroscience, says Ihunwo, a co-investigator of the Brain Research International Data Governance & Exchange (BRIDGE) initiative, which seeks to develop a global framework for sharing, using and protecting neuroscience data.

By Lauren Schenkman
20 May 2025 | 6 min read
Research image of neurite overgrowth in cells grown from people with autism-linked PPP2R5D variants.

Cortical structures in infants linked to future language skills; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 May.

By Jill Adams
20 May 2025 | 2 min read
Seattle skyline.

Reporter’s notebook: Highlights from INSAR 2025

The annual meeting brought autism researchers, advocates and clinicians to Seattle to discuss the latest research, including attempts to define subgroups, a potential new CHD8 macaque model and life expectancy gaps.

By Daisy Yuhas
15 May 2025 | 6 min listen
A researcher stands at the top of a staircase that leads to nowhere.

NIDA shutters diversity fellowship program, axes active awards

It’s unclear if the cancellation at the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse extends to the fellowships awarded by other institutes within the National Institutes of Health.

By Calli McMurray
14 May 2025 | 5 min listen
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

SHANK2 variants in people; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 12 May.

By Jill Adams
13 May 2025 | 1 min read
Research image of functional connectivity in a human brain.

Altered translation in SYNGAP1-deficient mice; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 5 May.

By Jill Adams
6 May 2025 | 2 min read
Illustration of overlapping, multi-colored human head silhouettes.

CDC autism prevalence numbers warrant attention—but not in the way RFK Jr. proposes

The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is ignoring decades of research findings.

By Lynn Waterhouse
1 May 2025 | 6 min read
A red speech bubble emanates from a megaphone.

‘These plans are simply not acceptable’: Q&A with Helen Tager-Flusberg

Last week, Tager-Flusberg formed the Coalition of Autism Scientists to push back on the U.S. government’s plans for autism research, as described by Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. The coalition already has 220 members.

By Sydney Wyatt
1 May 2025 | 5 min read
Illustration of a lab coat being wiped away.

Federal funding cuts imperil next generation of autism researchers

As the International Society for Autism Research’s annual meeting begins, its next president reflects on a brewing crisis.

By Brian Boyd
30 April 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of neural progenitor cells.

Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.

By Jill Adams
29 April 2025 | 1 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Digitally distorted building blocks.

The BabyLM Challenge: In search of more efficient learning algorithms, researchers look to infants

A competition that trains language models on relatively small datasets of words, closer in size to what a child hears up to age 13, seeks solutions to some of the major challenges of today’s large language models.

By Alona Fyshe
19 May 2025 | 7 min read
Research image showing resting-state functional connectivity in the human red nucleus.

‘Ancient’ brainstem structure evolved beyond basic motor control

The human red nucleus may also help coordinate action, reward and motivated behavior, a new study suggests.

By Sydney Wyatt
16 May 2025 | 5 min read
Composite illustration of Ashley Bourke, Christian Cazares, Minerva Contreras, De-Shaine Murray, Fernanda Juarez Anaya, Maeghan Murie-Mazariegos and Maribel Patiño.
Q&A Microphone

‘We still exist’: How four neuroscience advocacy groups are navigating federal DEI funding cuts

Trainees from underrepresented backgrounds are losing pillars of support in the current funding climate. Grassroots mentorship organizations are stepping in to continue championing early-career researchers.

By Paige Miranda
14 May 2025 | 18 min listen