2018: Year in Review
Recent articles
Five hot topics in autism research in 2018
This year, researchers made big headway on autism’s most perplexing questions.
Five hot topics in autism research in 2018
This year, researchers made big headway on autism’s most perplexing questions.
Quotes of the year
In our favorite quotes from stories we published this year, researchers talk about where to store your marijuana for research, the significance of mouse-butt sniffing and the secret to productivity.
Quotes of the year
In our favorite quotes from stories we published this year, researchers talk about where to store your marijuana for research, the significance of mouse-butt sniffing and the secret to productivity.
A decade of Spectrum
It’s been 10 years since Spectrum — well, one version of Spectrum — launched. Fittingly, in this anniversary year, we made forays into new territory.
A decade of Spectrum
It’s been 10 years since Spectrum — well, one version of Spectrum — launched. Fittingly, in this anniversary year, we made forays into new territory.
In case you missed it: Five Spectrum stories from 2018
Spectrum's editors chose five stories from 2018 you may have missed the first time around.
In case you missed it: Five Spectrum stories from 2018
Spectrum's editors chose five stories from 2018 you may have missed the first time around.
Notable papers in autism research in 2018
This year's list of top papers highlights new dimensions in our understanding of autism genetics and hints at novel treatments.
Notable papers in autism research in 2018
This year's list of top papers highlights new dimensions in our understanding of autism genetics and hints at novel treatments.
Science serves up inspiration for Katie Carey’s whimsical artwork
Katie Carey, who has illustrated several Spectrum articles, reveals her creative process and her strategies for pushing past mental blocks.
Science serves up inspiration for Katie Carey’s whimsical artwork
Katie Carey, who has illustrated several Spectrum articles, reveals her creative process and her strategies for pushing past mental blocks.
In Peru, novel program paves the way for autistic people’s employment
At a center in Lima, Peru, people with autism learn to identify their strengths and find jobs that play to those strengths.
In Peru, novel program paves the way for autistic people’s employment
At a center in Lima, Peru, people with autism learn to identify their strengths and find jobs that play to those strengths.
Pitch your thesis: Big questions drive autism research
Early-career autism researchers record 'elevator pitches' of their projects.
Pitch your thesis: Big questions drive autism research
Early-career autism researchers record 'elevator pitches' of their projects.
Why adults need an easier path to autism diagnosis
Getting an autism diagnosis can be difficult for many adults, due to the dearth of reliable tests, high costs and bureaucracy.
Why adults need an easier path to autism diagnosis
Getting an autism diagnosis can be difficult for many adults, due to the dearth of reliable tests, high costs and bureaucracy.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.
Astrocytes sense neuromodulators to orchestrate neuronal activity and shape behavior
Astrocytes serve as crucial mediators of neuromodulatory processes previously attributed to direct communication between neurons, four new studies show.
Astrocytes sense neuromodulators to orchestrate neuronal activity and shape behavior
Astrocytes serve as crucial mediators of neuromodulatory processes previously attributed to direct communication between neurons, four new studies show.