2019: Year in review

Recent articles

Five hot topics in autism research in 2019

This year’s hot topics in autism research center around brain organoids, heart rate, the gut microbiome, treatment timing and early detection.

By Spectrum
23 December 2019 | 6 min read
Illustration of a storefront with stem cell treatments

In case you missed them: Spectrum’s standout stories from 2019

Here are seven Spectrum stories from this year that deserve a close look.

By Spectrum
23 December 2019 | 4 min read

Photographer captures intimate scenes of daily life with autism

An award-winning photography series offers a close look at one autistic person coming of age in New York City.

By Rebecca Horne
23 December 2019 | 7 min read

Notable papers in autism research in 2019

This year’s top papers deepen our understanding of autism’s genetics and reveal mixed results from trials of autism therapies.

By Melissa Thomas Baum
23 December 2019 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Two opposing arrows.

European Research Council backtracks on stricter grant resubmission rules

The swift reversal came after more than 1,000 scientists signed an open letter protesting the rules last week.

By Lauren Schenkman
1 May 2026 | 4 min read
leech illustration.

What leeches reveal about movement

After encountering setbacks in her study of the neuromuscular system in vertebrates, Lidia Szczupak turned to leeches to explore how the nervous system coordinates movement.

By Claudia López Lloreda
1 May 2026 | 5 min read

Novel assembloid illuminates serotonin changes linked to 22q11.2 deletion

The combination of a serotonin-producing organoid with an organoid based on the developing cerebral cortex offers a new way to investigate neuromodulation.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
30 April 2026 | 0 min watch