Ana B. Ibarra, Web Reporter, is a bilingual journalist who started her career at the Merced Sun-Star.
Ana B. Ibarra
From this contributor
How the new ‘public charge’ rule affects immigrants’ healthcare benefits
A new rule to restrict legal immigration, published by the Trump administration this month, is sowing confusion and anxiety even among immigrants not directly affected by it.

How the new ‘public charge’ rule affects immigrants’ healthcare benefits
U.S. states move to ban pesticide linked to developmental problems
Lawmakers in several states are trying to ban a widely used pesticide that the Environmental Protection Agency is fighting to keep on the market.

U.S. states move to ban pesticide linked to developmental problems
How the college admissions cheating scandal hurts students with disabilities
In the wake of this week's college admissions cheating scandal, families and advocates are worried about a backlash that could make it harder for students with legitimate disabilities to get the accommodations the need.

How the college admissions cheating scandal hurts students with disabilities
Virtual doctor visits may not reduce healthcare spending
Telehealth services may boost access to care, but they don't save money, according to a new study.

Virtual doctor visits may not reduce healthcare spending
Spanish-speaking parents face language barrier at pediatrican’s office
The findings of a new analysis hint that a 2009 state law establishing the right to a medical interpreter is either not being fully enforced or is not being promoted widely enough.

Spanish-speaking parents face language barrier at pediatrican’s office
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Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.

Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.
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.