Ciara Curtin is a freelance science writer based in Atlanta. Her work focuses mostly on genetics and medicine. Ciara has an M.A. in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and one in journalism from New York University’s science writing program.

Ciara Curtin
From this contributor
Brain scans reveal subtypes of fragile X syndrome in boys
Differences in brain structure may distinguish boys with relatively mild features of fragile X syndrome from those with a severe form of the condition.

Brain scans reveal subtypes of fragile X syndrome in boys
Data do-over backs dominance of genetics in autism risk
A reanalysis of data from more than 2 million children in Sweden suggests inherited genetic factors account for 83 percent of autism risk.

Data do-over backs dominance of genetics in autism risk
Rat study ties Rett syndrome gene to pain processing
Mutations in MECP2, the gene mutated in Rett syndrome, may alter the proportions and activity of sensory neurons in rats.

Rat study ties Rett syndrome gene to pain processing
Autism drugs may alter brain connectivity
Children with autism who take certain medications have different patterns of brain connectivity than do unmedicated children with the condition.
Twin tots reveal autism traits arise mostly from genes
Genes are bigger contributors to autism features than are environmental factors, according to a study of nearly 39,000 twins.

Twin tots reveal autism traits arise mostly from genes
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.