Leah Shaffer is a freelance science writer based in St. Louis, Missouri. Her stories have appeared in publications such as Wired, The Atlantic, Discover, NOVA Next and UnDark. She writes about biology, medicine and the weird critters inside and outside the human body.
Leah Shaffer
Freelance writer
From this contributor
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
Scientists are playing catch-up as microbiome-based treatments for autism proliferate.
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
Explore more from The Transmitter
In memoriam: Kevin Dunbar, who traced the neural basis of human reasoning
Using imaging technologies, he transformed our understanding of how creativity and scientific discovery arise in the brain.
In memoriam: Kevin Dunbar, who traced the neural basis of human reasoning
Using imaging technologies, he transformed our understanding of how creativity and scientific discovery arise in the brain.
Neurons engage in risky, DNA-breaking business during migration
The cells later repair the damage, which occurs mostly in transcriptionally silent parts of the genome.
Neurons engage in risky, DNA-breaking business during migration
The cells later repair the damage, which occurs mostly in transcriptionally silent parts of the genome.
Study questions DSM-5’s combining of autism traits
Sensory traits and restricted and repetitive behaviors are best understood as distinct but related characteristics, the new work suggests.
Study questions DSM-5’s combining of autism traits
Sensory traits and restricted and repetitive behaviors are best understood as distinct but related characteristics, the new work suggests.