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
By
Leah Shaffer
26 June 2019 | 16 min read
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The rodents offered researchers an opportunity to link genetically driven changes in corticospinal abundance and morphology to climbing cachet.
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The rodents offered researchers an opportunity to link genetically driven changes in corticospinal abundance and morphology to climbing cachet.
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Single-gene systems-level effects, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 April.
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Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 April.
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Jill Adams
7 April 2026 | 2 min read