Maris Fessenden is a freelance journalist and illustrator based in Bozeman, Montana. They report and write about scientific methods, genetics, health, wildlife and ecology, and the intersection of science and art.

Maris Fessenden
Contributing writer
Freelance
From this contributor
Lightweight system captures brain activity while mice jump
A thin “micro-tether” and rotating connector facilitate uninterrupted, hours-long neural population recordings as the animals freely explore their environment.
Lightweight system captures brain activity while mice jump
Atlas of developing brain reveals rainbow of cell types
An online resource reveals all major cell types in the developing human brain during the period in which autism is thought to arise.

Atlas of developing brain reveals rainbow of cell types
New method dramatically scales up mapping of active genes in cells
A new technique enables scientists to isolate, and chart gene expression in, tens of thousands of cells at once.

New method dramatically scales up mapping of active genes in cells
Online platform offers one-stop shop for studying brain circuits
A browser-based platform simulates functional neuronal circuits in the brain regions of several species.

Online platform offers one-stop shop for studying brain circuits
Database, lab tricks may crack secrets of the synapse
Two new resources may aid the study of synapses, the junctions between neurons.

Database, lab tricks may crack secrets of the synapse
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Exclusive: The 23 studies the FDA based its expanded leucovorin label on
The studies include 46 people, mostly toddlers, who have cerebral folate deficiency due to variants in a folate transporter.

Exclusive: The 23 studies the FDA based its expanded leucovorin label on
The studies include 46 people, mostly toddlers, who have cerebral folate deficiency due to variants in a folate transporter.
Autism researchers ‘pleasantly surprised’ by list of NIH data project grantees, despite initial concerns
An atypical funding mechanism, truncated application timeline and opaque review process had generated concern over the quality of projects that would be selected for the Autism Data Science Initiative.

Autism researchers ‘pleasantly surprised’ by list of NIH data project grantees, despite initial concerns
An atypical funding mechanism, truncated application timeline and opaque review process had generated concern over the quality of projects that would be selected for the Autism Data Science Initiative.
Exclusive: Who is Richard Frye, the neurologist who researches and advocates for leucovorin as an autism treatment?
Frye has led two placebo-controlled trials of the folate supplement in autistic people; the first was suspended by regulators, and the other has yet to be published.

Exclusive: Who is Richard Frye, the neurologist who researches and advocates for leucovorin as an autism treatment?
Frye has led two placebo-controlled trials of the folate supplement in autistic people; the first was suspended by regulators, and the other has yet to be published.