Nidhi Subbaraman is a freelance science journalist. Her work has appeared online at places like NBCNews.com, Nature News, Technology Review and Fast Company, among others. You can find her on Twitter: @nidhisubs.
Nidhi Subbaraman
Freelancer Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Study on ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism draws critics
The controversial theory that characterizes autism as the result of an ‘extreme male brain’ gets fresh support from a large new survey, but critics are skeptical.
Study on ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism draws critics
By
Nidhi Subbaraman
25 August 2014 | 6 min read
Experts balk at large trial of stem cells for autism
A Duke University team has won $15 million to explore stem cells from cord blood as a treatment for autism. But experts caution that the trial is premature.
Experts balk at large trial of stem cells for autism
By
Nidhi Subbaraman
14 July 2014 | 6 min read
Proposal to diagnose autism from home videos draws criticism
Untrained volunteers can reliably detect signs of autism in children by watching home videos of the children posted on YouTube, suggests a study published 16 April in PLoS One. But critics say fundamental design flaws in the study undermine its results.
Proposal to diagnose autism from home videos draws criticism
By
Nidhi Subbaraman
1 May 2014 | 4 min read
Researchers unveil fetal brain map, mouse ‘connectome’
Two new maps of the brain — an atlas of fetal development and a wiring diagram in the mouse — debuted 2 April in Nature. The maps may open new avenues of investigation into the genetic and neurological basis of autism.
Researchers unveil fetal brain map, mouse ‘connectome’
By
Nidhi Subbaraman
17 April 2014 | 5 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Supported by a $40 million NIH grant, Yale brain shuttle technology raises questions
Yale University claims its STEP platform might be able to deliver gene-editing tools into the brain via multiple routes. Researchers are eager to see more.
Supported by a $40 million NIH grant, Yale brain shuttle technology raises questions
Yale University claims its STEP platform might be able to deliver gene-editing tools into the brain via multiple routes. Researchers are eager to see more.
By
Natalia Mesa
3 June 2026 | 11 min read
Allen Institute sets sights on treatments for five brain diseases
The Brain Health Accelerator program aims to harness single-cell transcriptomics and cell-type-specific genetic tools to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Lewy body dementia and ALS.
Allen Institute sets sights on treatments for five brain diseases
The Brain Health Accelerator program aims to harness single-cell transcriptomics and cell-type-specific genetic tools to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Lewy body dementia and ALS.
By
Calli McMurray
2 June 2026 | 5 min read
Learning why spiny mice play well with others
Aubrey Kelly studies the gregarious mammal to explore how the brain controls complex social behaviors “akin to friendship.”
Learning why spiny mice play well with others
Aubrey Kelly studies the gregarious mammal to explore how the brain controls complex social behaviors “akin to friendship.”
By
Hannah Thomasy
2 June 2026 | 5 min read