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.
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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.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/news2014/20140825newssystemizing-male-brain.jpg)
Study on ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism draws critics
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.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/news2014/20140714newsdukestemcell.jpg)
Experts balk at large trial of stem cells for autism
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.
![Woman looking at a computer screen, taking notes, in a kitchen.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Volunteer-diagnose-autism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Proposal to diagnose autism from home videos draws criticism
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.
![A circle with many colorful lines within it against a black background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/107658.png)
Researchers unveil fetal brain map, mouse ‘connectome’
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.