Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science journalist who contributes to outlets such as the New York Times, Scientific American and New Scientist. She writes news articles for Spectrum. She lives in Brooklyn.
Rachel Nuwer
Contributing Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Lisa Croen: Autism’s first dedicated epidemiologist
Inspired by watching her autistic nephew grow up, Croen has also been an advocate for bolstering research and services for autistic adults.

Lisa Croen: Autism’s first dedicated epidemiologist
Finding strengths in autism
Autism comprises a set of difficulties, but growing evidence suggests that certain abilities also define the condition.
Meet the autistic scientists redefining autism research
Growing ranks of researchers on the spectrum are overcoming barriers — from neurotypical bias to sensory sensitivities — to shape autism science.

Meet the autistic scientists redefining autism research
Growing old with autism
For many autistic adults, the golden years are tarnished by poor health, poverty and, in some cases, homelessness. Their plight reveals huge gaps in care.
Mouse study links gene to some autism symptoms
Mice missing a gene called PTCHD1 in a deep-seated brain structure have autism-like symptoms that ease with treatment.
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Babies, bees and bots: On the hunt for markers of consciousness
To truly understand consciousness, we need new methods to measure it and detect it in other intelligent systems.

Babies, bees and bots: On the hunt for markers of consciousness
To truly understand consciousness, we need new methods to measure it and detect it in other intelligent systems.
Jennifer Prendki explains why AI needs to emulate life
Prendki describes how her work on large artificial-intelligence models shaped her view that current AI needs inspiration from living organisms.
Jennifer Prendki explains why AI needs to emulate life
Prendki describes how her work on large artificial-intelligence models shaped her view that current AI needs inspiration from living organisms.
Eye puffs prompt separable sensory, affective brain responses in mice, people
Post-puff brain state might not be an emotion, some researchers caution, but the protocol provides a cross-species approach to study emotions.

Eye puffs prompt separable sensory, affective brain responses in mice, people
Post-puff brain state might not be an emotion, some researchers caution, but the protocol provides a cross-species approach to study emotions.