Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science journalist who regularly contributes to The New York Times, Nature, Scientific American and more. Her latest book is “I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World.” She is also adjunct professor of science journalism at New York University.
Rachel Nuwer
Contributing writer
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
By
Rachel Nuwer
28 March 2022 | 9 min read
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
By
Rachel Nuwer
10 June 2020 | 18 min read
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.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Neuro’s ark: Sounding out the evolution of hearing with geckos
Catherine Carr explains her discovery that geckos retain a vibration-sensing pathway previously thought to be lost when animals moved onto land.
Neuro’s ark: Sounding out the evolution of hearing with geckos
Catherine Carr explains her discovery that geckos retain a vibration-sensing pathway previously thought to be lost when animals moved onto land.
By
Helena Kudiabor
1 April 2026 | 5 min read
Researchers retract multisensory learning paper after failed replications
Even though one set of experiments did not hold up, the authors stand by the original conclusions of the work and plan to resubmit it as a new paper.
Researchers retract multisensory learning paper after failed replications
Even though one set of experiments did not hold up, the authors stand by the original conclusions of the work and plan to resubmit it as a new paper.
By
Calli McMurray
31 March 2026 | 4 min read
Cortical evolution, ZBTB18, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 30 March.
Cortical evolution, ZBTB18, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 30 March.
By
Jill Adams
31 March 2026 | 2 min read