Sarah DeWeerdt is a Seattle-based freelance science writer specializing in biology, medicine and the environment. Her work has appeared in publications including Nature, Newsweek, Conservation and Nautilus. She has been a regular contributor to The Transmitter since 2010, writing conference reports, news and Deep Dive articles.
Sarah DeWeerdt
Contributing writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Autism-linked genes shape touch processing through different mechanisms, at different times
Whereas some mice display hypersensitivity to touch only as adults, others respond that way from birth.
Autism-linked genes shape touch processing through different mechanisms, at different times
Making cancer nervous
Nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body can turbocharge tumor growth — a finding that not only expands conventional ideas about the nervous system but points to novel therapeutic targets for a range of malignancies.
Lacking autism-linked gene, female birds tune out favorite songs
The gene, FOXP1, influences an animal’s motivation to listen to social communication, a new study suggests.
Lacking autism-linked gene, female birds tune out favorite songs
On the periphery: Thinking ‘outside the brain’ offers new ideas about autism
Neuronal alterations outside the brain may help to explain a host of the condition’s characteristic traits, including sensory changes, gut problems and motor differences.
On the periphery: Thinking ‘outside the brain’ offers new ideas about autism
Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream
New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.
Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream
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Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.
Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.
Brain connectivity and letting the data speak with Emily Finn
The Dartmouth College researcher talks about her quest to understand behavior and doing neuroscience “in the woods.”
Brain connectivity and letting the data speak with Emily Finn
The Dartmouth College researcher talks about her quest to understand behavior and doing neuroscience “in the woods.”
Carol Jennings, whose family’s genetics informed amyloid cascade hypothesis, dies at 70
Her advocacy work aided the discovery of a rare inherited form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and helped connect affected people with researchers.
Carol Jennings, whose family’s genetics informed amyloid cascade hypothesis, dies at 70
Her advocacy work aided the discovery of a rare inherited form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and helped connect affected people with researchers.