Sarah Thau is joining The Transmitter as a 2026 AAAS Mass Media Fellow. She recently earned a dual B.S. in chemistry and biochemistry with honors from the University of Chicago. She has previously conducted research in radiochemistry and inorganic chemistry and is now an early-career science journalist.
Sarah Thau
AAAS Mass Media Fellow
The Transmitter
From this contributor
Fructose silences hunger-driving neurons less than glucose does
Two simple sugars show the complexities of gut-brain communication.
Fructose silences hunger-driving neurons less than glucose does
By
Sarah Thau
30 June 2026 | 3 min read
A new subtyping model for autism phenotypes late in development, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 29 June.
A new subtyping model for autism phenotypes late in development, and more
By
Sarah Thau
30 June 2026 | 2 min read
Remembering Avis H. Cohen, who bridged disciplines to decode lamprey locomotion
The founding director of the University of Maryland’s Neuroscience and Cognitive Science program brought neuroscience, math and engineering together.
Remembering Avis H. Cohen, who bridged disciplines to decode lamprey locomotion
By
Sarah Thau
26 June 2026 | 8 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Scientists decry conference’s use of hidden prompts to snare AI peer reviews
The invisible messages, which instruct large language models to use telltale phrases in a peer-review report, are effective in catching artificial-intelligence misuse but also erode trust, some say.
Scientists decry conference’s use of hidden prompts to snare AI peer reviews
The invisible messages, which instruct large language models to use telltale phrases in a peer-review report, are effective in catching artificial-intelligence misuse but also erode trust, some say.
By
Dalmeet Singh Chawla
1 July 2026 | 4 min read
Johannes Jaeger explains why we should care that brains and AI are not the same
From single cells to whole organisms, living beings must continuously regenerate themselves and judge what's important to continue living. Artificial intelligence does not and cannot.
Johannes Jaeger explains why we should care that brains and AI are not the same
From single cells to whole organisms, living beings must continuously regenerate themselves and judge what's important to continue living. Artificial intelligence does not and cannot.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
1 July 2026 | 1 min read
What mosquitos lay bare about proprioception
By comparing the proprioceptive systems of mosquitos and fruit flies, Sweta Agrawal aims to uncover fundamental features of the ability to sense self-movement.
What mosquitos lay bare about proprioception
By comparing the proprioceptive systems of mosquitos and fruit flies, Sweta Agrawal aims to uncover fundamental features of the ability to sense self-movement.
By
Calli McMurray
1 July 2026 | 5 min read