Tara Santora is a former intern at Spectrum and a freelance journalist based in New York City. Tara has written about health and the environment for publications such as Psychology Today and Audubon magazine. They are also a graduate student at New York University’s Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program.
Tara Santora
From this contributor
U.S. authorizes rapid blood test for fragile X syndrome
A new blood test can identify within seven hours whether a person carries the genetic mutation underlying fragile X syndrome.
U.S. authorizes rapid blood test for fragile X syndrome
By
Tara Santora
8 April 2020 | 2 min read
New analysis of brain activity could identify signal for autism
A new technique allows researchers to analyze raw data across multiple studies that use electroencephalography.
New analysis of brain activity could identify signal for autism
By
Tara Santora
18 March 2020 | 2 min read
Machine learning flags ‘mosaic’ mutations that may contribute to autism
A new technique detects rare mutations that occur in only a subset of the body's cells.
Machine learning flags ‘mosaic’ mutations that may contribute to autism
By
Tara Santora
19 February 2020 | 2 min read
Smart jumpsuit may help test motor skills in infants with autism
A new jumpsuit is fitted with sensors that can track and classify an infant's posture and movements.
Smart jumpsuit may help test motor skills in infants with autism
By
Tara Santora
12 February 2020 | 2 min read
Artificial neurons may repair damaged cells and circuits
Electronic neurons made from silicon mimic brain cells and could be used to treat conditions such as autism.
Artificial neurons may repair damaged cells and circuits
By
Tara Santora
17 January 2020 | 2 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Oxytocin prompts prairie voles to oust outsiders, fortifying their friendships
The “love hormone” drives the neurobiology behind platonic bonds in animals usually studied for their romantic attachments.
Oxytocin prompts prairie voles to oust outsiders, fortifying their friendships
The “love hormone” drives the neurobiology behind platonic bonds in animals usually studied for their romantic attachments.
By
Holly Barker
8 August 2025 | 8 min listen
Contested paper on vaccines, autism in rats retracted by journal
The editor-in-chief cited “inconsistencies in the number of subjects” as the reason for the retraction.
Contested paper on vaccines, autism in rats retracted by journal
The editor-in-chief cited “inconsistencies in the number of subjects” as the reason for the retraction.
By
Marta Hill
7 August 2025 | 5 min listen
Body state, sensory signals commingle in mouse whisker cortex
The new study challenges a long-held view that the barrel cortex exclusively encodes sensory signals from the whiskers.
Body state, sensory signals commingle in mouse whisker cortex
The new study challenges a long-held view that the barrel cortex exclusively encodes sensory signals from the whiskers.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
6 August 2025 | 6 min listen