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
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
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
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
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
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Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized
The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.

Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized
The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.
Claims of necessity and sufficiency are not well suited for the study of complex systems
The earliest studies on necessary and sufficient neural populations were performed on simple invertebrate circuits. Does this logic still serve us as we tackle more sophisticated outputs?

Claims of necessity and sufficiency are not well suited for the study of complex systems
The earliest studies on necessary and sufficient neural populations were performed on simple invertebrate circuits. Does this logic still serve us as we tackle more sophisticated outputs?
Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.

Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.