Virginia Hughes is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York.
Virginia Hughes
Freelance Writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Monkey missing Rett gene prompts primate research debate
Scientists have created a transgenic monkey modeling Rett syndrome, they announced yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C. This model and others sparked a lively discussion about the relative value of animal models in research.
Monkey missing Rett gene prompts primate research debate
By
Virginia Hughes
20 November 2014 | 4 min read
Diabetes drug is sweet cure for fragile X in fruit flies
The memory and sleep troubles that accompany fragile X syndrome originate in a glitch in insulin signaling, suggests an unpublished study of fruit flies presented today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The study points to a widely available diabetes treatment for the syndrome.
Diabetes drug is sweet cure for fragile X in fruit flies
By
Virginia Hughes
19 November 2014 | 3 min read
Imaging lights up dynamics of neurons’ connections in mice
Researchers have developed a way to capture dynamic changes in the part of the neuron that sends out signals, they reported yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Imaging lights up dynamics of neurons’ connections in mice
By
Virginia Hughes
19 November 2014 | 3 min read
Cesarean birth alters immune system, social behavior in mice
Mice born via cesarean section show subtle social deficits and increased immune and stress responses, suggesting a link between microbe exposure during birth and behavior. Researchers presented the unpublished work today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Cesarean birth alters immune system, social behavior in mice
By
Virginia Hughes
18 November 2014 | 4 min read
Deaf mouse study hints at gap between squeaks, speech
Do mice use their high-pitched vocalizations to communicate, just as people use speech? It’s not likely, according to an unpublished study of deaf mice presented yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Deaf mouse study hints at gap between squeaks, speech
By
Virginia Hughes
18 November 2014 | 3 min read
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Exclusive: Janelia sunsets rodent work, launches transparent fish project
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is banking on whole-brain imaging in the Danionella fish to advance neuroscience, but some scientists forced to close their labs say that even with a three-year runway and transitional support, they feel betrayed by the pivot.
Exclusive: Janelia sunsets rodent work, launches transparent fish project
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is banking on whole-brain imaging in the Danionella fish to advance neuroscience, but some scientists forced to close their labs say that even with a three-year runway and transitional support, they feel betrayed by the pivot.
By
Calli McMurray
22 June 2026 | 5 min read