Environment
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
![A man walks a dromedary camel down an outdoor walkway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/camel-walking-1200-1024x692.webp)
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase child’s chance of having autism, study finds
The link reported in prior studies likely reflects confounding factors, which sibling-matched controls in the new work address.
![Illustration of a conveyor belt spilling pills over a green cliff face.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Acetaminophen-news-1200-1024x692.webp)
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase child’s chance of having autism, study finds
The link reported in prior studies likely reflects confounding factors, which sibling-matched controls in the new work address.
In hot water: Climate change tests limits of neuronal resilience in crabs
Warming seas disrupt the function of neurons — and could seed permanent changes in marine species, according to studies of a circuit that controls digestion in crustaceans.
![A photograph of a crab](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-crabs-heat-warming-water-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
In hot water: Climate change tests limits of neuronal resilience in crabs
Warming seas disrupt the function of neurons — and could seed permanent changes in marine species, according to studies of a circuit that controls digestion in crustaceans.
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
![Research image of microglia in rats.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-neurobiology-emotion-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
![A research image of a mouse brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-spectrum-neuroscience-autism-transmitter-infantile-amnesia-copy-1024x683.webp)
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
Neuroscientists weigh carbon costs of attending annual meeting
Travel to the Society for Neuroscience conference is responsible for tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions, according to a new study, but neuroscientists have yet to agree on what that should mean for the future of the in-person meeting.
![A line of airplanes flies across the sky.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-sfn-2023-carbon-emissions-socety-for-neuroscience-autism-1-1024x692.webp)
Neuroscientists weigh carbon costs of attending annual meeting
Travel to the Society for Neuroscience conference is responsible for tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions, according to a new study, but neuroscientists have yet to agree on what that should mean for the future of the in-person meeting.
‘Emergent and transactional’: How Jonathan Green is rethinking autism and interventions
The experienced clinician discusses writing his recent paper, and its reception in the field.
![Black-and-white illustrated portrait of Jonathan Green.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-jonathan-green-qa-autism-spectrum-stories.png)
‘Emergent and transactional’: How Jonathan Green is rethinking autism and interventions
The experienced clinician discusses writing his recent paper, and its reception in the field.
Social skills decline during adolescence for a sliver of autistic youth
Most children with the condition, however, gain communication and social abilities over time.
![Five high-school-aged students sit on a bench looking at notebooks and a laptop.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-lede-developmental-trajectories-communication-social-autism.png)
Social skills decline during adolescence for a sliver of autistic youth
Most children with the condition, however, gain communication and social abilities over time.
Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal
But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.
![Digital illustration of Prevotella bacteria.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-gut-brain-axis-autism.png)
Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal
But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.
Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.
![A multiplexed image of human decidua.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-placenta-map-final-autism.png)
Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.