MicroRNAs
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.
Data irregularities surface for study of microRNAs in autism
The study, which investigated a microRNA’s links to autism, appears to contain duplicated and fabricated data, according to research integrity analysts. Those issues reflect a larger problem in the literature.
![A grid of four figures. The top left and bottom left figures are duplicates, with the bottom inverted by 180 degrees](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MitoRNA153-844-final.png)
Data irregularities surface for study of microRNAs in autism
The study, which investigated a microRNA’s links to autism, appears to contain duplicated and fabricated data, according to research integrity analysts. Those issues reflect a larger problem in the literature.
Method may improve safety of gene therapies targeting the brain
A new approach for delivering gene therapy to the brain reduces nerve damage in primates and could help make gene therapies for conditions related to autism safer.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ViralVectorsFig4-844.jpg)
Method may improve safety of gene therapies targeting the brain
A new approach for delivering gene therapy to the brain reduces nerve damage in primates and could help make gene therapies for conditions related to autism safer.
Doubts precede saliva test for autism, set to be available by July
A saliva test that helps clinicians diagnose autism is expected to be available in the next few weeks. But some experts are skeptical of the test's accuracy and value.
![medical personnel with a swab test in a vial.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190527-Saliva844.jpg)
Doubts precede saliva test for autism, set to be available by July
A saliva test that helps clinicians diagnose autism is expected to be available in the next few weeks. But some experts are skeptical of the test's accuracy and value.
New tool triggers gene expression in select neurons in rodents
Injecting a virus toting snippets of RNA into the rodent brain enables researchers to express genes in specific neuron types.
![Neurons glow green in a mouse brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Fig2B-Crop.jpg)
New tool triggers gene expression in select neurons in rodents
Injecting a virus toting snippets of RNA into the rodent brain enables researchers to express genes in specific neuron types.
Chemical tags on genomes in neurons altered in autism brains
Neurons from people with autism may have an unusual pattern of chemical tags that turn genes on and off.
![By staining the nuclei from all cells blue (left) and those from neurons red (middle), researchers can isolate the resulting purple nuclei from neurons (right).](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Fig1cleanCroppedfull.jpg)
Chemical tags on genomes in neurons altered in autism brains
Neurons from people with autism may have an unusual pattern of chemical tags that turn genes on and off.
Genome’s ‘dark’ side steps into spotlight of autism research
RNA segments that control when and where genes are expressed may be involved in autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/20170627-DarkGenome1120.jpg)
Genome’s ‘dark’ side steps into spotlight of autism research
RNA segments that control when and where genes are expressed may be involved in autism.
Micro-molecules may loom large in autism
The brains of people with autism contain unusual amounts of short regulatory RNAs.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161017-MicroRNA844.jpg)
Micro-molecules may loom large in autism
The brains of people with autism contain unusual amounts of short regulatory RNAs.
Brexit break-ups; little impact; micro medicine
Scientists are excluding U.K. colleagues from studies; a life sciences publisher abandons the ‘impact factor;’ and a new open-access journal makes its debut.
Brexit break-ups; little impact; micro medicine
Scientists are excluding U.K. colleagues from studies; a life sciences publisher abandons the ‘impact factor;’ and a new open-access journal makes its debut.
CRISPR chronicles; microbiome muddle; love on the spectrum
The fight over who holds the rights to CRISPR is heating up, we control our gut bacteria, and romance isn’t always easy when you have autism.
CRISPR chronicles; microbiome muddle; love on the spectrum
The fight over who holds the rights to CRISPR is heating up, we control our gut bacteria, and romance isn’t always easy when you have autism.
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.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](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.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](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.