Motor skills
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
![Photograph of Eugenia Chiappe jumping inside a glass hallway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EugeniaChiappe-lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
![Multiple exposure of Rujuta Wilson facing the camera, and walking along her gait mat.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rujuta-Wilson-gait-study-1200-1024x692.webp)
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
![A child uses a tablet device](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-autism-app-tablet-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Glow-in-the-dark labels accelerate AI-assisted animal motion tracking
The labeling technique trains machine-learning algorithms with larger datasets and less effort than ever before.
![A colorful silhouette of a hand.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-glow-track-autism-1-1024x692.webp)
Glow-in-the-dark labels accelerate AI-assisted animal motion tracking
The labeling technique trains machine-learning algorithms with larger datasets and less effort than ever before.
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
![Research image of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-lede-foxp2-autism.png)
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
![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: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) accurately flags autistic toddlers, a new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests, contrary to past evidence that the tool’s validity varies depending on a child’s age and traits. Experts weigh in on the discrepancy.
![Photograph of a doctor taking notes on a toddler who is playing with their mother.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/844-journal-club-m-chat-autism.jpg)
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) accurately flags autistic toddlers, a new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests, contrary to past evidence that the tool’s validity varies depending on a child’s age and traits. Experts weigh in on the discrepancy.
Beyond the bench: Mastering meaningful movement with Karen Chenausky
The competitive rower-turned-researcher spoke to Spectrum about how trying out for the U.S. national rowing team and a subsequent coaching position shaped her study of speech development.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Karen-Chenausky-row-club-autism-ratio844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: Mastering meaningful movement with Karen Chenausky
The competitive rower-turned-researcher spoke to Spectrum about how trying out for the U.S. national rowing team and a subsequent coaching position shaped her study of speech development.
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.