Multiplex families

Recent articles

Two infants.

Cousin comparison parses genetic effects in autism

The approach helps reveal whether maternal genes contribute directly to autism in children or have indirect effects on the prenatal environment.

By Charles Q. Choi
18 June 2026 | 4 min read
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Modified MRI; father findings

This month’s newsletter tackles null findings from an attempted replication of a “revolutionary” MRI approach and an analysis of family genetics.

By Emily Harris
22 June 2023 | 4 min read
An illustration of doctors examining a larger-than-life DNA strand

Whole-genome trove ties new genes, variants to autism

A massive update to the MSSNG dataset gives qualified researchers ready access to explore autism’s genetic architecture on a cloud-based platform.

By Isabel Ruehl
12 December 2022 | 4 min read
Abstraction of human genome data with some sections circled.

Analysis ups estimate of spontaneous mutations’ role in autism

Spontaneous genetic mutations contribute to autism in 30 to 39 percent of all people with the condition, and 52 to 67 percent of autistic children whose siblings do not also have the condition.

By Laura Dattaro
27 September 2021 | 5 min read

Ultra-rare variants point to new autism candidate genes

A large, whole-genome sequencing study of families yields insights into ultra-rare genetic variants that contribute to autism.

By Niko McCarty
26 July 2021 | 4 min read
Paper DNA with one torn base to signify a point mutation.

Analysis links 98 genes to neurodevelopmental conditions

Genetic sequences from nearly 53,000 people with autism, developmental delay or intellectual disability reveal strong ties to 98 genes.

By Peter Hess
10 December 2020 | 4 min read

Decade of data dents idea of a ‘female protective effect’

Brothers and sisters of people with autism are both about two to three times more likely than the general population to have an autistic child themselves.

By Peter Hess
12 June 2020 | 4 min read
colorful micrograph of cells dividing

Whole-genome study lifts veil on inheritance patterns in autism

An analysis of whole-genome sequences from nearly 500 families has implicated 16 new genes in autism.

By Lauren Schenkman
19 September 2019 | 4 min read

Genetics do-over; iffy influences; high-tech education and more

A re-analysis of data yields an increased estimate for the genetic contribution to autism, how the environment might contribute to autism is hard to pin down, and students on the spectrum describe the benefits of using technology at school.

By Emily Willingham
29 September 2017 | 5 min read

Mitochondrial risk; anxiety amelioration; fever factor and more

Some variants in mitochondrial DNA are more common than others in autism, cognitive therapy reduces anxiety for people on the spectrum, and maternal fever in the third trimester is tied to autism risk.

By Emily Willingham
25 August 2017 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Image showing duplicated data.

University probe leads to retraction of four neural tube studies

The University of Maryland conducted an internal investigation that identified image duplications and other data integrity issues in the studies, according to the retraction notices.

By Claudia López Lloreda
16 October 2026 | 6 min read
Illustration of five purple rectangles arranged three-dimensionally like folders on a black background with a pattern of white dots and white plus signs.

Highly cited autism paper earns expression of concern over data duplications

The notice, published in Nature last week, also addressed an image duplication identified by a prominent research-integrity sleuth.

By Madeline Shaw
16 October 2026 | 4 min read
Illustration of pixellated MRI scans morphing into the scales of justice.

Govern neurodata by how it’s used, not where it’s from

New neurodata laws will shape how researchers gather, share and reuse brain data. A use-based governance protects basic researchers and those whose data are being used, without freezing science.

By José M. Muñoz
16 October 2026 | 7 min read