Science and society

Recent articles

Research image of dendrites in mice.

Probing the link between preterm birth and autism; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 July.

By Jill Adams
29 July 2025 | 2 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Neurophysiologic distinction between autism and schizophrenia; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 21 July.

By Jill Adams
22 July 2025 | 1 min read
US dollar bills arranged in a circle.

Quantifying funding sources across neuroscience labs

We want to hear from you about the sources of funding for your research.

By Claudia López Lloreda
18 July 2025 | 1 min read
Research image showing deep-layer neurons in cortical organoids.

Altered transcription in dup15q syndrome; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 July.

By Jill Adams
15 July 2025 | 2 min read
A brain made up of digital text.

ABCD Study omits gender-identity data from latest release

The removal counteracts the goals of the longitudinal study by “pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist,” says sex differences researcher Nicola Grissom.

By Calli McMurray
11 July 2025 | 4 min read
Illustration of overlapping, multi-colored human head silhouettes.

Perspectives from the field: Opinions in autism research

This collection of Spectrum articles from the past 12 months highlights expert perspectives on autism’s heritability and its link to biological sex, the value of transdiagnostic frameworks, and the field’s future, among other topics.

By Daisy Yuhas
10 July 2025 | 3 min read
Research image of neural activity in mouse auditory cortices.

Rise in autism prevalence but not traits; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 7 July.

By Jill Adams
8 July 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of mouse brain slices.

Genetic testing; LSD1 inhibitors; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 30 June.

By Daisy Yuhas
1 July 2025 | 2 min read
Group of researchers in a room looking at computer screens.

INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series

The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.

By Lauren Schenkman
30 June 2025 | 4 min read
A silhouette of a human head with flame-like shapes within it and smoke wafting over it.

Building a climate neuroscience subfield: Q&A with Angie Michaiel

Michaiel, a program officer at the Kavli Foundation, shares what it took to cultivate research on the relationship between climate change and the nervous system.

By Calli McMurray
26 June 2025 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of mouse visual cortex neurons.

Null and Noteworthy: Downstream brain areas read visual cortex signals en masse in mice

The finding contradicts a theory that the regions prioritize neurons that are adept at identifying specific stimuli. Plus, a response to a study that questioned immune memory in astrocytes.

By Laura Dattaro
31 July 2025 | 4 min read

Poor image quality introduces systematic bias into large neuroimaging datasets

Analyses that include low-quality MRI data underestimate cortical thickness and overestimate cortical surface area, according to new findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

By Natalia Mesa
31 July 2025 | 7 min listen
Illustration of the outlines of a baby, a bee and a robot filled in with computer code-like characters.

Babies, bees and bots: On the hunt for markers of consciousness

To truly understand consciousness, we need new methods to measure it and detect it in other intelligent systems.

By Tim Bayne
30 July 2025 | 6 min read