Spectrum: Autism Research News
Podcasts
The value of math and spatial learning with Loren Frank
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator discusses what drew him to study the brain and his current work at the University of California, San Francisco.
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
Being uncomfortable and PKMzeta with André Fenton
The director of the Center for Neural Science shares a ghost story and talks about his collaboration with Todd Sacktor.
Joseph LeDoux, the split brain and a traveling magic show
The director of the Emotional Brain Institute discusses the Cajun music scene in Louisiana and how memories change with time.
The Transmitter Stories
‘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.
The story of autism research in Australia: A conversation with Cheryl Dissanayake
With the help of a generous benefactor, autism research in Australia is gathering critical mass.
New journals seek to fill neurodiversity gap
The two journals, although differing in initial support, both realized the need for a publication focused exclusively on the neurodiverse experience.
Writing a ‘new history of autism’
Spectrum talks with David Dobbs about researching his latest article, and what he found.
FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute
The facility’s institutional review board failed to report a 2021 incident and “serious and ongoing noncompliance” by a principal investigator, according to a letter released by the federal agency this week.
Breaking down the winner’s curse: Lessons from brain-wide association studies
We found an issue with a specific type of brain imaging study and tried to share it with the field. Then the backlash began.
Wild and free: Understanding animal behavior beyond the lab
Technological advancements have made it possible to study animals in more natural settings, but researchers are debating what that really means and whether natural is always better.
Knowledge gaps in cephalopod care could stall welfare standards
The U.S. National Institutes of Health wants to regulate research involving cephalopods. But there aren’t enough rigorous studies to base the regulations on, veteran cephalopod researchers say.