Internal state

Recent articles

Illustration of a mouse with cheese on its left and a drop of water on its right.

Should I stay (and eat) or should I go? How the brain balances hunger with competing drives

Understanding the interplay among rival signals, such as pain, thirst and fear, could provide insights into anxiety and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
11 October 2024 | 8 min read
Research image of neurons in the rat olfactory bulb.

Neurons in rat olfactory bulb ‘feel the pulse’

Mechanical receptors can detect intracranial pressure changes caused by blood flow, which enables neurons to synchronize with the heartbeat.

By Calli McMurray
26 March 2024 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Argentine protesters condemn science funding shortfall

Demonstrators across the country called for the government to increase public university salaries and funding for scientific research.

neural networks illustration.

This paper changed my life: Appreciating John Hopfield’s brilliant neural network

In a 1982 paper, the Nobel laureate created his namesake recurrent neural network—work that taught Maria Geffen to always ground research questions in biology.

By Maria Geffen
15 May 2026 | 5 min read
dialogue illustration.

How basic neuroscientists can connect with autistic people and their communities

A first-of-its-kind workshop offers a template for autism researchers who want to incorporate community perspectives into their work.

By Juliana Chase, Hannah R. Monday, Lea Witkowsky
14 May 2026 | 6 min read