Science and society

Recent articles

National Institutes of Health building cleaved in two.

Proposed NIH budget cut threatens ‘massive destruction of American science’

A leaked draft of a Trump administration proposal includes an approximately 40 percent cut to the National Institutes of Health’s budget and a major reorganization of its 27 institutes and centers.

By Angie Voyles Askham
17 April 2025 | 3 min read
Research image of resting-state functional activity in a human brain.

Developmental delay patterns differ with diagnosis; and more

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

By Jill Adams
15 April 2025 | 2 min read
People help each other climb up a supersized human brain.

As federal funders desert mentorship programs for marginalized students, trainee-led initiatives fill the gap

Grassroots organizations, led by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, are stepping up to provide neuroscience career training and guidance for students from marginalized backgrounds—and they need your support.

By Christian Cazares, Maribel Patiño
11 April 2025 | 5 min read
Screenshot of NeMO website with banner reading This repository is under review for potential modification in compliance with Administration directives.

U.S. human data repositories ‘under review’ for gender identity descriptors

Researchers associated with the repositories received an email from the U.S. National Institutes of Health in March noting that they must comply with a 20 January executive order from President Trump that recognizes only two sexes: male and female.

By Angie Voyles Askham
9 April 2025 | 4 min read
Scissors cut a hundred-dollar bill in half.

Exclusive: NIH nixes funds for several pre- and postdoctoral training programs

Many of the axed grants support scientists from underrepresented communities.

By Claudia López Lloreda
8 April 2025 | 7 min read
Research image of neural progenitor cells in mice.

Changes in autism scores across childhood differ between girls and boys

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

By Jill Adams
8 April 2025 | 2 min read
Glitchy image of a stamp.

Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says

Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.

By Sydney Wyatt
3 April 2025 | 3 min read
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke building.

U.S. health agency purge includes 10 lab heads at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

The reasons for selecting these researchers—who have led work on neuronal migration, dopamine receptors in neuronal signaling and the structure of ion channels, among other areas—remain unclear.

By Angie Voyles Askham, Sydney Wyatt
2 April 2025 | 5 min read
A hand holds a magnifying glass over a sheet of paper.

Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated

If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.

By Calli McMurray
2 April 2025 | 7 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Autism traits, mental health conditions interact in sex-dependent ways in early development

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 31 March.

By Jill Adams
1 April 2025 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of fMRI scans showing decision-making across individuals.

During decision-making, brain shows multiple distinct subtypes of activity

Person-to-person variability in brain activity might represent meaningful differences in cognitive processes, rather than random noise.

By Claudia López Lloreda
18 April 2025 | 5 min read
Tic-tac-toe board with pills representing x’s and o’s.

Basic pain research ‘is not working’: Q&A with Steven Prescott and Stéphanie Ratté

Prescott and Ratté critique the clinical relevance of preclinical studies in the field and highlight areas for improvement.

By Sydney Wyatt
18 April 2025 | 7 min read
Research image of grids of mouse and human brain scans.

Too much or too little brain synchrony may underlie autism subtypes

Functional connectivity differences in autism mouse models point to two subtypes that correspond to patterns seen in some people with the condition.

By Calli McMurray
17 April 2025 | 6 min read