2016: Year in review

Recent articles

The best depictions of autism in the arts

The books, shows and movies that most accurately portray autism are those that don’t dwell on the condition.

By Spectrum
26 December 2016 | 6 min read

Spectrum of color: Our favorite photos from 2016

Peruse our picks for the best science photos published on Spectrum this year.

By Spectrum
26 December 2016 | 2 min read

Quotes of the year

We took note of our favorite quotes from articles we published this year.

By Spectrum
26 December 2016 | 3 min read

2016’s spectrum of autism science

It’s been an eventful year, full of surprises.

By Spectrum
26 December 2016 | 4 min read

Young woman with autism asks: ‘Am I so different?’

A college student on the spectrum reflects on her struggles relating to others and gaining independence — and on the people who have given her hope.

By Claire Bachman
26 December 2016 | 5 min read
Illustration: A child looks up at an overhead light while less saturated figures walk around her.

For autism researchers, mundane moments spark ‘Eureka’ insights

Autism researchers reflect on the unusual episodes that spawned significant scientific projects.

By Ann Griswold
26 December 2016 | 5 min read
Heavy pill on scale

Hot topics of 2016

These five trending topics hint at important discoveries to come.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
26 December 2016 | 5 min read

Notable papers of 2016

Our picks for the top 10 papers of the year highlight leaps in our understanding of autism, as well as lingering gaps.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
26 December 2016 | 4 min read

From temperature to toys, strange stimuli skew rodent results

Interpreting mouse and rat behavior is tricky because of the hidden factors that can influence experiments.

By Jessica Wright
26 December 2016 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

A change at the top of SfN as neuroscientists gather in San Diego

Kevin B. Marvel, longtime head of the American Astronomical Society, will lead the Society for Neuroscience after a year of uncertainty in the neuroscience field.

By Natalia Mesa
16 November 2025 | 6 min read
Two hands hold a paper airplane.

How will neuroscience training need to change in the future?

Training in computational neuroscience, data science and statistics will need to expand, say many of the scientists we surveyed. But that must be balanced with a more traditional grounding in the scientific method and critical thinking. Researchers noted that funding concerns will also affect training, especially for people from underrepresented groups.

By The Transmitter
15 November 2025 | 11 min read
Composite of headshots of neuroscientists who passed away in the past several years.

The leaders we have lost

Learn more about the lives and legacies of the neuroscientists who passed away between 2023 and 2025.

By The Transmitter
15 November 2025 | 4 min read

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