Ciara Curtin is a freelance science writer based in Atlanta. Her work focuses mostly on genetics and medicine. Ciara has an M.A. in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and one in journalism from New York University’s science writing program.
 
        Ciara Curtin
                                                
                                            
From this contributor
Brain scans reveal subtypes of fragile X syndrome in boys
Differences in brain structure may distinguish boys with relatively mild features of fragile X syndrome from those with a severe form of the condition.
 
            
            Brain scans reveal subtypes of fragile X syndrome in boys
Data do-over backs dominance of genetics in autism risk
A reanalysis of data from more than 2 million children in Sweden suggests inherited genetic factors account for 83 percent of autism risk.
 
            
            Data do-over backs dominance of genetics in autism risk
Rat study ties Rett syndrome gene to pain processing
Mutations in MECP2, the gene mutated in Rett syndrome, may alter the proportions and activity of sensory neurons in rats.
 
            
            Rat study ties Rett syndrome gene to pain processing
Autism drugs may alter brain connectivity
Children with autism who take certain medications have different patterns of brain connectivity than do unmedicated children with the condition.
Twin tots reveal autism traits arise mostly from genes
Genes are bigger contributors to autism features than are environmental factors, according to a study of nearly 39,000 twins.
 
            
            Twin tots reveal autism traits arise mostly from genes
Explore more from The Transmitter
Nonhuman primate research to lose federal funding at major European facility
The Dutch Senate has ordered the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands to shift its funding away from primate experiments by 2030.
 
            
            Nonhuman primate research to lose federal funding at major European facility
The Dutch Senate has ordered the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands to shift its funding away from primate experiments by 2030.
Image integrity issues create new headache for subarachnoid hemorrhage research
First-time sleuths found potentially problematic images in hundreds of papers about early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
 
            
            Image integrity issues create new headache for subarachnoid hemorrhage research
First-time sleuths found potentially problematic images in hundreds of papers about early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Ramping up cortical activity in early life sparks autism-like behaviors in mice
The findings add fuel to the long-running debate over how an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signaling contributes to the autism.
 
            
            Ramping up cortical activity in early life sparks autism-like behaviors in mice
The findings add fuel to the long-running debate over how an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signaling contributes to the autism.
