Emily Anthes is a freelance science journalist and author based in Brooklyn, New York. She writes news stories for The Transmitter. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Nature and elsewhere. Her book, “Frankenstein’s Cat: Cuddling Up to Biotech’s Brave New Beasts,” was published in March 2013. She has a master’s degree in science writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in the history of science and medicine from Yale.
Emily Anthes
Contributing Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Extra proteins alter microglia and behavior in mice
The overproduction of proteins in brain cells called microglia causes social impairments, cognitive deficits and repetitive behavior in male mice, a new study has found.
Extra proteins alter microglia and behavior in mice
By
Emily Anthes
29 May 2020 | 4 min read
Popular autism screening tool is unreliable, study suggests
A short, widely used screening survey for autism called the AQ-10 may not be reliable for measuring traits of the condition in the general population.
Popular autism screening tool is unreliable, study suggests
By
Emily Anthes
2 April 2020 | 3 min read
Little-known gene tied to autism, developmental delay
Rare mutations in a gene called BAZ2B are associated with various conditions of brain development, including autism.
Little-known gene tied to autism, developmental delay
By
Emily Anthes
28 February 2020 | 4 min read
Sponsors of clinical trials may report data late or never
Many clinical trials, including those related to autism, do not report their results within a year of their completion.
Sponsors of clinical trials may report data late or never
By
Emily Anthes
10 February 2020 | 5 min read
Autism-linked gene variants increase odds of attention deficit
A collection of rare genetic variants associated with autism and schizophrenia also seem to increase a person's odds of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Autism-linked gene variants increase odds of attention deficit
By
Emily Anthes
18 November 2019 | 4 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
In memoriam: Howard Fields, pain research pioneer
Over six decades, Fields mapped out the circuits of both pain and addiction.
In memoriam: Howard Fields, pain research pioneer
Over six decades, Fields mapped out the circuits of both pain and addiction.
By
Natalia Mesa
22 May 2026 | 7 min read
Still no proof for facilitated spelling methods
A systematic review into whether the “rapid prompting method” or “spelling to communicate” can help autistic people express themselves comes up empty yet again.
Still no proof for facilitated spelling methods
A systematic review into whether the “rapid prompting method” or “spelling to communicate” can help autistic people express themselves comes up empty yet again.
By
Brendan Borrell
21 May 2026 | 6 min read
Oregon primate center scientists fight proposed sanctuary transition
A group of employees has launched a series of campaigns to advocate for their work and argue against the center’s potential transition to an animal sanctuary.
Oregon primate center scientists fight proposed sanctuary transition
A group of employees has launched a series of campaigns to advocate for their work and argue against the center’s potential transition to an animal sanctuary.
By
Calli McMurray
21 May 2026 | 6 min read