George Musser is an award-winning science writer and editor. He was a senior editor at Scientific American for 15 years and has written two books on fundamental physics, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to String Theory” (2008) and “Spooky Action at a Distance” (2015). He has written for Science, Nature, Quanta, Aeon, Nautilus, The New York Times and other publications. His website is georgemusser.com. He tweets at @gmusser.

George Musser
Contributing writer
From this contributor
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.

Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
How ‘social touch’ shapes autism traits
Autistic people have unusual responses to 'affective touch,' which conveys social and emotional information. Their responses may reveal how autism begins.
The predictive coding theory of autism, explained
In autism, a person's brain may not form accurate predictions of imminent experiences, or even if it does, sensory input may override those predictions.
How virtual reality is transforming autism studies
Researchers and autistic artists exploring virtual reality to study, treat and simulate autism traits.

How virtual reality is transforming autism studies
How autism may stem from problems with prediction
A 'predictive coding' theory of autism suggests that many of the condition's hallmark traits occur when sensory input overrides expectation in the brain.

How autism may stem from problems with prediction
Explore more from The Transmitter
Acting NIH director dismisses four neuroscientists from advisory boards
The letters they received this week did not include a reason for their termination.

Acting NIH director dismisses four neuroscientists from advisory boards
The letters they received this week did not include a reason for their termination.
NIH neurodevelopmental assessment system now available as iPad app
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 March.

NIH neurodevelopmental assessment system now available as iPad app
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 March.
Keep sex as a biological variable: Don’t let NIH upheaval turn back the clock on scientific rigor
Even in the absence of any formal instruction to do so, we should continue to hold our ourselves and our neuroscience colleagues accountable for SABV practices.

Keep sex as a biological variable: Don’t let NIH upheaval turn back the clock on scientific rigor
Even in the absence of any formal instruction to do so, we should continue to hold our ourselves and our neuroscience colleagues accountable for SABV practices.