Helen Pearson is a science writer based in New York City.
Helen Pearson
Freelance writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Father’s advanced age feeds autism risk
Are older fathers more likely to have children with autism? A series of epidemiological studies is giving credence to the idea, suggesting that, with age, sperm may accumulate damage that increases risk in the next generation.
Sense of ‘self’ impaired in autism
People with autism struggle to see their own role in social situations. That's the conclusion from the first study to scan individualsʼ brains while they interact with another person - a technique that could lead to a diagnostic tool.
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Scientists push back against stricter European Research Council grant application rules
In an open letter, scientists call the ERC’s suggestion to block grant reapplications for an additional year “at odds with scientific excellence.”
Scientists push back against stricter European Research Council grant application rules
In an open letter, scientists call the ERC’s suggestion to block grant reapplications for an additional year “at odds with scientific excellence.”
By
Lauren Schenkman
29 April 2026 | 5 min read
New study questions role of persistent gene activity in memory maintenance
An experiment in sea slugs suggests transcriptional changes might fade after 24 hours.
New study questions role of persistent gene activity in memory maintenance
An experiment in sea slugs suggests transcriptional changes might fade after 24 hours.
By
Siddhant Pusdekar
28 April 2026 | 4 min read
Tracking health in autistic adults, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 April.
Tracking health in autistic adults, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 April.
By
Jill Adams
28 April 2026 | 2 min read