Lauren Gravitz is a freelance writer and editor in Hershey, Pennsylvania, who covers health, medicine, science and the environment. Her stories have appeared in Nature, Aeon, The Economist, Technology Review, O, The Oprah Magazine and Discover, among others.
Lauren Gravitz
Freelance Writer
From this contributor
A brief history of precision self-scanning
When a researcher solved a logistical problem by going rogue, the idea proved remarkably infectious.
A brief history of precision self-scanning
By
Lauren Gravitz
21 January 2026 | 13 min read
At the intersection of autism and trauma
Autism and post-traumatic stress disorder share many traits, but the connection between them was largely overlooked until now.
Autism’s drug problem
Many people on the spectrum take multiple medications — which can lead to serious side effects and may not even be effective.
Lack of DNA modification creates hotspots for mutations
The absence of a chemical alteration called methylation on some stretches of DNA makes them especially prone to mutations, according to a paper published in PLoS Genetics in May.
Lack of DNA modification creates hotspots for mutations
By
Lauren Gravitz
28 June 2012 | 4 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
By
Arash Fassihi, Gily Ginosar, Noga Larry, Abdulraheem Nashef
28 July 2026
7 min read
An Iranian, an Israeli, and a Palestinian neuroscientist walked into a bar…
That chance occurrence at an SfN social led us to organize the Middle Eastern Systems Neuroscience Symposium, and forge a plan to build a community that transcends political barriers through scientific connection.
An Iranian, an Israeli, and a Palestinian neuroscientist walked into a bar…
That chance occurrence at an SfN social led us to organize the Middle Eastern Systems Neuroscience Symposium, and forge a plan to build a community that transcends political barriers through scientific connection.
By
Arash Fassihi, Gily Ginosar, Noga Larry, Abdulraheem Nashef
28 July 2026 | 7 min read
Federal advisory panel extends comment period, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 July.
Federal advisory panel extends comment period, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 July.
By
Jill Adams
28 July 2026 | 1 min read
Oregon primate research center to downsize monkey colony, pivot to non-animal models
The center’s host university had been negotiating with the federal government about converting the center into an animal sanctuary. A new plan, approved today, preserves some of the center’s nonhuman primate studies.
Oregon primate research center to downsize monkey colony, pivot to non-animal models
The center’s host university had been negotiating with the federal government about converting the center into an animal sanctuary. A new plan, approved today, preserves some of the center’s nonhuman primate studies.
By
Calli McMurray
27 July 2026 | 5 min read