Marta Zaraska is a freelance science journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, Scientific American and The Boston Globe, among other publications. She has written two literary novels and contributed to two travel books published by National Geographic. Her nonfiction book “Meathooked: The History and Science of Our 2.5-Million-Year Obsession With Meat,” was published in 2016 by Basic Books and chosen by Nature as one of “the best science picks” in March 2016.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Screenshot-2018-01-05-14.11.46.png)
Marta Zaraska
From this contributor
Moving for autism care
Disparities in state services for autism are driving families to relocate. But not everyone can afford to move, and others find that their new home also has faults.
The problems with prenatal testing for autism
As prenatal testing improves, it presents a host of thorny issues — from what to test and how to interpret the results, to what to do about them.
![Illustration shows woman peering at her partner and child from behind a 'curtain' of genome sequence](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20190807-Prenatal844.jpg)
The problems with prenatal testing for autism
Europe’s race to ramp up genetic tests for autism
Many countries in Europe are reckoning with the growing demand for genetic tests for autistic people — and the accompanying ethical and scientific considerations.
![Gabin and his father at home in Paris.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/CLinGentestLead-844.jpg)
Europe’s race to ramp up genetic tests for autism
France faces down its outdated notions about autism
After lagging behind other countries for decades, France is working on a new national plan for autism.
![Photo: A father and son stand side by side, looking serious. The father is wearing a dark blue blazer over a grey sweater. The son is wearing a blue and grey jacket.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-7928Futuro1900.jpg)
France faces down its outdated notions about autism
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.