Nora Bradford is a lecturer in the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed a Ph.D. in cognitive science at the University of California, Irvine and a B.S. in neuroscience, psychology and philosophy at the University of Chicago. Bradford has previously written freelance articles for Spectrum.
Nora Bradford
Lecturer, Critical Writing Program
University of Pennsylvania
From this contributor
‘Friction-maxxing’ in school: Students should read primary literature, not AI summaries
Trainees need to learn how to identify a neuroscience paper’s major takeaways and integrate them into their understanding. This skill doesn’t come from outsourcing the work to large language models.
‘Friction-maxxing’ in school: Students should read primary literature, not AI summaries
By
Nora Bradford
26 March 2026 | 5 min read
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons
The approach removes methyl tags from the gene and shields it from other silencing factors without changing the gene itself, raising hopes for a new treatment.
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons
By
Nora Bradford
16 February 2023 | 5 min read
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
Within the 16p region of the genome, the two types of variants similarly decrease neuronal gene expression — an effect that may reflect their spatial relationship.
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
By
Nora Bradford
1 December 2022 | 4 min read
Auditory cortex may develop early in autism
A well-studied brain response to sound appears earlier than usual in young children with autism.
Auditory cortex may develop early in autism
By
Nora Bradford
16 September 2022 | 3 min read
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Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
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Calli McMurray
24 June 2026 | 1 min watch
Designer synapses edit brain circuits in living animals
The approach could help elucidate relationships between circuit structure and function, as well as the role of natural electrical synapses.
Designer synapses edit brain circuits in living animals
The approach could help elucidate relationships between circuit structure and function, as well as the role of natural electrical synapses.
By
Simon Makin
23 June 2026 | 5 min read
Role of GABA-A receptors in dup15q syndrome, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 June.
Role of GABA-A receptors in dup15q syndrome, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 June.
By
Jill Adams
23 June 2026 | 2 min read