Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science journalist who contributes to outlets such as the New York Times, Scientific American and New Scientist. She writes news articles for Spectrum. She lives in Brooklyn.
Rachel Nuwer
Contributing Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Lisa Croen: Autism’s first dedicated epidemiologist
Inspired by watching her autistic nephew grow up, Croen has also been an advocate for bolstering research and services for autistic adults.
Lisa Croen: Autism’s first dedicated epidemiologist
By
Rachel Nuwer
28 March 2022 | 9 min read
Finding strengths in autism
Autism comprises a set of difficulties, but growing evidence suggests that certain abilities also define the condition.
Meet the autistic scientists redefining autism research
Growing ranks of researchers on the spectrum are overcoming barriers — from neurotypical bias to sensory sensitivities — to shape autism science.
Meet the autistic scientists redefining autism research
By
Rachel Nuwer
10 June 2020 | 18 min read
Growing old with autism
For many autistic adults, the golden years are tarnished by poor health, poverty and, in some cases, homelessness. Their plight reveals huge gaps in care.
Mouse study links gene to some autism symptoms
Mice missing a gene called PTCHD1 in a deep-seated brain structure have autism-like symptoms that ease with treatment.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Autism program chief among National Institutes of Health layoffs
The termination is one of more than 1,000 employee cuts at the U.S. agency this week.
Autism program chief among National Institutes of Health layoffs
The termination is one of more than 1,000 employee cuts at the U.S. agency this week.
By
Rachel Zamzow
21 February 2025 | 3 min read
This paper changed my Life: Bill Newsome reflects on a quadrilogy of classic visual perception studies
The 1970s papers from Goldberg and Wurtz made ambitious mechanistic studies of higher brain functions seem feasible.
This paper changed my Life: Bill Newsome reflects on a quadrilogy of classic visual perception studies
The 1970s papers from Goldberg and Wurtz made ambitious mechanistic studies of higher brain functions seem feasible.
By
Bill Newsome
21 February 2025 | 6 min read
Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure
Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference.
Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure
Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference.
By
Dan Goodman
20 February 2025 | 7 min read