Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science journalist who regularly contributes to The New York Times, Nature, Scientific American and more. Her latest book is “I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World.” She is also adjunct professor of science journalism at New York University.
Rachel Nuwer
Contributing writer
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
What if Hegel were a neuroscientist?
Andrea Gambarotto shares what Hegel and enactivism have in common: an agency-first approach to understanding minds and brains.
What if Hegel were a neuroscientist?
Andrea Gambarotto shares what Hegel and enactivism have in common: an agency-first approach to understanding minds and brains.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
16 September 2026 | 1 min read
This paper changed my life: Transformative work in addiction neuroscience
A 2011 Nature study found that loss of a nicotinic receptor subunit leads to increased nicotine intake in mice. The work set the standard for how to functionally validate genetic association study findings in neuroscience.
This paper changed my life: Transformative work in addiction neuroscience
A 2011 Nature study found that loss of a nicotinic receptor subunit leads to increased nicotine intake in mice. The work set the standard for how to functionally validate genetic association study findings in neuroscience.
By
Jibran Khokhar
16 September 2026 | 6 min read
Additional data suggest changes in diagnostics underlie increases in autism diagnoses, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 September.
Additional data suggest changes in diagnostics underlie increases in autism diagnoses, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 September.
By
Jill Adams
15 September 2026 | 2 min read