Virginia Hughes is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York.
Virginia Hughes
Freelance Writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Monkey missing Rett gene prompts primate research debate
Scientists have created a transgenic monkey modeling Rett syndrome, they announced yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C. This model and others sparked a lively discussion about the relative value of animal models in research.

Monkey missing Rett gene prompts primate research debate
Diabetes drug is sweet cure for fragile X in fruit flies
The memory and sleep troubles that accompany fragile X syndrome originate in a glitch in insulin signaling, suggests an unpublished study of fruit flies presented today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The study points to a widely available diabetes treatment for the syndrome.

Diabetes drug is sweet cure for fragile X in fruit flies
Imaging lights up dynamics of neurons’ connections in mice
Researchers have developed a way to capture dynamic changes in the part of the neuron that sends out signals, they reported yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Imaging lights up dynamics of neurons’ connections in mice
Cesarean birth alters immune system, social behavior in mice
Mice born via cesarean section show subtle social deficits and increased immune and stress responses, suggesting a link between microbe exposure during birth and behavior. Researchers presented the unpublished work today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Cesarean birth alters immune system, social behavior in mice
Deaf mouse study hints at gap between squeaks, speech
Do mice use their high-pitched vocalizations to communicate, just as people use speech? It’s not likely, according to an unpublished study of deaf mice presented yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Deaf mouse study hints at gap between squeaks, speech
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NIH proposal sows concerns over future of animal research, unnecessary costs
The new NIH policy calls for greater incorporation of new approach methodologies in all future Notices of Funding Opportunities related to animal model systems.

NIH proposal sows concerns over future of animal research, unnecessary costs
The new NIH policy calls for greater incorporation of new approach methodologies in all future Notices of Funding Opportunities related to animal model systems.
Altered transcription in dup15q syndrome; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 July.

Altered transcription in dup15q syndrome; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 July.
Fear and loathing on study section: Reviewing grant proposals while the system is burning
As grants are canceled, delayed and subject to general uncertainty, participating in study sections can feel futile. But it’s more important than ever.

Fear and loathing on study section: Reviewing grant proposals while the system is burning
As grants are canceled, delayed and subject to general uncertainty, participating in study sections can feel futile. But it’s more important than ever.