Education
Our planet stands on the brink of irreversible change. Neuroscientists need to do something about it.
When I launched my new lab at New York University in 2022, I decided to apply my expertise in computer vision to an urgent problem far outside the brain: climate change.
![The silhouette of a head rises over a body of water.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200_climate-1024x683.webp)
Our planet stands on the brink of irreversible change. Neuroscientists need to do something about it.
When I launched my new lab at New York University in 2022, I decided to apply my expertise in computer vision to an urgent problem far outside the brain: climate change.
The sleep/wake cycle and autism with Ashura Buckley
The NIH neurologist talks about her research, her family and how mental health labels can be limiting.
![An illustration of Ashura Buckley](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-ashura-buckley-synaptic-autism-1024x692.jpg)
The sleep/wake cycle and autism with Ashura Buckley
The NIH neurologist talks about her research, her family and how mental health labels can be limiting.
Social communication and developmental disorders with Connie Kasari
In this episode of “Synaptic,” Kasari talks about the need for inclusion in educating autistic children, what drew her into the autism research field, and growing up on the family farm.
![Portrait of Connie Kasari.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1200-kasari-synaptic-autism.jpg)
Social communication and developmental disorders with Connie Kasari
In this episode of “Synaptic,” Kasari talks about the need for inclusion in educating autistic children, what drew her into the autism research field, and growing up on the family farm.
Black and women researchers are less likely to hold three or more NIH grants simultaneously
A growing proportion of researchers has reached such “super principal investigator” status, but the distribution is not even across demographic groups.
![Photograph of two women of color working with a white male colleague in a laboratory.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-autism-research-inequities.jpg)
Black and women researchers are less likely to hold three or more NIH grants simultaneously
A growing proportion of researchers has reached such “super principal investigator” status, but the distribution is not even across demographic groups.
What kind of autism research should we do, and where should we do it?
Researchers at INSAR 2023 need to discuss these questions and remember that the purpose of research may be different for different communities.
![Three people stand on a staircase and contemplate a maze-like array of paths in the sky before them.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-what-kind-of-autism-research.jpg)
What kind of autism research should we do, and where should we do it?
Researchers at INSAR 2023 need to discuss these questions and remember that the purpose of research may be different for different communities.
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
![Autism researcher Veronica Martinez Cereno holds a brain in her lab.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cerdeno-Autism-brain-cc-844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
Diagnosing autism with Catherine Lord
In this inaugural episode, Lord discusses her entry into autism research, what the future of the field might look like and how drama club saved her in high school.
![Portrait of Cathy Lord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-synaptic-cathy-lord.jpg)
Diagnosing autism with Catherine Lord
In this inaugural episode, Lord discusses her entry into autism research, what the future of the field might look like and how drama club saved her in high school.
Racial, economic disparities skew New Jersey data on autism, intellectual disability
Serious differences in autism identification persist, according to an analysis of autistic children in New Jersey over 16 years.
![A multiracial group of schoolchildren sit at their desks in class.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/Latino-black-children-prevalence-autism-844.jpg)
Racial, economic disparities skew New Jersey data on autism, intellectual disability
Serious differences in autism identification persist, according to an analysis of autistic children in New Jersey over 16 years.
Why autism therapies have an evidence problem
Early interventions for autism lack solid data. The source of this problem is murky but may stem from ongoing debates about evidence quality and entrenched conflicts of interest within the field.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_FinalOpener-interventions.png)
Why autism therapies have an evidence problem
Early interventions for autism lack solid data. The source of this problem is murky but may stem from ongoing debates about evidence quality and entrenched conflicts of interest within the field.
New autism clinicians reflect on skill gaps, gains after remote training
The pandemic has forced many health-care students to train online, raising concerns about their readiness.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/iStock-1349926262.jpg)
New autism clinicians reflect on skill gaps, gains after remote training
The pandemic has forced many health-care students to train online, raising concerns about their readiness.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
![A man walks a dromedary camel down a hallway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/camel-walking-1200-1024x692.webp)
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
![Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2BD3BD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
![Research image of enteric neurons in zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2D-fish-1200-1024x692.webp)
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.