Motor skills
Recent articles
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
![Photograph of Eugenia Chiappe jumping inside a glass hallway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EugeniaChiappe-lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Decoding flies’ motor control with acrobat-scientist Eugenia Chiappe
The tiny performers steal the show in Chiappe’s sensorimotor-integration lab in Lisbon, Portugal.
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
![Multiple exposure of Rujuta Wilson facing the camera, and walking along her gait mat.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rujuta-Wilson-gait-study-1200-1024x692.webp)
A new look at walking in early childhood: Q&A with Rujuta Wilson
Quantifying toddlers’ gaits promises to improve autism diagnosis and intervention.
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
![A child uses a tablet device](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-autism-app-tablet-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Glow-in-the-dark labels accelerate AI-assisted animal motion tracking
The labeling technique trains machine-learning algorithms with larger datasets and less effort than ever before.
![A colorful silhouette of a hand.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-glow-track-autism-1-1024x692.webp)
Glow-in-the-dark labels accelerate AI-assisted animal motion tracking
The labeling technique trains machine-learning algorithms with larger datasets and less effort than ever before.
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
![Research image of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-lede-foxp2-autism.png)
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) accurately flags autistic toddlers, a new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests, contrary to past evidence that the tool’s validity varies depending on a child’s age and traits. Experts weigh in on the discrepancy.
![Photograph of a doctor taking notes on a toddler who is playing with their mother.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/844-journal-club-m-chat-autism.jpg)
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) accurately flags autistic toddlers, a new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests, contrary to past evidence that the tool’s validity varies depending on a child’s age and traits. Experts weigh in on the discrepancy.
Beyond the bench: Mastering meaningful movement with Karen Chenausky
The competitive rower-turned-researcher spoke to Spectrum about how trying out for the U.S. national rowing team and a subsequent coaching position shaped her study of speech development.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Karen-Chenausky-row-club-autism-ratio844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: Mastering meaningful movement with Karen Chenausky
The competitive rower-turned-researcher spoke to Spectrum about how trying out for the U.S. national rowing team and a subsequent coaching position shaped her study of speech development.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.