Research roundup

• One-third of a group of toddlers exposed to Zika virus in utero scored below average on language-function and neurodevelopmental assessments. Nature Medicine
• Researchers describe differences in left-brain versus right-brain ‘language’ processing in the neuronal circuitry of mice. Nature Communications
• Genetic variation in a protein that controls the activity of serotonin, a signaling molecule in the brain, is linked to anxiety-related behaviors in monkeys. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Science and society

• An international panel of scientists, doctors and public-health experts proposes a set of action items to counter anti-vaccination narratives around the globe. Journal of Health Communication
• Overall, 18 percent of LGBTQ scientists have experienced harassment, bullying or exclusionary behavior at work; the percentage rises to 32 percent for transgender and nonbinary scientists. Nature
• Virtual-reality videos can help autistic people practice social interaction. The Spinoff
• The patent fight over the gene-editing technology CRISPR continues. Science
• Three neuroscientists offer tips for improving the reliability of large brain-imaging datasets. Nature Human Behaviour
• An autism advocacy group in Northern Ireland calls for mandatory autism training for teachers. BBC News
• Medicaid enrollment of immigrant children in California is falling, and it’s not clear why. Kaiser Health News
• A home salsa business supports and employs autistic people. Boston Globe
• Interactive robots may help autistic children learn to navigate social situations. IEEE Spectrum
• Writer Sara Luterman reports on what it’s like to be autistic at the International Society for Autism Research conference. Undark

Autism and the arts

• Autism Improvised, a Georgia nonprofit, uses improv classes to teach communication skills to autistic children and adults. WABE
• Colors of My World, an exhibit on display in Jakarta, Indonesia, features colorful paintings by autistic artists. The Jakarta Post

Funding news

• A U.S. National Institutes of Health investigation into grantees who failed to disclose relationships with other countries has led to the dismissal of several researchers. Science