WEEK OF
July 16th
Research roundup
Is the placenta at the center of sex differences in neurodevelopmental conditions? Nature Communications
Mothers and fathers differ in their assessments of their child’s autism features. Minerva Pediatrica
Autistic adolescents respond to different social-motivation factors than their neurotypical peers do. Scientific Reports
Only limited evidence supports the use of a common autism screening tool at age 18 months. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
The severe food selectivity that is common in children on the spectrum can increase risk of nutrition deficits. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
A huge study of infants in China yields a trove of mental-health data. Nature
Protein-coding predictions in a catalog of human gene annotations are frequently wrong. bioRxiv
Autistic people have differences in a reward pathway linked to social behaviors. Brain
Researchers look at the evidence supporting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s breakthrough-therapy designation decisions. JAMA
A mutation in a chromosomal region containing the autism-related FOXP1 gene is tied to severe intellectual disability. Clinica Chimica Acta
Fruit flies have the best gene names; here’s how they got some of them. STAT
In other editing news, a group of bioethicists says gene editing of sperm, eggs or early embryos could be “morally permissible.” Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Scientists may have underestimated the damage CRISPR can do. STAT
The visual cortex does not thin from pruning during childhood but becomes more myelinated, investigators say. bioRxiv
Empathy and systematizing in children with autism are both factors in their perception of fairness, researchers say. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
In Bangladesh, at least 17 in 10,000 children are diagnosed with autism, according to a university report. New Age Bangladesh
The cerebellum has distinctive structural features in children on the spectrum. PLOS One
People on the spectrum only seem like they want to be left alone, but they are interested in socializing, two researchers argue. The New York Times
Vietnam is training parents and teachers nationwide in early-intervention approaches for autism. Vietnamnet
In Bahrain, integrating autistic children into regular classrooms is a “spectacular success.” Bahrain News Agency
Does an erroneous assumption about people with autism make robot-based treatment a mistake? Wired UK
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers guidance for gaining approval for switching drugs from prescription to over-the-counter status. STAT+
Advanced maternal age — 35 years or older — is not an independent factor in earlier identification of a child’s autism. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
Science and society
“60 Minutes” is catching flak for showing an autistic person in an “undignified manner.” The Sydney Morning Herald
High schoolers in Massachusetts have created their own disability history museum and want to see a national version established. WBUR
Neuroscientist Brenda Milner, whose work linked memory and the hippocampus, celebrates her centenary birthday. STAT
Anti-vaccine proponents tend to overestimate their knowledge relative to that of experts, researchers say. The Conversation
Health screenings at the Special Olympics highlight care gaps. K5News, Seattle
U.S. houses of worship are excluding children with autism and other developmental conditions but not those with epilepsy. Association of Religion Data Archives
A cafe in Tehran is the first in Iran to have a staff consisting entirely of people with autism or Down syndrome. Al-Monitor
Andrew Wakefield is being embraced (literally) by famous people in the United States, which doesn’t bode well for public health, this op-ed says. The Guardian
Autism and the arts
An autistic girl’s fictionalized account of a day in her “life of a perfectionist” has gone viral. BBC
Brutally honest standup comedian Hannah Gadsby is Australian and autistic, and she’s also a Netflix sensation. The Guardian
Publishing
An editorial argues that new metrics should be applied for assessing the publication value of research from “the global south.” Nature
The Trump administration is deleting the National Guideline Clearinghouse, a “one-stop shop” for clinicians to find vetted guidelines for their specialties. Vox
Funding news
The migrant debacle is siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars from medical research and rural health programs. Politico
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