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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Science & Society

From funding decisions to scientific fraud, a wide range of societal factors shape autism research.

May 2015

Sex differences take center stage in autism special issue

by  /  29 May 2015

One of the most consistent findings in autism, and perhaps the most perplexing, is that it affects about four boys for every girl. This gender bias has become a hot topic in autism research — so much so that Molecular Autism devoted its entire May issue to it.

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Power of girls to thwart autism shows up in sibling study

by  /  28 May 2015

Children whose older sisters are on the spectrum are at higher risk for autism than are those with affected older brothers, a new study suggests. Younger brothers of children with autism are at greater risk than younger sisters.

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Technique decodes gene sequence and activity in single cells

by  /  27 May 2015

A new method simultaneously reveals a single cell’s DNA sequence and which of its genes are turned on.

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Week of MayMay
18th
2015

Spotted: Crucial count; animal anxiolytics

by  /  22 May 2015

The world’s most populous country takes stock of autism, and guinea pigs ease anxiety in children with the disorder.

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Jonathan Sebat on autism and schizophrenia genetics

 /  27 May 2015

Watch the complete replay of Jonathan Sebat’s webinar dissecting the similarities and differences between autism and schizophrenia at the genetic level.

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Takeaways from IMFAR 2015

by  /  18 May 2015

Scientists and the autism community come together for the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Brain structure abnormalities in autism vary by gender

by  /  16 May 2015

A region of the brain involved in recognizing faces appears to be thinner than usual in women with autism and thicker than usual in men with the disorder. The preliminary results were presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

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Reactions from IMFAR 2015

by  /  16 May 2015

Tune in for daily updates and reactions from attendees at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Device predicts future word use in toddlers with autism

by  /  15 May 2015

An automated analysis of the speech-like sounds from 3-year-olds with autism predicts their word use four months later, according to unpublished research presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Large study quantifies high risk of autism for ‘baby sibs’

by  /  15 May 2015

One in every five younger siblings of children with autism will end up being diagnosed with the disorder, according to the largest analysis to date of these ‘baby sibs.’

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