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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.

March 2015

The female autism conundrum

 /  11 March 2015

Watch the complete replay of David Skuse and William Mandy’s webinar on why reported sex ratios for autism may be fundamentally flawed.

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Behavioral test taps multiple senses in mice

by  /  11 March 2015

A new behavioral test that gauges how well mice simultaneously process light and sound may help explain and treat problems with this skill in people with autism.

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How to build a better scientist

by  /  10 March 2015

Budding scientists need career guidance from faculty mentors, not just technical handholding by graduate students, suggests a comprehensive review.

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Glowing sensors shine new light on protein interactions

by  /  4 March 2015

Researchers may soon be able to easily visualize protein pairings in living cells through vibrant flashes of color.

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Test draws on doodles to spot signs of autism

by  /  3 March 2015

Researchers have developed a 10-minute drawing test that measures reciprocity — an important social skill that children with autism often lack.

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Questions for Deborah Fein: Defining ‘optimal outcome’

by  /  3 March 2015

Understanding why some children appear to outgrow their autism diagnosis may provide clues about the biology of the disorder but shouldn’t dictate treatment decisions, says Deborah Fein.

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February 2015
Week of FebruaryFeb
23rd
2015

Spotted: Social cells; brain bulge

by  /  27 February 2015

A cluster of neurons helps monkeys cooperate, and a human gene makes a mouse brain look like a person’s.

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Autism’s impact on language is independent of native tongue

by  /  24 February 2015

Native speakers of tonal languages who have autism are adept at identifying pitch in music, but this does not help them interpret tone in language.

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Kathryn Roeder reviews statistical tools for autism

 /  18 February 2015

Watch the complete replay of Kathryn Roeder’s webinar discussing how powerful statistical tools can yield insight into the genetic risk for autism.

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When researchers share data, everyone wins

by  /  13 February 2015

Imagine a world in which researchers reveal all their clinical trial data, allowing their peers to do their own analyses and confirm the findings. A new report by the Institute of Medicine outlines ways to make this scenario a reality.

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