Laura Sanders

Laura Sanders

Senior Writer, Neuroscience

Laura Sanders reports on neuroscience for Science News. She wrote Growth Curve, a blog about the science of raising kids, from 2013 to 2019 and continues to write about child development and parenting from time to time. She earned her Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she studied the nerve cells that compel a fruit fly to perform a dazzling mating dance. Convinced that she was missing some exciting science somewhere, Laura turned her eye toward writing about brains in all shapes and forms. She holds undergraduate degrees in creative writing and biology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she was a National Merit Scholar. Growth Curve, her 2012 series on consciousness and her 2013 article on the dearth of psychiatric drugs have received awards recognizing editorial excellence.

All Stories by Laura Sanders

  1. Life

    Genetics offers more hints about autism

    Three studies illustrate why a single cause for autism spectrum disorders has been so difficult to pin down.

  2. Health & Medicine

    A year adds up to big changes in brain

    Third grade brings big shifts in how kids use their heads to solve math problems.

  3. Humans

    Skeptical scientists call 1-800-BALONEY on cell phone study

    Findings on brain effects are vigorously attacked and just as strenuously defended.

  4. Health & Medicine

    Clues to autism’s roots from brain study

    A new analysis finds differences in genetic activity, especially in genes controlling nerve cell form and function.

  5. Health & Medicine

    No pain, healthier brain

    When chronic back problems are treated, benefits extend above the neck.

  6. Science & Society

    Youthful ingenuity honored at Intel ISEF

    Young scientists receive awards for insights applicable to cancer treatment, homeland security, water supplies and more.

  7. Humans

    Nobelists advise budding scientists

    Laureates share unconventional wisdom with young investigators at Intel ISEF 2011.

  8. BLOG: City of Angels welcomes the world’s biggest global science fair

    Hundreds of young scientists arrive for the start of the 2011 Intel ISEF competition in Los Angeles.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Blame brain cells for lack of focus

    Denser tissue in a particular brain region may result in higher distractibility, a new study finds.

  10. Life

    Great (Dane) minds don’t think alike

    Female dogs react to an unexpected twist that males show no awareness of, suggesting that canine sexes are wired differently.

  11. Yawn

    Latest research awakens debate over why people can’t keep their mouths closed.

  12. Psychology

    Shocking experiment shows talk is cheap

    Though most people swear they'd never hurt anybody for money, most are also quick to shock a new acquaintance for a few quid when actually given the chance, a British study finds.