Although it is well accepted that genetics play a strong role in autism spectrum disorders, most of the underlying causes have been a mystery - until now.

Researchers, including CMU's Kathryn Roeder and the University of Pittsburgh's Bernie Devlin, have for the first time identified three genes that affect a child's risk for autism. Published in Nature, the series of studies suggests that autism spectrum disorders are caused by variations in multiple unrelated locations within the genome.  

These findings provide a basis for future gene discovery, diagnostics and therapeutics.

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Stress wreaks havoc on the mind and body. For example, psychological stress is associated with greater risk for depression, heart disease and infectious diseases. But, until now, it has not been clear exactly how stress influences disease and health.

A research team led by CMU's Sheldon Cohen has found that chronic psychological stress is associated with the body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research shows for the first time that the effects of psychological stress on the body's ability to regulate inflammation can promote the development and progression of disease.

"Inflammation is partly regulated by the hormone cortisol and when cortisol is not allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control," said Cohen.

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Being a Qatari professor at an American university in Doha, Amal Al Malki is used to breaking stereotypes.

"People tend to see me as the representative of the culture, especially the female culture in Qatar, which could be misleading," said Al Malki, an assistant teaching professor of liberal and social sciences at CMU Qatar. "There is a constant fight against people's stereotypes of the others, and I hope that each time I prove myself worthy of my position, I break a stereotype."

With that in mind, Al Malki was the lead author on a new book, "Arab Women and Arab News: Old Stereotypes and New Media," jointly published by Bloomsbury Academic Press in London and Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing in Doha.

Additional authors of the book are David Kaufer, Suguru Ishizaki and Kira Drehe.