Maternal nativity, race, and ethnicity and infant mortality in the US

JAMA Network Open

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About The Study:

 This population-based cohort study found that U.S.-born individuals had significantly higher odds of infant mortality compared with non–U.S.-born individuals, particularly among full-term births and among those self-identifying as Black, Hispanic, white, or more than 1 race. Sudden unexpected infant death was a major contributor to these disparities. Investigation into the underlying factors contributing to these disparities is needed.

Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Giulia M. Muraca, MPH, PhD, email muracag@mcmaster.ca.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.52230)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. 

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Journal

JAMA Network Open

How stressors during pregnancy impact the developing fetal brain

New findings provide a cell atlas, mapping out the neuroimmune landscape

Boston Children's Hospital

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The maternal microbiome and immune system have both independent and synergistic effects on fetal brain health - changes in the mother’s immune system have been linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. A new study, published today in Nature Neuroscience, expands our understanding of this “gut-immune axis” by mapping the impact of stressors during pregnancy – namely changes in the microbiome and activation of the immune system - on the neuroimmune landscape of the developing fetal brain.

The research team, led by Brian Kalish, MD, Physician in Medicine in the Division of Newborn Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, discovered notable sex-specific responses, including vulnerability for a specific immune pathway in the male brain that could be a potential target for early intervention.

“Our study establishes a detailed spatial transcriptomic resource of immune gene networks during a critical window of embryonic brain development,” says Kalish. “Unlike previous atlases focused on the adult brain, our dataset captures dynamic immune signaling interactions at a stage when the brain is highly vulnerable.”

The team integrated in situ spatial transcriptomics (MERFISH) with single cell RNA-seq data. This dual-modality approach enabled them to (1) create a developmental cell atlas of immune gene expression in the embryonic mouse brain during mid- and late-gestation; (2) map the spatial location of neurodevelopmental-relevant genes in the developing brain; (3) reveal sex-specific responses of the developing brain to maternal gut-immune disruptions; (4) nominate a specific pathway – known as the CXCL12/CXCR7 signaling pathway - as an important mediator of abnormal neural differentiation.

“As a neonatologist, this work adds to our understanding early-life environmental factors that may impact neurodevelopmental potential and lends insights for potential interventions”, added Kalish.

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Journal

Nature Neuroscience

Article Title

The Maternal Gut-Immune Axis Programs the Neuroimmune Landscape of the Developing Brain

Article Publication Date

6-Jan-2026

 

A JBNU–KIMS collaborative study on a cost-effective alloy matches superalloys for power plants and energy infrastructure

In this study, scientists develop corrosion-resistant alumina-forming ferritic alloys that could transform energy systems and nuclear reactors

Jeonbuk National University, Sustainable Strategy team, Planning and Coordination Division

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image: 

These materials possess high-temperature oxidation resistance even in a steam-containing atmosphere, making them lucrative for several cutting-edge applications.

view more 

Credit: Jae-Gil Jung from Jeonbuk National University and Ka Ram Lim from Korea Institute of Materials Science

The emergence of carbon-neutral energy systems such as high-temperature electrolysis, solar thermal power plants, small modular reactors, and hydrogen- and ammonia-based processes has necessitated the development of novel structural materials that exhibit outstanding corrosion resistance and mechanical properties even at high temperatures and under harsh environments. Notably, traditional austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) fail in these conditions. Addressing this technological gap, materials science engineers have come up with Ni- and Fe-based heat-resistant alloys, including Nimonic, Inconel, and Ni-Cr-Al alloys, and 304 L/316 L ASS, oxide dispersion-strengthened, and alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) steels, respectively. While these existing materials possess protective chromia (Cr2O3) and/or α-alumina (Al2O3) oxide scales, they also suffer from various limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design cost-efficient self-protecting alloys with active α-Al2O3 scale formation capability and high-temperature phase stability.

Recently, in an innovative breakthrough, a team of researchers from the Republic of Korea, led by Associate Professor Jae-Gil Jung from the Division of Advanced Materials Engineering at Jeonbuk National University and Principal Researcher Ka Ram Lim from the Extreme Materials Research Institute at Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), and including postdoctoral researchers Dr. Sang-Hwa Lee and Dr. Sang Hun Shim from each institute, developed alumina-forming ferritic (AFF) alloys using the concept of high-entropy alloys. These AFF materials are expected to exhibit superior oxidation resistance via α-Al2O3 layer formation, high-temperature mechanical strength via precipitation hardening, as well as specific strength via lightweight element incorporation.

Now, the researchers have investigated the high-temperature steam oxidation behavior of their earlier reported AFF alloy Al16Cr13.3Fe55.5Ni11.2Ti4 (at%) and its new variant containing an extra 2 at% Mo. Their present findings were made available online on October 12, 2025 and have been published in Volume 258 of the journal Corrosion Science on January 1, 2026.

“Our research presents a novel alloying strategy that simultaneously improves heat resistance and oxidation/corrosion resistance while maintaining economic feasibility. This dual improvement is important because it enables materials to stay stronger and more durable in extreme high-temperature environments,” remarks Prof. Jung.

In this study, the team investigated the oxidation behavior of their designed AFF alloys under a steam-containing atmosphere at 700 °C for 500 hours. While the ASS alloy undergoes rapid oxidation under steam owing to Cr2O3 scale volatilization, AFF alloys developed a dense 100-nm α-Al2O3 layer after prolonged exposure, thereby suppressing oxygen diffusion and achieving long-term stability.

“The body-centered cubic-based AFF alloys can accommodate much higher amounts of Al than face-centered cubic-based AFA alloys, making them more favorable for the formation of a uniform and dense protective scale,” explains Dr. Lim.

AFF alloys also demonstrate superior high-temperature specific yield strength comparable to that of Ni-based superalloys. Notably, Mo addition provides mechanical strengthening without compromising oxidation resistance.

The present findings can benefit a wide range of technologies that operate under extreme conditions, with potential real-life applications including reusable space launch vehicles, advanced armor materials, molten salt reactors, thermal energy storage systems, high-temperature steam electrolysis, ammonia-cracking reactors, and lithium-ion battery recycling. These fields demand materials that can remain strong and resistant to chemical degradation at high temperatures.

For these materials to make a real impact in everyday life, they must offer not only high reliability but also strong economic feasibility. This work addresses this concern by focusing on low-cost alloy systems, which could accelerate their adoption in practical, large-scale applications in the coming 5-to-10 years.

 

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Reference
DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113363

 

About Jeonbuk National University
Founded in 1947, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is a leading Korean flagship university.Located in Jeonju, a city where tradition lives on, the campus embodies an open academic community that harmonizes Korean heritage with a spirit of innovation.Declaring the “On AI Era,” JBNU is at the forefront of digital transformationthrough AI-driven education, research, and administration.JBNU leads the Physical AI Demonstration Project valued at around $1 billion and spearheads national innovation initiatives such as RISE (Regional Innovation for Startup and Education) and the Glocal University 30, advancing as a global hub of AI innovation.
Website: https://www.jbnu.ac.kr/en/index.do

 

About the authors
Prof. Jae-Gil Jung is an Associate Professor of Division of Advanced Materials Engineering at Jeonbuk National University. His group is developing strategies to control the nanostructure of metals for automotive, aircraft, and defense industries.

Dr. Ka Ram Lim is a Principal Researcher of Extreme Materials Research Institute at Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS). His group focuses on development of economic and high-performance metals for extreme environments. Prof. Jae-Gil Jung and Dr. Ka Ram Lim both received a PhD in Materials Science from Yonsei University. Dr. Sang-Hwa Lee and Dr. Sang Hun Shim, postdoctoral researchers from each institute, participated in this project.

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Journal

Corrosion Science

DOI

10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113363 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

High-temperature oxidation resistance of alumina-forming ferritic alloys in a steam-containing atmosphere

Article Publication Date

1-Jan-2026

 

Scientists discover first method to safely back up quantum information

Quantum information researchers solve longstanding “no cloning” problem with encryption workaround, fully quantum ‘cloud services’ now a potential reality

University of Waterloo

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A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo have made a breakthrough in quantum computing that elegantly bypasses the fundamental “no cloning” problem.  

Quantum computing is an exciting technological frontier, where information is stored and processed in tiny units — called qubits. Qubits can be stored, for example, in individual electrons, photons (particles of light), atoms, ions or tiny currents.  

Universities, industry, and governments around the world are spending billions of dollars to perfect the technology for controlling these qubits so that they can be combined into large, reliable quantum computers. This technology will have powerful applications, including in cybersecurity, materials science, medical research and optimization.  

“This breakthrough will enable quantum cloud storage, like a quantum Dropbox, a quantum Google Drive or a quantum STACKIT, that safely and securely stores the same quantum information on multiple servers, as a redundant and encrypted backup,” said Dr. Achim Kempf, the Dieter Schwarz Chair for Physics of Information and AI in the Department of Applied Mathematics at Waterloo. “It’s an important step in enabling the buildup of quantum computing infrastructure.” 

“Quantum computing has tremendous potential, particularly for solving very hard problems, but it also poses unique challenges. One of the most challenging issues facing quantum computing is called the no-cloning theorem, which states that quantum information cannot be copied, at least not directly. This is because of the delicate way in which quantum information is stored.”  

Kempf, who is also an associate at the Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo and an associate member of the Perimeter Institute, further explains that quantum information works a bit like splitting a password. If you have the first half of the password and a friend has the second half, neither of you can use it alone — but if you put your two halves together, you acquire the valuable password.  

In a similar sense, qubits are special because they can share information in a way that grows as you combine them. A single qubit doesn’t hold much on its own, but when qubits are linked together, they can store a huge amount of information that only appears when they’re connected. This unique ability to hold shared information across multiple qubits is called quantum entanglement. 

Kempf explains that 100 qubits can share information in 2^100 ways simultaneously. This allows them to share so much entangled information that all of today’s classical computers could not store it. 

For all the potential of quantum computing, however, the no-cloning theorem limits how it can be applied. This is because, unlike in classical computing, where the copying of information — for sharing and for backups — is a very commonly used tool, there is no simple copy and paste in quantum computing.  

“We have found a workaround for the no-cloning theorem of quantum information,” explains Dr. Koji Yamaguchi, who co-discovered the new method with Kempf while working as a post-doctoral researcher in Kempf’s lab and who is now a research assistant professor at Kyushu University.  

“It turns out that if we encrypt the quantum information as we copy it, we can make as many copies as we like. This method is able to bypass the no-cloning theorem because after one picks and decrypts one of the encrypted copies, the decryption key automatically expires, that is the decryption key is a one-time-use key. But even a one-time key enables important applications, such as redundant and encrypted quantum cloud services”.   

This breakthrough reinforces Waterloo’s global leadership in quantum science and commercialization. The Institute for Quantum Computing is internationally recognized for pairing world-leading fundamental research with strong commercialization support — an approach that has already helped launch more than 23 quantum startups transforming sensing, security and computing. 

The research, “Encrypted Qubits can be Cloned,” appeared in Physical Review Letters. 

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Journal

Physical Review Letters