Study Links Maternal Anaemia to Smaller Infant Brain Size; Australian Family Testifies in Surfing Homicide Trial > 월드뉴스

Babies born to mothers with anaemia have smaller brains, particularly in regions associated with movement, learning, and emotion regulation, according to a study conducted by researchers from King’s College London and the University of Cape Town. The study followed over 300 mothers and their infants in Cape Town, scanning the babies' brains multiple times between the ages of three months and two years. It found that the average brain volume of infants born to anaemic mothers was 4% lower than that of infants born to non-anaemic mothers. The anaemic mothers in the study were diagnosed with only a mild form of the condition. Significant differences were observed in three brain regions: the putamen, caudate nucleus, and corpus callosum, which are crucial for neuropsychological functions. The gap in brain volume between the two groups widened over the first two years of life. Previous research indicated that children born to anaemic mothers performed worse on developmental tests. The study emphasizes the need for screening and treatment for anaemia in women of reproductive age, particularly during pregnancy, as the condition is notably prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The father of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico testified in court on Tuesday that his life has become hell since their deaths. Martin Robinson spoke during the second day of a high-profile trial involving three men charged in the killing of his sons, Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30. The victims were on a surfing trip in April 2024 when they were killed in an attempted robbery. Their bodies were discovered in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds. Robinson described the pain of identifying his sons' bodies, noting that he recognized Callum by a tattoo, while identifying Jake was more challenging. Rhoad’s mother, Page, likened the crime to an execution. The trial revealed that the men were killed while attempting to steal their pickup truck, which was later found burned. A protected witness testified about fleeing the crime scene after hearing gunshots and being threatened into silence. The case has generated significant outrage and grief in Australia and the United States. The trial is expected to continue until the end of September, with Rhoad’s widow set to testify next.