Neuroscience

Touch is more intricate than we often admit. A new wave of research led by a renowned neurobiologist from Harvard and summarized by Quanta Magazine in April 2025 reveals a vast landscape of cellular sensors that shape our sense of touch. The study describes touch as the most complex human sense, built from a diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs. In Thai media, this finding invites a deeper look at how touch connects with health, education, culture, and daily life.

A new wave of research and practical guidance helps people replace endless phone scrolling with the energizing benefits of physical movement. This has urgent relevance for Thais of all ages, as smartphone use, sedentary work and study, and constant news cycles shape daily life. Clinician Dr. Diana Hill and movement expert Katy Bowman argue that stressful periods can trap us in quick dopamine hits from screens. But with practice and new strategies, you can retrain your brain to crave movement instead of another scroll.

In a scientific feat once thought to border on the impossible, a global team of researchers has produced the first-ever hyper-detailed, three-dimensional map of a mammalian brain, marking a significant leap forward in neuroscience. Using just a tiny speck of mouse brain matter—the size of a grain of sand—scientists at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Baylor College of Medicine, and Princeton University meticulously mapped out the intricate web of 84,000 neurons and over 500 million synapses within a cubic millimeter of tissue. This digital reconstruction, now published in the journal Nature, is being hailed as the most comprehensive mammalian brain map ever generated, fueling optimism for breakthroughs in understanding brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, and schizophrenia (CNN).

Researchers from Caltech and Japan’s Toyohashi University of Technology have mapped neural patterns that help groups enter deep, focused “flow states” together. The discovery could transform how Thai workplaces, classrooms, and esports teams are formed to maximize performance. Team flow, a well-established concept in positive psychology, describes a state where people lose track of time and collaborate with intense focus. It is linked to higher productivity, greater job satisfaction, and better mental wellbeing. In a recent Nature Scientific Reports study, scientists used EEG brainwave monitoring to capture the distinctive focus signatures that emerge when pairs play a cooperative rhythm-based video game requiring precise, synchronized action—similar to popular rhythm games.

A groundbreaking new study from scientists at Mass General Brigham, published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, confirms what many Thais intuitively believe: childhood experiences—both good and bad—can lead to enduring changes in the very structure of a child’s brain, with effects that last well into adolescence and likely adulthood. Researchers have revealed that challenges in early life, such as economic hardship or family adversity, are linked to weaker “white matter” connections throughout the brain, reducing cognitive abilities like language and mathematics years later. Yet, in a hopeful twist, children who experience resilience—especially through strong relationships and supportive communities—show stronger brain development and improved academic outcomes, despite adversity. These findings carry deep implications for Thai policymakers, families, and schools, underscoring the importance of investing in nurturing environments from the earliest years of life (source, source, source).

A major international study confirms a long-held belief among Thai families: early life experiences—good and bad—leave lasting marks on a child’s brain. Researchers analyzed brain scans and life histories from thousands of children and found that adversity in early years can alter white matter connectivity, potentially affecting learning abilities like language and math into adolescence and beyond. Yet the study also offers a hopeful message: strong relationships and supportive communities can bolster brain development and academic outcomes, even amid hardship. The findings have clear implications for Thai policymakers, schools, and families seeking to create nurturing environments for all children.

A new study from Germany has found that a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique—transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—can subtly influence how quickly and flexibly people make decisions. In an experiment targeting a brain area deeply involved in planning and decision processes, researchers discovered that the type of stimulation applied was linked to either quicker choices or greater mental rigidity in volunteers. The findings not only shed light on the brain’s role in cognitive flexibility but raise timely questions for those in Thailand and across Asia interested in brain-boosting gadgets or educational interventions promising sharper thinking.

A European study suggests that a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can influence how quickly and flexibly people decide what to do next. The research focused on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region tied to planning, task management, and self-control. Results showed that activating this area can speed up initial task choices, while dampening activity can make people stick to their original plan. This highlights the brain’s role in cognitive flexibility and raises questions for those in Thailand and across Asia who are curious about brain-boosting gadgets or educational tools promising sharper thinking.

A new scientific study has uncovered that a substance produced by the body after caffeine consumption, known as 1-methylxanthine (1-MX), may significantly enhance memory and brain health—a discovery that could hold major implications for Thailand’s aging population and growing interest in cognitive wellness. Researchers found that 1-MX, a metabolite generated when our bodies break down caffeine, helps support memory functions, sparking discussions among health experts and educators about the potential applications for both prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and everyday cognitive support. Read the original study on PsyPost

A new study indicates that 1-methylxanthine (1-MX), a substance our bodies produce after caffeine intake, may support memory and brain health. The findings could influence Thailand’s approach to aging and cognitive wellness, sparking discussion among health experts and educators about prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and everyday cognitive support. Research by PsyPost notes that 1-MX is formed during caffeine metabolism and, in animal models, administration of 1-MX improved memory tasks and protected brain cells from oxidative stress.

Researchers at Caltech and Japan’s Toyohashi University of Technology have uncovered the unique neural signatures that help teams enter deep, focused “flow states” together—a finding that could revolutionize how Thai workgroups, students, and even esports teams are assembled for peak performance. Team flow, long recognized in positive psychology as a state where individuals lose track of time and become wholly absorbed in collaborative activity, has been linked to better productivity, higher job satisfaction, and improved mental wellbeing. In their recent study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, scientists used EEG brainwave monitoring to capture the unique electrical “fingerprints” of focus when pairs played a cooperative rhythm-based video game that required precise, synchronized action, similar to popular titles like Guitar Hero (Caltech News).

The United States is currently examining its federally funded human data repositories in response to an executive order that reevaluates the inclusion of gender identity descriptors. As reported by The Transmitter, the initiative aims to align with Executive Order 14168, signed by President Trump in January, which mandates the exclusion of gender identity considerations inconsistent with an individual’s sex assigned at birth. This development raises questions about the future scope of research involving gender and health, affecting both U.S. data policies and potentially influencing global research paradigms, including in countries like Thailand.

A policy review underway in the United States is reexamining federally funded human data repositories to determine whether gender identity descriptors should be included. The initiative aligns with an executive order to ensure data about individuals reflects their sex assigned at birth when appropriate. The move could shape research on gender and health and may influence data practices in other countries, including Thailand.

Experts caution that removing gender identity details from datasets could affect studies that seek to understand health disparities among transgender and gender-nonconforming people. A former director of the National Institute of Mental Health has warned that excluding these data points might hinder research aimed at supporting populations at higher risk of mental health challenges and suicide.

New research uncovers how the brain quietly governs pain, revealing a natural analgesic system that can dampen pain before it reaches our conscious mind. Central to this process is the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a brain region that can suppress pain signals and alter our experience of injury. This insight helps explain why some severely injured individuals—such as soldiers in past wars—felt little pain and points toward safer, non-opioid pain strategies.

Recent research into the brain’s natural mechanisms for managing pain reveals fascinating insights that could revolutionize the way we approach pain management. At the heart of this discovery is the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a brain region that plays a crucial role in suppressing pain even before it reaches our conscious awareness. This study explains why individuals with severe injuries, such as soldiers during WWII, sometimes feel little to no pain and opens potential pathways for non-opioid pain therapies.

A recent neuroimaging study in the journal Brain Sciences has highlighted intriguing differences in brain connectivity between action video gamers and non-gamers, sparking discussions on the cognitive impacts of video gaming. The research found that individuals who engage extensively in action video games, such as First-Person Shooters and Real-Time Strategy games, demonstrate enhanced functional and structural connectivity in the dorsal visual stream of their brains. This discovery provides a compelling look at how such gaming activities may influence brain function, emphasizing heightened functional connectivity between the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule—areas integral to processing spatial location and movement.

A recent study in Brain Sciences examines how frequent action gaming might shape brain networks. The researchers found that action gamers—such as players of first-person shooters and real-time strategy titles—exhibit stronger connections in the dorsal visual stream, which processes spatial location and movement. They also report improved communication between key regions, including the left superior occipital gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule.

In visual processing, two pathways handle different tasks. The dorsal stream answers “where” something is; the ventral stream answers “what” it is. The study’s lead author, a senior researcher, suggests that intensive spatial and coordination demands in action games could boost connectivity within these pathways.

A new study from leading U.S. universities finds a link between certain brain circuits and how intensely people engage in political activities. The research suggests that extreme expressions of political views may reflect neural pathways, not ideology alone, providing a fresh perspective on mind and behavior for Thai audiences.

Historically, scientists have noted connections between mental health factors and aggressive political actions, but the brain’s exact role was unclear. The latest findings, published in Brain, address this gap by examining neural circuits that may shape political actions.

In an extraordinary leap that defies once-held beliefs about the limits of brain research, scientists have successfully mapped the structure and captured the cellular activity of a cubic millimeter of a mouse’s brain. This advancement, which seemed impossible 46 years ago, is a testament to the rapid evolution of neuroscience. The endeavor, resulting in a staggering 1.6 petabytes of data—equivalent to 22 years of nonstop high-definition video—has been heralded as a significant milestone for future brain mapping projects, paving the way for even greater discoveries.

A recent investigation led by Harvard Medical School has uncovered a compelling link between repeated exposure to shock waves in military settings and hidden abnormalities in soldiers’ brains that could have long-term implications. This groundbreaking research sheds light on the invisible injuries sustained by elite soldiers, potentially redefining assessments and treatment protocols for brain trauma.

For Thailand, where military service is obligatory for many young men, these findings could prompt a re-evaluation of how we monitor and care for soldiers exposed to blast environments. The study involved 212 US special operations forces, both active and retired, who had a history of blast exposure. Researchers identified significant differences in the brain’s functional connectivity among those with high exposure to blasts compared to those with lesser exposure and healthy controls. Functional connectivity refers to how different brain regions communicate, and disruptions in this network were linked with more severe symptoms on neuropsychological tests, revealing problems often associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

A new study from a leading medical research center shows that repeated exposure to blast waves can alter brain networks in elite soldiers. The research highlights hidden injuries that may not show up on standard scans but are linked to memory problems, mood changes, and PTSD symptoms. This could influence how brain trauma is diagnosed and treated in the future.

The study followed 212 U.S. special operations veterans, active and retired, with a history of blast exposure. Researchers found significant differences in functional connectivity—the way brain regions communicate—in those with high blast exposure versus those with lower exposure and healthy controls. Disruptions in this network correlated with more severe scores on neuropsychological tests, pointing to risks commonly associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Northwestern University have discovered a significant connection between specific brain circuits and the intensity with which individuals engage in political activities. This revelation marks a vital step in understanding the neurological underpinnings of political behaviors, showing that intense ideological expression might be attributed to particular neural pathways rather than political ideology itself.

Historically, science has acknowledged the links between certain mental health disorders and aggressive political actions. However, the precise role the brain plays in these behaviors has remained largely unexplored. The latest study, published in the journal “Brain,” has addressed this gap by examining the neural circuits that potentially influence political actions.

A six-year study from a leading Canadian university indicates that older women who engage in a broad spectrum of social activities tend to consume more fruits and vegetables. The findings suggest social connectedness can influence healthy eating patterns, offering practical lessons for Thai communities seeking to improve nutrition among older adults.

In Thailand, where communal ties and family networks are central, social participation may reinforce healthy routines. Thai researchers and health professionals note that community clubs, religious gatherings, and intergenerational activities can provide structures that encourage regular meals, healthier food choices, and greater awareness of nutrition. Data from institutions evaluating aging and public health shows that social engagement correlates with improved dietary quality, particularly among women who balance caregiving, work, and social duties.

In a groundbreaking study by the University of British Columbia, researchers have unveiled that older Canadian women who engage in a variety of social activities tend to maintain higher diet quality, characterized by improved fruit and vegetable consumption. This study, considered a significant addition to understanding how social dynamics influence health, was conducted over six years using data from more than 30,000 adults as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. The findings highlight the importance of diverse social engagements in promoting healthier dietary habits among women, particularly those who might otherwise face isolation Neuroscience News.