News

A recent global study has raised alarm about the widespread use of phthalates—common chemicals found in everyday plastics—linking them to hundreds of thousands of heart disease deaths worldwide. The research, published this week in the journal eBioMedicine by a team at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, estimates that in 2018, phthalate exposure contributed to 350,000 cardiovascular deaths, particularly among adults aged 55 to 64 years old. This translates to approximately 13% of heart disease deaths in that age group, underscoring the potential public health threat posed by chemicals commonly used in food packaging, toiletries, toys, and household products [NYTimes].

A groundbreaking study from South Korea has provided robust new evidence that maintaining or boosting exercise levels over time can significantly reduce the risk and severity of depression—a finding with powerful implications for mental health policies across Thailand. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the research followed nearly four million adults over several years, revealing that people who stayed active or increased their activity reported fewer depressive symptoms and lower rates of clinical depression. This comprehensive investigation sheds new light on how consistent physical movement is not just a physical health booster but also a crucial pillar for mental well-being (PsyPost).

The formative years from age 5 to 12—often referred to as “middle childhood”—are gaining critical attention in new research, pushing back against long-standing misconceptions that these years are merely a pause between the milestones of early childhood and adolescence. Recent analyses, highlighted by scholars and major health organizations, are reframing this period as a dynamic stage that lays the foundation for lifelong mental, academic, and social well-being [Psychology Today].

Long viewed as a “waiting room” in both scientific literature and public perception, the years between 5 and 12 have not received the same focus as the “first 1,000 days” or the dramatic changes of adolescence. Yet, experts now warn this oversight could be costing societies dearly, especially as recent studies have detailed how brain development, emotional regulation, cognitive skills, and social habits solidify during these so-called “quiet years”. For families and educators in Thailand—where cultural values emphasize respectful quietude and conformity in young students—such findings are especially significant.

A new wave of scientific research is shining light on morning routines, emphasizing how specific habits can help children become not only healthier but also cognitively sharper. Parents and educators in Thailand are paying close attention to this trend, as recent global discussions—sparked by features such as “10 morning habits that make kids smarter,” highlighted by international platforms like the Times of India—reveal practical strategies that could be easily integrated into daily family life to foster intelligence and academic success.

A new wave of scientific concern is sweeping the globe after researchers found a strong association between consuming ultra-processed foods and a shortened lifespan, according to a recent study highlighted in Prevention magazine. The findings, reported earlier this year, reinforce mounting evidence that diets high in heavily processed foods—such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals—could be taking tangible years off people’s lives, raising urgent public health questions for Thailand and beyond.

A social media fitness influencer with over five million followers has ignited a widespread controversy after publicly sharing that her recent weight loss success involved the use of a GLP-1 class medication, commonly known by names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. The disclosure, made in a YouTube video titled “Let’s talk: Therapy, GLP-1 & The Truth About My Recent Weight Loss,” has set off heated discussions about transparency, ethical responsibility, and the realities of the online wellness industry.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued urgent new recommendations aimed at stopping the dangerous trend of “medicalized” female genital mutilation (FGM) and ensuring robust support for women and girls who have undergone the practice, according to a recent release. This latest guidance, announced on April 28, 2025, is seen as a pivotal step in the global fight to eradicate FGM, a deeply harmful practice affecting millions worldwide.

FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, poses severe health risks and violates fundamental human rights. In response to mounting evidence that a growing share of FGM procedures are now performed by healthcare professionals—a process known as “medicalization”—the WHO is calling for stricter measures to discourage this troubling shift while intensifying care for survivors.

With a growing number of people spending long hours seated for work or study, health specialists worldwide are sounding the alarm about the hidden dangers of modern sedentary habits. According to recent expert analysis, the gluteal muscles—the group of three muscles located in the buttocks—are emerging as the most vital, yet overlooked, muscle group to strengthen, especially for those who spend much of their day sitting. This advice is gaining considerable attention among physical therapists and fitness authorities, including a prominent physical therapist cited in Fit&Well, who emphasizes the significant health consequences of weak glutes for both daily function and long-term wellbeing (Fit&Well).

A new study has found that humans’ wounds heal significantly more slowly than those of other mammals, raising intriguing questions about our biology and evolutionary trade-offs. The research, recently profiled by The New York Times, has major implications for medicine and health, especially for Thailand’s ageing population and those managing chronic health conditions.

The discovery comes from a comparative investigation into the healing rates of skin wounds in humans versus other mammalian species, using both laboratory models and clinical data. According to the report, researchers found that while most mammals—such as mice, pigs, and dogs—heal wounds within days or weeks, similar injuries in humans often require much longer timeframes. This discrepancy holds true even when accounting for differences in body size, environmental factors, and medical intervention.

Walking may seem like an unremarkable part of daily life in Thailand, from commutes on skywalks in the heart of Bangkok to strolls through night markets or temple grounds. But recent research suggests this simple activity, especially brisk walking, delivers powerful fat-burning and health benefits—often rivalling more intense gym workouts and offering a practical solution for millions of Thais who may not have access to fitness facilities or prefer a more natural approach to health.

A groundbreaking new study has found that increasing daily walking activity may extend life expectancy by more than a decade—a revelation that could transform how Thais approach everyday health and longevity. Published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, this research analyzed millions of steps by adults over age 40 and revealed that those with the most active lifestyles could live up to 11 years longer than their least active counterparts. The findings arrive at a moment when Thailand, like much of the world, faces rising rates of chronic diseases associated with sedentary living.

New research reveals that even low-intensity exercises such as stretching and gentle movement can meaningfully delay cognitive decline among older adults—including those at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The findings, based on the EXERT study, represent the most compelling evidence yet that physical activity of any intensity may help preserve memory and thinking skills, offering vital hope to Thailand’s rapidly aging population and their families (AOL; ScienceDaily; EXERT clinical summary).

A new systematic review puts physical exercise in the spotlight as a powerful tool to enhance attention in individuals battling depression, shedding light on an often-overlooked pathway to improving mental health and everyday functioning. The latest research, published recently in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology, systematically examined the impact of various exercise interventions on attentional performance in patients diagnosed with depression, drawing from global data sources to present an up-to-date picture of the topic (Frontiers in Psychology, 2025).

New research suggests that regular exercise may significantly improve sleep quality among women struggling with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), offering a promising, accessible intervention for a condition that affects millions worldwide. The findings, reported by Medical Xpress, spotlight the potential for physical activity to offer relief where standard treatments may fall short, especially for Thai women navigating trauma-induced sleep disturbances amid limited mental health resources.

PTSD is a serious psychiatric disorder triggered by exposure to traumatic events and is marked by distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and chronic sleep issues. Within Thailand, rates of PTSD have surged in recent years due to factors like domestic violence, road accidents, and exposure to crisis situations including the southern insurgency or natural disasters. Sleep problems are especially prevalent and can exacerbate other mental health and physical ailments, making this new research particularly relevant to Thai healthcare professionals and sufferers alike.

A new wave of research is shedding light on the subtle psychological techniques marketers use to influence our daily spending decisions—tactics so powerful that they can lead consumers to buy things they never truly wanted or needed. Drawing on the latest insights from psychology, this investigation reveals how neuromarketing manipulates perception, emotion, and judgment to shape shopping habits, with implications that extend deeply into the Thai retail landscape and the lives of local consumers.

A recent feature on Yahoo News has sparked a widespread discussion on the impact of family habits, highlighting new research into how routines adopted from parents can significantly enhance quality of life in adulthood. The roundup, “People Are Sharing The Habits They Adopted From Their Parents That Actually Make Their Lives So Much Better,” collates candid testimonials and scientific insights, underscoring the profound, lasting influence of childhood habits on health, productivity, and overall happiness. This renewed focus on intergenerational well-being carries deep significance in Thai households, where family traditions remain at the heart of daily life.

A new wave of psychological research has highlighted the surprising effectiveness of a five-minute visualization exercise for quickly lowering stress, providing a compelling case for this practical tool amidst growing anxiety in modern society. The findings have resonated internationally, triggering fresh conversations in Thailand among educators and health professionals looking for accessible ways to address surging stress levels, especially among students and office workers.

In a world increasingly fixated on productivity and marred by relentless digital noise, Thai people face mounting stress—sometimes with severe consequences for both mental and physical health. Chronic stress is linked to a spectrum of issues including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and weakened immune function, as affirmed by global health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Thai Department of Mental Health source. The search for safe, effective, and rapid stress management techniques has therefore become a matter of urgency, both in academic settings and the general community.

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications reveals that the key to success in complex environments is not rigid adherence to instinct or imitation, but flexibility in learning—blending social and individual strategies as circumstances require. The research, leveraging the video game Minecraft as a sophisticated simulation platform, provides fresh insights into how humans dynamically adapt their approach to challenges, offering profound implications for education, cognitive science, and social development.

For Thai readers, the findings are especially significant as Thailand modernizes its education system and workplace culture, aiming to cultivate 21st-century skills. Rapid changes driven by digital transformation and social connectivity make adaptability more essential than ever. This new evidence underscores the value of teaching students and workers to toggle between learning from personal experience and absorbing cues from peers—a balance that could power both academic and workplace achievement in Thai society.

A new wave of research out of Florida State University suggests that regular aerobic exercise could offer a protective buffer against some of the long-term health risks caused by heavy drinking habits in young adulthood—a finding that may resonate with university students and recent graduates across Thailand and globally. Presented at the American Physiological Society’s 2025 annual conference in Baltimore, this pioneering work shines a nuanced light on the role that physical activity may play in mitigating some of the damage from youthful nights of excess, especially during the formative years often marked by college parties and celebrations.

Silent but persistent, hidden stress is increasingly recognized by global health experts as a widespread, insidious factor that can cut lives short—even among those who may seem to function well on the surface. Recent coverage in The Times of India highlights how subtle symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained aches, emotional numbness, forgetfulness, and persistent junk food cravings may signal chronic stress, which in turn fuels a cascade of serious health issues, from cardiovascular disease to early cognitive decline. For Thai readers, understanding these warning signs could be critical in preventing long-term health consequences in a rapidly changing, high-pressure society.

A growing number of busy Thais, seeking fast and nutritious breakfasts, are wondering if liquid eggs found on supermarket shelves are as healthy as their shell-bound counterparts. Fresh insights from registered dietitians, as detailed in a recent feature by Today.com, clarify the nutritional similarities, health benefits, and trade-offs of choosing between liquid pasteurized eggs and traditional eggs — an important consideration as egg prices and convenience influence shopping decisions in Thailand and globally (Today.com).

Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts turn to massage as their primary recovery strategy after a hard workout, convinced it aids muscle recovery and removes lactic acid from their bodies. However, recent research reveals that while massages do offer real relief, the underlying reasons might differ from what most people—both in Thailand and around the world—have long believed.

The new insights, featured in a recent article by The New York Times and supported by emerging scientific literature, highlight that massage can make you feel noticeably better following strenuous physical activity. Its main benefit, however, appears to be more psychological than physiological. Despite the prevalence of massage stations at running events and the booming sales of massage guns from popular companies, robust scientific evidence supporting claims of accelerated muscle recovery or lactic acid ‘flushing’ is weak at best. As shared by a professor of exercise science at Australian Catholic University, “If you talk to athletes, massage is one of their favorite recovery strategies…because it feels good…[but] most of the purported physiological benefits of massage aren’t backed by strong evidence” (The New York Times).

A new study by neuroscientists has provided the most detailed picture yet of how children’s brains function differently when reading physical books compared to viewing stories on screens, with important implications for educational strategies in Thailand and worldwide. According to research highlighted in a recent PsyPost report, distinct neural responses are triggered in young children during traditional book reading versus screen-based engagement—a finding raising vital concerns as digital devices become ubiquitous in both homes and classrooms.

A new spin on gut-friendly eating is capturing attention worldwide, thanks to a registered dietitian’s creation of an “ancestral” alternative to the popular Mediterranean diet. Highlighted recently in a feature by Business Insider, this novel approach emphasizes simplicity, balanced nutrition, and evidence-based recipes designed to promote digestive health—a topic of growing significance for Thai readers in the wake of increasing concern over chronic gastrointestinal issues and the broader quest for well-being (Business Insider).