News

A wave of new research is questioning long-held beliefs about the importance of cooling down after exercise, suggesting that its physiological necessity may be overstated for most people. While personal trainers and fitness routines in Thailand and around the world have long emphasized the cool-down as a key component of any workout, recent evidence shows its benefits might be more limited than commonly assumed, prompting a shift in how fitness enthusiasts and everyday Thais might approach their exercise routines (New York Times, 2025).

A new study published in The Lancet has shed light on the powerful neuroprotective effects of regular exercise, highlighting its vital role in promoting healthy brain ageing and potentially reducing the risk of dementia and other cognitive diseases. The findings are of particular significance for Thai readers, as Thailand faces an ageing society with rising concerns over brain health and dementia rates among older adults.

With Thailand’s population shifting rapidly towards the elderly—projections estimate that over 20% of Thais will be aged 60 or over by 2025—the burden of age-associated cognitive decline has become a pressing issue for families and the healthcare system alike. The newly published research underscores the importance of fitness, adding scientific weight to long-standing folk wisdom encouraging an active lifestyle for “kaeng raeng”—robust health. The study, titled “Neuroprotective mechanisms of exercise and the importance of fitness for healthy brain ageing,” explains that physical activity goes beyond maintaining muscle and heart health: it triggers specific molecular and cellular mechanisms that directly protect brain tissue from age-related degeneration.

A newborn’s struggle for life following a circumcision “gone awry” at a leading New York medical center has sparked renewed scrutiny of the risks associated with a procedure widely considered routine. The case, which left the infant battling catastrophic bleeding, multiple organ failures, and significant trauma, has resurfaced critical questions for Thai families and health professionals about circumcision safety, especially for babies with underlying medical conditions.

According to an investigative report in The Independent, a baby boy born with congenital cardiac issues at New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital suffered extensive complications hours after his circumcision. While initially deemed one of the healthiest infants in the neonatal intensive care unit following successful cardiac intervention, the infant’s fortunes turned after the standard surgical removal of his foreskin. Within hours, his diaper was found saturated with blood, urine, and stool, foreshadowing what would become a life-threatening cascade of medical crises (The Independent). Medical teams fought for hours to stanch the bleeding, but the scale of blood loss—equivalent to roughly half the infant’s total supply—prompted seizures, kidney and liver damage, and ultimately necessitated urgent transfusions and repeated surgical interventions to remove damaged sections of his intestines.

A groundbreaking new study has found that taking prebiotic fiber supplements can significantly enhance cognitive function in adults over the age of 60, raising hopes for improved quality of life and longevity in Thailand’s rapidly aging society. Published in the respected journal Nature Communications, the research shows that a daily routine of certain fiber supplements led to better performance on memory and learning tests after just 12 weeks—a revelation with far-reaching implications for both public health and personal lifestyle choices among older Thais (AOL Health News; Good Housekeeping).

A groundbreaking new study from the University of Michigan has found that a single dose of a novel psychedelic compound can produce weeks-long improvements in brain flexibility—a finding that could pave the way for innovative therapies targeting depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative diseases. Using advanced research techniques on laboratory mice, scientists observed that the psychedelic 25CN-NBOH not only changed behavior in the short term but led to sustained cognitive enhancements, suggesting a fundamental shift in our understanding of how these substances might promote long-term brain health (Neuroscience News).

A growing body of psychological research is shining a spotlight on “reparenting”—a compassionate approach to healing childhood wounds that continue to influence our adult lives. According to a recent feature by CNN, mental health professionals describe reparenting as the process of identifying and nurturing the parts of oneself that suffered unmet emotional needs as a child, learning to respond with the warmth and boundaries of an attentive caregiver. This therapeutic trend is gaining traction worldwide, including in Thailand, as more people recognize the long-term impact of early emotional experiences on their mental wellbeing.

In a compelling new development that challenges popular notions of physical health, a Harvard University professor’s book asserts that humans may actually be evolutionarily built for sitting, rather than for long-distance running or relentless physical activity. This argument, summarized in a recent summary report, invites readers to reconsider ingrained beliefs—particularly the now-infamous comparison that “sitting is the new smoking”—and urges a reassessment of how we live, work, and exercise in modern society source.

In a historic breakthrough, scientists have finally confirmed a 67-year-old hypothesis about vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, radically advancing our understanding of how this crucial vitamin works in the human body. This finding not only settles a decades-old scientific debate but also unlocks new possibilities for eco-friendly chemical production, with potential impact reaching far beyond the laboratory.

The story of this discovery begins in 1958, when a chemist from Columbia University theorized that vitamin B1 might perform its vital metabolic functions through the formation of an elusive molecular structure called a carbene. Carbenes are notoriously unstable and tend to decompose instantly in aqueous (water-based) environments like the human body, making the hypothesis seem improbable for more than half a century. For years, the idea was dismissed as “crazy,” as quoted by Vincent Lavallo, a chemist at the University of California, Riverside, who led the recent research that validated this bold proposal.

In a development that could rewrite neuroscience textbooks, researchers have identified a specific brain region believed to be central to human consciousness, offering new hope for brain injury patients and transforming how medicine, law, and education understand the mind. This groundbreaking discovery, led by an international team of neuroscientists and reported in a recent Earth.com article, marks a critical step in unraveling one of science’s deepest mysteries: where and how consciousness arises in the human brain Earth.com.

A wave of new research is upending long-held beliefs about the “feel-good” brain chemical serotonin, suggesting its roles in everyday decision-making are far more intricate than previously thought. A recent article from MedicalXpress spotlights studies unveiling a complex serotonin system, revealing dynamic activity patterns that could revolutionize how scientists—and potentially clinicians—approach human behavior, mental health, and treatment strategies MedicalXpress.

For decades, serotonin has been popularized as a simple chemical messenger regulating mood, with its influence on happiness, depression, and anxiety immortalized in everything from health textbooks to Thai social media memes. In Thailand, where mental health awareness campaigns are gaining momentum and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remain a first-line treatment for depression, understanding how serotonin truly affects everyday choices has wide-ranging implications. Scientific dogma once held that serotonin’s main function was to broadcast a basic reward or punishment signal, essentially nudging people toward or away from certain actions.

A groundbreaking new study suggests that low-intensity focused ultrasound, a noninvasive sound wave therapy, can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—offering a promising treatment avenue for Thais grappling with mental health challenges. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School have demonstrated that this innovative brain therapy, which precisely targets the amygdala deep within the brain, leads to marked symptom improvements within just three weeks, all without the need for drugs or surgery. The findings, published in the prominent journal Molecular Psychiatry, may quickly gain attention in Thailand, where mental health needs often outpace the capacity of the country’s counseling and psychiatric services (Neuroscience News).

Thai women who survive cancer may face a double burden in their recovery, with new international research indicating they are more likely than men to experience ongoing fatigue and depression. According to recent findings discussed in a NBC News report, female cancer survivors report higher rates of these debilitating symptoms after treatment, highlighting a significant gender gap in cancer survivorship experiences.

The significance of this research resonates deeply in Thailand, where thousands of women each year survive cancers such as breast, cervical, and colon cancer, but then battle lingering health effects. The study underscores that while medical breakthroughs have improved survival rates dramatically in recent years, quality of life after cancer remains a pressing issue, especially for women. Thai public health authorities and patient support organizations have long noted that post-cancer symptoms, including chronic tiredness and emotional struggles, are under-addressed in post-treatment care.

In a lighthearted yet scientifically grounded twist on healthy ageing, the global spotlight recently turned to “fart walks”—a playful term for post-meal strolls—after a medical doctor publicly endorsed their benefits for older adults. The latest buzz, sparked by social media and supported by emerging research, suggests that a simple after-dinner walk may hold surprising advantages for digestion, blood sugar control, and chronic disease prevention, raising questions about how everyday movement could help Thai society address the nation’s rapidly ageing population.

A viral push-up challenge has reignited debate over universal fitness advice as health influencers and social media personalities continue to promote “one-size-fits-all” approaches that oversimplify individual needs. The latest flashpoint centers on an 11 push-ups benchmark for women—an arbitrary fitness goal that has gained traction across platforms like TikTok but is raising concerns among exercise scientists and registered dietitians.

Recently, an orthopedic surgeon and prominent health influencer appeared on a well-known self-help podcast, declaring that every woman should be able to perform 11 standard push-ups (not the so-called “girl push-ups” on knees). The pronouncement sparked a wave of online responses, with women documenting either their success in completing the challenge or their struggles to meet the standard. The viral moment highlights society’s fascination with clear, quantifiable measures of health—even when such goals lack personal nuance or scientific flexibility (Vox).

A quirky new fitness trend dubbed “fart walks” is making waves in the healthcare community, with experts citing this everyday activity as a surprisingly effective strategy for promoting longevity and well-being among older adults. The trend rose to prominence after a UK physician’s playful suggestion went viral, sparking both curiosity and renewed discussion about the role of low-intensity movement in preserving health throughout the ageing process.

So what exactly is a “fart walk”? The term, coined humorously by a British medical professional, simply refers to a short, easy walk—often after meals, but really at any convenient moment—with no set pace, duration, or destination required. The name alludes to the natural digestive process that can occur during gentle movement, but the benefits go far beyond gastrointestinal relief.

A new wave of research and expert analysis is challenging the widespread notion that taking 10,000 steps a day is the “gold standard” for health. For many Thais tracking their daily movement with fitness apps and smartwatches, this benchmark guides their routines, but emerging evidence recommends a more nuanced, personalised approach to daily activity — with broader implications for well-being and chronic disease prevention in Thailand.

The idea of 10,000 steps a day has permeated public consciousness worldwide, including in Thailand, particularly since the proliferation of affordable pedometers and health-tracking smart devices. But what does the science say? And is this number a magical threshold, or just a helpful starting point? According to experts interviewed in a recent CNET feature, the reality involves history, marketing, and evolving research on movement and mortality (CNET).

A recent advice column published in Slate has ignited a nationwide conversation on adolescent privacy, focusing on the contentious issue of whether children and teens should be permitted to lock their bedroom doors at home. The column, titled “My Husband Doesn’t Want to Allow Our Daughter to Lock Her Door. But I Think She Might Have a Good Reason,” depicts a family conflict where parental attitudes about privacy and safety clash, raising complex questions about child development and family dynamics.

The latest nutrition research highlights a crucial truth for women in their 40s: changing what—and how—they eat is not just about looking younger, but about protecting long-term health as their bodies undergo profound hormonal shifts. With menopause often beginning between ages 45 and 55, experts are urging Thai women to proactively adjust their diets to address new risks such as bone loss, heart disease, and changing nutritional needs—a message that comes as fad diets and “anti-aging” trends often dominate conversations around midlife women’s health.

In the age of ever-evolving fitness trends and costly gym memberships, new research and expert insights point to a simple, accessible, and highly effective fat-burning strategy: walking, particularly done briskly and with intention. This daily habit, long undervalued amid high-intensity workout regimens, is now championed by health coaches and scientists alike for its remarkable ability to burn fat, boost metabolism, and improve health—no fancy equipment, gym contract, or punishing exercise routines required. For Thai readers seeking practical ways to improve health in everyday life, this evidence-based approach may be among the most impactful lifestyle adaptations available.

A newly spotlighted bacterial toxin, colibactin—produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli)—may be fueling the worrying surge in bowel cancer among younger adults, according to groundbreaking research published in the journal Nature this April. With diagnoses of bowel cancer in individuals under age 50 rising sharply, experts are racing to unravel the factors behind this unexplained trend, which also affects Thai society as local incidence rates climb and public concern increases.

Ambitions for elite college admissions are casting long shadows over the aspirations of both Thai students and their parents, reigniting questions about competitiveness, parental expectations, and the emotional well-being of accomplished teens. Recent commentary published by The Washington Post highlights a growing anxiety among parents whose children excel academically yet may not reach the pinnacle of admissions success, raising concerns about the psychological impact on families navigating today’s rapidly shifting educational landscape [Washington Post].

A surge of scientific research in 2024 is intensifying fears that Campylobacter, a bacterium commonly found in undercooked chicken, may be fueling a global epidemic of colon cancer—particularly among younger adults. Newly published findings show that infections caused by this foodborne pathogen not only trigger stomach illness but might also accelerate the onset and spread of deadly colorectal tumors, according to leading researchers. As Thailand grapples with rising cases of both campylobacteriosis and early-onset colon cancer, these revelations could reshape food safety policy and public health strategies nationwide.

A recent systematic review published in the journal “Frontiers in Psychology” highlights the promising effects of exercise interventions in improving attention among individuals living with depression, offering renewed hope for millions battling not only mood symptoms but also cognitive challenges associated with the disorder. The review, titled “The intervention effect of exercise on the attention of patients with depression: a systematic review,” synthesizes current research findings indicating that physical activity can deliver significant cognitive benefits, particularly in the realm of attention — a critical area often affected in depressive illnesses. This emerging evidence expands the understanding of exercise as more than a mood booster, pointing to its potential role in restoring vital daily functioning for those affected by depression. Source: Frontiers in Psychology

A rapidly spreading psychological insight is capturing the attention of mental health professionals: a newly endorsed visualization exercise, easily performed in just five minutes, has been shown to dramatically reduce stress levels. The psychological technique, highlighted in a recent study discussed by Inc.com, requires nothing more than a few quiet minutes and the power of imagination—promising a potent, accessible remedy for the pressures of modern life for Thais and people around the globe alike (Inc.com).