News

Sex hormones, long renowned for their role in reproduction, are now emerging as pivotal players in brain health—a transformative insight redefining how scientists and doctors tackle neurological diseases. Recent research, highlighted in The New York Times, reveals that estrogen and related hormones are not just confined to “reproductive” functions; they actively shape brain structure, energy metabolism, inflammation, and cognitive aging. This new understanding promises to revolutionize the management and treatment of disorders such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and other conditions more common in women than men. For Thailand, where an aging society and rising rates of dementia threaten families and health systems, this knowledge offers hope—and opens new conversations about gender, medicine, and the future of brain care NYT.

Shoulder knots, those persistent bundles of tight muscles that plague office workers and the physically active alike, are back in the spotlight following a recent experiment by health journalist Alice Porter. Documented on Fit&Well, her personal exploration of a yoga routine specifically designed to target these knots has sparked renewed conversations around non-pharmaceutical and affordable solutions for muscular tension, especially relevant to Thai readers facing similar lifestyle challenges (Fit&Well article). Porter’s hands-on experience and the emerging research reaffirm a long-standing but often overlooked truth: targeted exercise and stretching can offer real benefits where massages or medications fall short.

A recent personal story published by Slate has reignited concerns about the increasing prevalence of digital surveillance within intimate relationships, raising red flags for families, mental health experts, and law enforcement in Thailand and globally. The piece describes a chilling incident in which a woman discovered her ex-partner had secretly placed a tracker in her bag, validating her family’s initial suspicions about controlling, unsafe behavior—a scenario that researchers caution is part of a much broader and worrisome trend.

A surge of recent research is casting new light on how adopting a heart-healthy diet can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health, prompting major public health organizations to emphasize the importance of home-cooked, nutritious meals. For Thai families just beginning their journey toward better heart health, practical resources like curated recipe guides have become vital in turning scientific advice into everyday action. The latest feature published by EatingWell, titled “You Just Started a Heart-Healthy Diet—Here Are 27 Recipes to Make First,” distills the latest research and global dietary recommendations into a comprehensive list of dishes for those committed to boosting their heart health right at home source.

A new study is shedding light on how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can best improve their balance—a vital concern for many living with this complex neurological disease. According to Turkish researchers, the most effective balance exercises for MS patients may vary depending on each individual’s specific difficulties, and a personalized approach could be crucial. These findings, published in the journal Neurological Research, promise to refine treatments and physical therapy strategies for over 2 million people worldwide living with MS—including thousands here in Thailand, where MS rates are on the rise, especially among younger adults and women.

A recent surge of research is affirming what many Thai families have intuitively known for generations—warm and affectionate mothering can have a profound, long-lasting impact on a child’s emotional development and future success. According to a summarized report from Good News Network, new scientific studies underscore that children who experience high levels of affectionate caregiving from their mothers are more likely to thrive emotionally and socially well into adulthood (Good News Network).

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has brought fresh insights to the growing popularity of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) among obese adults, raising important questions about how different HIIT protocols might influence energy metabolism after exercise (source). As Thailand continues to grapple with rising obesity rates and associated chronic health risks, this research offers timely guidance on designing effective exercise routines for lasting health benefits.

Obesity remains a pressing public health challenge in Thailand, with the Ministry of Public Health reporting that nearly one-third of Thai adults are classified as overweight or obese. For many, weight loss is a daunting goal, made even more complex by the need to not just burn calories during exercise, but to also keep the body’s metabolism elevated afterwards—a key factor in achieving and maintaining fat loss. The latest findings from this Scientific Reports study, therefore, are particularly relevant to Thai readers seeking realistic and efficient ways to improve their long-term health.

A recent research breakthrough suggests the most effective exercises for improving balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) should be carefully matched to each individual’s specific challenges, offering new hope for those struggling with everyday activities due to this debilitating condition. The study, published in Neurological Research and summarized by Multiple Sclerosis News Today, could change the way both patients and healthcare professionals in Thailand think about MS rehabilitation and underscores the importance of personalized care for Thai MS patients coping with similar symptoms (source).

Groundbreaking research published this month in Nature Communications has upended a long-standing assumption in neuroscience: contrary to the traditional view, our visual cortex doesn’t act as a passive camera that merely records the world for later analysis. Instead, it actively tunes how we see, adjusting perception in real time to align with what we’re trying to do at any given moment. This insight, highlighted in a recent article by MedicalXpress, provides a vivid new understanding of how our brains flexibly interpret the world depending on our current objectives—whether that means preparing a winter stew or hosting a Super Bowl party, as the study’s lead author, Dr. Nuttida Rungratsameetaweemana, describes in a relatable example (source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-purpose-visual-cortex-tunes-perception.html).

A recent clash between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has brought renewed global attention to mental health policymaking, highlighting debates that resonate far beyond the U.S.—including here in Thailand. Mayor Adams sharply criticized Williams’ newly proposed plan to address the city’s escalating mental health crisis, blasting it as “neglectful” and insufficient because it relies heavily on the creation of additional administrative panels and bureaucratic structures. This high-profile dispute offers Thai readers a timely lens to examine our own approaches to national mental health challenges and bureaucratic reform.

In a bold move to address the growing mental health needs among young people, Ohio has announced the statewide expansion of its Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program, bringing rapid, on-the-ground mental health support to youth in crisis across all 88 counties. Governor Mike DeWine made the announcement at Hopewell Elementary School in Dublin City Schools, highlighting the urgency of providing immediate help to children and adolescents experiencing mental, emotional, or behavioral distress. “MRSS is one of the most important tools we have at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively when a child is experiencing a crisis,” Governor DeWine explained, underscoring the initiative’s potential to protect and empower the state’s youth population (10tv.com).

In the digital age, Thai parents are bombarded with advice about using parental controls, but new research and expert consensus confirm an unsettling truth: no matter how diligent parents are, technology’s current safeguards fall short of genuinely protecting children online. This reality, revealed by recent studies and policy debates, underscores a growing call for government and industry accountability, echoing urgent lessons from the United States that resonate strongly with Thailand’s increasingly tech-centric society (Inquirer).

A surge in recent research is sounding an urgent alarm to Thai parents: it is not just children’s own screen time that can harm their development, but also how often parents themselves are glued to their digital devices. As smartphones and tablets become inextricable from daily life in Thailand—from bustling กรุงเทพฯ streets to the smallest rural communities—experts now warn that “technoference,” or digital interference in parent-child relationships, can have profound consequences for children’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth (The Dispatch; NCBI; Springer).

A wave of outrage has erupted across the autism community in response to recent statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed that “autism destroys families” and characterized the condition as a societal burden. Parents and advocates have taken to the airwaves and social media to reject Kennedy’s portrayal of autism, demanding a shift in narrative toward acceptance and inclusion rather than stigma and despair. As families in Thailand and around the world contend with increasing autism diagnoses, this controversy highlights the ongoing struggle over how society perceives and supports individuals on the autism spectrum.

A major new study has brought to light an enduring problem both globally and in Thailand: despite the growing influence of neuroscience in education, persistent misconceptions—so-called “neuromyths”—continue to misinform the way teachers, especially those in early childhood education, understand and apply brain science in their classrooms. The research, published on April 22, 2025, surveyed over 520 early childhood educators in Australia, revealing that many still believe debunked ideas, such as the necessity of catering to “learning styles” or the notion that students are either “left-brained” or “right-brained” thinkers. Experts warn these myths are not just harmless misunderstandings, but may actively undermine effective teaching and learning—an issue with clear implications for Thai educators and policymakers ScienceAlert.

A groundbreaking initiative out of the University of Virginia is shedding new light on how tailored exercise and nutrition interventions can significantly ease menopausal symptoms, offering a practical alternative—or complement—to medication for many women. The research, detailed in a recent University of Virginia news release, comes at a crucial time when menopause is being discussed more openly, but many women still face anxiety, confusion, and debilitating symptoms as they navigate this transitional stage of life. With an estimated 8 million women in Thailand either entering or passing through menopause each year, these findings arrive with substantial relevance for Thai society (source).

Plums, the vibrant and juicy stone fruit, have surged into the spotlight for their impressive health benefits, capturing the attention of both nutrition experts and fruit-lovers worldwide. A recent article published by USA Today, synthesizing expert opinion with emerging science, confirms that plums pack a nutritional punch—but also poses the question: Is it wise to eat them every single day? The answer is nuanced and highly relevant, especially for health-conscious Thai readers seeking to diversify their diet with nature’s offerings (USA Today).

A growing digital crisis is sweeping across the United States and capturing global attention: the rise of pornography addiction and its complex impact on mental health and social wellbeing. Recent research, echoed in an April 2025 report by WWMT in Michigan, highlights how excessive consumption of online pornography is not just a matter of individual choice—it is evolving into a public health concern with serious personal and societal consequences. The phenomenon is increasingly relevant in Thailand, where digital access is rapidly expanding and patterns of media consumption mirror global trends.

As the annual tick season approaches in North America, a rare but dangerous virus is attracting mounting attention: Powassan virus. While this tick-borne illness remains uncommon, recent research and rising case reports point to growing concerns that reverberate beyond Western borders—and carry valuable warnings for Thailand as well.

Powassan virus, primarily transmitted by blacklegged ticks, has been recognized as one of the most serious tick-borne diseases in the United States, despite its rarity. Last year, Minnesota reported a record 14 cases, the highest count since 2008 when official recordkeeping began. According to Minnesota Department of Health data, while most years saw fewer than five cases, a slow but concerning uptick has prompted both local and national action. “The risks are relatively low, however, all the tick prevention that you would do to keep yourself from getting one of those more common diseases will also help keep you safe from getting Powassan,” Elizabeth Schiffman, an epidemiologist supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Health, emphasized in a recent interview (Star Tribune).

A recent wave of scrutiny has descended upon PrimeBiome, a widely advertised probiotic supplement, as an in-depth investigation gathered and tested over 2,000 user reviews in 2025 to shed light on consumer complaints and actual efficacy. The findings, published in a GlobeNewswire feature PrimeBiome Complaints Investigated: 2025 User Reviews Tested & Verified, are resonating across global health circles, sparking renewed discussion about supplement standards, user expectations, and the science behind probiotics—a topic of increasing importance in Thailand’s expanding wellness market.

A new study published in the journal Obesity Science and Practice suggests that increasing protein and fiber intake, alongside moderate calorie restriction, may be the most effective combination for weight loss—a message with particular relevance for health-conscious Thais seeking balanced approaches to managing their weight. Conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the study offers concrete recommendations on how much protein and fiber to consume for maximum results, adding much-needed clarity to a field often clouded by contradictory diet advice (AOL News).

The right amount of protein for muscle building—long a debated topic among athletes and health enthusiasts—has become clearer thanks to a wave of recent international studies. New research, echoed in a recent feature from NDTV, is helping Thai readers cut through myths and expensive supplement marketing in pursuit of real gains from both diet and exercise. So, exactly how much protein do you need, and does it matter whether it comes from animal or plant sources? And crucially, are Thais consuming protein the right way for both muscle and overall health?

A new wave of research and expert-backed advice is making heart-healthy eating more accessible—and delicious—than ever for busy families, with a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of home-cooked, nutrient-rich meals. As highlighted in the recently published article, “Quick Heart-Healthy Dinners the Whole Family Will Love (Weekly Plan & Shopping List!)” from EatingWell, simple weeknight dinners built around fresh vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats can meaningfully reduce the risk of heart disease for all ages (EatingWell).

Romanian deadlifts (RDLs) are gaining recognition as a “magic exercise” for golfers seeking to boost their performance, balance strength, and reduce injury risk, according to a recent Golf Digest article featuring expert guidance from certified fitness trainer Jonathan Avalos. As golf continues to surge in popularity throughout Thailand—especially among younger generations and retirees—exercises that combine efficiency, versatility, and injury prevention are becoming ever more relevant. For Thai golf enthusiasts and coaches looking to sharpen their physical game, RDLs offer benefits that extend beyond the fairways and into everyday life.