News

A new protein bar called David, led by entrepreneurs behind RXBar and a keto cookie startup, has become the latest sensation in the ever-expanding world of functional snacks. Marketed as the ultimate high-protein, low-calorie bar and championed by prominent longevity influencers, the product has rapidly sold millions of dollars’ worth and even prompted legal skirmishes over its proprietary ingredients. But as the “protein arms race” intensifies—marked by social media frenzies and record-breaking investor interest—nutrition experts are questioning whether this surge is driven more by viral marketing than actual health needs. For Thai consumers and businesses, this trend signals both opportunity and caution amid changing dietary habits across the region.

Tripadvisor has released its hotly anticipated annual Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do for 2025, highlighting the world’s highest-rated attractions and tours, and putting popular “tourist traps” to the test of public opinion. Drawing on millions of reviews from a global community of travellers, the list reveals which iconic and off-the-beaten-path experiences are truly worth travellers’ time and money. For Thai readers keen on travel overseas or looking to understand how Thailand stacks up in global rankings, this year’s results offer both inspiration and food for thought.

A growing body of psychological research is illuminating why many people over 65 experience depression after retirement, raising questions about the social, emotional, and structural factors affecting Thailand’s rapidly aging population. While the end of a career is often portrayed as a joyous transition into leisure, recent findings suggest that the journey into retirement can be fraught with unexpected emotional challenges—particularly for those with fewer support networks or limited daily structure.

US health officials have launched a major crackdown on kratom-related products, targeting an opioid-like compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine—often called “7-OH”—after a surge of complaints from the dietary supplement industry and growing safety concerns among regulators and medical experts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced its intention to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it on par with substances like LSD and heroin, and recommending a nationwide ban pending Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) review (WBRZ; Yahoo News; FDA).

A novel study has uncovered an innovative “time travel” technique capable of reviving fading memories, potentially revolutionizing how students, professionals, and aging populations in Thailand and worldwide approach memory retention. Published on Monday, July 28, 2025, in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the research demonstrates that deliberately recalling the emotions and thoughts from the original moment of memory creation can substantially restore memories that would otherwise deteriorate over time. This method, described by the study’s scientists as “mental time travel,” has already garnered attention for its applicability far beyond laboratory settings, holding promise for everyone from Thai university students facing high-stakes exams to elderly Thais seeking to sustain cognitive health in their later years (livescience.com).

A recent investigative piece, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” by Bonnie Schell, published on Mad in America, is reigniting discussion about how modern societies—particularly the United States—manage visibly unhoused and mentally ill populations. The article, released on July 28, 2025, details not only current US policies involving forced removals of homeless encampments but also traces the roots of these actions to a centuries-old history of social segregation, institutionalization, and medicalization. For Thai readers, this global narrative fuels reflection on how societies—perhaps even Thailand itself—balance public order, health, policy ethics, and human dignity.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that aging does not unfold as a gentle, continuous decline, but instead accelerates in sharp bursts—especially around the age of 50—while different organs in the body age at dramatically different speeds. The research, published by a team led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and reported by ZME Science, offers the most detailed biological map yet of how tissues degrade over time, upending long-held assumptions about human aging and offering promising leads for future interventions (zmescience.com).

A brisk walk of just 15 minutes a day may be the key to longer life and better health, according to a wave of new research into one of the world’s most accessible forms of exercise. In a series of recent studies drawing global attention—including coverage by Time Magazine—scientists have shown that walking, already praised in Thai culture for promoting well-being, delivers even more benefits when done at a faster pace, offering a practical prescription for health that fits both urban and rural Thai lifestyles.

A fresh wave of fitness advice is sweeping across the world – and it could soon change the way Thais approach upper-body workouts. According to recent research led by a respected sports scientist and strength coach, endless push-ups may not be the secret to a strong upper body. Instead, simply performing chin-ups and dips could be all you ever need for well-rounded upper-body strength, offering a more focused and efficient path to fitness (Tom’s Guide).

A wave of new guidance is helping parents across the globe, including in Thailand, understand how best to support their children’s emotional lives—without falling into the pitfalls of toxic positivity or feeling pressured to fix or gloss over every distressing feeling. As recent reporting by Slate illuminates, experts are urging parents to create honest, safe spaces for children to feel and process a full range of emotions, rather than pushing relentless optimism that may leave kids feeling unheard or misunderstood (Slate).

A new study has revealed stark contrasts in the cost of international travel for 2025, ranking Iceland as the most expensive country to visit, whereas Thailand continues to offer some of the best value for global tourists. The findings carry major implications for travelers from Thailand and Southeast Asia, highlighting the continued importance of currency trends and inflation in shaping vacation budgets worldwide.

According to the latest research released by The Forex Complex and shared with Travel + Leisure, Iceland outranks all other major tourism destinations in terms of cost, with the average traveler needing to spend more than $400 per day to visit the Nordic island nation. The analysis, which evaluated 19 popular countries, factored in core travel expenses like accommodations, transport, and meals, as well as local inflation rates and year-to-year shifts in currency strength against the US dollar (Travel + Leisure). For Iceland, a 5.5% inflation rate has led to noticeable jumps in the prices of hotels, food, and transit—exacerbating the financial challenges for American and other international tourists, even before considering airfare.

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplaces around the globe is reshaping the job market for recent graduates, raising concerns among students, educators, and policymakers alike. While some had hoped AI would open new fields and boost productivity, mounting evidence suggests it is rapidly limiting traditional entry-level opportunities for graduates, particularly in white-collar roles, and is sparking a growing debate over the future of work for the next generation (FT.com, WSJ, Business Report).

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are putting a growing number of jobs under threat, according to a newly published analysis by Microsoft’s research division. The study, which has stirred considerable debate in the global workforce, ranks 40 professions most vulnerable to disruption by AI, along with 40 occupations that are currently considered safe from the technology’s reach. As AI-powered applications become increasingly embedded in daily work, the implications for Thailand’s white-collar and blue-collar sectors will be profound—prompting urgent discussions on how the Kingdom can best prepare for this seismic shift.

The persistent inability to experience pleasure—a symptom known as anhedonia—is emerging as a significant and stubborn challenge in the treatment of depression, according to recent research that is sparking hope for new therapeutic approaches (WebMD). While most people associate depression with low mood, anhedonia is recognized by psychiatrists worldwide as a key, yet often overlooked, impediment to recovery. Its impact is widespread, contributing to longer and more severe episodes of depression, and placing affected individuals at higher risk for suicide.

Recent psychological research is challenging the long-held belief that breaking eye contact during conversation signals dishonesty, disinterest, or rudeness. A new article, summarizing insights from leading psychologists and supported by recent studies, reveals that looking away while talking is a far more complex—and often benign—behavior than popular culture suggests. In a society like Thailand, where interpersonal harmony and subtle nonverbal cues play central roles in communication, rethinking the meaning of eye contact could improve everyday interactions, both at work and at home.

A suite of groundbreaking studies announced at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto has uncovered a significant connection between childhood lead exposure and a heightened risk of memory decline, dementia, and potentially autism later in life. This research, which analyzed data from over 600,000 older adults in the United States who experienced high atmospheric lead levels during the 1960s and 70s, has sent shockwaves through the medical and scientific communities due to its implications for public health, urban planning, and preventive medicine. As Thailand continues to grapple with persistent urban pollution and improving child health outcomes, these findings provide an urgent wake-up call for policymakers and parents alike.

A groundbreaking new study from researchers at The Ohio State University has revealed a striking connection between living near coastal waters and increased life expectancy, raising intriguing questions for urban planning and health outcomes in Thailand. The international research, published in Environmental Research, found that people residing within approximately 30 miles (about 48 kilometers) of an ocean or gulf were likely to live a year or more longer than the US national average, while those living near large inland bodies of water—such as urban rivers and lakes—did not experience the same health boost, and sometimes had even shorter lifespans MedicalXpress.

A groundbreaking US study has brought new hope for aging Thais and their families: adopting targeted lifestyle changes after age 60 can still protect against dementia and slow mental decline, according to recent research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This major study, known as the POINTER trial, found that even people with sedentary habits and unhealthy diets can significantly improve their memory and thinking abilities—and potentially stave off cognitive impairment—by committing to a regimen focused on exercise, nutritious eating, mental challenges, and social engagement (NPR; Bloomberg).

A groundbreaking new study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has revealed that couples experience synchronized surges of the hormone oxytocin—often called the “love hormone”—in the 40 minutes following sexual activity. This discovery, which relied on data from couples engaging in sex in the privacy of their own homes, offers fresh scientific insight into how intimacy biologically strengthens bonds within romantic relationships, and raises intriguing possibilities for understanding relationship satisfaction in modern Thai society.

A significant new wave of research and analysis is reshaping the debate over educational standards, following mounting evidence that the Common Core—a sweeping U.S. reform once heralded as a solution to persistent achievement gaps—has fundamentally failed to deliver on its promises. Recent studies urge policymakers in Thailand and across Asia to look closely at how brain development science should inform what, when, and how students are taught, warning of the dangers of imposing one-size-fits-all benchmarks that ignore children’s natural cognitive growth.

Asia is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in senior-friendly tourism, with new research spotlighting six top destinations that cater specifically to older travelers seeking stress-free, accessible adventures. These findings hold particular interest for Thai families planning travel with elderly relatives, as well as for policymakers and tourism operators aiming to make Thailand more age-inclusive.

The surge in senior-centric travel options is a response to Asia’s aging populations and the recognition that travel has no age limit. Many seniors are now seeking trips that offer both cultural enrichment and peace of mind, supported by robust infrastructure, healthcare, and respectful local attitudes. According to an in-depth feature by the Times of India Lifestyle Desk, the most senior-friendly destinations in Asia are Singapore, Taipei, Penang, Seoul, Chiang Mai, and Kyoto—a mix of metropolitan hubs and tranquil escapes that balance modern convenience with cultural depth. Each destination stands out for its unique approach to accessibility, hospitality, and age-inclusive design (Times of India).

Interest among Southeast Asian travelers in visiting the United States is showing a marked decline, with a new survey finding that one in four respondents has lost enthusiasm for US-bound tourism over the past six months. The results, drawn from a major poll by Milieu Insight involving 6,000 travelers from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, highlight rising anxieties over potential discrimination, actions by the Trump administration, and fears of gun violence—factors that have begun eclipsing traditional concerns around cost or lengthy journeys (e.vnexpress.net).

A decade-long study has brought comforting news for older adults wary of Alzheimer’s disease: taking regular walks could significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline, especially for those with a genetic predisposition to the condition. Presented at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, this large-scale study tracked nearly 3,000 participants aged 70 to 79 over ten years, finding that those who maintained or increased their daily walking habits experienced notable improvements in processing speed and executive function compared to those who remained sedentary or reduced activity levels (CNN).

New global research highlights how spending time near water—known as “blue spaces”—could have surprising benefits for both physical and mental health, sparking renewed interest among public health experts and wellness advocates in Thailand. Inspired by the latest scientific reports, experts are now encouraging Thais to explore nearby aquatic environments as a practical and culturally resonant path to boosting everyday wellness.

The concept of “blue health”—the idea that lakes, rivers, seas, and other water bodies offer unique psychological and physical advantages—has gained significant traction. Recent studies cited in international publications including a July 2025 Washington Post investigation reveal that exposure to aquatic scenery does more than provide a picturesque escape: it measurably improves mood, supports social relationships, and even reduces pain and stress.