News

The recent publication in the Star Tribune by Aaron Brown serves as an engaging reminder for elder millennials reaching age 45, as they now find themselves at the threshold of recommended colon cancer screenings. This shift is crucial as recent data indicates a troubling increase in colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, while early screening has decreased incidences among older populations. March, recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlights the importance of timely screenings to mitigate risks associated with the second deadliest cancer in the United States.

A groundbreaking study from Ohio State University, published in Nature Neuroscience, shows that memories formed close in time may be stored in dendrites—the branches of neurons—rather than in cell bodies. This finding explains why events on the same day often feel linked and could guide future therapies for memory-related disorders.

Led by Megha Sehgal, the researchers used advanced imaging in mice to demonstrate that the same dendritic branches activate when experiences are encoded in quick succession. The dendritic linkage occurs in the retrosplenial cortex, a brain region integral to contextual memory. The work reveals that memories can be bound together through localized changes in dendritic segments, offering a new lens on how the brain connects related experiences.

In an intriguing leap in neuroscience, Duke University researchers have uncovered that dopamine, a key neurotransmitter, plays a vital role in the learning process of young zebra finches. The study, published in Nature, explores how dopamine signals guide these young birds as they endeavor to perfect their songs, offering valuable insights that extend to human learning patterns and neurological disorders alike.

The captivating research sheds light on the intrinsic motivation that drives juvenile zebra finches to refine their vocal abilities. Analogous to how children learn to talk, these fledgling birds must replicate the songs of their fathers to successfully communicate and, eventually, court. The journey to vocal mastery is challenging, with chicks spending roughly three months practicing tirelessly, much like The Beatles’ meticulous recording sessions, as Duke neuroscientist Richard Mooney notes. Each day, these dedicated birds go through up to 10,000 renditions of their song in pursuit of perfection, as described in the study accessible here Phys.org.

A growing health advisory now recommends starting colon cancer screening at 45, aligning with rising cases among younger adults. The push comes as major health organizations emphasize earlier detection to improve outcomes, with March designated as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to highlight timely screening.

For Thai audiences, this global trend invites reflection on local guidelines. Data indicate that beginning screening sooner can lower lifetime cancer risk, especially when issues are found early on. A 2022 study in a leading medical journal supports the idea that early, initial screening reduces long-term risk and can spare patients from more invasive interventions later.

As temperatures climb in Thailand’s famously hot summer months, the risk of dehydration becomes a pressing health concern. With the sun blazing and humidity rising, understanding proper hydration is crucial for maintaining health and energy levels. Dehydration isn’t just about feeling thirsty; it’s a condition that can sap energy, challenge heart health, and impair the body’s natural cooling mechanisms.

Sarah Adler, a performance dietitian with UCLA Health Sports Performance, explains that about 60% of the human body is made up of water, emphasizing the need to replenish water losses, especially when sweating increases in the summer. Without adequate hydration, blood volume decreases, putting extra strain on the heart to circulate blood and increasing the risk of overheating and potentially serious health issues such as heatstroke. Even slight dehydration can manifest in muscle cramps, dizziness, and fatigue, particularly for those engaging in outdoor activities.

A new study shows that human brains have distinctive internal wiring, especially in the temporal lobe, offering a fresh view on what makes people unique. Instead of focusing only on brain size, researchers map how regions connect and communicate to shape higher thinking and social behavior.

Historically, brain differences were assessed by comparing overall size across species. Size alone cannot explain cognitive differences. Modern imaging allows scientists to chart brain connectivity with greater clarity, revealing subtle patterns that distinguish humans from close relatives.

A new international study shows how two human-specific genes contribute to brain development, offering clues about the evolution of the cerebrum’s complexity. Researchers from a leading German primate research center and a top molecular biology institute conducted the work. Published in March 2025, the findings illuminate brain evolution and suggest potential avenues for addressing developmental brain disorders.

The study describes a synergistic mechanism: one gene promotes the proliferation of brain progenitor cells, while the other guides these cells to become neuron-producing progenitors. This coordinated process is proposed as a driving factor in the evolutionary path that produced the sophisticated human brain. Beyond evolution, the research hints at new angles for understanding developmental conditions and neurological diseases, with possible therapeutic implications.

In an intriguing discovery, a recent study published in the prestigious journal Science has shed new light on the cognitive abilities of infants, showing that babies as young as 12 months are actively forming memories. This breakthrough finding revolutionizes our understanding of early childhood development and challenges the longstanding notion that infantile amnesia—our inability to recall memories from our tenderest years—is due to a lack of memory formation capability at that age.

A new study published in Science suggests babies as young as 12 months are actively forming memories. This challenges the idea of infantile amnesia—the belief that early memories fade quickly. The findings indicate memory formation starts earlier and may be stronger than previously believed, with important implications for Thai parents and educators shaping learning from birth.

Researchers from a leading university explored how the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory encoding, functions in infants. Using child-friendly functional magnetic resonance imaging, the team observed hippocampal activity in infants who displayed stronger memory signals through non-verbal cues like longer gaze at familiar objects. The results show memory processes are active much earlier in life than once assumed.

A new study from Duke University reveals that dopamine, a crucial brain chemical, helps young zebra finches learn their songs. The research, published in a respected journal, shows how dopamine signals guide juvenile birds as they practice vocalizations, offering lessons for human learning and neurological health.

The findings highlight inner motivation as fledglings refine their voices. Like Thai children learning to speak, these birds imitate their fathers’ songs to communicate and attract mates. Mastery requires persistence: chicks often practice for months, producing thousands of renditions daily in pursuit of improvement. The study details this intense practice and its neural signals, advancing our understanding of how motivation drives skill development.

A new study from a leading university introduces MitoBrainMap, an atlas that maps how mitochondria—the brain’s energy factories—populate regions linked to higher cognitive functions. Researchers suggest these areas harbor specialized energy resources that could influence development, brain health, and disease progression. The work points toward noninvasive ways to assess brain bioenergetics and potentially detect early signs of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Energy underpins every mental process, from memory and learning to emotion and perception. Previously, scientists had limited insight into how mitochondrial density varies by brain region. MitoBrainMap now provides a detailed view of the brain’s energy landscape and how it supports cognitive activity.

A recent study from a leading Indian research institution shows that regular sugary beverage consumption can alter how the body handles sugar. Published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, the findings describe changes in the gut’s sugar absorption that may affect metabolic health beyond the calories from sweet drinks.

In an experimental setting with laboratory mice, subjects received either plain water or water containing 10% table sugar for three months. The study observed metabolic changes consistent with early insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in sugar-fed mice, suggesting potential implications for diabetes risk and related disorders.

A groundbreaking study has unveiled how our brains physically associate memories formed close in time, offering intriguing insights that could impact the understanding of memory-related disorders. Conducted at Ohio State University and recently published in Nature Neuroscience, the research highlights that rather than being encoded in the cell bodies of neurons, memories formed within short timeframes are stored in the dendrites, which are intricate extensions of neurons.

This discovery is significant as it elucidates why events occurring on the same day often feel inherently linked, in contrast to those spaced out over weeks. Dendrites, long overshadowed by the neuron cell bodies in memory studies, are now recognized as playing a crucial role in memory linkage. The researchers, led by Megha Sehgal, utilized advanced imaging techniques on mice, which revealed that the same dendritic branches get activated when closely timed experiences are encoded, thereby binding the memories together.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Medicine, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and the University of Montreal, have uncovered significant links between certain dietary patterns and healthy aging over the long term. Over a 30-year span, the research emphasized that balanced diets, rich in both animal and plant-based foods, are instrumental in promoting not just longevity, but also cognitive, physical, and mental wellness as people age. This comprehensive study has particular significance for Thailand, where cultural dietary habits and demographic trends are rapidly evolving.

A landmark study in Nature Medicine shows that balanced diets combining animal and plant foods support long-term healthy aging. Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health partnered with the University of Copenhagen and the University of Montreal to link specific dietary patterns with cognitive, physical, and mental wellness as people age. The findings are particularly relevant for Thailand, where dietary habits and demographics are evolving rapidly.

Led by nutrition expert Marta Guasch-Ferre, the study tracked 70,091 women and 34,924 men for an average of 14 years. Participants started in middle age and were later categorized as “healthy agers” if they reached age 70 without chronic disease and met defined cognitive and physical health criteria. The research frames aging as a holistic process beyond disease prevention, aligning with broader conversations about senior well-being.

A recent study from a leading U.S. university shows that maintaining a steady gaze can boost speed and accuracy across tasks. The research, led by a psychology professor, reinforces long-standing observations about elite performers whose success hinges on sharp visual focus rather than sheer power. For Thai readers, the findings offer practical implications for sport, study, and busy professional life.

Quiet eye is the name given to a gaze held with minimal, purposeful movement. This technique helps athletes avoid distractions and prepare for action, whether it’s a golf putt or a basketball free throw. The research team is exploring brain-wide mechanisms to confirm how gaze control translates into better performance under pressure.

A global rise in depression and anxiety has intensified questions about the roots of today’s mental health challenges. In a provocative analysis, a writer argues that shifting cultural norms over the past decades have reshaped how societies understand and respond to mental well-being.

In the Netherlands, health authorities report a notable rise in euthanasia requests tied to psychological suffering. Among Dutch patients who chose euthanasia in 2024, mental distress accounted for about one-tenth of cases. This signals a broader public health challenge that crosses borders and calls for thoughtful, long‑term solutions. Data from Dutch health authorities show that emotional suffering is an increasingly important factor in end‑of‑life decisions, underscoring the need for accessible mental health care and compassionate support.

A new study in Nature Metabolism examines how non-caloric sweeteners influence the brain’s control of appetite, showing responses that vary among people with different body weights. Led by researchers including a senior scientist, the work analyzes neural reactions to artificial sweeteners—popular choices for those seeking calorie-free sugar alternatives. The findings carry implications for weight management in Thailand, where obesity is an emerging public health concern.

Thailand is facing rising obesity and related health issues, and there is ongoing discussion about the benefits and risks of sugar substitutes. While reducing sugar intake remains a public health priority, the study suggests that artificial sweeteners interact with the brain’s reward and appetite pathways in ways that may differ from natural sugars. Simply swapping to diet products may not fully recalibrate eating behavior, underscoring the need for comprehensive lifestyle approaches.

A recent discussion on “The Daily” podcast from The New York Times illuminates new insights into the potential health dangers posed by ultraprocessed foods, which has sparked widespread concern among health experts and policymakers. The segment, featuring nutrition writer Alice Callahan, centers on the findings that a significant portion of American adults, nearly 75%, are now categorized as overweight or obese, with ultraprocessed foods increasingly under scrutiny as a contributing factor.

A recent discussion from a major news podcast raises concerns about ultraprocessed foods and their potential impact on health. The host points out that nearly three-quarters of American adults are overweight or obese, with ultraprocessed items increasingly linked to this trend.

Ultraprocessed foods dominate a large portion of the U.S. food supply. These are factory-made products that are difficult to reproduce at home due to complex ingredients and processing methods. They typically feature long ingredient lists with additives and artificial substances. The trend toward higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods is mirrored by rising obesity rates around the world.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled intriguing insights into the unique connectivity patterns of the human brain. Unlike previous assumptions focusing primarily on brain size, this new research highlights distinct internal organization, specifically within the temporal lobe, distinguishing humans from their closest primate relatives. This discovery underscores the complexity of human evolution, providing a fresh perspective on what fundamentally sets human cognitive abilities apart.

Historically, the understanding of the human brain’s uniqueness relied heavily on comparisons in size either to the brains of other species or parts relative to the entire brain. However, size alone cannot capture the complexity of how human cognitive abilities have evolved. The introduction of advanced medical imaging techniques now allows scientists to map brain connectivity with unprecedented clarity, revealing the previously hidden intricacies that distinguish us from other primates.

A new study from the Karolinska Institute and the Nedergaard lab explores how cerebrospinal fluid moves inside the brain and how sleep may help clear neural waste. The findings suggest that CSF dynamics are not just passive diffusion but an active process tied to the restorative effects of sleep. This perspective offers a clearer view of how rest supports brain health and lowers the risk of cognitive issues.

In daily life, sleep quality matters as urban stress, family duties, and screen time challenge rest. Public health data in Thailand show a growing focus on sleep disorders and their impact on daily functioning. This research helps Thai audiences understand sleep as a pillar of brain health, not merely a personal habit.

Stifling Thai summers demand practical hydration strategies. High heat and humidity can rapidly deplete fluids, affecting energy, heart health, and the body’s cooling system. Dehydration is more than thirst—it can cause dizziness, cramps, fatigue, and, in severe cases, heat-related illnesses if not addressed.

Experts note that the body is largely water, and sweating intensifies fluid loss. Replenishing fluids supports blood volume, eases the heart’s workload, and lowers overheating risk. Even mild dehydration can slow performance during outdoor activities and worsen fatigue.

A groundbreaking new study has highlighted a surprising and troubling effect of regularly consuming sugary beverages like soda. Conducted by researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, the research found that sweet drinks provoke an alarming adaptation in the body, prioritizing the absorption of sugar over essential nutrients. This “molecular addiction,” as dubbed by researchers, suggests our dietary habits could be reshaping our metabolisms, with significant implications for our health.