News

A new look at attraction suggests that women notice three facial features first when judging a man’s appearance: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. Decades of social psychology research underpin this finding, which has been covered in modern media that translate science for general audiences.

For Thai readers, these findings offer a lens on how beauty ideas travel across cultures. Thai notions of attractiveness traditionally emphasize facial harmony and clear skin, while contemporary trends often celebrate sharp jawlines and defined cheekbones in public figures and everyday style icons. The research connects global science with local conversations about what is valued in appearance and impression management.

A landmark study in Science Advances reveals that our visual perception is not in real time; instead, the brain blends recent images over roughly the last 15 seconds to create a stable view of the world. This finding shows how the mind smooths rapid changes to maintain coherence, a process that shapes everyday life from driving to learning.

For Thai readers, the implications are immediate. Visual processing affects safety on crowded roads, athletic performance, and the way information is presented in classrooms and on screens. In a society saturated with smartphones, understanding this lag helps people navigate a fast-moving environment more effectively and with greater awareness of perceptual limits.

A global scare highlights how covert AI prompts in preprint papers can steer reviews toward praise. Investigations found 17 arXiv preprints containing hidden instructions that urged AI review models to be positive, avoid criticism, and even support publication for novelty and rigor. The prompts used barely legible text unread by humans but readable by AI.

This issue matters beyond a technical trick. As large language models become more common in research tasks, the integrity of peer evaluation could be at risk. For Thailand, where academic quality underpins national progress and international collaboration, the incident raises questions about safeguarding trust in science amid sophisticated digital manipulation.

Elite athletes around the world are quietly transforming the landscape of sports nutrition, embracing plant-based proteins that go far beyond the familiar tofu and tempeh. New research and practical experience show that hemp seeds, spirulina, amaranth, nutritional yeast, and pumpkin seeds are taking centre stage in the recovery and endurance routines of Olympic champions, ultramarathoners, and professional fighters—offering benefits that rival or even surpass traditional animal protein sources. These six under-the-radar foods are not only accessible but have been hiding in plain sight on local supermarket shelves, signaling a new chapter in sports performance nutrition that resonates globally and right here in Thailand, where health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives to meat-heavy diets.

Hair health is linked to nutrition, and new findings on vitamin A shed light on scalp health and growth. For Thai readers facing humid weather and evolving dietary habits, understanding vitamin A helps people make informed choices without overdoing supplements.

In Thai culture, healthy hair symbolizes wellness and beauty, from weddings to daily grooming. The growing interest in vitamin A comes as many Thais seek nutrition-based solutions amid social media influence and a rising market for supplements. Clinicians emphasize balance, noting vitamins interact with the body’s hair biology.

A new investigation reveals the private turmoil behind vast fortunes. The study suggests enormous wealth does not shield individuals from emotional challenges or problematic behaviors. Friends and aides describe high drama, volatile moods, and episodes of hoarding behind closed doors, offering a rare look at the hidden side of luxury living.

Thai readers will see a universal truth: wealth does not guarantee happiness or healthy relationships. Thailand is experiencing rising incomes and a growing upper class, with fascination around luxury and status symbols. Yet the research underscores that abundance can accompany emotional hardship. The pressure to maintain appearances may fuel isolation and unhealthy coping strategies, including private mental health struggles.

Reaching your VO2 max—the point where your body uses maximum oxygen during intense exercise—once a week could be one of the most powerful steps to improve not just fitness, but longevity. That’s the takeaway from the latest advice by leading performance coaches and growing scientific research, providing actionable guidance to Thai readers seeking evidence-based ways to add years and quality to life.

Regular exercise remains a foundation for health, but new emphasis is emerging on the specific role of high-intensity cardio workouts—intervals that push you to your VO2 max—for boosting how long, and how well, you live. While Thais already engage in a diverse range of physical activities, from Muay Thai and running to swimming and cycling, the latest research suggests that structured, once-weekly efforts to reach your physiological peak could offer profound protective benefits for heart, brain, and metabolic health. This information is especially significant for ageing populations in Thailand, where preventing non-communicable diseases is a public health priority.

In a fascinating turn for relationship sciences, new research has shed light on the specific facial features women notice first when evaluating a man’s attractiveness. Contrary to the prevailing idea that broad general impressions or stereotypically “obvious” features dominate initial attraction, evidence now points overwhelmingly to three key facial characteristics: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. This revelation comes from a 2009 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology and has been widely discussed in contemporary media, including recent analysis by YourTango and ScienceDaily (YourTango; ScienceDaily).

A growing trend among teenagers to pursue what they see as natural, “crunchy” wellness is raising new concerns among health professionals, who warn that teens embracing extreme eating habits in the name of health may be putting themselves at real risk. The so-called “crunchy teen” movement, which promotes natural foods, holistic remedies, and sometimes outright rejection of conventional medicine, is spreading rapidly on social media platforms and affecting adolescent behaviors worldwide, including here in Thailand.

A popular fitness trend sweeping social media, the 3-2-1 method—three days of strength training, two of Pilates, and one cardio session per week—has been rigorously tested by a fitness journalist and Pilates instructor. The month-long trial, recently featured in Women’s Health, revealed tangible results: improved abdominal definition, increased flexibility, and enhanced endurance. With millions of TikTok users exploring the approach, could this hybrid regimen reshape how Thai fitness enthusiasts train?

In recent years, academic institutions worldwide have witnessed a wave of technological innovation, with generative artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping how research is conducted, written, and evaluated. But with advancement has come controversy. Universities and academic journals now face rising incidents of students and researchers using AI tools not only to ease workflows but also to manipulate algorithms and exploit weaknesses in established review systems, raising profound questions about the future of academic integrity and knowledge credibility.

Counterfeit goods remain a persistent hurdle across Southeast Asia, from bustling markets to fast-growing online platforms. In Thailand, policymakers and business leaders are racing to balance enforcement with protecting livelihoods and keeping trade flowing. New pressures from global partners and potential tariffs add urgency to reform efforts that touch health, prices, and Thailand’s standing in international commerce.

Research from regional outlets shows counterfeit networks thrive on familiarity and price sensitivity. Open-air markets and e-commerce alike lure buyers with variety and value, despite the risks. The World Health Organization and other authorities warn that fake products can threaten health and safety, underscoring the need for stronger IP protections and tighter border controls. In Thailand, authorities have stepped up enforcement while pursuing policy reforms to safeguard exports and encourage legitimate industry.

Breathing may seem automatic during a workout, but new research is revealing just how much the way you breathe can impact your exercise performance, especially for those striving to make the most of time spent in the gym, on the track, or in an aerobics class. A recent article in The New York Times explores emerging evidence and expert tips on optimal breathing for fitness, dispelling common myths and offering practical techniques that can benefit everyone from casual gym-goers to serious athletes (nytimes.com).

Breathing during exercise often feels automatic, yet science shows it can affect performance. This piece translates global findings into practical guidance for Thai readers who run in parks, train in gyms, or practice Muay Thai. Traditional Thai wellness practices—yoga, meditation, and breath work—mirror modern research that mindful breathing can support both performance and recovery.

In everyday workouts, breathing should feel natural and unforced. Experts explain that breath rises and falls with effort. As effort increases, higher carbon dioxide production prompts faster breathing to meet the body’s oxygen needs. Data from leading sports researchers confirms this adaptive pattern rather than forcing unusual breath rhythms.

Canned fish has shifted from pantry staple to a common daily topic in Thailand. Busy lifestyles, convenient packaging, and social media trends drive interest. For Thai readers, the focus is health, affordability, and how canned fish fits local eating patterns. Health experts advocate a balanced view: canned fish provides nutrition, but mindful choices are needed to avoid excess salt, fat, or contaminants.

In Thailand, canned sardines, tuna, and mackerel are popular in both urban and rural households. They support quick meals and offer a reliable source of protein with long shelf life. Market observers note growing engagement with tinned fish across social platforms, reflecting a global move toward convenient seafood that still aligns with Thai flavors and cooking styles.

A new psychological study suggests that the way children are parented—especially when that parenting is cold, abusive, or overly controlling—can have lasting effects on their adult lives, with certain personality traits serving as the connecting thread. Published in Psychological Reports, the research sheds light on why negative parenting is tied to later emotional, social, and occupational difficulties, and points to the key role of personality traits such as conscientiousness in explaining this link (PsyPost).

A recent review of scientific studies has spotlighted curcumin—the active compound in turmeric—as a promising tool for reducing muscle soreness and inflammation after exercise, offering a potentially natural solution for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking faster recovery. Compiling data from 11 research studies, this review highlights the effectiveness of both pre- and post-exercise curcumin supplementation in minimizing muscle pain, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and facilitating quicker muscle repair, raising significant interest within the Thai health and wellness community.

Delivery now accounts for 23% of Asia Pacific’s foodservice market, marking a rapid digital shift since 2019. Across the region, delivery’s share more than doubled from 10% in 2019 to 23% in 2024, while total Asia Pacific foodservice sales reached US$1.3 trillion and global deliveries rose to 21% of the market. In Thailand, this trend is visible in Bangkok’s congested streets and in upcountry towns, where riders from major platforms ferry meals from dawn until late at night.

A new analysis released on July 6, 2025, from a respected behavioral expert highlights that humans are born with core dispositions—what the author calls “basic humanity.” As we grow, we navigate these primal instincts and often contradict them. The study explores how inner drives shape well-being and social interaction, with clear relevance for Thai families, schools, and communities.

Thai culture has long valued harmony, interdependence, and emotional restraint. At the same time, modernization pushes toward individual autonomy. The findings help explain Thai family dynamics, classroom relationships, and workplace culture, tying into current discussions on mental health in Thailand and beyond. Data from local health and education authorities show growing interest in how innate drives influence daily life and social well‑being.

Sleep and exercise are twin pillars of a healthy lifestyle, but new research and expert advice reveal that pushing your workout routine too close to bedtime could seriously disrupt your ability to get a good night’s rest. With the busy, always-connected lifestyle familiar to many in Thailand’s urban centers, it’s not uncommon for people to squeeze in evening exercise after a long day at work or school. However, leading sleep experts now warn that those intense nighttime workouts may come at the cost of quality sleep—a message with significant implications for the health and wellbeing of Thai society.

In the crowded alleyways of Southeast Asia’s cities, the trade in counterfeit goods—designer handbags, watches, electronics, and even medicines—continues to thrive despite mounting international pressure and legal crackdowns. The latest developments have put the region squarely in the sights of the United States, which is threatening punishing tariffs on countries it believes are complicit in the flow of illicit goods. These moves, while targeted at protecting intellectual property and domestic industries, risk triggering broad economic and social consequences across Thailand and its neighbors.

A newly published international study has confirmed what many Thais may intuitively sense—feeling good can actually help us remember more, even when the subject matter itself is boring or meaningless. In ground-breaking research led by scientists from Hangzhou Normal University and Nanjing Normal University, the team demonstrated that positive emotions during learning measurably enhance our ability to recall information, offering potential life-changing applications for students, teachers, and anyone aiming to boost brain power (Neuroscience News; MedicalXpress; News-Medical).

For decades, 10,000 steps per day has been immortalized as the gold standard of physical activity, flashed on smartphone apps, wearables, and health campaigns across the globe. But new research, bolstered by the insights of walking and movement specialists, is challenging this long-standing myth—suggesting the bar for meaningful health benefits is surprisingly lower, and more achievable for busy Thais of all ages.

Recent findings consolidate a growing body of international evidence that while movement is essential, the rigid 10,000-step target is not a magic number. According to a 2023 meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, people can reduce their risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by consistently taking between 2,500 and 4,000 steps daily—drastically lower than the benchmark many have struggled to hit. The study pooled data from more than 250,000 participants tracked over several years, lending fresh authority to the guidance of walking experts like the Vice President of Operations at Gait Happens, a doctor of physical therapy and exercise physiologist. Her advice: if you walk fewer than 2,500 steps a day, your risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular events rises substantially, while walking above this minimum threshold appears to lower risk markedly (Fit & Well).

The food delivery sector in Asia Pacific has reached a significant new milestone, with delivery now comprising 23% of the region’s foodservice market—more than doubling its share since 2019, according to the latest research by Euromonitor International as reported by Retail Asia. This dramatic rise underscores how convenience and digital transformation are rapidly reshaping how people across the region, including in Thailand, purchase and enjoy food.

For Thai readers, the rapid expansion of food delivery is impossible to miss. Just a few years ago, a visit to a bustling local food market or a sit-down meal at a street-side restaurant was the norm. Today, it is common to see motorcycle riders from Grab, Foodpanda, or Robinhood zipping through Bangkok traffic or delivering upcountry, a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows no sign of slowing down. This change matters both as a reflection of shifting consumer habits and because it impacts the livelihood of restaurant owners, riders, and the broader foodservice economy in Thailand.