News

Recent research has highlighted some of the most perplexing mysteries of human anatomy that evolutionary science still grapples to explain, sparking animated discussions among biologists worldwide. While Darwin’s theory eloquently describes the gradual adaptation of organisms, certain quirky features of the human body—such as our unique chin or the puzzlingly intermediate size of male reproductive organs—still defy straightforward evolutionary rationales. A new article by a University College London professor, published by the BBC, summarizes current thinking and lingering questions, offering Thai readers a fascinating window into the ongoing detective work of evolutionary biology (BBC Future).

In a world where relationships are under increasing strain, new research is spotlighting six small but powerfully effective daily habits linked to happier, longer-lasting marriages—findings that resonate with couples across Thailand as much as anywhere else. Compiled from the latest peer-reviewed studies, these rituals promise to help couples enjoy not only marital stability but also greater day-to-day happiness, all without expensive retreats or couples therapy marathons. The science suggests that, like any good recipe for longevity, it’s the daily consistency and intent that make the difference.

As Thai households move toward healthier eating, the question remains: which berry truly offers the most health benefits? From Samoeng strawberry fields to berries sold in Bangkok markets, berries are now a common feature in Thai diets. Experts agree that blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries all provide strong health advantages, but no single berry stands out as the ultimate. Each variety brings a unique mix of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which Thai readers can leverage by choosing a diverse handful of berries.

A brief, three-minute session of slow, guided breathing can significantly enhance emotional regulation, new research shows. The study in Psychological Reports demonstrates that box breathing not only tempers negative feelings in the moment but also helps individuals apply cognitive strategies to manage emotions. The finding points to a practical, scalable tool for mental health and daily stress management in Thailand’s fast-paced environment.

Emotional regulation is key to well-being. Difficulties in managing feelings are linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. In Thailand, academic pressure, rapid urban growth, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 era have heightened stress. Accessible self-regulation techniques are especially valuable. National surveys indicate rising anxiety and depression among Thai youth and working adults, underscoring the relevance of simple coping tools.

A fresh evolutionary science perspective sheds light on some of the body’s most puzzling features and the questions researchers are still pursuing. While Darwinian theory explains broad adaptation patterns, quirks such as the human chin and the nuanced size of male testicles invite ongoing study. A recent analysis summarized from a University College London piece and BBC Future offers current thinking and remaining gaps, providing Thai readers with insight into how scientists investigate our shared human past.

A cautious revival of Afghanistan’s tourism is drawing international attention as curious travelers seek adventure despite ongoing security concerns. Government officials promote tourism as an economic lifeline for a country long isolated and deeply impoverished. For Thai readers, this story highlights travel trends, geopolitics, and the ethics of visiting fragile destinations.

People arrive by plane, motorbike, camper van, or bicycle, while officials expect tourism to boost revenue in a climate of scarce foreign investment. Taliban authorities describe tourism as a catalyst for growth and modernization, a view echoed by international observers who see potential for jobs and revenue growth in the sector.

A senior executive at a major tech company has sparked a national conversation about how AI tools can assist workers facing unemployment. The discussion focuses on large language models like ChatGPT and Copilot to ease cognitive load during job transitions. As layoffs ripple through tech and other sectors worldwide, Thailand watches closely for practical guidance and reassurance.

In Thai culture, losing a job affects more than finances. Work is tied to family stability, social roles, and personal dignity. Navigating this transition requires both emotional resilience and strategic planning for new opportunities.

A leading Xbox executive has sparked debate in the workforce and technology sectors after advocating for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help laid-off workers manage the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. The executive, speaking candidly about the realities of layoffs in a post on social media, suggested that large language model AI platforms—including ChatGPT and Copilot—can play an integral role in reducing the emotional and cognitive load faced by those navigating unemployment (The Verge).

A new study suggests betaine, a natural compound found in foods like beets, leafy greens, and whole grains, could mimic some benefits of exercise. Researchers say betaine may help reduce chronic inflammation and slow tissue ageing, offering a complementary approach to healthy ageing. The study notes that exercise naturally raises body betaine levels, while supplements might replicate some exercise benefits. This could be meaningful for people who cannot engage in regular physical activity due to mobility or health constraints.

A brief, guided breathing practice can noticeably improve how people regulate negative emotions. A three-minute “box breathing” routine—slow inhales, holds, and exhales—may offer a fast, accessible way to calm the mind, reduce agitation, and strengthen self-control during daily stress.

Emotional regulation is central to mental wellbeing. For many Thai families, maintaining harmony at home, staying productive at work, and contributing to community life depend on managing emotions effectively. The latest findings provide a practical option for those seeking non-drug strategies, showing that short, deliberate breathing can yield immediate mood and resilience benefits.

In a landmark study that could reshape approaches to healthy ageing, researchers have identified a natural supplement, betaine, that mimics the benefits of exercise—including reduced inflammation and slowed tissue ageing. This finding, recently published in the scientific journal Cell and widely reported in international media, has the potential to revolutionize the fight against age-related diseases and extend human healthspan, particularly for those unable to maintain regular physical activity (gbnews.com, medicalxpress.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, nmn.com).

A collaborative team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Capital Medical University in Beijing conducted an in-depth analysis revealing that betaine, a compound found naturally in foods such as beetroot, spinach, and whole grains, interacts with key molecular pathways involved in inflammation and cellular ageing. Crucially, regular exercise was found to increase levels of betaine in the body—but new evidence now shows that taking betaine as a supplement can trigger similar anti-ageing effects, offering hope to those unable to exercise regularly due to physical limitations or chronic illness.

As Thailand advances its digital economy ambitions, a growing debate is unfolding in classrooms, recruitment offices, and government policy circles: What sets computer engineering apart from computer science, and which path offers Thai students and professionals the greatest opportunities? A recent report published by Regent University and analyzed by the Bangkok Post sheds light on this crucial topic, offering Thai learners, parents, and educators a nuanced understanding that may shape future career choices and the nation’s workforce development.

As Thailand accelerates its digital economy, students, parents, and policymakers seek clarity on two related but distinct paths: computer science and computer engineering. A recent analysis cited by the Bangkok Post helps Thai readers understand which path aligns with their goals and Thailand’s workforce needs.

Thailand’s digital transformation relies on a skilled tech workforce. Under Thailand 4.0 and Smart Thailand initiatives, many learners face choices between computer science and computer engineering. The distinction matters because it shapes job prospects, innovation, and the country’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia’s tech scene.

A new psychological study has found that everyday sounds of illness, such as coughing and sniffling, may disturb learning more than we realize—by subtly distracting students and impairing their academic performance. The research, published in Evolutionary Psychological Science and reported by PsyPost, reveals that exposure to common pathogen-related sounds during a learning task results in statistically significant declines in test scores, raising questions about classroom environments and the human mind’s sensitivity to signs of disease (psypost.org).

The struggle to access contraception in the United States has become more difficult in recent years, prompting advocates in New York to devise novel solutions such as vending machines dispensing Plan B pills and other over-the-counter products on university campuses. As the national landscape of reproductive rights continues to shift—especially in the wake of clinic closures and new legal hurdles—New York’s approach offers fresh hope and urgent lessons for other regions, including Thailand, where access to reproductive healthcare is an ongoing concern.

A groundbreaking new study highlights that not just the amount, but the timing and regularity of physical activity are decisive in maintaining and improving VO2 max—a key measure of cardiovascular fitness—among older adults. This research, which analyzed nearly 800 people aged 70-plus, suggests that consistent activity, particularly in the morning, can have profound effects on healthy aging and longevity—a message with growing relevance for Thailand’s rapidly aging society (Runner’s World).

A wave of headlines has cheered that exercise is “better than drugs” for preventing colon cancer recurrence, suggesting an exciting shift in how survivors might chart their recovery. But a closer examination of the latest landmark research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2025, brings a far more nuanced—and ultimately more practical—message for cancer patients and the health community, including here in Thailand. The real story isn’t a competition between medicine and movement, but a call for a more holistic approach in which structured exercise and medical care both play distinctive and powerful roles in ensuring long-term health and survival.

A rise in self-directed supplementation has sparked fresh concerns about vitamin B6 toxicity. New research and regulatory scrutiny suggest that excess intake may cause nerve damage at lower doses and shorter exposures than previously understood. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration signals it may have underestimated adverse effects, prompting tighter scrutiny of high-dose B6 products. This reflects a growing global move toward cautious use of over-the-counter vitamins.

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, supports metabolism, brain function, immune health, and red blood cell formation. It is common in multivitamins and is often taken during pregnancy or to ease premenstrual symptoms. For most adults, daily needs are roughly 1.3 to 1.7 mg. In Thailand, typical diets provide ample B6 from meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables, reducing the perceived need for extra supplementation.

Tourism destinations worldwide are facing the complex challenge of balancing image, safety, and reputation in an era where travelers are increasingly selective about where—and how—they holiday. A recent op-ed in The Boston Globe encapsulates the growing skepticism toward tourism promotions for destinations with troubled records, as well as the shifting perspectives of international visitors in 2025. With global travel rebounding unevenly after the pandemic and amid renewed geopolitical tensions, destinations ranging from Los Angeles to Saudi Arabia find themselves battling not just wildfires, state advisories, and human rights controversies, but also the formidable power of online reputation and tourism marketing fatigue.

Global travelers are becoming more selective about where and how they holiday. The new emphasis on safety, credibility, and genuine experiences is reshaping tourism worldwide. A respected regional critique notes growing skepticism toward promotional campaigns for destinations with troubled records, while 2025 trends show travelers reassessing plans amid uneven post-pandemic rebound and renewed geopolitical tensions. Destinations from Los Angeles to the Middle East face natural hazards, security concerns, and the rising influence of online reputation management and marketing fatigue.

A groundbreaking new study reveals that individuals with higher intelligence are not only better at academic tests but are also significantly more accurate at predicting their own futures, offering critical insights for personal and societal decision-making. This finding, based on nearly two decades of data from over 3,900 older adults in England, is stirring debate about how Thai people and policymakers might approach health, financial planning, and education in a world of increasing uncertainty ZME Science.

Higher intelligence may help people forecast their futures more accurately, not just perform well on tests. Using nearly two decades of data from more than 3,900 older adults in England, researchers linked cognitive ability to better judgments about life events. Analyses that included genetic data suggest a meaningful connection between intellect and improved forecasting, with potential implications for personal planning and public policy amid rising uncertainty.

The study asks a simple, crucial question: can people reliably estimate how long they will live? Participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were asked to rate their chances of reaching milestones like age 75. These self-assessments were then compared with official statistics from the UK’s Office for National Statistics. Higher-IQ individuals tended to give estimates closer to reality, while lower-IQ respondents were more often off the mark, sometimes by a large margin.

A recent advice-column discussion has Thai readers wondering if adult penis size can shrink with age or simply seem smaller. The question stems from a past sexual encounter where one partner appeared smaller than before, raising questions about real changes, contributing factors, and how memory shapes perception. Current medical understanding offers a clearer, nuanced view relevant to Thai audiences and readers worldwide.

Misconceptions about size and aging persist. Medical science shows that aging alone does not reliably shorten penile length or girth. Many studies find little or no consistent reduction across ages. Perceived changes often come from factors like increased fat around the pubic area, which can mask visible length. Thailand’s health data align with the view that aging by itself is not a primary cause of size reduction.

Humor weaves through Thai life—from family meals and bustling markets to Songkran celebrations. New research shows humor can either strengthen bonds or quietly undermine them. Not every joke is harmless; some may erode trust, self-esteem, and emotional safety over time.

A seasoned psychologist distinguishes between benign humor—playful teasing, warmth, and self-enhancing jokes—and injurious humor such as sarcasm, ridicule, or passive contempt. The latter can hide power dynamics as light-hearted fun and weaken closeness. For Thai readers, where kreng-jai (face-saving) and harmony are central, distinguishing playful banter from harm is especially important for couples, friends, and families navigating conflict.