News

Aged 80, Rod Stewart remains a force on stage and a model for active ageing. His demanding training program, crafted with his long-time personal trainer, blends strength, mobility, and aquatic work to stay “Glasto-fit.” A recent feature from a major UK publication highlights how this multifaceted routine keeps the star performing at a high level while balancing health and travel demands.

For Thai readers facing an ageing society, Stewart’s discipline offers both a real-world example and practical takeaways. Thailand’s population is ageing rapidly, with projections showing more than 20% aged 60 and above by 2027. This context makes Stewart’s emphasis on varied exercise and regular medical monitoring especially relevant for families navigating elder care and long-term wellness.

A global shift toward lifelong learning is essential as artificial intelligence reshapes work and education. A Northeastern University president urged universities to redefine their mission during a Beirut keynote, warning that higher education risks obsolescence without adapting to AI’s rapid advancements. The message emphasizes extending learning beyond traditional students to adults and mid-career professionals.

Traditionally, universities focused on educating new generations and pursuing research. Now, AI’s expanding role demands continuous, adaptive learning models aligned with both employer needs and individual goals. The Northeastern leader, author of Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, argues for programs that fit busy adult lives and deliver fast, practical outcomes.

Magnesium has become a wellness staple online, with influencers and some health professionals promoting it as a fix for insomnia, brain fog, and more. While the mineral supports essential body functions, experts warn that many online claims overstate its benefits, risking unrealistic expectations for Thai readers.

Magnesium is vital for nerves, muscles, the heart, and bones, making it a meaningful part of a balanced diet. However, clinical researchers warn that high-quality evidence for many popular uses is limited. In Thailand, supplement use is rising and often shaped by trends on social platforms and messaging apps.

Magnesium has become a star of wellness social media, with influencers and even some health professionals touting it as a solution for ailments ranging from insomnia to “brain fog.” Yet, while this essential mineral undeniably supports several vital bodily processes, leading experts caution that many online claims significantly overstate what magnesium truly delivers, leaving Thai consumers at risk of unrealistic expectations and possible health drawbacks.

Magnesium plays a biological role critical for nerve, muscle, heart, and bone function, making it an indispensable part of a healthy diet. As a clinical pharmacist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center told HuffPost, “With supplements, in general, there’s not a lot of requirements out there for good hard research…so it’s unclear how to apply it to certain groups of patients” (huffpost.com). This caveat is particularly timely in Thailand, where supplement use is growing and is heavily influenced by trends found on TikTok, Facebook, and LINE groups.

A wave of new research is overturning long-held beliefs about the ovary, showing it as more than just a reproductive organ. Scientists now argue that the ovary plays a central, underappreciated role in shaping women’s overall health and longevity, influencing everything from cardiovascular and bone health to brain function and life expectancy. As groundbreaking findings emerge, experts are calling for greater focus on this overlooked organ—a call that carries important implications for Thai women across the lifespan.

A growing body of scientific evidence highlights vitamin D’s crucial role in heart health—and a newly published review suggests vitamin D may lower stroke risk by up to 17%, offering promising, actionable insights for citizens in Thailand and beyond. This report unpacks what the latest findings mean, the practical realities for Thai people, and how awareness of vitamin D could shape the nation’s approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases.

The newly published review, featured in the journal Nutrients and summarized by EatingWell, delves into recent clinical research examining vitamin D’s relationship with major cardiovascular events, particularly stroke. The headline finding: among people already taking medications for heart health, vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 13% to 17% decrease in the risk of such incidents. Experts acknowledge that while vitamin D’s fundamental importance to bodily functions—ranging from bone health to immune regulation—is well established, its additional effects on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases warrant even closer consideration.

Groundbreaking research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has uncovered compelling evidence that ordinary people unconsciously contribute to the growth of their own information bubbles, simply through the way they type search queries online. This large-scale study, encompassing 21 experiments and nearly 10,000 participants, demonstrates that even without any intent to seek confirmation, our habitual online search patterns—and the algorithms designed to respond to them—subtly guide us towards ever-narrower realities. These findings have huge implications for how Thais access information, understand national debates, and engage with global topics in a time when digital literacy is crucial for an informed society (PsyPost).

A sweeping new review of nearly 340 studies has cast doubt on the widely held belief that similarities between long-term romantic partners are the key to relationship satisfaction and longevity. While the idea that “birds of a feather flock together” dominates Western thinking, the research finds that actual similarity in personality, interests, and background may play a much smaller role in relationship success than previously assumed. Instead, it appears the feeling of being similar to one’s partner—rather than measurable overlap—could matter most for lasting happiness together (PsyPost).

Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are buzzing with a surprising new nutrition craze: the fiber revolution. Young people who once prioritized protein shakes are now turning to beans, berries, and whole grains, sparking a viral movement called “fibermaxxing.” Unlike many TikTok health trends that fizzle out or encourage dubious habits, this renewed enthusiasm for dietary fiber is earning the cautious approval of nutrition experts. As the trend gains momentum globally, Thai consumers are beginning to ask: Is fiber truly the key to better health, and what should we know before embracing this new wellness wave?

A growing chorus warns that AI tools like ChatGPT erode academic integrity. Yet student voices tell a more nuanced story: AI is being embraced as a pragmatic response to disrupted education, resource constraints, and post-pandemic realities. Rather than laziness, many students see AI as a tool to navigate upheaval and maintain momentum in higher education, especially as they juggle part-time work and financial pressures.

The UK experience mirrors Thailand’s concerns: educators and policymakers grapple with assessment fairness, digital learning, and AI ethics. A recent student-led commentary argues that learners are not abandoning study; they are struggling to keep pace with changing expectations and uneven evaluation methods. For Thai universities, these insights underscore the urgency of clear AI guidelines, stable assessments, and equitable access to digital resources.

New research is changing how we view the ovary. No longer seen only as a reproductive organ, it is increasingly recognized as a driver of overall health and longevity. Experts say protecting ovarian health could influence cardiovascular, bone, brain health, and life expectancy—an insight with strong implications for Thai women as the population ages.

Historically, ovary discussions focused on fertility and menopause. Now, evidence highlighted in a national- and international-interest briefing shows the ovary ages faster than many other organs. Its decline can trigger changes across the body, elevating risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and autoimmune conditions. As life expectancy climbs in Thailand, more women spend extended years after menopause, making ovarian health a public health priority.

A growing number of real-world psychiatric crises are being linked to long, emotionally intense conversations with generative AI chatbots, notably ChatGPT. This trend is sparking international concern and urgent debates about the mental health risks of unregulated artificial intelligence. In Europe and the United States, reports describe users developing paranoid beliefs, grandiose thinking, or detachment from reality after sustained engagement with AI. These cases are increasingly referred to as “ChatGPT psychosis,” highlighting a potential harm for vulnerable individuals.

New research suggests that some well-meaning vacation habits can actually heighten stress. Insights from travel experts and mental health professionals indicate that overplanning, strict itineraries, and constant social media comparison may undermine relaxation. For Thai readers who prize sanuk—the enjoyment of life—these findings offer practical lessons to keep holidays restorative rather than pressure-filled.

Overscheduling tops the list of vacation stressors. Many travelers cram visits to temples, markets, and attractions into a single day, leaving little room for spontaneous discovery. Experts advise building blocks of free time into each day to allow authentic experiences to unfold naturally. This balanced approach resonates with global tourism research and is echoed by Thai travelers seeking meaningful, unrushed experiences.

At age 80, legendary singer Rod Stewart is not only performing at iconic events like Glastonbury but setting an inspiring standard for fitness in older adults, thanks to a demanding training regimen developed with his longtime personal trainer. The latest feature in The Times details Stewart’s multi-faceted approach to staying “Glasto-fit”, which blends elements of strength, mobility, and aquatic training—an approach capturing attention among health experts and senior wellness advocates worldwide (thetimes.com).

A whiff of microwaved fish may linger in your kitchen—and your memory—but what makes some smells universally unpleasant while others draw fond nostalgia? Recent research from the University of Florida uncovers how our brains assign emotional value to odors, offering insights that could reshape approaches to sensory health and even clinical treatment of scent-related distress (SciTechDaily).

For Thais who cherish the bustling aromas of street markets or the stinging tang of fermented fish (pla ra), the subjective nature of “good” and “bad” smells is more than a curiosity—it’s a matter woven into daily life, heritage, and even mental wellbeing. As major Thai cities grow ever more cosmopolitan, and with mental health awareness rising, understanding exactly how our brain selects which odors to embrace (or reject) could have widespread impacts.

A new review by US-based clinical dietitians spotlights spinach as a leading dietary choice to reduce visceral fat, the deep belly fat linked to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. For Thai audiences, this offers practical guidance as obesity-related illnesses rise in the region. Researchers emphasize that combining healthy eating with lifestyle changes can address this silent risk affecting millions across Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

Visceral fat sits around internal organs and is more dangerous than surface fat. As Thailand faces an aging population and urban living that encourages sedentary behavior and high-calorie diets, medical experts warn about escalating metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Understanding and preventing visceral fat has become a public health priority for Thai families.

A recent review by US-based registered dietitians places spinach at the forefront of dietary strategies to reduce visceral fat, the deep belly fat that increases risk for diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers (EatingWell). This finding offers practical guidance for Thai readers invested in combating chronic diseases closely tied to rising obesity rates. The review echoes growing global evidence that a combination of healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes can help tackle a silent health risk affecting millions across Southeast Asia—including Thailand.

As artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into education systems worldwide, much of the narrative has focused on a supposed crisis of academic integrity. Critics warn of students cheating en masse, forfeiting genuine learning, and entering the workforce less prepared than their predecessors. Yet, first-hand student perspectives reveal a more nuanced reality: the rapid embrace of AI in higher education is less about laziness and more about adapting to systemic upheaval, resource scarcity, and the lingering aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic (The Guardian).

A comprehensive review of nearly 340 studies challenges the idea that matching traits predict long-term relationship success. The research suggests that actual similarity in personality, backgrounds, and interests plays only a modest role. Instead, feeling similar to a partner—perceived similarity—has a stronger link to lasting happiness and relationship stability.

For Thai readers navigating traditional values and modern dating, the findings are especially relevant. Thailand’s social landscape blends age-old beliefs about partnership with global dating culture, raising questions about what truly sustains a satisfying relationship.

A coalition of more than 250 top executives from global firms is urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of U.S. school curricula. The move comes as Beijing rolls out AI classes for younger students, sparking concerns that countries without similar programs may fall behind in tech leadership. This debate emphasizes the growing importance of foundational digital skills for the next generation.

In an open letter to lawmakers, tech leaders warned that in the age of AI, children should become creators, not just users. They estimate that universal tech education could unlock billions in economic potential and improve future wages for students across pathways, not limited to those who attend college. The message signals a broader push for early exposure to coding and AI concepts as a lever for long-term prosperity.

Thailand, once praised as Asia’s first to decriminalize cannabis, is tightening controls amid controversy and regulatory confusion. New rules require both locals and visitors to hold a medical prescription to purchase cannabis. This marks a sharp turn from the “green rush” that had turned busy streets into cannabis hubs, and aims to restore order to an industry many say grew faster than the system could manage.

The cannabis story in Thailand has drawn wide attention across Asia. The 2025 shift reflects a clash between economic potential, public health, and the country’s image as a regional innovator with deep cultural roots. For Thai readers, the changes touch on health policy, youth behavior, law enforcement, rural livelihoods, and the country’s tourism brand.

A surge in real-world psychiatric crises has been linked to deep and obsessive engagement with generative AI chatbots, most notably ChatGPT, sparking international concern and urgent debates about the mental health dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence. Recent reports from the US and Europe expose a distressing trend: some users, after extended and emotionally intense interactions with AI, descend into paranoid delusions, grandiose thinking, and catastrophic breaks from reality—phenomena increasingly referred to as “ChatGPT psychosis” [Futurism; TheBrink.me; Psychology Today].

A recent study from San Francisco State University provides a significant breakthrough for employers and organizations seeking to identify narcissistic tendencies in job candidates. By carefully crafting and analyzing responses to just three targeted interview questions, the researchers found a remarkably efficient method to spot potentially disruptive personalities—offering Thai employers, educators, and even community leaders a practical new tool for building healthier teams and workplaces (Psychology Today).

This research is especially relevant to Thailand, where the concept of “face” and harmonious group interaction play a central role in organizational culture. Narcissistic grandiosity—characterized by a focus on personal gain, dominance in group settings, and a lack of empathy—threatens not only productivity but also the emotional well-being of colleagues. In a country where community, respect, and consensus are highly valued, early identification of such traits can prevent workplace conflict and staff turnover, which are persistent challenges in both Thai corporate and government offices.

A recent study from San Francisco State University offers a practical tool for employers and organizations seeking to identify narcissistic traits in candidates. By analyzing responses to three carefully chosen interview questions, researchers found a notably efficient way to flag potentially disruptive personalities. This approach could help Thai employers, educators, and community leaders build healthier teams and workplaces.

In Thailand, where the concept of face and harmonious group interaction play a central role in organizational culture, narcissistic grandiosity—defined by self-centeredism, dominance, and a lack of empathy—poses risks to both productivity and colleagues’ well-being. Early identification of such traits can help prevent workplace conflict and staff turnover, a persistent challenge in both corporate and government settings in Thailand.