News

In a scientific breakthrough once thought impossible, an international team of researchers has created the first detailed three-dimensional map of a mammal’s brain, offering an unprecedented window into the structure and function of the mind. This ambitious feat, achieved by studying a tiny fragment of a mouse’s visual cortex, marks a pivotal advance in neuroscience and holds profound implications for understanding brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism (CNN/Yahoo! News).

A groundbreaking study from the University of Surrey has found that simply cutting out carbohydrates for one day each week could stimulate the body to burn fat just as effectively as intermittent fasting—a popular but challenging weight loss strategy. The new findings suggest an accessible alternative for those reluctant to embrace severe calorie restriction or complicated fasting patterns, opening new doors for individuals in Thailand and elsewhere aiming to improve health without radically altering their daily diets (GB News).

Exciting news in the fight against Parkinson’s disease: Two newly published clinical studies are providing the strongest evidence yet that stem cell transplants may offer a powerful new treatment for people living with this debilitating condition. In results published this week in the journal Nature, both research teams found that surgically implanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells into the brains of patients led to symptom improvements and no serious side effects—marking an important milestone after decades of painstaking efforts to replace the dying neurons at the root of Parkinson’s. For over a million Americans and countless others worldwide, including an estimated 150,000 Thais suffering from Parkinson’s, this research signals fresh hope for dramatically improving quality of life in the coming years (NPR).

As global uncertainties and digital connectivity entwine daily life, new research has found that stress doesn’t only affect individuals—it can spread from person to person like a virus. Recent studies covered in The Washington Post highlight the science behind “stress contagion,” where exposure to the anxieties and pressures of others can trigger your own stress response. For Thai readers navigating pressures at work, school, or even scrolling through social media, understanding stress contagion and strategies to avoid catching it is both timely and essential (Washington Post, 2025).

A groundbreaking international study has pinpointed a specific region in the brain responsible for deciding how generous we are with friends versus strangers. Researchers from Germany and South Africa have discovered that damage to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) sharply reduces our willingness to share with anyone outside our closest social circle—while generosity toward close friends stays intact. The findings, published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer intriguing new insights into the biological roots of kindness and selfishness, and may have implications for understanding social disorders.

In a scientific renaissance reshaping our understanding of human sensation, new research led by David Ginty at Harvard Medical School is illuminating the breathtaking intricacies of touch—the first sense we develop and the most complex in both scope and impact on our lives. Recent findings, highlighted in a striking feature from Quanta Magazine, reveal how a rich tapestry of specialized cellular sensors underpins our ability to perceive everything from a lover’s gentle kiss to the prick of a thorn, and show that faulty touch processing may hold the key to conditions like chronic pain and autism (Quanta Magazine).

A wave of research is reshaping the way we understand ideology—not just as a social or political phenomenon, but as a deeply rooted function of the human brain. A recent book by political neuroscientist Dr. Leor Zmigrod, “The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking,” has captured global attention by revealing how our biological wiring underpins not only our convictions but also our openness—or resistance—to evidence and change (Nautilus, NY Times). Why does ideology “taste” so good to the mind, and what makes some of us more likely to become deeply entrenched, even to the point of dogma? The answers emerging from neuroscience offer insight for Thais grappling with political polarization and social change.

A revived version of the iconic “Ice Bucket Challenge” is sweeping across social media, this time with a heartfelt mission: raising awareness for mental health. Launched in April 2025 by Active Minds—a prominent US-based non-profit—the campaign encourages participants to douse themselves with ice water while sharing stories about mental health, aiming to spark conversation and end stigma worldwide. While reminiscent of the original ALS fundraising phenomenon of 2014, the new challenge’s “deeper meaning” lies in fostering an open dialogue about struggles that too often remain hidden, a cause especially resonant given today’s post-pandemic mental health crisis.

A recent study from the University of Reading has brought a simple but impactful message to breakfast tables around the world, including Thailand: adding just a handful of walnuts to your morning meal could significantly enhance your brain function throughout the day. This research, published in the journal Food & Function, found that young adults who consumed 50 grams of walnuts with their muesli and yoghurt at breakfast enjoyed faster reaction times and improved memory performance, but with interesting timing differences—memory benefits were especially notable later in the day compared to those who ate a calorie-matched breakfast without nuts (The Independent, University of Reading, Sci.News).

A wave of new research is sending shockwaves through the pediatric and parenting communities worldwide, revealing that many babies and young children may be routinely exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep—potentially threatening their brain development. Studies published by the University of Toronto, widely reported by leading outlets such as Medical Xpress, CNN, and NDTV, found that children’s mattresses often emit worrying quantities of phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances linked to a host of neurological and developmental disorders, triggering calls from scientists for urgent action by manufacturers and regulators (MedicalXpress, CNN, NDTV).

A trip to the supermarket these days is as much a marketing battleground as a chance to stock up on groceries. With promises like “heart healthy,” “high in protein,” and “low-carb” splashed across everything from yogurt to granola bars, health-conscious Thai shoppers may feel reassured about their food choices. But new research and mounting global scrutiny reveal that these claims are often more about sales than substance—prompting both consumers and regulators to rethink how healthy our processed foods really are (Yahoo Lifestyle, 2025).

Seeking ways to enhance intimacy, more Thais are exploring the role of dietary supplements in improving sexual health. According to a recent article published by EatingWell, health experts have identified four notable supplements—vitamin D, ashwagandha, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and L-arginine—as potential boosters for libido and sexual function. As Thailand, like much of the world, experiences increased conversation about sexual wellness and holistic health, understanding the evidence and context around these supplements is especially timely (EatingWell).

A recent NPR investigation shines a stark light on how psychiatric patients in the United States, particularly in Montana, become trapped in a relentless cycle of homelessness, fragmented care, and social exclusion. The story, centered on a woman known as K and told through her daughter L’s harrowing experience, reveals how insufficient mental health services, lack of stable housing, and bureaucratic gaps intertwine to keep vulnerable individuals on the margins of society. As Thailand grapples with its own rising numbers of unhoused people living with mental illness, the lessons from Montana’s crisis offer urgent warnings and valuable insights for Thai policymakers, health workers, and society at large (NPR, 2025).

A fresh wave of research and practical advice is emerging for those hoping to swap the comfort of phone scrolling for the energizing benefits of physical movement—a trend with urgent relevance for Thais of all ages as smartphone use, sedentary work and study, and stressful news cycles become daily realities. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman, co-authors of “I Know I Should Exercise But… 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them,” habitual screen use—especially when we’re stressed or tired—can subtly trap us in cycles of fleeting dopamine rewards, leaving us craving ever more screen time and less inclined to break out for a walk, a stretch, or a dance session. But their message, backed by findings in neuroscience and behavioral therapy, is hopeful: with practice and a few novel strategies, it is possible to retrain your brain to yearn for movement instead of another scroll through Facebook or TikTok (full report: KCBX/NPR).

A surprising twist in the search for longer, healthier lives has surfaced, and it began not in a high-tech lab but among US Navy dolphins. Scientists studying age-related diseases in these marine mammals uncovered a fatty acid, known as C15:0, that’s now being recognized as a potential “longevity nutrient” for humans—with research suggesting this overlooked nutrient could play a crucial role in fighting everything from fatty liver disease to heart disease, diabetes, and even aging itself (IFLScience).

Chia seed water, recently dubbed the “internal shower” on global social media platforms like TikTok, is making headlines for its purported benefits on digestion and overall health. With millions of views and testimonials from enthusiastic users, this simple mixture of chia seeds and water claims to work wonders for gut health. But what does the science actually say, and what should Thai consumers realistically expect from this viral trend? As ever, the truth is nuanced—mixing nutritional promise, practical risks, and plenty of hype.

The specter of polio, a disease once on the brink of global eradication, is looming large yet again as new reports from 2025 reveal troubling spikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, compounded by global aid disruptions and vaccine skepticism1. For Thai readers, these developments sound an urgent warning: even diseases thought to be “conquered” can return if public health vigilance lapses, offering a stark lesson relevant to Thailand’s ongoing immunization efforts and pandemic preparedness.

Depression is on the rise across the United States, especially among adolescents and women, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yet fewer than half of those affected are receiving therapy or counseling. The findings, published on April 16, 2025, offer the most up-to-date look at how the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing societal challenges have intensified mental health struggles, while also exposing persistent gaps in access to mental health care and continued disparities by gender, age, and socioeconomic status (CNN).

A new wave of stressed-out spending, dubbed “doom spending,” is sweeping across generations, promising quick emotional relief but bringing longer-term pain for wallets and mental wellbeing alike. The phenomenon has sparked attention from psychologists and financial experts who warn that, despite its appeal, impulsive retail therapy in response to stress or pessimism about the future is not the stress-buster many hope it will be. With Thailand and other nations facing economic uncertainties — from global inflation to job insecurity — this trend offers a timely cautionary tale for Thai readers navigating their own financial decisions and stress management strategies.

A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Tianhu Sun of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) aims to tackle one of the world’s most pervasive but invisible health issues: vitamin deficiencies. Armed with a $450,000 grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Dr. Sun and his team are harnessing advanced genetic tools — including machine learning and high-throughput robotic screening — to enhance the vitamin content of staple crop seeds, starting with soybeans. This innovative approach promises realistic, sustainable solutions for improving the nutrient profile of everyday foods worldwide, a change that could echo meaningfully in Thailand and beyond (SciTechDaily).

From the glistening waters of the Chao Phraya River to sleek, polished shopping malls in the heart of Bangkok, a preference for lustrous surfaces and water views is more than a matter of aesthetics—it traces back to the very roots of human survival. Recent research, drawing on archaeology, evolutionary psychology, and environmental neuroscience, reveals the powerful influence of shiny and glossy surfaces on our emotions and nervous systems. This not only offers insight into why Thais are drawn to waterfront condos and luxury items but also points to innovative approaches for urban design, health, and education in Thailand.

Recent scientific findings are raising fresh concerns about the health risks posed by microplastics, as new research suggests these tiny pollutants may accelerate aging at the cellular level. According to a report covered by Earth.com, exposure to microplastics might not only be an environmental hazard, but could also trigger premature cellular aging—potentially affecting long-term health outcomes for people around the globe, including here in Thailand (Earth.com).

The presence of microplastics—particles less than five millimeters in size—has been detected everywhere from our oceans to the air we breathe, and now even in human blood and organs. Thailand, with its rich coastline and vibrant seafood culture, is particularly vulnerable to microplastic pollution, given the prevalence of plastic waste in waterways and the Bangkok metropolitan area’s struggle with plastic management. Research consistently links the consumption of microplastics, common in drinking water and foods like shellfish and salt, to potential health risks, but only recently have scientists pinpointed the impact at a cellular level.

A groundbreaking study from MIT is shaking up decades of neuroscience wisdom, revealing the brain’s “object recognition” pathway may also play a significant role in understanding spatial information—an insight that could revolutionize our approach to learning, artificial intelligence, and brain health around the world, including here in Thailand.

For years, scientists have believed the ventral visual stream, a key pathway in the human brain, is dedicated to recognizing objects—like a Starbucks cup on a Bangkok Skytrain or a rambutan vendor at the Chatuchak Market. This idea shaped not just neuroscience textbooks, but also inspired computer vision systems now used in everything from smartphones to smart cars. Yet, new research led by MIT graduate student Yudi Xie suggests the story is far more nuanced. Their findings, presented at the prestigious International Conference on Learning Representations, show that when deep learning models are trained not only to identify objects, but also to understand spatial features like location, rotation, and size, these models mirror neural activity in the ventral stream just as accurately as traditional object recognition models. In other words, the ventral stream might be wired for much more than recognizing faces or products—it could be a multifaceted toolkit for seeing and interacting with the world.

It might be easy to take touch for granted—until something goes wrong. But in recent research led by Harvard neurobiologist David Ginty, and reported by Quanta Magazine on April 16, 2025, scientists are uncovering an astonishingly intricate “landscape” of cellular sensors that give rise to the rich, nuanced sense of touch. Far surpassing the simplicity of earlier textbook diagrams, these findings paint touch as the most complex human sense, rooted in a vast, diverse family of sensory neurons scattered across skin and internal organs (Quanta Magazine).