News

A quirky fitness challenge known as the Old Man Test has spread across social media and the medical community. New research suggests it may reveal more about future health and longevity than simple balance. The test involves standing on one leg, putting on and tying a sock and shoe, then repeating on the other leg without touching the lifted foot to the ground except during transitions. While entertaining, experts now point to growing evidence that this simple task correlates with key health indicators in aging adults.

A wave of recent research is reshaping our understanding of fatherhood. Studies show that men’s brains can change in measurable, dynamic ways after becoming dads—changes that echo what has long been observed in mothers. For Thai families watching shifting parenting roles and for policymakers focused on child development, these findings reveal new insights into caregiving and challenge old stereotypes.

Historically, conversations about parenting often centered on “mom brain,” the idea that mothers undergo cognitive and emotional shifts after birth. Now, researchers from a leading US university report that fatherhood also triggers neurological and hormonal changes. The growing body of evidence suggests that dads engage in a biological process that supports caregiving, a development with broad implications for family life and public policy.

A new study from San Francisco State University offers three simple interview questions that can flag narcissistic tendencies in job applicants. The findings, published in June 2025 and summarized by Psychology Today, provide practical tools for Thai organizations aiming to protect team dynamics and organizational health.

In Thailand, where harmony and “namjai” (น้ำใจ) are valued, unchecked narcissism can quietly undermine collaboration, morale, and performance. The research focuses on narcissistic grandiosity—the aspect most linked to disruptive workplace behavior. The team reduced an initial pool of 19 indicators to three core questions, designed to fit both formal interviews and casual group discussions. The questions reliably correlated with scores on standard narcissism measures, offering a quick screening method rather than a formal diagnosis.

A major study by the Japan Institute for Health Security shows that adults who follow a traditional Japanese-style diet report fewer depressive symptoms. This large-scale research marks a turning point in understanding how everyday eating patterns can influence mental health in both workplace and community settings.

For Thai readers, the findings offer timely relevance. Depression is rising in Thailand and across Asia, making practical dietary strategies increasingly appealing. Like Japan, Thai society is navigating urban living, social change, and evolving food habits. This study highlights the potential impact of returning to nutrient-rich, traditional foods in supporting mental well-being.

A playful fitness challenge dubbed the “Old Man Test” has captured attention across social media and the medical community alike, as new research highlights its surprising power to gauge more than just balance—it may provide a window into future health and longevity. Originating with CrossFit trainer Chris Hinshaw, the Old Man Test asks individuals to stand on one leg, put on a sock and shoe, tie the shoe, then repeat with the other leg—all without touching the lifted foot to the ground except during the transition. While this may seem like an amusing party trick, experts now point to growing scientific evidence that this simple test correlates strongly with crucial markers of overall health, especially for aging adults (Best Life Online; New York Post).

A growing wave of research suggests that vitamin D, the so-called “sunshine vitamin,” may influence cardiovascular health and stroke risk. A recent narrative review in the journal Nutrients reports that regular vitamin D supplementation could reduce stroke risk by up to 17%. For Thai audiences, this finding is meaningful given the country’s high burden of heart disease and stroke and the ways lifestyle, diet, and sun exposure influence vitamin D status.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern that now touches many Thai households. With more urban living, indoor work, and busy schedules, the so-called sunshine vitamin is often in short supply. Public health experts warn that this silent trend could grow if awareness and screening do not keep pace with changing lifestyles. Data from Thailand’s public health system shows urban residents, older adults, and those with limited outdoor access are at higher risk.

Leisure travel is set to become a $15 trillion powerhouse by 2040, according to a landmark study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), signaling an era of unprecedented opportunity—and challenge—for airlines, hotels, and tour operators worldwide. The report forecasts that the sector will triple in value from $5 trillion in 2024, driven by shifting demographics, fresh travel motivations, and groundbreaking use of digital technology in planning and experiences. These profound shifts carry particularly significant ramifications for Thailand, an established tourism hub in Asia primed to benefit—and compete—in this new global travel order.

A recent study from the University of Barcelona shows that everyday language can help detect personality traits and that AI models can explain how they reach these conclusions. Using integrated gradients, researchers make the decision process of AI personality assessments more transparent. The work, published in PLOS ONE, could influence how personality is measured in fields like clinical psychology, education, and human resources.

For Thai audiences, the timing is timely. Southeast Asia is rapidly adopting digital tools, including AI, in schools, universities, and workplaces in Bangkok and beyond. Language-based personality assessments could support student counseling, recruitment, and personalized learning. However, ethical considerations must accompany these advances as Thailand explores AI-enabled solutions.

AI chatbots are emerging as a potential emotional lifeline for people seeking support, with new research showing more individuals turning to artificial intelligence for comfort traditionally sought from human therapists. While this offers faster, around-the-clock access, experts warn about privacy risks and the limits of AI as a substitute for professional care. The Thai context is especially salient as access to mental health services remains uneven and cultural factors influence how people seek help.

Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic transformation in higher education, pushing universities worldwide to shift beyond their traditional focus on young students and research to embrace lifelong learning for all. The latest research and expert commentary, highlighted by a keynote address from the president of Northeastern University, underscores a global pivot—one that is increasingly relevant for Thailand’s rapidly evolving educational landscape (Northeastern University; Forward Pathway). Amid the rise of generative AI and large language models such as ChatGPT, higher education institutions face mounting pressure to adapt, or risk obsolescence.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education, pushing universities to move beyond traditional programs for young students. The latest research and expert insights highlight a global shift toward lifelong learning that includes adult and mid-career learners. This momentum matters for Thailand as the country accelerates digital economy initiatives and workforce upskilling.

Leaders in higher education argue that the workforce now requires flexible, modular, and experiential learning. University presidents emphasize the need to customize offerings to employer needs while tailoring learning paths to individuals. The aim is to build a system that supports continuous education throughout a person’s career, rather than a single-degree model. International think tanks and higher-education groups echo this call, urging institutions to adopt flexible formats that align with today’s unpredictable career trajectories.

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Barcelona has harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal how everyday language can be used to detect personality traits, while also making key inroads into understanding how such AI models make their decisions. Using advanced machine learning techniques and a transparent, explainable AI approach known as “integrated gradients,” the research demystifies the inner workings of AI personality assessments. Their findings, recently published in PLOS ONE, could transform how personality is measured and ethically deployed across fields ranging from clinical psychology to education and human resources (source).

Asia, already home to more than half the world’s population and many of its largest cities, is now warming at twice the global average, according to a landmark 2024 report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released this June (UN News). The findings mark a stark scientific confirmation that the world’s most populous continent, and a region at the heart of the global economy, faces a climate crisis of unprecedented speed and intensity. Driven by its extensive landmass and interconnected air-sea interactions, Asia now faces devastating extremes in heat, rainfall, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels, all of which are reshaping livelihoods and posing mounting risks across every country—from India’s monsoon-lashed hills to China’s parched fields and the low-lying coasts of Thailand.

New research changes how obesity is understood for Thai health planning. A study published on June 26, 2025 in the Annals of Family Medicine finds that body fat percentage (BF%) more accurately predicts both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than body mass index (BMI), especially among adults aged 20 to 49. The findings could influence how Thai clinicians screen for health risks across the country.

For decades, BMI has been the standard metric in Thai hospitals and clinics for obesity screenings, workplace wellness programs, and national health surveys. BMI relies on height and weight and does not distinguish fat from muscle. The latest study shows BF% measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides a clearer picture of long-term mortality risk and is increasingly accessible in primary care.

Regular brisk walking can meaningfully improve cholesterol profiles and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Recent health reporting highlights that daily moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, can raise beneficial HDL cholesterol while lowering harmful LDL cholesterol. This is especially relevant for Thailand, where non-communicable diseases tied to high cholesterol remain a major public health concern.

Walking’s accessibility stands out. It requires no special equipment or expensive programs, making it a practical option for most Thais amid busy urban lives. In cities like Bangkok, where sedentary behavior is common, incorporating frequent walks can deliver low-cost, preventive health benefits. Data from global health sources show that high cholesterol is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular events, which are leading causes of death in Thailand and worldwide.

The world’s rapidly declining birth rates have ignited a cultural, political, and economic debate that has reached new prominence in 2025. Concerns surrounding fertility decline, its impacts on social structures, and emerging “pronatalist” movements—those actively promoting higher birth rates—have transitioned from quieter academic discussions to mainstream headlines in Thailand and beyond. The issue isn’t simply statistical: it touches on the future of economies, generational care, cultural norms, and even environmental discussions, prompting stakeholders across the globe to rethink whether “more babies” is the solution to looming demographic challenges.

A growing body of health science suggests devotion, not sheer willpower, may be the better route to lasting habits and wellbeing. A recent CNN feature, published June 26, 2025, surveys expert perspectives and real-life stories to challenge the idea that self-control alone builds sustainable change. In Thailand’s fast-moving society, the question of how to foster healthier routines—diet, exercise, digital balance, and self-care—feels increasingly urgent.

Traditionally, discipline has been held up as the key to success in classrooms, workplaces, and gyms. Thai families, educators, and popular culture often equate achievement with strict self-control. Yet health psychology and behavioral science leaders worldwide are offering a different lens. Across Thai life, routines intersect with mindfulness and self-compassion rooted in Buddhist culture, inviting people to view health as a gentler, more meaningful practice.

From kitchen tables to the latest nutritional research, attitudes toward dietary fat are shifting dramatically. A recent article published in The Independent explores this transformation, illuminating how the longstanding beliefs about fat—once maligned as a dietary villain—are being reconsidered in light of new scientific evidence and cultural trends. In Thailand, where food culture and health policies intersect, this evolving global conversation resonates deeply, prompting both local consumers and public health officials to ask: should fat be back on the menu—and if so, in what form?

ChatGPT, a widely used generative AI chatbot, is becoming an emotional lifeline for individuals seeking support, with new research indicating a record number of people are turning to artificial intelligence for comfort traditionally sought from human therapists. The rapid rise in AI’s role as a confidant is stirring both hope and concern among mental health experts and policymakers worldwide — and it holds unique implications for Thailand, where access to mental healthcare remains a societal challenge.

A growing concern among educators is that today’s university students may arrive on campus lacking essential life skills. In many cases, parenting styles that emphasize protection over autonomy are seen as a contributor to this trend. The discussion, sparked by an anonymous professor’s reflections in an advice column, resonates with Thai educators who are seeing similar patterns at home and in schools.

Experts note that overprotective, or “helicopter,” parenting can hinder a child’s development of autonomy and resilience. Students who expect step-by-step guidance and fear of discomfort can struggle with practical self-care and problem-solving in daily life and study. This shift affects classroom dynamics and raises questions about readiness for the workforce.

A growing body of research and media coverage is challenging the long-held silence around men’s emotional struggles in romantic relationships, revealing that the pain of heartbreak, ghosting, and emotional strain has a far deeper impact on men’s mental health than previously acknowledged. This timely conversation, highlighted in a recent feature from KHOU 11+ (“I’m not OK: Why love hurts more than we admit” KHOU), offers Thai readers urgent insights into the hidden battles men face in love—and why understanding these challenges is crucial to advancing mental wellness for everyone.

Microsoft is intensifying its internal push for artificial intelligence adoption, informing staff that “using AI is no longer optional,” according to a recent internal memo obtained by Business Insider. In a move that underscores the software giant’s commitment to embedding AI into daily workflows, managers have been instructed to evaluate employees partly on their use of AI tools such as GitHub Copilot. The company is also considering making this a formal metric in performance reviews for the upcoming fiscal year, signaling a radical shift in workplace expectations within the tech industry and repercussions for global work culture—including in Thailand’s rapidly digitising tech and knowledge sectors.

Microsoft is intensifying its push to embed artificial intelligence across the workplace. An internal memo, reportedly obtained by Business Insider, states that “using AI is no longer optional.” Managers will evaluate employees partly on their use of AI tools, including GitHub Copilot, and the policy may become a formal performance metric in the next fiscal year. This signals a significant shift in workplace expectations, with potential implications for Thailand’s fast-growing tech and knowledge sectors.