News

Scientists have uncovered that the brain’s dopamine system doesn’t simply predict if a reward is coming, but also precisely when to expect it—offering fresh insights into motivation, addiction, and even artificial intelligence. This new study, led by researchers at the University of Geneva and published on June 9, 2025, fundamentally changes our understanding of how the brain’s reward circuitry times and values pleasurable experiences, opening new avenues for practical applications in health and education (ScienceDaily).

A pioneering study using eye-tracking technology has revealed that individuals with depression pay disproportionate attention to threatening and neutral images, potentially reinforcing the cycle of negative thinking characteristic of depressive disorders. The research, recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, sheds light on the subtle ways depression influences how people process the world around them—an insight with significant implications for clinical practice and daily life in Thailand and beyond (PsyPost).

A new eye-tracking study uncovers how depression shapes what people notice in everyday environments. Researchers found that individuals with major depressive disorder spend more time looking at threatening and neutral images while showing fewer rapid eye movements. This pattern suggests a focused attention on negative or ambiguous content that could reinforce pessimistic thinking. The study appears in the Journal of Affective Disorders, with insights that are relevant for clinical practice and daily life in Thailand and beyond. According to recent coverage by PsyPost, the study highlights the subtle ways depression influences information processing.

A remarkable story is sparking global conversations about mental health and unconventional paths to healing, as an American man’s quest to visit every country in the world helped him confront lifelong obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and shape a narrative of resilience and connection. His journey, chronicled in a recent CNN feature, offers fresh insights with far-reaching implications—including for readers in Thailand—about how challenging oneself in unfamiliar settings may support mental wellbeing.

Traveling with OCD was never about mere adventure for this individual, who grew up grappling with relentless cycles of troubling thoughts and a need for control—hallmarks of OCD as defined by the Mayo Clinic’s characterization of “unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions)” that drive repetitive behaviors (Mayo Clinic). Instead, travel became a lifeline. In the words of the world traveler, “OCD feeds on control: controlling your environment, routines, and outcomes. But when you’re navigating chaotic borders, sleeping on floors, or figuring things out in countries where you don’t speak the language, you’re forced to surrender control. It’s uncomfortable, but also freeing.” This sense of liberation from rigid routines was key to his healing process.

Moments of mind blanking happen at the most inconvenient times—during exams, important meetings, or casual chats. A growing body of research treats these lapses not as personal failings but as common, brain-wide events that reveal how our minds recharge. For Thai readers, understanding this phenomenon can guide daily stress management, productivity, and mental health awareness in education and work settings.

Researchers now view mind blanking as a normal aspect of cognition, not a rare quirk. A major review indicates people spend roughly 5% to 20% of waking hours with no conscious thoughts. This challenges the notion that blank moments are simply a failure of attention and shows they are a widespread feature of human experience that affects students, professionals, and older adults alike. In Thai classrooms and offices, recognizing this as a natural part of brain function can reduce stigma around forgetting or pausing mid-speech.

A new neuroimaging study suggests regular mindfulness meditation makes people more attuned to bodily sensations, but it does not sharpen sensory accuracy. The finding, reported in Psychophysiology, shows mindfulness can lower the brain’s sensory gating—the threshold that decides which signals reach conscious awareness—raising important questions for mental health practice and personal well-being. Research from behavioral and EEG data highlights that openness to internal cues increases, even when real sensory discrimination does not.

A growing body of research points to a simple yet powerful tool for healthy, resilient brains: regular exercise. A recent Lancet article on neuroprotective mechanisms of exercise highlights the scientific consensus that physical activity protects the ageing brain and can slow cognitive decline. This finding is particularly timely for Thailand, where the population is rapidly ageing and dementia risk rises.

Thailand is entering a “super-aged” era. By 2031, more than 28% of Thais are expected to be over 60. With cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease on the rise, affordable, accessible strategies to protect brain health are urgently needed. Evidence now suggests that regular moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity could be among the most effective and equitable interventions.

A growing body of evidence is pointing towards a powerful tool in the quest for a healthy, resilient brain: regular exercise. A recent article published in The Lancet, “Neuroprotective mechanisms of exercise and the importance of fitness for healthy brain ageing,” highlights the robust scientific consensus emerging around physical activity’s unique ability to protect the ageing brain and ward off cognitive decline. This research is highly relevant for Thai readers, especially as Thailand’s population rapidly ages and the risks associated with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases climb.

A new neuroimaging study has revealed that regular mindfulness meditation can make people more attuned to bodily sensations, but this increased openness does not actually sharpen sensory accuracy. The findings, published in the journal Psychophysiology, provide fresh insight into how mindfulness meditation alters perception by lowering the brain’s sensory gating—the threshold that regulates what bodily signals reach conscious awareness—raising intriguing questions for both mental health practitioners and individuals seeking emotional well-being through meditation (PsyPost).

A growing body of research points to resistance training—lifting weights and using resistance bands—as a powerful tool for healthy aging. For adults over 50, strengthening muscles can help combat bone loss, balance issues, and cognitive aging, offering new hope for Thailand’s aging population.

Many Thais associate staying active with walking, yoga, or light cardio. Yet physiotherapy experts now emphasize that weight-bearing exercise should anchor midlife and senior fitness. A well-known physical therapy professional described weight training as a fountain of youth, noting its direct impact on bone density and fracture prevention. Muscle mass also aids metabolism and blood sugar regulation, critical concerns for Thailand as rates of diabetes and metabolic syndrome rise. Data from Thailand’s Public Health data shows the important link between strength training and overall metabolic health.

A new wave of scientific consensus is spotlighting resistance training—not just any activity, but lifting weights and using resistance bands—as the so-called “fountain of youth” for adults, particularly those over 50 years old. Recent findings and expert commentary underscore that building and maintaining muscle through strength exercises is one of the most effective ways to stave off the negative effects of aging, from brittle bones to cognitive decline, offering fresh hope for aging populations worldwide—including in Thailand.

A global debate is intensifying as new research shows a softer demand for entry-level tech roles. Computer science graduates, once seen as a passport to stable careers, are encountering higher unemployment than many non-technical peers. The findings prompt Thai educators and policymakers to re-evaluate digital education strategies and the actual job market, with implications for Thailand’s ambitious coding initiatives.

In Thailand, government and education authorities have pushed coding and digital literacy since 2023. Nationwide campaigns introduced coding in schools and aimed to equip students with tech skills for international competitiveness. These efforts are reinforced by teacher training programs and public-private partnerships designed to inspire young people to become creators of technology, not merely consumers. Yet global trends show that even as digital skills rise, the job market remains competitive and uneven, underscoring the need for nuanced planning in Thailand’s labor strategy.

A new study reveals that the brain’s dopamine system does more than signal rewards. It also predicts the exact timing of when pleasure will occur. This insight could transform approaches to motivation, addiction treatment, and even artificial intelligence. Led by researchers from the University of Geneva and published in mid-2025, the work shows the brain’s reward circuitry times pleasurable experiences with remarkable precision, offering practical implications for health and learning in Thailand.

A growing body of research, echoed by recent health and happiness studies, questions society’s fixation on living an “interesting” life. In Thailand, social media culture and workplace norms push people to showcase dramatic milestones and enviable adventures. Yet evidence suggests lasting satisfaction often comes from lives that appear ordinary on the surface.

The discussion highlights how fear of “falling behind” has become widespread. People switch jobs not just for advancement, but to avoid the impression of stagnation. Travel choices are increasingly made for social media appeal, and the question “What do you do?” now serves as a social test—rewarding those who earn admiration.

A growing wave of research, echoed in a recent VegOut Magazine article, challenges our cultural obsession with living an “interesting” life. While social media and workplace dynamics pressure individuals to continually impress others with enviable experiences and dramatic career milestones, evidence suggests that true satisfaction may come from lives that—on the surface—seem profoundly ordinary.

As the article highlights, anxiety about “falling behind” has reached epidemic levels. This pressure manifests in increasingly common behaviors, such as job-hopping among young professionals not out of dissatisfaction, but to avoid being seen as unambitious. Many people choose vacation destinations with Instagram in mind, and the question “What do you do?” has become a social test, rewarding only those who can elicit admiration.

A compelling story is sparking global discussions about mental health and unconventional paths to healing. An American traveler’s mission to visit every country in the world became a conduit for confronting lifelong obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and building resilience through cultural immersion. This narrative offers fresh insights for Thai readers about how stepping beyond familiar routines can support mental wellbeing.

For this traveler, OCD was not merely a craving for adventure. He grew up battling persistent intrusive thoughts and a strong need for control, symptoms aligned with OCD as described by medical authorities. Travel, he found, becomes a lifeline: when navigating new borders, sleeping on unfamiliar floors, or communicating in languages not his own, he’s forced to relinquish control. The result is both uncomfortable and liberating, a paradox that fueled his healing.

It hits at the most inconvenient moments: during a stressful exam, a high-stakes meeting, or even a casual conversation when you simply cannot recall what you were just about to say. This sudden “mind blanking” is more than a common annoyance—recent research reveals it is a complex and surprisingly frequent mental event that holds important lessons about how our brains function and recharge. For Thai readers, understanding this phenomenon can help manage daily stress, enhance productivity, and inform approaches to mental health and education.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world’s advertising industry at breakneck speed, fueling both anxiety and optimism as agencies, tech giants and creatives grapple with what some call the “death of creativity.” As Meta (formerly Facebook) and Google unveil AI tools that can automate ad creation and targeting, industry leaders now face stark questions about the future of work, the creative process, and the livelihoods of thousands—including here in Thailand, where the advertising industry is closely watching global developments.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping global advertising at breakneck speed, sparking both fear and hope. As Meta and Google roll out AI tools to automate ad creation and targeting, industry leaders confront questions about the future of work, the creative process, and livelihoods—also for Thailand, where the ad sector watches global shifts closely.

The momentum is real. Leading agencies are investing heavily in data, machine learning, and AI-driven campaigns to stay competitive. Recent high-profile AI-generated ads—ranging from sports coaching videos inspired by legends to robotic-style handwriting—illustrate how far machines can go in crafting personalized messages. Data from major industry players suggests AI can deliver fast, scalable campaigns, but it also raises concerns about the quality and cultural resonance of marketing.

China paused several AI chatbot services during the gaokao, the country’s high-stakes college entrance exam, to safeguard exam integrity. Leading AI firms publicly disabled image-recognition and question-answering features during exam hours, with messages citing a commitment to fairness. The move was echoed by multiple platforms, and a viral AI service also restricted access in line with exam protection efforts. Authorities already ban phones and laptops in exam halls, but concerns about covert AI assistance before and during tests have grown among students, parents, and educators. Social media chatter on Weibo reflected broad anxiety about fairness in a tech-driven academic era.

AI is reshaping education worldwide, including Thailand, but experts say it strengthens rather than undermines computer science. Mastery of computing principles remains essential for students and educators navigating a fast-changing digital landscape.

AI now plays a dual role in computer science education. While it can automate parts of programming and problem-solving, researchers argue that understanding core concepts is more important than ever. This knowledge enables learners to harness, critique, and design AI technologies rather than be passively shaped by them.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has swept across global education systems, igniting debates over whether the rise of tools like ChatGPT and code-generating software could render traditional computer science studies obsolete. However, the latest research and expert commentaries decisively counter this narrative, arguing that AI is not killing computer science but is instead making its mastery more essential than ever before for Thai students and educators navigating an evolving digital landscape.

A recent U.S. case has drawn attention to AI-powered sextortion, where a teenager died by suicide after being blackmailed with an artificially created nude image. The incident underscores the urgent need for awareness and stronger protections as digital exploitation evolves.

The tragedy began when a teenage boy was targeted by criminals who used AI to fabricate a nude photo of him. They threatened to release the image unless he met their demands. Unable to cope with fear and shame, he took his own life. Experts say this crime is rising in the United States and around the world, including Asia.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long held a place in traditional remedies, but viral social media trends and health claims have propelled this humble condiment to stardom in recent years. With bottled drinks, capsules, and gummies lining supermarket shelves in Thailand, the question remains: does apple cider vinegar truly deliver on its promises, or is it just another fleeting wellness fad? We break down the most recent scientific research and interview insights from nutrition experts, offering a clear, practical guide for Thai readers seeking reliable health information.