News

A new wave of psychological research highlights six easy habits that can significantly improve concentration, even in the face of constant digital distractions. Drawing on academic studies and expert insights, these routines are practical for busy Thais seeking to optimize productivity at work, study, or daily life.

Thailand’s evolving work culture—remote jobs, online learning, and always-on connectivity—has made focus more valuable and often harder to maintain. For professionals, students, and office staff alike, attention is a learnable skill that can be cultivated through daily habits that minimize interruptions and set the mind up for sustained performance. Research shows that focus develops through repeated routines rather than sheer willpower.

A growing body of recent research is reshaping exercise recommendations for cyclists and other active adults managing type 2 diabetes, with mounting evidence that strength training—particularly at higher intensities—may be the most powerful regimen for controlling blood sugar and improving overall metabolic health. These revelations are poised to influence how Thai individuals with diabetes, one of the country’s most concerning chronic diseases, structure their fitness routines and lifestyle choices.

Type 2 diabetes continues an alarming upward trend both globally and within Thailand. Studies show that Thailand faces a high prevalence of the disease, with over 10.2% of its adult population living with diabetes according to the International Diabetes Federation, which translates to approximately 6.36 million adults as of 2024. Further, the number is on the rise, increasing from 7.5% of the adult population in 2009 to 11.6% in 2021 (IDF Thailand; PMC9701779). The Thai Ministry of Public Health has repeatedly stressed the urgent need for lifestyle changes, urging citizens to adopt healthier diets and regular physical activity (Nation Thailand).

A growing body of research is reshaping exercise guidance for cyclists and active adults managing type 2 diabetes. Strength training, especially at higher intensities, may offer the strongest benefits for blood sugar control and overall metabolic health. Thai health professionals see this as particularly relevant for Thailand, where diabetes remains a major public health challenge.

Thailand faces a rising burden of type 2 diabetes. Data from international health sources show the country has a high prevalence, with about 11% of adults living with diabetes as of 2021, translating to millions of people nationwide. The Thai Ministry of Public Health has repeatedly urged lifestyle changes, emphasizing healthier diets and regular physical activity.

Caregivers of children with autism face daily burdens that go beyond typical parenting challenges. Global research indicates that parental stress tends to be higher for families dealing with autism than for those raising children with other disabilities. In Thailand, where autism awareness is still developing, these findings underscore the need for systemic support that reaches families in all communities, not just urban centers.

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex condition affecting social interaction, communication, and perception. Each child’s journey is unique, but common themes persist: difficulties with transitions, repetitive behaviors, and limited social communication require constant vigilance from parents. Experts and parents alike note that moments of joy can be balanced by days of exhaustion, sometimes within a single day, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster many families ride.

A global push to standardize AI and computer science in high schools is gaining momentum. More than 250 top business leaders joined Code.org in urging policymakers to make AI and CS courses a requirement. The open letter argues that AI literacy is essential for students to compete in a rapidly changing economy. Thailand can draw practical lessons from this movement as it evolves its own education strategy.

The collaboration between business leaders and Code.org signals a rare alignment of industry and education. Signatories span technology, finance, manufacturing, and retail, stressing that without solid foundations in AI and CS, students risk falling behind in a job market where digital skills are increasingly non-negotiable. In the United States, policy actions already prioritize STEM and AI education, illustrating a clear model for national reform. As AI tools such as generative models and intelligent tutoring systems enter classrooms, the call for comprehensive curriculum updates grows stronger.

A simple rule—don’t go to bed angry—continues to spark debate. Yet recent research from Oregon State University supports its value for relationships and overall well-being. For Thai readers navigating contemporary partnerships, this insight blends tradition with science, offering practical guidance for health and happiness.

Researchers from the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University followed more than 2,000 participants, tracking daily emotions and how ending disputes before sleep affected well-being. Using a brief eight-day diary, scientists measured immediate emotional spikes, or reactivity, and lingering effects, or residue, of everyday disagreements. Data from trusted institutions shows that resolving issues before bedtime significantly lowers negative emotions the next day and reduces long-term emotional strain.

A Brazilian study tracking nearly 4,000 adults aged 46–75 reveals that muscle power—the ability to move quickly with strength—predicts longevity and quality of life as much as, or more than, traditional strength alone. The research, conducted over two decades in Rio de Janeiro, highlights that rapid movements matter for preventing falls and maintaining independence. These findings shift the focus from how strong we are to how quickly we can apply that strength in real life, a nuance that resonates in everyday Thai life where quick, balanced movements are vital for safety at home, at work, and on the street.

A wave of advocacy is sweeping across the education landscape as more than 250 top corporate leaders, together with Code.org—one of the world’s most influential computer science non-profits—have urged policymakers to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classes a standard requirement in high schools. Their call, encapsulated in an open letter published earlier this month, highlights mounting pressure on the US and global education systems to ensure that today’s students are equipped for an era dominated by AI-powered technologies. This ambitious push, already supported by research and global industry trends, holds important lessons and opportunities for Thailand as it grapples with its own transformation in education and workforce preparation.

A newly released study by University of California San Francisco has uncovered compelling evidence that regular cannabis use, whether smoked or eaten as edibles, poses significant risks to cardiovascular health—on par with those seen in tobacco smokers. The findings, published in JAMA Cardiology on May 28, hold broad implications for communities worldwide, including Thailand, where cannabis reform remains a subject of careful debate and rapid market growth.

The research is particularly significant given that Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, sparking a “green rush” of dispensaries, edible products, and wellness treatments across the country. However, as debates over the benefits and drawbacks of cannabis legalization intensify, the new UCSF data brings overdue scientific scrutiny to the long-term health implications for the Thai public.

A large, long-term trial suggests that daily vitamin D3 supplementation could slow biological aging by up to three years. The study tracked more than 1,000 adults for up to five years, comparing 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily with a placebo. A subset also received omega-3s. Researchers found less telomere shortening—the “caps” on chromosomes that indicate aging risk—among those taking vitamin D, implying a slower aging process. Omega-3s did not show a significant effect on telomere length in this trial.

There’s a new social media obsession sweeping the globe, inviting people not just to question their own personalities, but to consider whether their very homes might also belong to one of four classic types. Inspired by the original Type A and Type B personality theory first coined by cardiologists in the 1950s, the concept has now migrated to the world of interior design. But what does it actually mean for Thai homeowners searching for harmony, comfort, and self-expression in their living spaces?

A dazzling 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic—hailed as one of the most beautiful found in Israel—was recently unveiled for public viewing in the Western Negev Desert, marking an extraordinary revival of ancient heritage for scholars and travelers alike. This remarkable work of early Christian art, known as the Be’er Shema (Birsama) mosaic, traces its origins back to 324–638 CE and now takes pride of place at the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters after decades of meticulous conservation efforts (ArchaeologyMag.com).

A newly emerging walking method known as the “5-4-5 walking technique” is gaining popularity for its ability to simultaneously energise both body and mind. The technique, recently highlighted by a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide in a first-person account, injects interval-style variety into daily walks and promises notable health benefits. As everyday Thais seek affordable and accessible ways to improve physical and mental wellbeing, could this innovative approach offer a new model for nationwide fitness?

A new fitness approach called the 5-4-5 walking technique is catching attention for boosting energy and mood through simple, interval-style walk patterns. Reported by a Tom’s Guide writer in a first-person account, this method adds variety to everyday strolls and promises meaningful health gains. For busy Thais seeking affordable, accessible ways to improve wellbeing, could this approach become a practical nationwide model?

The method is straightforward and adaptable. After a gentle warm-up, you jog or run for five minutes, slow to a four-minute relaxed recovery walk, then resume a brisk five-minute walk. This 14-minute cycle can be repeated for as long as desired—two cycles for a 28-minute workout or three for a 45-minute session. The routine alternates high, low, and moderate intensities to elevate the heart rate without the harsh impact of nonstop running. In daily life, such intervals mirror HIIT benefits with much gentler joints, making it suitable for a broad audience.

An exciting discovery has captured attention from scholars and enthusiasts alike: a group of amateur archaeologists uncovered an intricately carved goddess figure dating back about 1,800 years. The artifact, linked to late antique religious practices, provides rare insight into ancient spirituality and the roles of goddesses in historical societies. This finding underscores how citizen science can contribute meaningfully to understanding cultural heritage, while fueling local and international interest in preservation.

A new scholarly update from the National Trust sheds light on one of medieval England’s most intriguing burial practices. A copper-alloy bucket, imported from the Byzantine world 1,500 years ago, has been confirmed as a cremation vessel at the Sutton Hoo burial site. This finding enriches our understanding of early Anglo-Saxon funerary rites and long-distance connections across Eurasia in the 6th century.

The object—the Bromeswell bucket—was first discovered in fragments at Sutton Hoo in 1986. It was only recently reassembled after additional pieces were recovered. A Time Team excavation over the past year uncovered the bucket’s final base, enabling researchers to inspect its contents. Analyses revealed human bone fragments, including ankle and skull pieces, establishing the vessel as a cremation urn used in early Anglo-Saxon burials.

A recently published investigation into the enigmatic burial traditions of early medieval England has shed light on a unique archaeological find: a 1,500-year-old copper-alloy bucket, once a rare import from the Byzantine Empire, has been identified as a cremation burial vessel at the renowned Sutton Hoo site. This breakthrough, announced by the National Trust and detailed in a CBS News report, marks a significant advance in understanding Anglo-Saxon funerary customs and the extensive trade and diplomatic links across Eurasia during the 6th century.

A remote Mexican cave is rewriting history. What looked like modern garbage turned out to be a carefully curated collection of sacred, 500-year-old objects used in fertility rituals, according to a report by Ynetnews. The discovery sheds new light on the spiritual life of pre-Hispanic communities and resonates with Thai readers who value heritage and ritual practices.

In September 2023, a professional cave mapper and a local guide explored Tlayócoc—known as Badger Cave in Nahuatl—in Guerrero state, perched at roughly 2,380 meters. The cave, long considered barren, yielded 14 enigmatic items hidden beneath a flood-prone passageway. Among them were shell bracelets, an ornate sea snail shell, engraved stone discs, and charred wood, all suggesting ceremonial use rather than neglect.

A dramatic new find from Spain suggests a Neanderthal may have intentionally created art using a single ochre-stained touch. The discovery challenges long-standing ideas about when and by whom symbolic thinking and artistic expression began. The study appears in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences and strengthens the view that Neanderthals shared complex cognitive abilities with modern humans.

An eight-inch pebble of quartz-rich granite, excavated in 2022 from a central Spanish rock shelter, lies at the center of the claim. Researchers estimate the pebble is about 42,000 to 43,000 years old. It bears curved forms that resemble a face, and crucially, a vivid red dot placed precisely where the “nose” would be. Forensic analysis by Spanish authorities identified the mark as an ochre fingerprint deliberately applied by a Neanderthal finger, not a random scratch.

Archaeologists in Egypt have revealed the discovery of three ancient tombs in Luxor, believed to belong to distinguished statesmen from the New Kingdom era (1550–1070 BCE), a period acclaimed for its monumental architecture and flourishing Egyptian civilization. Announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, these findings shed striking new light on both the social hierarchy and religious customs of the time, offering the world a glimpse into the lives of ancient Egypt’s upper echelons.

A remarkable discovery in a secluded Mexican cave is rewriting history: what initially looked like modern garbage has turned out to be a collection of sacred, 500-year-old artifacts used in fertility rituals, according to a recent report by Ynetnews (ynetnews.com). This find offers new insights into the spiritual life and ceremonial practices of pre-Hispanic cultures, reverberating far beyond its mountainous origins for readers around the globe, including Thailand.

In September 2023, a professional cave mapper and a local guide ventured deep into Tlayócoc—known as “Badger Cave” in the Nahuatl language—set high in the rugged terrain of Guerrero state, Mexico, at an elevation of about 2,380 meters. This remote cave, previously untouched for approximately five centuries, was thought to contain nothing more than water and bat guano. What awaited the explorers, however, altered their understanding of the past: 14 mysterious objects hidden under a flood-prone passageway, including shell bracelets, an ornate sea snail shell, engraved stone discs, and charred wood.

New archaeological findings illuminate how prehistoric hunter-gatherers on Europe’s Atlantic coast crafted sophisticated tools from whale bones nearly 20,000 years ago. Reports in high-profile journals highlight large projectile points and other implements made from gray whale bones, uncovered in a Duruthy rockshelter in Landes, France. Radiocarbon dating places these artifacts in the Late Paleolithic Magdalenian period, a time when Europe remained heavily glaciated and coastal communities relied on diverse resources.

Anxiety is a universal human experience—whether it’s a jitter before a work presentation, worry over family affairs, or a restless night thinking about the future. But in today’s rapidly changing world, recognizing when anxiety crosses the line from everyday stress to a potentially serious mental health concern has become vital, especially in Thailand where the pace of life and societal expectations continue to climb. A recent feature on mindbodygreen.com brings expert advice on how to recognize what level of anxiety is “normal,” what causes it, why women are more susceptible, and when to seek help—offering recommendations highly relevant for Thai readers facing similar pressures.

In a breakthrough experiment combining archaeology and adventure, a Lund University archaeologist has rekindled centuries-old Viking maritime practices by sailing along the Norwegian coast using only technology available during the Viking Age. The research, recently published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, illuminates how the formidable Scandinavian sailors may have navigated the unpredictable waters of northern Europe, filling in critical gaps about their journeys between well-known trading centers.