News

A major new study has revealed that regular aerobic exercise significantly reduces symptoms of depression in adolescents aged 14 to 18, offering fresh hope for Thai families and educators grappling with the rising tide of youth mental health challenges. Reporting in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Norwegian researchers found that ramping up physical activity during these formative years may protect teens from developing depressive symptoms—a finding with powerful implications for Thailand’s youth and broader society (Psychology Today).

In a striking revelation from one of the largest ever studies examining sex differences in exercise benefits, scientists have found that women experience greater reductions in mortality—both from heart disease and all causes—than men for the same amount of physical activity. The research, published in 2024 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, offers new insight intended to empower individuals, especially Thai women, to use exercise more strategically to extend their healthy lifespan.

A wave of recent research is challenging the stereotype that men’s sexual health fades harmlessly with age, with new evidence suggesting that certain sexual health traits may be linked to longevity. Several academic and medical sources now indicate that men who maintain robust sexual health, including frequent sexual activity and normal testosterone levels, may enjoy a significant survival advantage compared to their peers.

The question of whether men who are sexually active or who display high sexual health indicators live longer has attracted scientific attention worldwide. In Thailand, where cultural discussions of male sexual wellbeing are often discreet, such research is particularly resonant as demographic shifts shape health policy priorities. The findings matter for Thai men and their families, integrating a vital aspect of sexual wellness into broader public health.

A century-old mystery surrounding the striking orange coats of domestic cats has finally been unraveled by new genetic research published on May 15 in the journal Current Biology (source). Scientists have identified a unique “meow-tation” in feline DNA that not only gives orange cats their distinctive hues, but also explains why the vast majority of them are male—a question that has perplexed geneticists and cat fanciers alike since the early 20th century.

A groundbreaking study published in BMC Geriatrics highlights the intricate web connecting physical exercise, frailty, depression, and loneliness among older adults—a topic of urgent relevance as Thailand’s population rapidly ages. This latest research finds that regular physical activity not only diminishes feelings of isolation but does so by mediating both physical frailty and depressive symptoms, offering hope for millions seeking to age with dignity and connection (BMC Geriatrics).

Loneliness is widely recognized as a severe public health issue among older adults. Defined as a distressing emotional state arising from a perceived lack of meaningful social bonds, chronic loneliness is linked to higher rates of physical and mental health problems, including hypertension, depression, and even elevated mortality (BMC Geriatrics). In the Thai context, where family and communal ties are traditionally considered bedrocks of wellbeing, the cracks showing in these supports due to urbanization, migration, and shifting social structures intensify the risks.

For fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike in Thailand, tracking heart rate has become a popular way to measure workout intensity and safeguard heart health. Yet, fresh concerns—and new research—are sparking vital questions: What really happens when your heart rate climbs too high during exercise? And is there such a thing as too much workout for your heart? The latest findings indicate both benefits and risks, making heart rate monitoring more crucial than ever for Thai exercisers.

Many of us end the day wondering why our goals—staying healthy, spending time with family, advancing at work—feel slipping away. New insights from a leading Philadelphia neuroscience lab suggest the answer lies less in willpower and more in how the brain values each daily decision. The research, summarized in a recent book and highlighted by the Next Big Idea Club, reframes personal growth through how our brain’s value system judges options.

Recent research and expert commentary challenge the idea that more protein always means better health. While protein supports muscle and weight management, excessive intake—especially from animal sources—may be linked to faster aging and higher risk of chronic diseases. Leading longevity researchers caution against heavy reliance on animal protein, noting signals of accelerated aging in some studies. This perspective is shaping conversations about diet in Thailand, where shifting eating habits intersect with an aging population.

Recent research is reshaping how Thai health leaders view social isolation. Leading experts say prolonged social isolation can harm health as much as smoking a pack a day, turning loneliness into a global public health priority. The idea, once shocking, is now supported by a growing body of evidence and prompting calls for urgent action to address an epidemic affecting millions.

As social life evolves in the digital era, Thailand’s urbanization and changing household patterns amplify the implications. Thai culture traditionally values family and community, but migration for work, urban living, and the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic mean more people are disconnected from meaningful social contact. This disconnection is now considered a risk factor with potential to shorten life expectancy and reduce well-being, comparable to smoking-related harm.

A wave of recent research is transforming how the world—and Thailand—views the dangers of social isolation. According to leading experts and new studies, living in prolonged social isolation can be as detrimental to human health as smoking a pack of cigarettes each day, elevating the threat to a global public health priority. This comparison, once surprising, is now backed by a growing body of research and calls for urgent public action to address an emerging epidemic affecting millions.

A growing body of research challenges the idea that men’s sexual health declines harmlessly with age. Studies suggest that maintaining robust sexual health, including regular sexual activity and healthy testosterone levels, could be associated with longer life for men.

Globally, scientists are exploring whether sexually active men live longer. In Thailand, where conversations about male sexual wellbeing are often discreet, these findings resonate as the country’s aging population grows. Understanding sexual health as part of overall well-being can inform policy and health services for Thai men and their families.

In an age when every slot on our calendars seems to be filled—and often double-booked—many people feel overwhelmed by their own schedules, constantly regretting the commitments they’ve made. New psychological research is pointing to four “hidden drivers” that push us into cycles of compulsive busyness, as well as offering four concrete ways to break free from the trap of over-commitment (“Why We Overbook Ourselves—and Constantly Regret It,” published in Psychology Today on May 16, 2025) (Psychology Today).

A recent feature highlights the soleus, a small but mighty calf muscle that powers runners through every step. In Thailand’s vibrant running scene, coaches say attention to the soleus can boost performance and cut injury risk, complementing the usual emphasis on glutes and hamstrings.

Experts explain that the soleus stays active throughout the gait cycle, helping absorb impact and propel the body forward. It may carry up to 80% of the force generated by the calf muscles. Yet many runners neglect targeted soleus training, potentially limiting efficiency and elevating injury risk.

For many Thai parents, the idea of watching a steamy scene in a film alongside their teenage child seems awkward, if not unthinkable. A recent article in The Times has sparked debate by challenging this discomfort, presenting accounts of parents intentionally exposing adolescents to stories with sexual themes as a springboard for open conversations. But what does the latest international research say about sharing sexual content as a family – and what are the implications for Thai families seeking to guide youth through modern media?

Misdiagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as general anxiety is more common than many expect, and it carries heavy consequences for treatment and quality of life. Recent international findings and lived experiences point to a global pattern that also affects Thailand’s mental health landscape.

A recent public account from the UK illustrates how a patient’s intrusive thoughts were mistaken for everyday anxiety for years. After seeking specialised help and receiving an OCD-focused evaluation, she described the diagnosis as life-changing. This case underscores a pattern seen worldwide: many OCD sufferers are left without accurate treatment for far too long.

For many fitness enthusiasts in Thailand, tracking heart rate is now a daily habit to measure workout intensity and protect heart health. New research raises important questions: what happens when your heart rate climbs too high during exercise, and is there such a thing as pushing the heart too far? The latest findings show both benefits and risks, underscoring the need for mindful monitoring.

Understanding how exercise affects heart rate helps people train effectively and safely. Heart rate measures how many times the heart beats each minute. Exercise naturally raises this rate to deliver more oxygen-rich blood to working muscles, boosting cardiovascular health and endurance. Medical guidelines describe a resting heart rate typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute, with trained athletes sometimes at rest around 37–38 bpm. When heart rate exceeds safe limits during activity, risks can outweigh rewards. For healthy adults, maximum heart rate is often estimated as 220 minus age.

A recent feature in Fit&Well shines a spotlight on the soleus muscle, a crucial yet often neglected muscle in the lower leg that plays a pivotal role for runners and active individuals of all levels. While most fitness routines for runners in Thailand focus on strengthening the glutes and hamstrings, a prominent running coach emphasizes that the soleus is arguably the most important muscle for performance and injury prevention—a point especially relevant for the Kingdom’s vibrant running community and the rising popularity of marathon events nationwide (Fit&Well).

Overwhelmed by calendar clutter? Many people feel trapped in cycles of busyness, accepting more commitments than they can handle. New psychology research identifies four hidden drivers behind chronic overbooking and offers practical steps to regain control. The insights come from a broad look at modern behavior and are relevant to Thai readers navigating fast-paced work, school, and social life.

In Thailand’s cities, the habit of staying constantly connected—through chat groups, Line notifications, and weekend events—has amplified the culture of “super busy” lives. Excessive planning affects mental health, relationships, and productivity across age groups, professions, and communities. The research reframes overbooking as a coping pattern rather than mere ambition or poor time management.

New research shows women gain greater mortality and cardiovascular benefits from exercise than men, and they can achieve these gains with less time. The study, published in 2024 by a leading cardiovascular journal, highlights sex-specific responses to physical activity and underscores exercise as a daily health priority for women in Thailand and around the world.

The study analyzed health data from over 412,000 American adults aged 27 to 61, collected between 1997 and 2017. Researchers linked activity patterns to mortality outcomes through national records up to 2019. Findings reveal that women who reach at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity weekly cut their all-cause death risk by up to 24 percent, compared with inactive women. In men, the reduction was about 15 percent at the same activity level. Notably, women achieved equivalent benefits with roughly 140 minutes, compared with men needing about 300 minutes, indicating higher efficiency of activity for female physiology.

A large, recent study shows women may reap greater health benefits from exercise than men, even with the same amount of activity. The research indicates women experience larger reductions in mortality from heart disease and all causes when engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise. The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2024 and are positioned to inspire Thai readers to leverage physical activity for longer, healthier lives.

A recently published European study has uncovered a deeply troubling trend in the world of late-life divorce: when wives in middle-aged marriages fall ill, the risk of divorce significantly increases, while the same does not hold true if it is the husband who becomes unwell. This discovery, revealed in February 2025 research appearing in the Journal of Marriage and Family and spotlighted in a widely-discussed article in Psychology Today, points to a persistent imbalance in marital roles and expectations that continue to shape the intimate lives of older adults across the globe—including in Thailand.

A communications expert says the biggest pitfall in casual conversation is talking about oneself too much. A practical technique—asking thoughtful, open-ended questions—could strengthen connections at home, in schools, and at work across Thailand.

As Thailand resumes face-to-face interactions after the pandemic, mastering small talk is increasingly important. Yet many conversations still stall because speakers default to their own experiences or opinions. The remedy is to embrace curious inquiry: invite the other person to share more about themselves rather than waiting for a turn to speak.

In an age of mounting mental stress worldwide, new research and celebrity testimony are converging to spotlight actionable tools for living with anxiety. At the recent New York Times Well Festival in Brooklyn, a panel featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter and Broadway star Sara Bareilles, a leading psychology professor from the University of California, Berkeley, and the host of the popular podcast “10% Happier” outlined practical ways in which anxious individuals can reclaim their sense of peace. The conversation, which built on the latest well-being science, is especially relevant as anxiety rates continue to rise—reflecting a pressing concern for many Thai readers following the global mental health crisis.

As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, the pursuit of a master’s degree in computer science is proving to be more than just an academic accomplishment—it’s becoming a strategic step for those seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Recent analysis from US News underscores how advanced graduate credentials can significantly boost job prospects, especially as the global demand for specialized tech skills intensifies (US News).

For Thai readers, this topic holds particular resonance given the rapid digital transformation underway in the Kingdom’s economy, infrastructure, and educational systems. The evolving role of advanced tech degrees not only responds to global job market trends but also aligns with Thailand’s push toward an innovation-driven economy under national development initiatives such as Thailand 4.0. With the information technology sector becoming a pillar of both job creation and GDP growth, understanding the impact of a master’s in computer science is vital for students, professionals, educators, and policymakers alike (World Bank).