News

The explosive rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools has ushered in a new wave of deceptive online marketing, with AI-generated “deepfakes” flooding platforms such as TikTok to push unverified—and often dangerous—sexual health cures and supplements. Recent investigations reveal that these convincing but fraudulent videos, which often feature deepfaked celebrities and so-called “AI doctors,” are duping millions of viewers worldwide and putting public health at risk, according to a report by AFP published on Tech Xplore (techxplore.com).

As Thailand accelerates toward a smarter, more connected future, widespread surveillance—from social media monitoring to CCTV networks and classroom monitoring—raises a timely question: what does this constant gaze do to our brains? Emerging research suggests that continuous observation can affect cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and even the way people think and behave. Data from leading institutions indicates stress and vigilance can shift brain resources away from higher-order tasks such as planning, creativity, and learning.

A new scientific study has revealed that simply restricting carbohydrate intake twice a week—rather than severely cutting calories through intermittent fasting—can offer similar improvements in metabolic health. This finding promises a potentially more sustainable and accessible route for people in Thailand and worldwide seeking the metabolic advantages typically associated with intermittent fasting, but who struggle with its more stringent regimens. The research, published on May 11, 2025, provides fresh insights into how diet modification can contribute to better heart and metabolic function without the challenges of strict calorie deprivation (ScienceAlert).

Researchers at a leading U.S. university have uncovered how dopamine, the brain’s reward signal, helps unlearn fear. The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could transform treatments for anxiety and PTSD. For Thai readers, this points to new avenues for culturally sensitive therapies that emphasize safety and positive learning.

Across decades, scientists have known the amygdala drives both fear and its extinction. For Thais affected by traumatic events—natural disasters, traffic accidents, or the lingering impact of Covid-19—persistent anxiety and nightmares are common. The new insight into how the brain learns to feel safe offers hope for more effective, locally relevant therapies that reduce stigma around mental health.

An exercise trend drawing attention among fitness communities in Thailand and worldwide is Zone 2 cardio, a training approach that emphasizes maintaining moderate intensity for optimal health benefits. With increasing research and positive endorsements from medical experts, Zone 2 cardio is being recognized as an accessible way for people of all ages to improve their heart health, boost endurance, and potentially manage body weight, without the punishing impact of high-intensity workouts.

A new study reveals that how fast we can “see” moving objects depends not only on the eyes themselves but on how our eyes move. Published in Nature Communications on May 8, 2025, the research shows that saccades—our quick, darting eye movements—define the boundary of what we perceive in rapid motion. This finding reshapes ideas about sight and has practical implications for sports, driving, gaming, and daily life in Thailand.

The expanding digital surveillance in everyday life – from social media monitoring to location tracking and ever-present security cameras – may have underappreciated and troubling effects on human brain function, according to a growing body of research highlighted by Live Science. As governments, corporations, and even schools employ increasingly sophisticated surveillance tools, emerging studies suggest such constant observation can disrupt cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and may alter fundamental patterns in how people think and behave.

Interest around the farmer’s walk is growing among health professionals and fitness writers who see it as a practical way to build functional strength, cardiovascular fitness, and potentially longer life. The exercise—lifting two heavy objects in each hand and walking a set distance—has earned renewed attention as a simple, accessible habit for longevity, especially for men who may overlook strength work. Research from reputable outlets and medical sources highlights grip strength and loaded carries as indicators of resilience in aging, making the farmer’s walk a compelling addition to health routines in Thailand and beyond.

A new wave of research and personal testimony is drawing urgent attention to “high-functioning depression” — a form of depressive illness where sufferers maintain outward productivity while battling hidden internal distress. Unlike classic depression, which is often marked by withdrawal or inability to function, high-functioning depression stays masked beneath impressive academic, professional, or social achievement. The latest findings and expert recommendations, popularized in new media and books, reveal both the signs to watch for and actionable steps to escape this insidious cycle. This emerging understanding is vital for Thai society, where high performance and social harmony are deeply valued, increasing the risk that invisible suffering goes undetected.

A groundbreaking approach known as inverse vaccines could change how autoimmune diseases are treated worldwide, including in Thailand. Researchers describe these vaccines as a way to re-educate the immune system, potentially offering precise relief for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and lupus. In Thailand’s aging population and changing lifestyle, the technology may address rising autoimmune diagnoses with fewer side effects than current broad immunosuppressants.

Today, most autoimmune therapies dampen the immune system as a whole. While effective against overactive cells, they raise infection risks and often require lifelong daily medications. New research suggests inverse vaccines could selectively suppress only the rogue immune responses behind each disease. By targeting disease-specific self-reactions, these vaccines aim for precision rather than broad suppression.

A recent feature highlights seven everyday habits that doctors say raise stroke risk and should be avoided. Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, including Thailand, making prevention essential for families and communities.

Strokes, or cerebrovascular accidents, disrupt blood flow to the brain and can cause long-term disability. Data from global health bodies show tens of thousands of new stroke cases in Thailand each year, with substantial economic and caregiving impacts for families. Local health authorities emphasize prevention as a practical path to reduce these burdens.

A growing body of research and personal stories reveals a quiet form of depression that can affect high achievers: high-functioning depression. People live with inner distress while maintaining productivity and outward success. In Thailand, where performance and harmony are highly valued in workplaces, campuses, and families, this condition can easily go unnoticed.

For Thai readers in demanding roles, the issue hits close to home. A respected U.S. psychiatrist notes that success and public recognition can mask deep sadness. Thai culture’s emphasis on face-saving and collectivism can also discourage people from showing vulnerability. Understanding these dynamics helps communities spot hidden distress before it worsens.

A new review has shed light on why people living with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCSDs), chronic tic disorders (CTDs), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience pronounced sleep disturbances—as well as how these intertwined problems could one day be better managed. The research, recently published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry and summarised by several neuroscience outlets, finds that disruptions in a crucial brain circuit, the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) pathway, underpin both the psychiatric symptoms and the insomnia, delayed sleep onset, and other sleep issues reported in these populationsNeuroscience News.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a crucial mechanism in the brain, revealing how dopamine—commonly known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter—not only signals danger, but actively helps the brain unlearn fear. The findings, reported this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could revolutionize potential treatments for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing hope for millions worldwide—including those struggling in Thailand with trauma-related conditions (SciTechDaily).

A new scientific breakthrough has revealed the ultimate limit of human visual speed, finding that how quickly we can “see” moving objects is not just about our eyes, but intimately linked with how our eyes move. The research, published in Nature Communications on May 8, 2025, uncovers for the first time how the mechanics of saccades—our rapid, darting eye movements—set the boundaries on what we can perceive in fast motion, challenging long-held beliefs about the biological constraints of sight and reshaping our understanding of tasks ranging from sports performance to everyday perception (Nature Communications).

A simple mix of daily sunlight, short mindfulness moments, and expressive activities such as pillow screaming is gaining traction as practical steps to support mental well-being. These approaches align with May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasizing small, consistent habits that can improve mood and resilience.

For Thai audiences, these ideas connect with local health perspectives and everyday life. Anxiety, burnout, and stress have risen in recent years, influenced by pandemic disruptions and rapid social change. Experts say embracing authentic emotions, building gentle routines, and safe outlets for frustration can help people feel more in control without needing drastic life changes.

Families around the world are rethinking the boundaries of parenthood by turning to a model rooted in both ancient tradition and modern necessity—raising children together with trusted friends as an alternative or complement to family support. A recent in-depth feature by The Atlantic shines a spotlight on this emerging trend, revealing the practical challenges and deep rewards of creating a ‘chosen village’ for child-rearing in today’s fragmented social landscape. The insights from this story reflect an international movement with profound implications, not only for Western societies but also for countries like Thailand, where urbanization and changing family structures are reshaping childcare arrangements and community life.

A new study suggests that restricting carbohydrates on two days each week, rather than undertaking strict calorie restriction, may deliver similar metabolic benefits to intermittent fasting. The finding points to a potentially more sustainable approach for Thais and others seeking the health advantages of fasting without demanding dietary changes. Researchers published the study on May 11, 2025, highlighting how simple carb reductions can influence heart and metabolic function.

Intermittent fasting has grown in popularity in Thailand, appealing to urban professionals and health-minded individuals aiming to manage weight and reduce disease risk. Yet many regimens, including the 5:2 plan, can be hard to sustain and may impact nutritional balance. In Thailand, where traditional meals often feature rice and noodles, a two-day-per-week carb-cut strategy could be more realistic while still supporting metabolic health.

A growing global trend is reshaping how families raise children: forming a “chosen village” of trusted friends to share parenting duties. An in-depth feature from The Atlantic examines how formalized, friendship-based co-parenting can ease modern stress while enriching children’s development. The piece speaks to a broader movement with implications for countries like Thailand, where urban life and shifting family structures are transforming childcare and community ties.

The article centers on a couple who, in 2023, relocated from Boston to Washington, D.C. Their best friends moved beside them, and another pair settled nearby. The aim was to support each other’s parenting while keeping trust and flexibility intact. Seven children wandered between homes as adults swapped childcare, meals, and emotional support. Despite logistical and cultural hurdles, participants reported greater social fulfillment and resilience than during solo parenting.

A new trend is quietly reshaping how Thais approach wellness. While running, cycling, and group aerobics remain common, resistance training—weightlifting—is gaining traction as a sustainable, empowering alternative or complement to cardio. Experts say it can boost metabolism, strength, and bone health, with meaningful benefits for women and anyone feeling exhausted by traditional cardio routines.

The shift gained visibility after a fitness enthusiast discovered a post about a woman who built a fit, toned body through brief, consistent weightlifting while eating more. The story challenged common myths about body image, calories, and women’s relationships with strength training. It sparked conversations that resonate with many Thai readers who juggle busy lives and societal expectations around fitness.

Screaming into a pillow, daily walks in sunlight, and even doing “nothing” without guilt have emerged as surprisingly effective practices to boost mental health, according to the latest in-depth reports from wellness experts and recent news features. As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month globally, these accessible and sometimes unconventional strategies are getting fresh attention—backed by the lived experience of mental health writers, new gadgets, and scientific insights from psychiatrists and psychologists.

For years, popular wisdom — and much of the Thai public’s workout regimen — has focused heavily on running, cycling, aerobics, or other forms of cardiovascular exercise as the best path to health and a desirable body. But a new wave of research and expert discussion signals it may be time to rethink our devotion to cardio. Resistance training, more widely known as weightlifting, is rapidly gaining traction as not just an add-on to cardio, but as a potentially more sustainable, empowering pathway to overall fitness, especially among women and those struggling with “exercise burnout” (LA Times).

A new study from Uppsala University shows that sleeping only four hours a night for three consecutive nights can trigger rises in blood markers linked to future heart disease. The finding is especially relevant for Thai readers in a country where late work hours, exams, and city noise disrupt sleep. Bangkok’s vibrant pace makes this a timely public health concern, given rising heart disease rates across the nation.

In Thailand, sleep disruption is common among workers in hospitality, transport, and healthcare, and researchers note that chronic short sleep is a growing risk factor. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reports heart disease as a leading cause of death, highlighting the potential impact of sleep on nationwide health outcomes. Data from Thai health institutes show many adults struggle with sleep quality, a trend shared with the Swedish participants in the study, who were healthy young men at baseline.

A new review explains why people with obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (OCSDs), chronic tic disorders (CTDs), and ADHD often suffer from sleep disturbances, and how these issues might be better managed in the future. The study, highlighted by neuroscience outlets and summarized in academic journals, points to disruptions in a brain network called the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit as the underlying mechanism for both psychiatric symptoms and insomnia, delayed sleep onset, and related sleep problems.