News

A landmark international study shows that as little as three minutes of incidental, everyday movement each day can meaningfully reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and premature death. The research, featured in Circulation, highlights a practical path to better heart health for people who cannot commit to formal exercise routines. In Thailand and beyond, this finding aligns with local realities of busy lives and urban heat, offering a more achievable public health message.

A groundbreaking new study has found that experiencing adversity during childhood can result in measurable damage to the brain’s white matter, a discovery that could transform how parents, educators, and policy-makers in Thailand approach the challenges facing vulnerable children. The research, highlighted by ScienceAlert, reveals that the effects of hardships such as abuse, neglect, or chronic stress do not just shape a child’s psychological wellbeing—they may also leave lasting marks on the physical structure of the developing brain.

A practical question for beginners: is longer walking or shorter, slower jogging the smarter path to weight loss? Experts say both have benefits, but the best choice depends on health, goals, and the ability to stick with a routine. In Thailand, climate, culture, and urban design shape how people approach daily exercise, making an accessible option essential for sustained health improvement.

Movement remains a key tool against rising non-communicable diseases in Thailand, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The World Health Organization advises adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. For many Thais, gyms aren’t always accessible, so walking or jogging present practical, low-cost ways to stay active.

A sweeping new international study published in Nature Human Behaviour has overturned one-size-fits-all notions of happiness, revealing that what brings joy is profoundly personal and shaped by a unique mix of external circumstances and inner mindsets for each individual. The research, based on life satisfaction surveys from more than 40,000 people across five countries and spanning up to 30 years, offers crucial insights for public health policy and individual wellbeing, including in Thailand, where social, cultural, and economic factors deeply intertwine with personal happiness.

A large, long-term study published in Nature Human Behaviour shows happiness isn’t one-size-fits-all. Joy arises from a unique mix of external circumstances and inner mindsets, and the balance varies from person to person. The research followed over 40,000 people across five countries for up to 30 years, offering insights for public health policy and individual wellbeing that resonate in Thailand too, where social, cultural, and economic factors shape daily happiness.

A recent feature highlights a shift in emphasis from pace and distance to heart rate as the most informative metric for runners seeking better performance and health. The piece draws on insights from a renowned running coach known in fitness circles as “London Fitness Guy,” who argues that heart-rate data provides unrivaled feedback on training intensity, recovery, and overall wellbeing for both beginners and seasoned runners.

In Thailand, wearable tech and fitness apps are making heart-rate awareness a practical part of daily workouts. Bangkok’s parks and running tracks have long celebrated running as a popular sport and a growing health habit. Thai runners now increasingly ask not just how far or how fast they went, but what happened inside the body during the run.

Monitoring heart rate has overtaken traditional running metrics such as pace, cadence, and distance as the most critical factor for runners striving to improve their performance and safeguard their health, according to a recently published feature in Fit&Well (fitandwell.com). The article, which highlights insights from a certified running coach known in fitness circles as “London Fitness Guy,” stresses that whether a beginner or a seasoned marathoner, tracking heart rate offers runners unrivaled feedback about training intensity, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

A new study shows a clear link between stronger emotional intelligence (EI) and higher sexual satisfaction. The research suggests that people who understand and manage emotions well tend to have more fulfilling intimate relationships. This finding resonates in Thailand, where emotional well-being and harmony in family life are highly valued.

Understanding EI’s role is important for Thai couples who navigate modern pressures alongside traditional expectations. Sexual satisfaction contributes to overall relationship happiness, which supports family stability—an important aspect of Thai culture. Data from the study indicate that individuals who score higher on EI measures are better at perceiving, expressing, and regulating emotions, and they empathize more with their partners. These abilities foster open communication and trust, leading to more satisfying intimate lives.

Fear is a natural ally that protects us from harm. For millions, though, it becomes a relentless force that dictates daily choices, strains education and work, and reshapes family life. A recent in-depth feature highlights how fear-driven conditions such as phobias, OCD, anxiety, and PTSD affect people and points to effective treatment paths. The piece also reflects on how Thai families experience similar challenges and what care looks like in Thailand today.

NASA’s oldest active astronaut recently spoke about a surprising hurdle after returning from a 220-day mission on the International Space Station. The experience highlights how long-duration spaceflight reshapes the body and mind, and it offers practical lessons for both current explorers and Thai learners curious about health, science, and technology.

Thai audiences are increasingly engaged in space science and STEM education. Thailand’s NSTDA and GISTDA are expanding programs to inspire the next generation, while Thailand’s medical and research communities track how extreme environments affect human health. Research from Thailand’s institutions shows that global discoveries in space science can translate into improved health knowledge and new tech applications for local use.

A recent study reveals how brain networks and social bonds shape why some people are more inclined to help others. While the research used rats, its insights illuminate human prosocial behavior and how generosity strengthens communities, families, and friendships. For Thai readers, the findings echo everyday kindness—from small hospitality gestures to widespread aid after disasters.

Thai culture places a high value on social harmony, kindness, and generosity. Yet not everyone acts with the same frequency or intensity. The study, published in a leading neuroscience journal by researchers at Tel Aviv University, suggests that helping may be partly hardwired in the brain and influenced by social bonding and the hormone oxytocin, often called the “social bonding” chemical. In the experiments, rats faced a choice to free a trapped peer. Most helped, but roughly one in three did not, reflecting dynamics familiar in human groups.

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has returned a treasure trove of discoveries about Jupiter and its volcanic moon Io. Unveiled at a major European geosciences conference in late April 2025, the findings illuminate the dynamics of the solar system’s largest planet and its fiery neighbor. For Thai readers, these insights highlight the world’s most extreme planetary environments and the global value of scientific exploration.

Juno’s recent breakthroughs include evidence of expansive, still-warm lava flows beneath Io’s icy crust, deeper understanding of Jupiter’s polar cyclones, and first direct measurements of temperature differences in the planet’s north polar regions. This news underscores how dynamic the celestial neighborhood is—shifting long-held perceptions of relatively peaceful night skies.

A groundbreaking new study has shown that dedicating just one hour per week to uncomplicated weight training can significantly enhance muscle mass and strength—even for those with prior resistance training experience. This latest research, published in April 2025 in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and featured by The Washington Post, provides encouraging news for busy individuals in Thailand and around the world who feel they simply do not have time for lengthy gym sessions (Washington Post).

A new international study has sent shockwaves through the medical community: as little as three minutes per day of moderate “incidental activity”—everyday movements like taking the stairs, walking briskly, or even performing household chores—could be enough to meaningfully reduce an individual’s risk of cardiovascular events and premature death. The findings, published in the journal Circulation and widely reported in the global press, signal a powerful new approach to heart health, especially for those unable to engage in structured exercise routines (Medical News Today).

A groundbreaking study published in Nature has delivered unexpected results in the scientific quest for understanding consciousness, challenging two of the most prominent theories about its origins and offering fresh insights with potential to reshape clinical neuroscience worldwide. The findings reveal that neither Integrated Information Theory (IIT) nor Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNWT)—the cornerstones of modern consciousness research—can fully account for how human conscious experience arises, redirecting scientific focus to the brain’s sensory areas and raising critical implications for patient care and brain injury diagnosis (Neuroscience News).

A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that semaglutide, a drug already in use for managing diabetes and obesity, is poised to transform treatment for a widespread and potentially deadly liver condition known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This discovery is seen as a potential game-changer in the medical field, offering hope to millions of patients in Thailand and worldwide who currently face limited therapeutic options for this silent, progressive disease.

NASH is a severe type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by liver inflammation, fat buildup, and tissue damage not caused by alcohol. If untreated, NASH can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even lead to liver failure requiring transplantation. In Thailand, the prevalence of NAFLD, which often precedes NASH, is climbing in parallel with rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, mirroring a global pattern seen in recent years (biomedcentral.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The latest study, as reported by ScienceAlert, demonstrates that semaglutide can lead to marked improvements in liver health and may soon provide a much-needed treatment option for millions.

As debates around political extremism intensify, new research and public conversations remind Thai readers of the enduring dangers of authoritarian, ultranationalist ideologies. Scholars and educators highlight how fascist movements rose from crisis, manipulated fear and identity, and caused immense human suffering. The message is clear: understanding these histories helps policymakers and communities safeguard democratic norms today.

Fascism did not appear by accident. Across 20th-century Europe, economic hardship, social upheaval, and weak institutions created openings for anti-democratic ideologies to take hold. Experts emphasize that these regimes exploited discontent and calls for strong leadership to push through violent, exclusionary agendas—ultimately fueling wars and persecution. Recent analyses emphasize that ignoring these patterns risks repetition in new forms. Research summarized in contemporary commentaries argues for vigilance against complacency during national crises.

A major sleep study has shown that lucid dreaming is not merely a vivid REM dream, but a distinct state of consciousness with unique brain activity. Published in a leading neuroscience journal, the findings deepen our understanding of the mind and hint at practical applications for cognitive growth and mental health—potentially extending beyond sleep.

Lucid dreaming—the experience of being aware within a dream and often guiding its events—has long fascinated researchers and the public. In Thailand, where dream interpretation blends folklore and spirituality, lucid dreaming holds particular cultural resonance. For years, scientists considered lucid dreaming as part of REM sleep, characterized by high brain activity and vivid imagery. The new international study challenges this view and broadens the scope of consciousness research.

A leading US infectious disease expert warns the world may have entered a “post-herd immunity” era for measles as vaccination gaps spark renewed outbreaks. The United States is contending with its worst measles surge in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year. The warning underscores how gaps in vaccination can erode community protection and fuel transmission even in previously controlled regions.

For Thai readers, this development matters because declining vaccine coverage worldwide raises the risk of measles returning to countries that had long controlled the disease. Measles had been declared eliminated in many regions thanks to sustained vaccination campaigns, but recent disruptions and misinformation have dented uptake. In the United States and parts of Europe, vaccination rates have fallen below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity, raising concerns about localized outbreaks and spillover to other regions, including Southeast Asia.

A wave of new research is challenging the long-held supremacy of traditional cardio workouts for weight loss, pointing instead to the power of metabolic conditioning, or “metcon,” as a more efficient and effective method. Recent studies show that metabolic conditioning, which blends high-intensity intervals with strength-based movements and minimal rest, can lead to greater fat loss, improved cardiovascular health, and preserved muscle mass compared to classic steady-state cardio routines such as jogging or cycling (Women’s Health; Inspire Fitness; Signos).

New research challenges decades of cardio-led weight-loss guidance, highlighting metabolic conditioning, or metcon, as a more efficient approach. Studies show metcon, which blends high-intensity intervals with strength movements and minimal rest, can yield greater fat loss, better cardiovascular health, and preserved muscle mass compared with steady-state cardio such as jogging or cycling.

For many Thais seeking to shed kilos, this shift could mean faster, more durable results. While steady running, swimming, or cycling has long been the default prescription, scientists and accredited exercise professionals now argue that metabolic conditioning offers amplified benefits for fat loss, metabolic health, muscle development, and blood sugar control.

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has delivered a suite of groundbreaking discoveries about Jupiter and its volcanic moon Io, thanks to an array of high-tech instruments and daring flybys. Unveiled by mission scientists at a major European geosciences conference at the end of April 2025, these new findings bring humanity closer than ever to understanding the turbulent worlds orbiting our solar system’s largest planet—and may have far-reaching implications for science both globally and right here in Thailand.

NASA’s oldest active astronaut, renowned for spending 220 days on the International Space Station, has opened up about the profound challenges astronauts face upon returning to Earth—a revelation that newly illuminates the dramatic impacts of space travel on the human body and mind. His insights serve as a timely reminder of the scientific hurdles confronting both current astronauts and future generations hoping to embark on long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, or beyond.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has clinched the title of Asia’s top-ranked institution for computer science in 2025, securing a prestigious position as the fourth-best globally according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject. This accolade not only underscores the meteoric rise of Asian universities in science and technology but also signals a shift in academic influence within the region, resonating strongly with Thai students, educators, and policymakers striving to elevate Thailand’s own prestige in computer science and digital innovation (e.vnexpress.net, news.nus.edu.sg).