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A prominent New York cardiologist has sounded the alarm on a silent risk lurking in the medication cabinets of millions: phthalates—chemicals used to make soft gel capsules—may significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, according to new research and expert warning. This revelation, which directly affects commonly used medications such as pain relievers, multivitamins, stool softeners, and cold remedies, is poised to raise concern among medicine users globally and in Thailand, where health awareness continues to rise and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals remain readily accessible.

A leading New York cardiologist warns that phthalates—chemicals used to soften gel capsules—may raise the risk of heart attacks. This finding affects everyday medicines such as pain relievers, multivitamins, stool softeners, and cold remedies. The message is timely for Thai readers as over-the-counter medicines are widely available and health awareness grows across the country.

Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are added to many products to provide flexibility. They are present in a range of items from children’s toys to food packaging, and crucially, in the shells of many oral medications. A senior cardiologist at Mount Sinai notes that phthalates in medical capsules can trigger arterial inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating artery hardening and narrowing—processes linked to heart disease. A cautious interpretation comes from recent reporting and ongoing research, underscoring the need for careful handling of medicines.

A fresh wave of psychological research has revived the idea that flow—the feeling of being so deeply engaged in an activity that time and self-consciousness seem to fade away—could hold the secret to true happiness. First introduced to the mainstream by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s, and now fueling everything from Thai classrooms to corporate boardrooms, the flow state promises profound well-being and enhanced performance. But what exactly is flow, how can Thais foster it in their busy lives, and what does the latest science say about its impact?

Calorie information on menus and labels is common in Thailand’s urban dining scene, but new research calls into question its impact. A peer-reviewed study suggests that listing calories may not help consumers choose healthier options and could even confuse them.

The study, published in the Journal of Retailing, involved more than 2,000 participants across nine experiments. Led by researchers in health behavior and consumer psychology, the work found that considering calorie data while judging food caused people to rate unhealthy items as less bad and healthy items as less beneficial. After seeing calorie figures, participants’ confidence in their judgments diminished, with salads and cheeseburgers becoming less clearly distinct in healthiness. Those not exposed to calorie numbers could reliably differentiate between healthful and less healthful choices. The Conversation summarizes these findings and notes that calorie counts can blur rather than clarify perceived healthfulness.

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 growing fitness trend draws attention in Thailand and around the world: Zone 2 cardio. This method emphasizes keeping a moderate intensity to gain lasting health benefits. With more research and endorsements from medical experts, Zone 2 cardio is recognized as an accessible way for all ages to strengthen the heart, boost endurance, and support healthy weight management without the harsh demands of high-intensity workouts.

For Thai readers, a sustainable, culturally appropriate exercise method resonates deeply. With rising rates of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes—especially in urban centers like Bangkok—public health leaders seek ways to promote consistent activity across ages. Zone 2 cardio targets a heart rate of about 60-70 percent of maximum, offering a practical path that fits daily life, whether it’s brisk walking, cycling, or swimming in Thailand’s abundant public spaces.

A growing body of research suggests that difficult childhoods can shape creative minds. For Thai readers, this raises important questions about how life’s challenges influence talent in art, science, and everyday problem-solving, while underscoring the need for strong mental health support.

Traditionally, Thai culture emphasizes family harmony and supportive upbringings as the foundation of talent. New studies, however, indicate that adversity may sometimes foster unique resilience and imaginative thinking. Research summarized for international journals and discussed in regional outlets points to a paradox: trauma, neglect, or absence of parental figures can drive children to build rich inner worlds, which later fuel creativity in adulthood. This is not a celebration of suffering; it is a call to understand how resilience can emerge and be channeled into productive avenues.

The stereotype of the “tortured artist” may have deeper roots in scientific reality than previously assumed. Recent research continues to reveal how the adversity of childhood—especially experiences stemming from so-called “broken homes”—can spark heightened creativity in adulthood. These findings, building on decades of psychological investigation, invite Thai readers to reflect on how life’s hardships can sometimes transform into the seeds of artistic and personal innovation, while also carrying profound implications for mental health.

A growing number of college students in the United States are deliberately inserting typos and stylistic “flaws” into essays generated by artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, in a strategic move to bypass AI-detection tools. This evolving trend is not only reshaping the dynamics of academic integrity but also highlighting deeper questions regarding the role of technology, creativity, and self-discipline within higher education institutions. As Thailand universities and educators closely monitor international developments in AI-assisted learning, the latest research underscores the urgency for reassessing the relationship between students, digital tools, and academia’s expectations (Yahoo News, 2025).

A growing number of college students in the United States are deliberately sprinkling typos and writing flaws into essays generated by AI chatbots to dodge detection tools. This trend raises questions about academic integrity, creativity, and the role of technology in higher education. As Thai universities monitor global developments in AI-assisted learning, researchers emphasize the urgency of rethinking how students, digital tools, and academic expectations align.

Reports from New York Magazine, circulated by Yahoo News, reveal how AI cheating has become normalized in Western classrooms. Interviews with students show tactics such as inserting typos, misspellings, and deliberate simplification to make AI-produced essays seem human. These methods aim to defeat increasingly sophisticated AI-detection software used by universities to uphold honesty.

A newly published research study has shed light on the challenges faced by high school students regarding reproductive health knowledge in Ethiopia’s Boke district, with the findings sparking discussion about what Thai educators and policymakers can learn from the global context of adolescent health education. The study, titled “Reproductive Health Literacy and Associated Factors Among High School Adolescents in Boke District, Eastern Ethiopia” and published in the Advances in Public Health journal, reveals that many teens still lack fundamental understanding of sexual health, where to access care, and how to protect themselves from preventable risks (source).

A new psychological study has revealed surprising insights into one of the most awkward social dilemmas: would you rather be ignored, or be the subject of gossip? According to recent research published in the journal Self and Identity, neither choice is pleasant—but for very different reasons. The findings, based on five experiments with more than 1,000 participants, open a window onto how Thai society and its cultural emphasis on face and social harmony might shape our responses to these powerful social forces.

A new psychological study explores a common social dilemma: would you rather be ignored or be the subject of gossip? The research, published in Self and Identity, suggests neither option is pleasant, each for different reasons. Conducted with more than 1,000 participants across five experiments, the study offers insight into how social dynamics—especially in Thai culture—shape our reactions to being talked about or left out.

Researchers from a leading Bangkok hospital collaborated with international partners to examine why people dislike negative gossip and why ostracism still stings, even in subtle forms. The lead author explains that being excluded can make someone feel like an outsider and worthless, underscoring how social belonging remains a central human need. In Thai contexts, where harmony and face-saving are valued, both gossip and silence carry meaningful weight for individuals and families.

A sweeping new international study has reinforced the dangers of elevated lipoprotein(a) – called Lp(a) – showing that any detectable increase in this cholesterol-like molecule is linked to greater risk of heart disease and stroke. The findings, widely reported as the largest investigation of its kind to date, signal a major shift in how health professionals may assess and manage cardiovascular risk, especially in populations such as Thailand where heart disease remains the country’s leading cause of death.

A large international study confirms that even small increases in lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. The research, one of the biggest investigations of its kind, suggests clinicians should rethink how cardiovascular risk is assessed, particularly in Thailand where heart disease remains the leading cause of death.

Lp(a) is a blood particle similar to LDL cholesterol but with an extra protein that makes it sticky and more likely to promote clots and plaque. Unlike traditional cholesterol, Lp(a) levels are largely genetic and resistant to lifestyle changes or common cholesterol-lowering medicines. The study’s scale—encompassing hundreds of thousands of participants—highlights that even modest Lp(a) elevations deserve clinical attention. Research from Medical Xpress synthesizes these international findings for a broad audience.

A simple strength move called the farmer’s walk is gaining attention as a practical tool for longer, healthier lives, especially for men. Global health writers have highlighted emerging research suggesting this movement does more than build muscle — it may support longevity and better quality of life as people age.

Thailand’s rapidly greying population makes accessible, affordable fitness more important than ever. With the number of residents over 60 rising each year, practical exercises that fit into daily life are highly relevant. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, gyms abound, yet the farmer’s walk remains appealing for its minimal equipment needs: two heavy objects and some open space. Public health advocates and trainers are watching to see if this trend can translate into local solutions for aging workers and retirees alike.

A simple yet powerful strength exercise, the “farmer’s walk,” is emerging as an underappreciated cornerstone in the quest for a longer, healthier life—especially for men. Recent features in international health media, including a widely-shared piece in Men’s Journal, are drawing renewed attention to this age-old movement. Experts are now pointing to a growing body of research which suggests that this functional exercise does more than simply build visible muscle—it could be a secret weapon for longevity and improved quality of life as we age.

Adopting a consistent exercise routine remains a challenge for many people, but emerging research highlighted by leading health psychologists and fitness experts is offering fresh hope to those who struggle with motivation. Recent discourse at The New York Times Well Festival, backed by both global insights and new Thai research, points to three powerful secrets for transforming exercise from a chore into a joyful, life-enriching habit: embracing discomfort, prioritizing momentum, and finding community (nytimes.com).

A growing body of research from health psychologists and fitness experts suggests three practical keys to move exercise from a chore to a joyful daily habit. At a recent health festival, speakers emphasized embracing discomfort, building momentum, and finding community as the trio that helps people sustain activity over time. For Thai readers, these ideas are especially relevant as local concerns about inactivity and obesity rise among children and adolescents.

As parenting in the digital age becomes increasingly entangled with technology, a new book challenges parents not to reject digital tools, but to rethink their relationship with them in ways that serve both themselves and their communities. Amanda Hess’s “Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age,” recently discussed in Mother Jones, offers an incisive examination of the powerful hold technology exerts on modern parenting, and ultimately proposes a gentler, more honest approach to navigating the inevitable blend of screens, apps, and algorithms that now accompany family life (Mother Jones).

A new book invites parents to rethink their relationship with digital tools rather than abandon them. Amanda Hess’s Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age examines how technology already shapes modern parenting and suggests a gentler, more honest approach to navigating screens, apps, and algorithms that accompany family life. The discussion, highlighted in Mother Jones, emphasizes how digital life can support communities when used with intention rather than as a source of constant comparison.

Open, honest conversations between mothers and their teenage daughters about masturbation can improve emotional well-being and physical health. Leading psychologists, sex education experts, and parents are advocating a shift in how sexuality is discussed—moving beyond basic topics like consent and contraception to include self-exploration as a normal part of adolescence. This perspective is relevant for Thai families and resonates with global research on healthy development.

In many Thai households, sexuality remains a sensitive topic. Parents often frame sex discussions around risk prevention—pregnancy and infections—and shy away from self-pleasure. A 2020 study in the Journal of Sex Research found that masturbation ranked only 12th among topics discussed with daughters, well behind pregnancy, abstinence, and sexually transmitted infections. This pattern mirrors experiences in many cultures, where female self-pleasure is rarely addressed in home or school settings.

In a world where sexuality is often clouded by stigma and misinformation, leading psychologists, sex education experts, and parents are urging a generational shift: mothers must have open, honest conversations with their teenage daughters about masturbation and self-exploration, not just about more mainstream issues like consent, contraception, or relationships. Recent discussions, including a widely shared article from the UK and mounting research in sexual health, highlight the crucial importance of normalizing this dialogue — for both emotional well-being and physical health — here in Thailand and globally.

In a discovery that stretches the boundaries of memory research, scientists have recently shed light on “jamais vu”—the rare and unsettling feeling that something deeply familiar suddenly appears strange or unrecognizable. While most Thais are familiar with the spine-tingling phenomenon of déjà vu, the eerie sense that one has lived through a moment before, its lesser-known counterpart, jamais vu, proves to be even more uncanny, and researchers say it holds important clues to the workings of the human brain (ScienceAlert).