#Education

A groundbreaking international study has unveiled a novel way our brains reconfigure themselves while listening to rhythmic sounds, challenging long-held beliefs about brainwave activity and offering profound implications for music cognition, mental health, and brain diagnostics. The research, published this week in Advanced Science and led by teams at Aarhus University and the University of Oxford, introduces a method that captures the intricate dance of brainwaves as they respond to rhythm moment by moment—a discovery that could help redefine how scientists understand perception and consciousness (Neuroscience News).

A major new study reveals that children who engage in regular physical activity before their teenage years are significantly less likely to develop anxiety and depression as they grow older, adding new urgency to efforts aimed at boosting physical exercise among Thai youth. The research, published in June 2025, underscores the mental health benefits of sports and activity, especially as today’s youth are becoming less physically active.

The study, highlighted by The Washington Post, tracked children’s physical activity levels and mental health outcomes at ages 5, 8, and 11. Researchers discovered that boys who were physically active at ages 5 and 11 had their risk of anxiety slashed by almost 40%. Similar benefits were seen for depression: boys active at age 5 had a 19% lower risk, rising to 23% at age 8. By age 11, girls also began to experience the protective benefits, with organized sports participation linked to a 12% lower risk of future mental health diagnoses; the figure for boys was 23% lower (Washington Post).

A groundbreaking study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging has revealed that testosterone significantly increases men’s sensitivity to social feedback, reshaping how they experience moment-to-moment self-esteem. The findings promise fresh insights for understanding self-worth, mental health, and social behavior, with potential implications for treatment approaches that resonate in Thai society and beyond (psypost.org).

A team of international scientists set out to unpack testosterone’s intricate role in influencing not just the overall sense of self-worth—what psychologists call “trait self-esteem”—but the more fleeting, variable feelings of self-value known as “state self-esteem.” The research matters deeply for Thai readers, as cultural norms around masculinity, social acceptance, and mental health coverage intersect with emerging scientific understanding, and because mental health struggles linked to low self-esteem, especially among young men, are increasingly noted across Thailand (WHO).

Parents in San Francisco have voiced growing concerns following the school district’s decision to require all ninth-grade students to take a two-semester ethnic studies class, replacing what was previously an elective with a mandatory, yearlong course. The move by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), communicated to parents just days before the start of the 2024-25 academic year, has reignited debates on curriculum, ideology, and student choice, with lessons that may resonate in Thailand’s ongoing discussions over educational reforms and culturally responsive teaching CBS News San Francisco.

A wave of recent research is calling into question the idea that meditation is universally beneficial. While mindfulness has deep roots in Buddhist traditions and is widely promoted in modern Thailand as a tool for stress relief and wellbeing, new findings show potential adverse effects for some practitioners. Reports point to anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even psychotic symptoms in rare cases. As mindfulness expands into Thai schools, workplaces, and healthcare, these findings carry important implications for teachers, administrators, and policymakers.

A growing wave of research signals a global shift: Gen Z parents are reading to their children less, raising concerns about early literacy and emotional development. A HarperCollins UK survey, highlighted by The Guardian, shows fewer than half of Gen Z parents find reading aloud enjoyable, while about one in three treat reading as a learning task rather than a shared activity. This trend contrasts with earlier generations and raises questions about long-term language growth for Thai families as well.

In a world obsessed with multitasking, fresh research questions whether our obsession is helping or harm. A Psychology Today feature draws on clinical practice and psychology to show not only the costs of constant task-switching but also the quiet power of fully engaging with a single moment. The piece argues that genuine presence can ease stress and fatigue, offering a simple antidote in our busy lives.

For Thai readers, the message lands at a national moment. Bangkok’s streets hum with traffic and digital chatter, while teens and workers report rising exhaustion and detachment. The core insight is clear: while multitasking is widely accepted, staying present may unlock greater well-being and better performance.

A new international study reveals that the brain continuously reconfigures its networks as we listen to rhythm. Using a cutting-edge method, researchers show real-time shifts in brainwaves rather than fixed patterns, with important implications for music cognition, mental health, and brain diagnostics. The findings appear in Advanced Science and come from collaborations between Aarhus University’s Center for Music in the Brain and the University of Oxford. The work introduces FREQ-NESS, a tool that tracks how brain networks reorganize their dominant frequencies during rhythmic listening.

Parents in San Francisco are raising concerns after the school district made ninth grades take a two-semester ethnic studies course, replacing a prior elective with a yearlong requirement. The announcement came just days before the 2024-25 school year, reigniting discussions about curriculum choices, ideological balance, and student options. The case offers relevance for Thailand’s ongoing education reforms and the push for culturally responsive teaching.

A central issue is whether the ethnic studies curriculum emphasizes certain viewpoints over historical rigor, potentially displacing other subjects, such as world history. One parent said the course appears to teach a particular ideology rather than objective history, while still supporting the broader goals of ethnic studies. Another parent noted that ninth graders may have already completed similar coursework in middle school and question why they must retake it for another full year. The curriculum explores themes of racism, activism, and economic systems, including comparisons between capitalism and socialism, prompting questions about the line between social education and advocacy.

A new study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging shows that testosterone makes young men more responsive to social feedback. Positive reactions boost self-esteem more, while negative feedback causes sharper declines. The research highlights how biology and social context interact to shape mood and behavior, with potential relevance for mental health strategies in Thailand.

Researchers recruited 120 healthy men aged 18–26 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After applying testosterone gel or a placebo, participants waited to reach peak hormone levels and then completed a realistic social-evaluation task. They crafted profiles that 184 supposed strangers would review, receiving a mix of approval, disapproval, and neutral feedback. In reality, feedback was pre-programmed to test responses to different social signals.

In a world where multitasking reigns supreme, new insights are challenging long-held beliefs about productivity, mental well-being, and the true value of focusing on one thing at a time. A recent feature in Psychology Today, drawing on psychological research and therapeutic practice, highlights not only the costs of constant task-switching but also the underappreciated magic of everyday moments when we allow ourselves to fully engage with a singular experience (Psychology Today).

Autism, once viewed erroneously as a childhood condition one might “grow out of,” is now increasingly recognised by experts and advocates as a lifelong spectrum of experiences—redefining the way societies around the globe, including Thailand, must support autistic people of all ages. Recent research and evolving perspectives highlight the necessity of updating public understanding and support systems to reflect the authentic experiences of those on the autism spectrum, urging a move well beyond exclusively child-focused interventions (Psychology Today).

A new long-term study challenges the idea that romantic relationships are the primary buffer against depression. It finds that single individuals who enter romantic partnerships may experience higher depressive symptoms, while building close friendships offers a clearer protective effect, especially for Thai adults navigating modern life.

The research followed nearly 3,000 participants from adolescence into adulthood, surveying them at ages 15, 16, 28, and 38 about whether they had a romantic partner or at least one close friend, and their levels of depression. The study’s findings emphasize the value of friendships as a reliable source of emotional resilience, alongside stable family support.

A new, long-term study has upended the widespread assumption that romantic relationships are a primary buffer against depression, revealing that single individuals who enter into romantic partnerships are actually more likely to experience greater depressive symptoms. In contrast, forging new close friendships provides significant protection against depression, particularly for Thai adults navigating the complexities of modern life.

The research, recently published in the June 2025 issue of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, tracks almost 3,000 participants from adolescence to adulthood at ages 15, 16, 28, and 38. Each time, participants were surveyed about their relationship statuses—whether they had a romantic partner or at least one close friend—and how depressed they felt in those periods (Psychology Today).

A new study has revealed that everyday acts of kindness—ranging from a warm tone of voice to sincere smiles and attentive listening—can significantly improve teamwork and foster a greater sense of cooperation. The research, led by a team at SWPS University in partnership with a Tel Aviv University scholar, demonstrates that simple gestures of niceness enhance social connectedness, which in turn boosts both group satisfaction and willingness to collaborate (neurosciencenews.com).

Autism is increasingly recognized as a lifelong spectrum, not a condition limited to childhood. Researchers and advocates argue that understanding must shift to reflect the ongoing needs and strengths of autistic people across all ages. This evolving view calls for updated public awareness and systems that support autistic individuals from youth through adulthood and beyond.

In Thailand, the idea that autism is only a childhood issue has historically shaped education, healthcare, and social services. This misconception grew in part from a lack of long-term studies, early-diagnosis criteria focused on children, and visible outcomes for autistic adults. Diagnostic manuals in the late 20th century emphasized early signs, reinforcing the “outgrown” narrative, even though evidence shows autism itself persists as people age and adapt.

A recent analysis challenges the growing emphasis on “brain-based learning” in education, arguing that observable student behavior remains the definitive sign of learning – not neural imaging or neuroscience theories. As Thai schools increasingly adopt neuroscience language and training, the research offers a timely reminder that practical, classroom-based observation is the foundation of good teaching and sound assessment. This perspective, recently articulated in Psychology Today by an experienced cognitive science educator, reinforces a classic principle: it is performance, not pathology, that shows whether students are truly learning (Psychology Today).

A wave of new research challenges the idea that misbehavior rests mainly with children. Instead, experts emphasize the pivotal role of parents and how upbringing shapes behavior. This trend, echoed by scientific studies across 2025, suggests family dynamics—parental attitudes, actions, and discipline methods—greatly influence a child’s conduct. The findings are prompting renewed reflection among Thai families and educators who have long leaned toward strict discipline.

Historically, child misbehavior has been seen as a matter of will or character. Recent international studies, however, indicate behaviors are significantly shaped by the home environment. The argument is that parental behavior and emotional climate can map directly onto a child’s conduct and well-being. Notably, a media feature from a major British outlet highlighted experts who warn against blaming children in isolation and call for examining parenting patterns instead.

A new study finds that everyday niceties like a warm voice, genuine smiles, and attentive listening can markedly improve teamwork and foster cooperation. Led by researchers from SWPS University in collaboration with a Tel Aviv University scholar, the work shows that simple acts of kindness strengthen social connectedness, which in turn enhances group satisfaction and willingness to collaborate. Research insights are integrated with Thai cultural perspectives to support local classrooms, offices, and communities.

A new analysis argues that observing what students do in the classroom remains the best evidence of learning, not brain scans or neuroscience theories. As Thai schools increasingly adopt neuroscience language in professional development, this reminder highlights the enduring value of practical, classroom-based observation for effective teaching and fair assessment. The message, circulating in education discussions, reinforces a simple truth: performance shows learning, not pathology.

The piece appears amid a global rise in neuro-education programs and workshops. In Thailand, many professional development courses reference neuroscience, prompting teachers to consider concepts like prefrontal cortex activity or mirror neurons. Yet the analysis warns that neuroscience benefits teaching only when it translates into observable student outcomes—such as explaining a concept, completing assignments, or contributing to class discussions.

A US brain-health expert has popularized a practical, evidence-based technique to combat negative thoughts. The method uses short writing exercises to retrain the mind, leveraging neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself. For Thai audiences facing stress from work, study, and daily life, this approach offers an accessible path to better emotional health.

Mental health challenges are a global concern, including in Thailand. The COVID-19 era and rapid social and workplace changes have driven higher levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout among students and professionals. Research from international health authorities underscores the need for simple, affordable mental health tools. This writing-based technique aligns with that goal, delivering practical support adaptable to Thai contexts.

A groundbreaking approach to overcoming negative thoughts has emerged from the field of neuropsychiatry, offering hope for millions who struggle with persistent self-doubt and emotional overwhelm. A leading US brain health expert has championed a practical, evidence-based method that uses simple writing exercises to retrain the mind and foster a more positive outlook, harnessing the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself—known as neuroplasticity. This mental training strategy holds particular promise for Thai readers, many of whom seek effective ways to manage stress and emotional health amid the pressures of modern life.

As summer holidays begin and school schedules wind down, a growing body of research underscores a critical link between regular exercise and the mental well-being of teenagers. A new nationwide survey conducted by Planet Fitness in the United States, highlighted by Parents.com, reveals that an overwhelming 90% of teens say exercise makes them feel happy—yet half also admit their physical activity drops sharply during the summer break. For Thai families, where rising concerns about youth mental health mirror global patterns, these findings renew urgent questions about how to maintain teenagers’ motivation for healthy movement year-round.

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that individuals who cheat once are more likely to cheat again years later. The research argues that dishonesty may reflect a lasting personality tendency rather than a purely situational lapse, with implications for relationships, classrooms, and workplaces in Thailand, a society that values trust and integrity.

Trust is central in Thai life, from marriages to classrooms and business deals. The question of whether “once a cheater, always a cheater” resonates beyond theory into everyday life is both personal and cultural. Thai readers are familiar with stories of betrayal in various settings, prompting debates about whether such acts are momentary mistakes or enduring patterns. The study provides comprehensive data that can inform these conversations.