#Healthcare

A recent case in the United States has sharpened global calls for timely, evidence-based mental health care, especially for people experiencing psychosis. An 18-year-old with schizophrenia died after prolonged agitation during a psychotic episode, allegedly following restraint by relatives. The incident underscores the potential danger when mental illness is not understood or promptly managed, and it has led to involuntary manslaughter charges for the individuals involved.

Psychosis involves a break from reality and can worsen without quick, appropriate treatment. Advocates note gaps in mental health education and access contribute to delays in care. The longer psychosis lasts, the more challenging recovery can become.

A growing body of research suggests vitamin D may influence gut health, with potential implications for dietary guidance in Thailand and beyond. While the nutrient is best known for supporting calcium absorption and bone health, emerging studies indicate it also affects the gut’s cellular structure and immune defenses.

Vitamin D helps protect the intestinal barrier. Receptors for vitamin D in the gut appear to support the lining that keeps harmful pathogens out while allowing nutrient absorption. Strengthening this barrier may reduce gut permeability, sometimes called “leaky gut,” which has been linked to various inflammatory conditions. Early findings suggest vitamin D supplementation can encourage tighter junctions between gut cells, contributing to better digestive health.

In an innovative leap forward for artificial intelligence, researchers from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization have unveiled “infomorphic neurons” that can learn independently by emulating the complex learning processes of the human brain. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this research presents a significant advancement in creating artificial neurons that more closely mimic their biological counterparts. The capability of these neurons to self-organize and independently derive necessary information marks a substantial departure from conventional artificial neural networks, which largely rely on external supervision to process input signals.

A collaboration between the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization has unveiled “infomorphic neurons” that learn autonomously by mimicking brain-like processes. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this work shifts away from traditional supervised neural networks toward self-organizing artificial units. The neurons can determine which inputs matter for learning, reducing the need for constant external guidance.

The human brain operates through decentralized, energy-efficient networks. Biological neurons learn by responding to neighboring cells rather than following rigid, pre-set pathways. Infomorphic neurons imitate this adaptability, selecting learning goals and rules with minimal external control. With self-organization and specialization, these networks promise more robust problem solving in real-world tasks.

Colon cancer is a global concern, and Thailand is increasingly affected. Recent findings from reputable health institutes show a rising trend in younger adults and a persistent burden among older adults, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and early detection across the country. While rates among seniors remain a major focus, health experts warn that a 2.4% yearly increase among people under 55 in recent years calls for proactive community strategies in Thailand.

A new AI-powered method combined with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is changing how experts measure brain aging and assess dementia risk. Researchers from the University of Delaware have developed a technique that maps brain stiffness and volume to estimate brain age with impressive accuracy. By integrating AI with MRE, this approach could support earlier detection of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.

MRE uses gentle vibrations in tandem with MRI to create stiffness maps of brain tissue. These maps serve as health indicators because brain stiffness shifts with age and during the onset of neurodegenerative processes. Over years, a large dataset of stiffness maps has been built, and researchers apply advanced analytics to identify meaningful patterns. The latest findings suggest that evaluating both brain stiffness and volume yields the most precise brain age estimate, as described in a recent report in Biology Methods and Protocols.

The recent publication in the Star Tribune by Aaron Brown serves as an engaging reminder for elder millennials reaching age 45, as they now find themselves at the threshold of recommended colon cancer screenings. This shift is crucial as recent data indicates a troubling increase in colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, while early screening has decreased incidences among older populations. March, recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlights the importance of timely screenings to mitigate risks associated with the second deadliest cancer in the United States.

A new international study shows how two human-specific genes contribute to brain development, offering clues about the evolution of the cerebrum’s complexity. Researchers from a leading German primate research center and a top molecular biology institute conducted the work. Published in March 2025, the findings illuminate brain evolution and suggest potential avenues for addressing developmental brain disorders.

The study describes a synergistic mechanism: one gene promotes the proliferation of brain progenitor cells, while the other guides these cells to become neuron-producing progenitors. This coordinated process is proposed as a driving factor in the evolutionary path that produced the sophisticated human brain. Beyond evolution, the research hints at new angles for understanding developmental conditions and neurological diseases, with possible therapeutic implications.

A new health alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the rapid spread of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus increasingly found in hospitals and long-term care facilities in the United States. Health officials warn that C. auris is hard to treat and can cause severe infections, particularly among vulnerable patients.

Since its first identification in 2016, C. auris has grown from a handful of cases to thousands in 2023. The fungus is linked with high mortality, underscoring the need for strict infection control in healthcare settings.

The spread of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to classify it as an “urgent antimicrobial resistance threat,” according to a recent hospital study. Identified in the U.S. in 2016 and rapidly escalating since, the fungus has been spreading in Georgia and within Miami’s Jackson Health System, raising significant concerns. It is known to predominantly affect vulnerable patients in healthcare settings, especially those using medical devices like catheters or breathing tubes, as the pathogen can enter the body through these devices.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers employing virtual reality (VR) and functional MRI have unveiled distinct neural communication patterns in children with ADHD, diverging significantly from traditional methods that focus on resting brain states. Conducted by a collaboration of European universities, including Aalto University, the research underscores the potential of dynamic diagnostic methods and gamified tools in transforming ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, remains a prevalent condition affecting many Thai children, characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Current diagnostic practices often rely on static brain imaging, which fails to capture the nuances of how these symptoms manifest in real-world interactions. This study marks a significant pivot towards understanding ADHD as an active neurodevelopmental disorder, where the brain’s interaction with the environment becomes a crucial diagnostic element.

A European partnership using virtual reality and functional MRI maps how children with ADHD communicate during active tasks, not just at rest. The study points to dynamic diagnostic methods and gamified tools that could reshape ADHD identification and treatment. For Thai readers, the findings suggest practical ways to tailor classroom and clinical interventions.

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, affects many Thai children and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Traditional assessments often rely on static brain imaging, which misses how symptoms unfold in real-life interactions. The research frames ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition shaped by environmental engagement, offering a more holistic diagnostic perspective.