#Healthnews

A European study presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference and published in Human Reproduction reports microplastics in fluids around eggs and sperm. The findings raise urgent questions about fertility, long-term health, and the hidden costs of plastic dependence. For Thai audiences, the implications are especially relevant given rapid urban growth, Western-style diets, and widespread use of plastic containers.

Researchers analyzed follicular fluid from 29 women and semen from 22 men. Microplastics appeared in 69% of the women’s samples and 55% of the men’s samples. Detected materials included PTFE, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET—items once common in nonstick cookware, packaging, and synthetic textiles. The study highlights how pervasive microplastics can be inside the human body.

A growing understanding of neurodiversity shines a light on a quiet burden many families carry: the emotional strain on parents of neurodivergent children. While Thai society increasingly celebrates diverse minds, parents often feel guilt, exhaustion, and isolation behind a brave, composed exterior. Meeting these families’ needs is essential to support neurodivergent individuals.

Neurodiversity views brain differences—such as autism, ADHD, and learning variations—as natural forms of human diversity rather than disorders. The conversation has evolved since the 1990s to emphasize strengths, self-advocacy, and inclusive education. Yet the daily, personal struggles of families remain underrecognized.

A growing body of research and personal testimony is beginning to reveal a silent epidemic facing families across the globe: the complex emotional burden shouldered by parents of neurodivergent children. As explored in a recent Psychology Today article, many parents struggle with feelings of guilt, exhaustion, and isolation—but these feelings are all too often hidden behind a facade of resilience. Recognizing and addressing the needs of these families is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of supporting neurodivergent individuals themselves.

A new research study has revealed a compelling link between out-of-body experiences and elevated rates of mental health symptoms and psychological trauma, deepening scientific understanding of this mysterious phenomenon and raising crucial questions for the Thai mental health community. The findings, originally reported in PsyPost, highlight the need for greater awareness and nuanced care for individuals reporting such experiences, which have long captured the human imagination but remain poorly understood in clinical settings.

A new international study reveals that people who report out-of-body experiences (OBEs) tend to show higher levels of anxiety, depression, dissociation, and exposure to trauma. The research adds depth to our understanding of OBEs and highlights important considerations for mental health services in Thailand.

OBEs are experiences where individuals feel they are observing their own bodies from an external perspective. While some interpret these episodes as spiritual or mystical, scientists are increasingly examining them through neuroscience and psychology. The latest study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, surveyed people who report OBEs and found they are more likely to report mental health symptoms and trauma than those who have not had such experiences.

A simple exercise that can be done anywhere—seated calf raises—has stirred growing excitement in diabetes circles, following viral reports of its effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels. The renewed focus comes after a social media influencer detailed his dramatic improvement in blood sugar control, sparking questions in Thailand and globally: Can something as simple as calf raises truly help fight the diabetes epidemic?

The news gained traction after a viral video featured a young professional who revealed he had reduced his HbA1c from a prediabetic 6.1% to a healthy 5.4% over several months simply by integrating regular seated calf raises into his routine after meals, based on his nutritionist’s advice. Unlike brisk walking, which is often recommended yet hard to fit into a busy schedule, this exercise only requires 10 minutes, sitting right at your own desk. He cited research on the effectiveness of these movements for blood sugar and inspired many to attempt the regimen themselves (Times of India; also highlighted in MSM news outlets: MSN).

A simple, desk-friendly exercise is gaining attention in diabetes circles. Seated calf raises—performed while sitting—are being touted as an accessible way to support blood sugar control, especially for those who struggle to fit longer workouts into a busy day. A viral personal account described how adding these short movements after meals helped him improve his HbA1c from 6.1% to 5.4% over several months, prompting questions about their relevance for Thai readers.

A leading developmental psychologist is cautioning parents and grandparents worldwide—including in Thailand—against giving young children overly stimulating electronic toys, warning that such items may hamper creativity, emotional regulation, and healthy cognitive growth. The expert’s advice, which recently gained renewed attention in a widely discussed article published on Parade, spotlights growing concerns about the long-term effects of high-tech toys on early development, and encourages a return to more traditional, open-ended forms of play (Yahoo/Parade article).

A June 2025 clinical trial challenges the assumption that caffeinated, protein-based pre-workout formulas outperform simple carbohydrate drinks for strength and performance gains. The study, discussed by health outlets and cited by sports science journals, suggests many popular multi-ingredient pre-workouts may offer no clear advantage over carbohydrates alone before training. For Thai readers, this prompts a closer look at marketing claims versus evidence.

The Thai fitness scene mirrors global trends, with increasing use of pre-workout products among students, professionals, and gym-goers. Advertisements often promise enhanced endurance, power, and muscle growth through caffeine, proteins, and a blend of additives. The new findings encourage consumers to evaluate actual benefits beyond hype and to consider more cost-effective options.

A new clinical trial published in June 2025 has cast doubt on the widely held belief that caffeinated, protein-based pre-workout supplements offer significant advantages over simpler carbohydrate-based options for those seeking strength and performance gains. The findings, which have generated significant interest and debate among fitness enthusiasts in Thailand and globally, suggest that many popular pre-workout formulas may be no more effective than consuming carbohydrates alone before hitting the gym [MensHealth].

A leading developmental psychologist warns that highly stimulating electronic toys can hinder creativity, emotional regulation, and early cognitive growth. The message, which gained renewed attention in a recent Parade feature, resonates for Thai families navigating a growing market of high-tech toys at home and in schools.

The core concern is toys that light up, produce sounds, or require minimal active engagement. Such features are common in many electronic products now popular in Thai households. The psychologist emphasizes that overly stimulating toys may undermine essential skills, a view supported by peer-reviewed research on child development and neurobehavioral outcomes.

Once considered a magical plant blessed with the power to ward off evil and illness, elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has emerged from the shadow of folklore to spark global interest as both a culinary delight and a promising subject of scientific inquiry. In kitchens from Bangkok to Berlin, health-conscious individuals sip elderberry syrups in hopes of banishing colds, while researchers continue to uncover evidence supporting—though also complicating—its reputed healing powers. Elderberry’s story is that of a humble hedgerow plant whose vibrant berries have bridged the gap between old-world wisdom and the latest advances in nutritional biochemistry.

Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, has moved from village legends into modern science and everyday kitchens. In Bangkok’s health shops and Bangkok-to-Berlin wellness blogs alike, people reach for elderberry syrups hoping to ward off colds, while researchers scrutinize its powers. The plant’s story is a humble hedgerow becoming a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary nutrition science.

Across Europe and Asia, elderberry has carried layers of traditional meaning. In the Middle Ages, deep purple clusters were believed to shield homes from witches and bad luck, with branches hung over doors or buried in fields for protection. Healers used elderflowers and berries to address fever, digestive issues, and inflammation, a testament to its versatile biochemistry that Thai practitioners are increasingly studying as part of global herbal knowledge.

Sperm power human reproduction, a fact scientists have explored for centuries. Yet despite advances, many aspects of this tiny cell remain mysterious. Recent studies remind us that sperm are far more complex than once thought, and the questions they raise continue to push research forward.

For Thai audiences, questions about fertility touch daily life, health, and national family planning goals. While fertility technologies such as IVF have progressed, global data show a worrying trend: sperm counts appear to be declining, and many cases of male infertility remain unexplained. Thailand mirrors this global situation, underscoring the importance of reproductive health in public policy and everyday decisions.

Sperm, the key driver of human reproduction, has fascinated scientists for almost 350 years—yet much about this microscopic “explorer” remains tantalisingly unclear and continues to confound researchers even today. Despite their crucial role in the survival of humanity, recent research reveals that sperm is far more mysterious and complex than once believed, leaving many fundamental questions unanswered and opening new frontiers for scientific inquiry.

For Thai readers, whose concerns span from personal fertility to national demographic trends, the continuing enigma of sperm research is not just a matter for scientific curiosity—it touches on health, society, and the future wellbeing of families across the nation. The paradox is striking: even as advances have been made in reproductive technologies such as IVF and fertility treatments, global evidence indicates that sperm counts are on a worrying decline, and male infertility remains unexplained in the majority of cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023).

A large international study suggests that autism in toddlers may appear almost identically in girls and boys. Published in Nature Human Behaviour and summarized by Science News, the findings challenge long-held assumptions and could lead to more inclusive, earlier interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The research addresses a key concern: gender-based disparities in diagnosis. Historically, ASD has been diagnosed more often in boys, with global estimates indicating about four boys for every girl. Critics argued that diagnostic criteria, often developed around male presentations, might underdetect autism in girls. The current study counters this by showing near-identical patterns across 18 measures—eye-tracking attention, language development, and basic self-care skills—among 2,618 children aged 1 to 4 years. The lead author, a neuroscientist and co-director of UC San Diego’s Autism Center of Excellence, noted the surprise at how little difference emerged across the assessments.

A surge of recent scientific findings is bringing fresh attention to an unexpected driver of mental health—our gut. Researchers are increasingly convinced that the trillions of microbes inhabiting our intestines may play a powerful and direct role in the development and persistence of depression, a discovery that could revolutionize approaches to mental wellness in Thailand and around the world. This “gut-brain axis” challenges longstanding beliefs about the origins of mood disorders and opens the possibility that treating depression could one day involve rebalancing our internal ecosystem just as much as managing brain chemistry.

A growing body of research points to a surprising link between our gut and mental health. Scientists are increasingly convinced that the trillions of microbes in our intestines can influence the development and persistence of depression. The idea, known as the gut-brain axis, suggests that treating depression could someday involve rebalancing the digestive system as much as managing brain chemistry.

In Thai culture, the gut has long been called the “second brain.” Western studies are catching up, showing that gut microbes produce neurochemicals like serotonin and dopamine—molecules central to mood regulation. A prominent microbiologist notes that what happens in the gut can affect the brain, with stress and depression shifting the gut microbiome and, in turn, brain function.

A new wave of psychological research is shedding light on the subtle, often invisible signs of unhappiness that many people experience but rarely recognize—offering novel insights and pragmatic tools for Thai readers facing similar emotional terrain. Drawing upon the latest behavioral studies, neuroscience, and expert guidance, this emerging understanding marks a crucial advance for mental well-being in both personal and professional spheres.

Many Thais are taught from a young age to maintain composure and a “jai yen” (cool heart) in difficult situations, a cultural norm that sometimes masks deeper internal struggles. While outward success stories—whether in bustling Bangkok offices or tight-knit upcountry communities—suggest emotional equilibrium, a mounting body of evidence reveals that true happiness is far more complex and easily undermined by silent discontent. According to a recent in-depth article synthesizing current psychology, there are eight core warning signs that someone may be deeply unhappy even if neither they, nor those around them, notice the problem (VegOutMag).

In a groundbreaking finding that could reshape the way autism is diagnosed in young children, an international research team has discovered that, in toddlerhood, autism presents nearly identically among girls and boys. This revelation, published recently in Nature Human Behaviour and reported by Science News, challenges longstanding beliefs and provides hope for more accurate and inclusive early interventions.

The significance of this discovery lies in its potential to reduce gender-based disparities in autism diagnosis and treatment. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically been seen as affecting boys far more frequently—roughly four times as often as girls, according to global statistics (Science News). However, previous studies left uncertainty about whether the symptoms truly differ according to sex, or whether diagnostic criteria—often based on observations in boys—have contributed to underdiagnosis among girls.

A recent scientific investigation has uncovered that while exercise is generally beneficial, engaging in vigorous physical activity may momentarily decrease the efficiency of the immune system—a finding with critical implications for those in high-intensity professions such as emergency responders, athletes, and even members of the military. Published in the journal Military Medical Research, the study sheds new light on the body’s complex response to extreme exertion and brings an element of caution to Thailand’s thriving culture of fitness enthusiasm and physically demanding occupations (ScienceAlert).

A wave of psychological research is highlighting quiet, often invisible signs of unhappiness that many people overlook. For Thai readers, these findings offer practical insights and tools to support mental well-being at work, school, and home.

Thai culture often upholds jai yen (cool heart) and composed behavior. While success stories in Bangkok offices or rural communities suggest emotional balance, evidence shows happiness is complex and can be eroded by unseen dissatisfaction. A recent synthesis of psychology points to eight warning signs that someone may be struggling even when they or others don’t notice.

A new study suggests that while exercise generally boosts health, very intense activity can momentarily reduce immune efficiency. This finding matters for emergency responders, athletes, and military personnel who routinely push their bodies to the limit. The research, published in Military Medical Research, reveals how the body’s response to extreme exertion can carry a short-term health cost. These insights are particularly relevant in Thailand’s active fitness culture and demanding professions.

A recent study in Cell Reports investigates how fats in olive oil, particularly oleic acid, may influence how the body stores fat. The researchers found that high levels of oleic acid could promote the growth of fat cells in mice through a specific cellular pathway. While olive oil is widely praised for heart health and antioxidant benefits, this study highlights a nuanced relationship between fat type, amount, and long-term weight management.