#MedicalResearch

As awareness of holistic health grows globally, new research and expert advice are shining a light on the crucial role diet plays in supporting the human lymphatic system—a network critical for immune defense, fluid balance, and waste removal. The lymphatic system, an intricate web of vessels, nodes, and organs, exists alongside the circulatory system and plays an essential part in keeping us healthy by transporting waste, excess fluids, and immune cells throughout the body. A recent feature in The Globe and Mail explores how nutrition professionals are focusing on dietary strategies not just for general health, but specifically to aid this often-overlooked system.

A growing body of global health research points to how what we eat can support the lymphatic system—a network that helps immune defense, fluid balance, and waste removal. The lymphatic system runs beside the circulatory system, carrying immune cells and fluids through the body. A recent feature in The Globe and Mail highlights how nutrition professionals are tailoring strategies not just for general wellness, but to support this often-overlooked system.

A new study challenges the idea that daily workouts are essential for a healthy heart. Researchers found that one or two vigorous sessions per week can yield cardiovascular benefits nearly as strong as those from daily exercise, provided the total weekly activity is similar. This finding offers pragmatic hope for busy Thai readers trying to fit movement into demanding schedules. The results shift attention from strict daily routines to overall weekly exercise volume, signaling a potential shift in how health campaigns approach fitness.

A new study has found that humans’ wounds heal significantly more slowly than those of other mammals, raising intriguing questions about our biology and evolutionary trade-offs. The research, recently profiled by The New York Times, has major implications for medicine and health, especially for Thailand’s ageing population and those managing chronic health conditions.

The discovery comes from a comparative investigation into the healing rates of skin wounds in humans versus other mammalian species, using both laboratory models and clinical data. According to the report, researchers found that while most mammals—such as mice, pigs, and dogs—heal wounds within days or weeks, similar injuries in humans often require much longer timeframes. This discrepancy holds true even when accounting for differences in body size, environmental factors, and medical intervention.

A recent study reveals that human wounds tend to heal more slowly than those of many other mammals. The finding has important implications for medicine and health policy in Thailand, particularly for the aging population and people with chronic conditions.

Researchers compared wound healing across species using lab models and clinical data. Across mammals such as mice, pigs, and dogs, wounds often close within days or weeks. In humans, however, healing can take considerably longer even after adjusting for body size, environment, and medical care. The slower pace appears to be a consistent pattern rather than an artifact of specific cases.

A new study from the University of Michigan indicates that a single dose of a novel psychedelic compound can produce weeks-long improvements in brain flexibility. The finding could open doors to innovative treatments for depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative conditions. In experiments with laboratory mice, researchers observed not only short-term behavioral changes but also sustained cognitive enhancements, suggesting a potential shift in how these substances might support long-term brain health. Research by a leading U.S. university is now informing global discussions on neuroplasticity and mental wellbeing.

A groundbreaking new study from the University of Michigan has found that a single dose of a novel psychedelic compound can produce weeks-long improvements in brain flexibility—a finding that could pave the way for innovative therapies targeting depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative diseases. Using advanced research techniques on laboratory mice, scientists observed that the psychedelic 25CN-NBOH not only changed behavior in the short term but led to sustained cognitive enhancements, suggesting a fundamental shift in our understanding of how these substances might promote long-term brain health (Neuroscience News).

A widely-prescribed antidepressant may significantly shorten lifespan—by up to six years—according to recent findings circulated by the international medical community. The claim, based on a new research review highlighted by several medical news outlets and summarized in a viral Yahoo Lifestyle article, is igniting debate among doctors, mental health professionals, and patients in Thailand and around the world over the safety and prescription practices of this common medication.

The backdrop of this news is the widespread and growing use of antidepressant drugs, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include widely-recognized names such as sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. With depression and anxiety rates rising globally—including in Thailand, where mental health awareness has increased sharply in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic—these medications are standard tools for primary care doctors and psychiatrists alike [World Health Organization].

A recent collaboration between Chinese and French neuroscientists has produced groundbreaking findings on the neural mechanisms underlying consciousness, signaling potential advances in how the human mind is understood and how altered states of awareness might be approached in medical settings. This research, as reported by the South China Morning Post, has captured the global scientific community’s attention by illuminating the intricate neural networks believed to govern conscious experience, and it raises important implications for the future of neuroscience, medicine, and even philosophy.

New research is reshaping our understanding of how sex hormones influence the brain. Estrogen and other reproductive hormones are not limited to fertility; they act as powerful regulators that shape brain structure, function, and disease risk. The implications are global and deeply relevant for Thailand, where clinicians are exploring how to integrate hormonal health into neurological care and personalized medicine.

Historically, hormones like estrogen and testosterone were discussed mainly in the context of reproduction. Today, neuroscience shows that estrogen plays a broad, protective role across many organs, with especially strong effects in the brain. Brain imaging reveals that estrogen receptors are widespread, influencing memory, mood, and resilience after injury. These discoveries highlight the centrality of hormonal status in neurological health.

A collaboration between Chinese and French neuroscientists has yielded fresh insights into how consciousness arises in the brain. Using advanced imaging and neurotechnologies, researchers traced the networks active during awake, unconscious, and altered states. Their work identifies neural patterns that distinguish conscious from unconscious processing, offering a more nuanced map of where awareness originates in the brain. The findings, highlighted by the South China Morning Post, signal potential advances in diagnosing disorders of consciousness and guiding treatment strategies.

A wave of new research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held beliefs about psychosis. Scientists are refining how we distinguish substance-induced psychosis from primary psychotic disorders, with implications for diagnosis, treatment, and hope for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a break from reality through hallucinations or delusions, has traditionally been split into two categories: primary psychosis, intrinsic to a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, and substance-induced psychosis, triggered by drugs or alcohol. Clear differentiation matters for care decisions, but until now gaps in understanding have complicated clinical judgments and family planning.

A University of Toronto study spotlights a pivotal yet often overlooked issue in women’s health: how the type of hysterectomy may shape post-operative sexual wellbeing. The research compares radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, upper vagina, and surrounding tissue, with simpler procedures that spare more tissue. The findings suggest that survival and cancer control must be balanced with long-term quality of life, including sexual function, a consideration that matters for Thai patients as hysterectomy rates rise nationwide.

A recent research breakthrough offers new insight into why colorectal cancer cases are climbing among younger adults, a trend that has alarmed public health officials worldwide, including in Thailand. For years, scientists have noted a disturbing shift: while colorectal cancer rates decline among older adults, young people are increasingly being diagnosed, often at later—more dangerous—stages. The implications are significant for Thailand, where cancer remains one of the top causes of death, and awareness of early-onset colorectal cancer is still developing.

A surge of new research is reshaping scientific and medical understanding, revealing that sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are not confined to reproduction—these hormones are powerful regulators that sculpt brain structure, function, and disease susceptibility. This growing insight is sparking calls for a biomedical revolution, advocating new approaches to treating neurological disorders and personalized medicine strategies that could transform lives in Thailand and globally.

For most of the twentieth century, hormones like estrogen and testosterone were primarily discussed for their roles in fertility, menstruation, pregnancy, and sexual development. However, as detailed in recent exposés from outlets such as the New York Times and a landmark review in Brain Medicine, researchers have steadily revealed that estrogen, in particular, promotes the health of nearly every organ in the human body, with a special, underappreciated influence on the brain itself (New York Times). This is not just a Western scientific curiosity—its implications touch on global health, with Thai neuroscientists and medical practitioners urged to take note.

A University of Toronto researcher is calling renewed attention to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: the impact of hysterectomy type on post-operative sexual wellbeing. Recent work suggests the decision between radical and simple hysterectomy—two procedures used primarily in the treatment of uterine and cervical cancers—has profound implications not only for cancer control but also for the long-term quality of life, including sexual health, for women worldwide, including those in Thailand.

A wave of fresh research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychosis, as scientists explore the crucial differences between substance-induced and primary psychotic disorders. This emerging body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Medscape report, could help guide better diagnosis, tailored treatment, and more hopeful outcomes for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a loss of contact with reality—often via hallucinations or delusions—has long been categorized into those primarily caused by a psychiatric illness, like schizophrenia, and others triggered by substance use, such as methamphetamine (“ya ba”) or cannabis. Understanding whether symptoms are “primary” (intrinsic to psychiatric illness) or “substance-induced” (caused by drug or alcohol use) shapes every aspect of medical care, but until now, the true distinctions have often been blurred, fueling debates among clinicians and researchers worldwide.

New research is shedding light on why colorectal cancer cases are climbing among younger adults. The findings suggest that early-onset colorectal cancer may be a biologically distinct disease, not just a younger version of the traditional illness. This has clear implications for Thai readers, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and awareness about early detection is growing.

Experts examined genetic and environmental factors in patients diagnosed before age 50. The study found unique tumor biology in younger patients compared with older groups. This points to the need for age-specific awareness, screening strategies, and treatment approaches that reflect these differences.

A new international study has linked hormonal contraceptives to a higher risk of developing depression, triggering important conversations for Thai women who rely on these methods. The research, summarized by reputable outlets, indicates that birth control pills, patches, injections, and implants may be associated with increased depression diagnoses and antidepressant use, especially soon after starting these medications.

In Thailand, contraception has long been part of national health policy. Access to family planning supports women’s autonomy, improves public health, and enables safer, planned families. Officials have promoted hormonal options as safe and effective for decades. The latest findings, however, call for careful consideration of mental well-being alongside the benefits of contraception. Health professionals, policymakers, and users should weigh psychological health alongside reproductive health.

A recent study is making international headlines by finding a significant association between hormonal contraceptive use and a heightened risk of developing depression, raising important questions for millions of Thai women who rely on these family planning methods. The research, covered by reputable sources such as Drug Topics, suggests that women using hormonal contraceptives—such as birth control pills, patches, injections, and implants—may be more likely to experience depression, especially soon after starting these medications.

A new focus in cancer care is highlighting an often neglected area: sexual health. While treatments advance and survival improves, many patients’ sexual health needs are still overlooked in research and clinical practice. This gap affects quality of life and recovery, underscoring the need for changes in patient care protocols worldwide, including Thailand, where social taboos and limited support persist.

Growing evidence shows sexual health is closely tied to overall physical and emotional well-being. In discussions with clinicians, it’s clear there are substantial gaps in support for sexual health during and after cancer treatment. Surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation can cause sexual dysfunction and changes in body image, adding to the distress of diagnosis.

A new focus in cancer care is emerging, shining a light on an often neglected aspect of patient well-being: sexual health. Recent discussions among medical professionals highlight that, while cancer treatments have advanced and survival rates are improving, the sexual health needs of patients are still frequently overlooked in both research and clinical practice. This oversight has a profound impact on quality of life and recovery, underscoring an urgent need for change in patient care protocols around the world—including Thailand, where taboos around sexual health and limited support services persist.

In a significant breakthrough that could transform the lives of millions of people with dangerous peanut allergies, new research from the UK has found that adults can become desensitised to peanuts through carefully supervised daily exposure. The study, published in the journal Allergy, is the first of its kind to demonstrate that the window for effective allergy treatment may not be limited to childhood, providing a new pathway for severely allergic adults who, until now, have had few options besides lifelong avoidance (The Guardian, King’s College London news release).

A new UK-led study suggests adults with severe peanut allergies can become desensitised through carefully supervised daily exposure. Published in Allergy, the research is the first to show that effective allergy treatment may be possible beyond childhood, offering an option for adults who previously faced limited choices beyond strict avoidance.

Peanut allergy creates constant worry—one mistaken bite can trigger life-threatening reactions. In Thailand, where peanuts appear in many popular dishes, the risk affects social events and travel plans. Oral immunotherapy, or OIT, has mainly been tested in children, leaving adults with uncertain prospects. The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy (GUPI) trial, conducted by researchers at a leading London hospital partnership, challenges that assumption. It demonstrates that desensitisation is achievable in adults under rigorous medical supervision.