#Neuroscience

A groundbreaking wave of neuroscience research is redefining what it means to think—and, crucially, why artificial intelligence (AI) still falls far short of the intricacies of the human mind. A newly published feature in Salon highlights the distinct evolutionary adaptations that make the human brain more than a glorified computer, challenging decades-old assumptions fundamental to AI development and the neural network concept that underlies machine learning models.

For years, popular understanding—and much of AI research—has treated the brain as a vast network made up of nearly identical neurons whose intelligence emerges through the patterns of their collective firing. This view inspired so-called artificial neural networks, computer systems designed to solve problems by mimicking the way brains process information. Such analogies, cemented over decades, fostered the belief that if machines could imitate the structure and connectivity of brains, they might one day match, or even surpass, human intellect. But recent scientific discoveries show this metaphor misses the mark in fundamental ways, with profound implications for both neuroscience and the future of AI.

A team of Chinese and French researchers has produced the most detailed blueprint yet of the mysterious claustrum region in primate brains, a scientific advance that could help unravel the biological roots of consciousness and reframe our understanding of mental health and awareness. Published in the prestigious journal “Cell”, the April 3 study charts the intricate landscape of the crab-eating macaque’s claustrum—a tiny strip of tissue in the brain historically overshadowed by more prominent regions, but now emerging as a prime suspect in the quest to decode the essence of conscious experience (source).

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that what you see isn’t just a reflection of the world—your brain actively decides “what it wants you to see”, and that decision can change depending on your immediate goals. This discovery, recently published in Nature Communications and spotlighted by Earth.com, challenges a long-held belief about vision, highlighting the brain’s astonishing ability to reshape perception in real time to suit our intentions and tasks (cited from Earth.com: https://www.earth.com/news/rethinking-vision-the-brain-sees-what-it-wants-to-see/).

A new study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences is shedding light on a phenomenon everyone from Thai university students staring at exam papers to harried Bangkok office workers can relate to: the mind suddenly, inexplicably going blank. Once lumped in with mind wandering, “mind blanking” has now been described by neuroscientists as a unique and measurable state linked not just to daydreaming or boredom, but to specific changes in the brain, body, and levels of alertness. The findings carry important implications for how we understand everyday lapses—along with clinical conditions like anxiety and ADHD—for people in Thailand and around the world.

A new study published just days ago in “Developmental Psychology” has spotlighted the remarkable impact of responsive parenting on infants born with sensitive or “turbulent” temperaments—a revelation with far-reaching significance for Thai families and global parenting practices alike (Neuroscience News). Researchers report that attuned caregiving, in which parents accurately and consistently respond to a baby’s cues, can “rewire” the developing brain to foster better emotional regulation and empathy, especially in babies most at risk for later anxiety and emotional difficulties.

Scientists have taken a dramatic leap forward in unraveling one of neuroscience’s greatest mysteries: understanding how the human brain actually becomes consciously aware of the world around it. In an innovative experiment, a team from Beijing Normal University has identified a compact yet influential region deep within the brain—the thalamus—as the apparent “switchboard” that regulates conscious perception. Their findings, published in the journal Science, stand to reshape both scientific theory and practical approaches to neurological disorders worldwide, and offer thought-provoking implications for Thai medical practice and cultural conceptions of mind Wired.

A recent column in The Washington Post prompted fierce debate after a grandmother described her daughter’s strategy of letting a 2½-year-old granddaughter cry for up to 30 minutes rather than picking her up—a response designed, the parents say, to encourage independence and make things easier for teachers at preschool. But is “crying it out” appropriate or potentially harmful at this age? New neuroscience studies and child psychology experts urge a more nuanced, compassionate approach, especially for young Thai families navigating traditional and modern parenting advice.

A recent wave of research in neuroscience is shedding fresh light on a question as old as society itself: Why do people obey authority, even when it conflicts with their own morals? The drive to follow orders is deeply rooted in both our brains and cultures, according to leading scientists exploring the intersection of compliance and control. These findings, highlighted in a discussion hosted by Dr. Michael Shermer on Skeptic.com, carry profound implications for Thai society—spanning education, workplace hierarchies, and even public health.

In a milestone that challenges decades-old scientific assumptions, an international team of researchers has created the world’s most detailed three-dimensional map of a mammalian brain—from a mere speck of mouse tissue. This stunning achievement not only redefines what’s possible in neuroscience but holds the potential to transform how we study and tackle complex neurological diseases, offering new hope for brain health advances both globally and in Thailand (CNN, 2025).

For Thai readers, this breakthrough matters because the brain disorders examined—such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s—are increasingly prevalent in our rapidly aging society. A deeper understanding of the brain’s “wiring” can ultimately shape better treatments, inspire new research collaborations, and improve quality of life for millions of Thais facing brain-related illnesses. With Thailand’s medical research sector aspiring to world-class status, the implications of this advancement could influence both policy and local innovation.

Imagine being able to perceive a color that no human has ever seen before—a jump in our sensory experience that until now has belonged only to science fiction. This is exactly what a groundbreaking team of engineers, computer scientists, and ophthalmologists at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with experts from the University of Washington, claim to have achieved. In recently published research in the journal Science Advances, these scientists reveal that by precisely targeting specific cells in the human retina, they have enabled volunteers to see a novel color, which the team dubbed “olo” (MedicalXpress).

Scientists have taken a major leap forward in brain research, unveiling an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can identify the neuron types in the cerebellum—one of the brain’s most mysterious regions. This innovation, detailed in a new Cell journal study, promises to transform our understanding of brain function and could pave the way for novel treatments for neurological disorders like tremor, imbalance, and speech impairment (MedicalXpress, 2025).

Why does this matter for Thai readers? The cerebellum, known in Thai as ซีรีเบลลัม, is crucial for skills as fundamental as walking, talking, and even balancing on a ผ้าไหม (silk mat) during traditional dance. Yet, despite being studied for decades, neuroscientists have struggled to interpret the ‘conversations’ between neurons within the cerebellum. Researchers could listen to the electrical signals sent between brain cells but could not reliably determine which type of neuron was communicating—a bit like overhearing conversations in many languages and not knowing who is speaking which language.

A groundbreaking study from Columbia University has revealed how our brains light up when viewing different styles of art, signaling a deeper, highly personal process of meaning-making, especially with abstract works. Using brain imaging technology, researchers have shown that the interpretation of art is not just a matter of individual taste—it’s an intricate neural event that highlights the very uniqueness of each beholder’s experience. This discovery holds significance for Thai art lovers, educators, and anyone curious about how culture and creativity shape our perception.

Imagine the heartbreak of watching a loved one slip into a coma—a state where the body survives but the person seems lost in a world out of reach. For many Thai families, the agony of disorders of consciousness is all too real, with loved ones trapped in hospital beds, unable to move, speak, or respond. Now, new research led by neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Toker at UCLA is pushing the boundaries of medical science, offering a glimmer of hope that waking up from a coma might one day move from miracle to medical possibility. His work, recently profiled in Big Think, explores how cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), brain models, and an unexpected diabetes medication could hold the key to unlocking consciousness for those “locked inside” by severe brain injuries (source: Big Think).

In a landmark advance that could reshape how science understands consciousness, a collaboration of Chinese and French researchers has meticulously mapped the claustrum—the brain region often dubbed as a “conductor of consciousness”—in the crab-eating macaque monkey. Reporting their findings in the highly respected journal Cell in April 2025, the team unveiled an unprecedented single-cell spatial transcriptome atlas and a whole-brain connectivity map, shedding new light on the neural diversity and complex wiring that underpins conscious awareness in primates Cell, SCMP. This research not only offers a detailed blueprint of the elusive claustrum, but also marks a major step toward identifying how consciousness itself emerges from brain circuits—a quest with deep philosophical and practical significance for humanity, including Thai society.

A recent breakthrough study has discovered that the eyes, far from being mere passive players during sleep, actively orchestrate how our brains consolidate memories—guarding old knowledge while seamlessly incorporating new information. These findings, published by a Cornell University research team and highlighted in The Brighter Side of News on April 21, 2025, suggest that subtle changes in the pupil during sleep play a pivotal role in preventing memory “mix-ups” and could one day revolutionize how we learn, remember, and perhaps even treat memory disorders (The Brighter Side of News).

A groundbreaking new study has identified N-cadherin, a protein molecule, as a key trigger for the differentiation of neural stem cells, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in treating brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This promising research, recently reported by Medical Xpress (source), suggests that manipulating N-cadherin activity could help regenerate brain tissue, offering renewed hope for individuals living with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or the effects of stroke.

A groundbreaking new study has shown that when people intend to act, their brains perceive these actions as happening faster, revealing intricate links between intention, perception, and bodily movement. This international research, published in PLOS Biology on April 17, 2025, offers vital insights that may shape how we understand free will, rehabilitation, and brain-machine integration for people with disabilities (Neuroscience News; PLOS Biology).

Why does this matter for Thailand? In a society where the aging population and rates of stroke and spinal injuries are rising, research into how intention and neural activity can be used to restore movement holds practical promise. As Thai hospitals increasingly adopt robotic exoskeletons and brain-controlled devices for rehabilitation, understanding how intention interacts with perception could directly impact patient care and societal perspectives on disability.

Groundbreaking research published this month in Nature Communications has upended a long-standing assumption in neuroscience: contrary to the traditional view, our visual cortex doesn’t act as a passive camera that merely records the world for later analysis. Instead, it actively tunes how we see, adjusting perception in real time to align with what we’re trying to do at any given moment. This insight, highlighted in a recent article by MedicalXpress, provides a vivid new understanding of how our brains flexibly interpret the world depending on our current objectives—whether that means preparing a winter stew or hosting a Super Bowl party, as the study’s lead author, Dr. Nuttida Rungratsameetaweemana, describes in a relatable example (source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-purpose-visual-cortex-tunes-perception.html).

A major new study has brought to light an enduring problem both globally and in Thailand: despite the growing influence of neuroscience in education, persistent misconceptions—so-called “neuromyths”—continue to misinform the way teachers, especially those in early childhood education, understand and apply brain science in their classrooms. The research, published on April 22, 2025, surveyed over 520 early childhood educators in Australia, revealing that many still believe debunked ideas, such as the necessity of catering to “learning styles” or the notion that students are either “left-brained” or “right-brained” thinkers. Experts warn these myths are not just harmless misunderstandings, but may actively undermine effective teaching and learning—an issue with clear implications for Thai educators and policymakers ScienceAlert.

In a discovery that could redefine our understanding of the human brain, scientists are investigating a mind-bending question: can neurons, long known as the brain’s electrical messengers, also transmit light? This remarkable hypothesis—now being tested by interdisciplinary teams blending neuroscience with cutting-edge optics—could revolutionize both scientific knowledge and medical technology, including brain-computer interfaces and diagnostics for neurological diseases (SciTechDaily).

For Thai readers, the implications are far-reaching. The brain has traditionally been thought of as a network of cells communicating via electrochemical signals, with electricity and chemicals passing information rapidly between neurons. Now, research teams such as those at the University of Rochester are asking if neurons’ long, thin axons could carry light particles (photons) in a way that’s similar to fiber-optic cables used in internet communications (University of Rochester News Center). If proven true, this would mean the brain may have an entirely new layer—an optical internet—hidden within its already intricate wiring.

A groundbreaking international study led by over 150 scientists has produced the most detailed map ever of how visual information moves through the brain, uncovering more than 500 million intricate connections within a speck of mouse brain tissue and bringing the world closer to understanding how we see. Published in the journal Nature on April 9, 2025, the research combines genetic engineering, high-powered electron microscopy, and deep learning to capture not only the physical wiring of over 200,000 brain cells but also their real-time electrical activity in response to visual stimuli. The project—hailed as one of the most complex neuroscience experiments ever attempted—has generated a dataset of unprecedented size and detail: 1.6 petabytes, about the equivalent of 22 years of continuous high-definition video, all representing a single grain-sized fragment of brain.

Thai patients and their families living with Parkinson’s disease received hopeful news this week after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a first-of-its-kind stem cell therapy, XS-411, for Phase 1 clinical trials in the United States. Developed by biotech firm Xellsmart, this innovative therapy harnesses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to regenerate the healthy, dopamine-producing neurons lost in patients with Parkinson’s. This marks a milestone in neurodegenerative disease treatment and offers a look toward the future of regenerative medicine, not only in the US but potentially in Thailand as global clinical research expands (Parkinson’s News Today).

Imagine cruising down Rama IV in morning traffic, your focus broken by flashy billboards and blaring tuk-tuks. While the chaos of Bangkok can feel overwhelming, emerging scientific research reveals that our brains have a surprising ability to adapt and learn to filter out distractions—helping people stay focused amid sensory overload. The latest evidence, from a collaboration between Leipzig University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, explains how repeated exposure to the same distractions can literally train your neural circuits to ignore them, a finding with deep relevance for urban-dwelling Thais as well as Thai students facing digital and classroom noise (SciTechDaily).

Cutting-edge research has pulled back the curtain on the brain’s secret playbook for learning, unveiling rules that govern how we master new skills and knowledge—a discovery with profound implications for both education and artificial intelligence (AI). Scientists, backed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), harnessed revolutionary synapse imaging technology to observe real-time changes among the brain’s neurons during learning, uncovering patterns that promise new understanding of how we become smarter—with practical lessons for schools in Thailand and emerging AI technologies worldwide SciTechDaily.