#Neuroscience

A new study explains how the brain manages multiple thoughts and keeps important details sharp. Researchers found that the visual cortex and frontal cortex coordinate to prioritize high-importance items in working memory, while less critical details fade slightly. Published in Science Advances, the findings suggest our minds allocate mental resources to maintain key information accurately and quickly. For Thai readers, the implications span classrooms and workplaces amid information overload.

Working memory acts as a small mental workspace for decisions and problem solving. Capacity is limited, and the brain does not treat all items equally. The study shows higher-priority content gets stronger neural signals, while lower-priority details are dampened. In the experiment, 11 adults viewed two colored lines and received a cue about which line would likely be tested. After a delay, they had to identify the remembered line. Participants consistently recalled the high-priority item more accurately and swiftly.

Time often seems to drag during intense workouts, a phenomenon researchers explain through brain and body signals. A recent study in Brain and Behavior shows that strenuous effort distorts how we perceive time, with external clocks appearing to run slower while the body pushes to the limit.

This finding matters for Thailand’s growing fitness culture and health initiatives. Athletes, coaches, and fitness enthusiasts can use these insights to train more intelligently and monitor effort with reliability. The study sheds light on why timing can drift during endurance efforts and how that might influence training plans and competition strategies, especially for Thai runners and cyclists.

Neuroscientists have uncovered fresh insights into the brain’s remarkable ability to juggle several pieces of information at once, revealing that our minds selectively devote more resources to items deemed important. The latest research, published in Science Advances on July 8, 2025, demonstrates that two major brain regions—the visual cortex and the frontal cortex—coordinate to ensure sharper memory for high-priority contents, while de-emphasizing those considered less critical. This discovery opens intriguing avenues in understanding not only basic neuroscience but also practical strategies to boost personal and educational performance for Thais in an increasingly information-rich world (PsyPost).

A growing body of international research suggests that mild brain stimulation could help people learn mathematics more effectively. The technique, when paired with math tasks, has shown improvements in learning and retention for study participants.

This finding holds particular relevance for Thailand, where math performance remains a focus of national education reform. Thai educators continue to seek evidence-based methods to strengthen numeracy, especially as students face persistent challenges highlighted by international assessments.

Recent scientific work is unpacking the psychology behind extremist beliefs, highlighting markers that may shape how people think ideologically. Research discussed by experts identifies four key traits linked to extremist thinking: cognitive rigidity, emotional volatility, variations in brain structure (notably the amygdala), and differences in the prefrontal cortex. Data from international studies suggest these factors interact with life experiences to influence belief formation.

For Thai readers, these insights are especially relevant as society navigates charged political, cultural, and generational debates. Understanding underlying factors is not just academic; it informs how educators, mental health professionals, parents, and policymakers in Thailand approach prevention and resilience-building. Thai culture places high value on social harmony and respect for diversity, which can guide practical responses.

A recent research breakthrough suggests that stimulating the brain with weak electric currents could significantly enhance a person’s ability to learn mathematics, offering hope for new approaches to supporting students and adults struggling with numeracy. According to a report by The Hindu, the study revealed that applying gentle electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain led to noticeable improvements in math learning for participants.

This development matters to Thai readers, especially as mathematics education remains a challenge for many students nationwide. Despite ongoing curriculum reforms and teacher training efforts, Thailand consistently scores below global averages in international math assessments such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) (World Bank). Finding innovative, evidence-based methods to improve mathematics performance is a high priority across the Thai education system, making research into brain stimulation particularly relevant.

A new wave of scientific research is shedding light on the psychological and neurobiological roots of ideological extremism, revealing that certain mental traits may make people more susceptible to radical beliefs. According to recent findings discussed in Big Think, renowned researcher Dr. Leor Zmigrod, author of the book “The Ideological Brain,” has identified four principal psychological markers that correlate closely with extremist ideologies: cognitive rigidity, emotional volatility, differences in the amygdala, and structural traits within the prefrontal cortex.

A wave of new research has reignited scientific and public debate on “dopamine deficits”—a phenomenon whereby modern lifestyles, shaped by omnipresent digital media and high-reward environments, dampen our capacity for pleasure and motivation. Experts now warn that this subtle neurological imbalance is widespread, with significant consequences for mental health, productivity, and daily happiness—even in thriving societies such as Thailand.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter made in the brain, is central to how humans pursue pleasure and rewards. While it’s essential for motivation and goal-seeking, new studies suggest that an abundance of high-stimulation activities—ranging from social media scrolling to ultra-processed foods—hijacks this system, leading to a flatlining of mood and satisfaction. The result is a chronic state where familiar joys fade and ordinary accomplishments lose their spark, pushing individuals toward ever-greater stimulation just to feel “normal” CNN Health.

A new study suggests that a ketogenic diet—a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating pattern—may improve brain health. The research reports a 22% increase in cerebral blood flow and a 47% rise in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These findings come as Thailand faces rising concerns about dementia and stroke amid an aging population.

For many Thai families, cognitive decline is a pressing worry. While the study details are still being shared, experts highlight a key takeaway: diet can influence neurological health in adults. A senior neurologist at a major regional hospital in Thailand notes that higher BDNF levels are encouraging because they’re linked to greater neural resilience, which could delay neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Recent research highlights practical, science-based methods to naturally increase oxytocin, offering Thai readers actionable ideas for stress reduction, social connection, and overall wellbeing. Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin supports trust, empathy, and even healing in daily life, not just during childbirth. For Thai audiences balancing city life, family ties, and cultural transitions, understanding how to cultivate oxytocin is highly relevant.

Leading researchers describe oxytocin as a natural regulator of stress and social bonding. Studies suggest it can help lower blood pressure, dampen stress responses, reduce inflammation, and support immune function. Experts emphasize that while the science is promising, lifestyle choices remain a safe and accessible route to harnessing these benefits.

A groundbreaking new study has found that following a ketogenic diet can dramatically enhance brain health, increasing cerebral blood flow by 22% and boosting levels of a key brain growth factor, BDNF, by 47%. These impressive findings, originally reported by PsyPost, are sparking renewed interest in the potential of diet-based interventions to support cognitive function and prevent neurological disorders—a topic of immense interest to Thai readers, where concerns over dementia and stroke continue to rise.

A growing body of research is sparking a vital discussion about dopamine deficits—where constant digital stimulation and high-reward environments may dull our capacity for pleasure and motivation. Experts warn this subtle shift is widespread and can influence mental health, productivity, and overall happiness, even in Thailand’s thriving communities.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter tied to motivation and reward, is increasingly shaped by modern stimuli—from social media to ultra-processed foods. The result can be a flattened mood and a sense that ordinary joys no longer satisfy. This can drive people to seek ever stronger experiences to feel “normal.” Research from leading Western universities highlights the need for mindful lifestyle adjustments.

In recent years, the hormone oxytocin has attracted widespread scientific attention for its profound influence on human health and happiness. Emerging research highlights practical, research-backed methods for naturally increasing oxytocin — offering Thais new insights into stress reduction, social connection, and overall well-being.

Often referred to as the “love hormone” or “cuddle chemical,” oxytocin plays a fundamental role not just in childbirth and maternal bonding but in everyday experiences of trust, empathy, and even physical healing. For Thai readers navigating urban stress, close family ties, and a society in transition, understanding how to unlock the benefits of oxytocin has never been more relevant. The latest research, as summarized in a comprehensive Boston Globe feature, explores both the science and practical daily actions anyone can take.

A groundbreaking study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances has revealed that everything we perceive visually is not in real time, but actually an average of what we saw up to 15 seconds ago—a revelation that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of human perception and consciousness. This research, led by teams from the University of Aberdeen and University of California, Berkeley, suggests our brains constantly merge recent visual history to present us with a stable, coherent world—essentially tricking us into viewing a smooth, illusionary reality (Popular Mechanics; Science.org; UNILAD).

A landmark study in Science Advances reveals that our visual perception is not in real time; instead, the brain blends recent images over roughly the last 15 seconds to create a stable view of the world. This finding shows how the mind smooths rapid changes to maintain coherence, a process that shapes everyday life from driving to learning.

For Thai readers, the implications are immediate. Visual processing affects safety on crowded roads, athletic performance, and the way information is presented in classrooms and on screens. In a society saturated with smartphones, understanding this lag helps people navigate a fast-moving environment more effectively and with greater awareness of perceptual limits.

A newly published international study has confirmed what many Thais may intuitively sense—feeling good can actually help us remember more, even when the subject matter itself is boring or meaningless. In ground-breaking research led by scientists from Hangzhou Normal University and Nanjing Normal University, the team demonstrated that positive emotions during learning measurably enhance our ability to recall information, offering potential life-changing applications for students, teachers, and anyone aiming to boost brain power (Neuroscience News; MedicalXpress; News-Medical).

A recent international study confirms a simple insight many Thai educators have long sensed: feeling good can improve memory, even with material that is dry or dull. Led by researchers from Hangzhou Normal University and Nanjing Normal University, the study shows that positive emotions during learning enhance recall later on. This could influence teaching strategies for students, teachers, and lifelong learners in Thailand.

The research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, tracked brain activity in 44 participants as they viewed neutral squiggles. Each squiggle was paired with images designed to evoke positive, negative, or neutral emotions. When memory was tested a day later, only the squiggles linked to positive emotions were reliably remembered. Squiggles associated with neutral or negative feelings were largely forgotten.

The prospect of hackers infiltrating the human brain, once a fixture of science fiction, is now edging closer to reality as advances in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology present both exciting possibilities and alarming vulnerabilities, a new wave of international neuroscience research has revealed. While Thai hospitals and technology agencies are beginning to experiment with neurotech applications for medical treatments and education, experts are sounding urgent warnings about the ethical and security risks that could soon face Thai citizens and institutions alike if safeguards are not put in place.

A recent study suggests that mild, non-invasive brain stimulation may help math learning in university students. The technique, transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), targeted different brain regions to test effects on calculation and drill-based recall. Results showed that stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) improved calculation tasks, while stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) did not enhance drill-based remembering. The research involved 72 university students and indicates potential support for learners who struggle with mathematics, but experts caution that more evidence is needed before classroom use.

A groundbreaking study has found that applying mild electrical currents to the human brain—using a non-invasive method called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)—can significantly improve mathematics learning in university students. The research, conducted by a team at the University of Oxford and reported by Live Science, hints at the potential of this technique for at-home use in the future, though experts caution that more evidence is needed before such tools become widespread or mainstream (Live Science).

A rapid rise in brain-computer interface technology is moving from research labs into clinics and classrooms. In Thailand, hospitals and tech firms are exploring neurotech for rehabilitation and learning. Experts warn that privacy and security safeguards must evolve in tandem to protect patients and citizens.

BCIs connect the brain to computers through implants or wearable sensors. They translate neural signals into actions, enabling advanced prosthetics, communication for people with paralysis, and immersive training or gaming. Across Asia, pilot programs signal a shift from experimentation to real-world use.

A groundbreaking new study has captured international attention, suggesting that what humans perceive in the present moment is actually a snapshot from up to 15 seconds in the past. This fascinating finding challenges longstanding assumptions about how the brain processes visual information and could have far-reaching implications for cognitive science, education, and even the design of safety protocols in everyday life (Times of India).

The research, conducted by a team of neuroscientists and recently highlighted in the international press, explores the mechanics of the brain’s ‘visual buffer’—a mental process where the brain accumulates and merges visual stimuli over a period of time. According to the study, rather than updating our internal picture of the world from instant to instant, our brains synthesize the last several seconds of visual inputs to create a stable, coherent scene. As a result, our conscious perception lags behind real-time events by approximately 15 seconds.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that scents can fundamentally alter decision-making in mammals by forging indirect associations in the brain—findings that may pave the way for innovative treatments for mental health conditions in humans. The new research, conducted by a multidisciplinary team led by a doctoral student and supervised by a leading neuroscientist, used behavioral experiments in mice to explore how the brain’s response to smells influences future choices—offering important insights for both science and society.

A recent study reveals that odors can subtly shape decision-making by forming indirect brain connections. For Thai audiences, the findings illuminate potential future therapies for mental health conditions while underscoring the practical value of everyday scents.

In the research, mice learned to associate a banana scent with a pleasant taste and an almond scent with a salty taste. Later, the banana scent was paired with an unpleasant event. The mice began avoiding the sweet taste whenever the banana odor appeared, even though the taste itself did not change. This demonstrates that decisions can be guided by indirect connections between sensory cues. The lead investigator explains that the brain creates an indirect link between the sweet taste and the aversive experience through its association with a specific smell.