#Neuroscience

A new study reveals that what we perceive as the present may lag real-time events by up to 15 seconds. This challenges traditional views of vision and has implications for education, safety, and cognitive science. Neuroscience researchers describe the brain’s visual buffer as merging recent stimuli into a stable image, creating a natural lag between events and conscious experience. The mind effectively uses a rolling average of input to maintain continuity, but this comes at the cost of precise timing.

A prominent neuroscientist is challenging the long-held belief that running or interval-based “Jeffing” is the only path to robust cardiovascular health and increased longevity. In a recent YouTube discussion, a leading professor at Stanford University School of Medicine shared findings that suggest the path to healthy aging is simpler— and more accessible— than many Thais might realize. The secret? Regular, low-impact cardio in what’s called “Zone 2”—even simple brisk walking counts.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed the essential role of an immune molecule, interleukin 34 (IL34), in fine-tuning brain development—a discovery that could reshape understanding of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Conducted by researchers at Duke University and published in the journal Immunity on July 2, 2025, the study finds that IL34 acts as a key messenger, directing the brain’s own immune cells, known as microglia, on when and how to “prune” connections between neurons in early life. This process of synaptic pruning is fundamental, as it creates stronger, more efficient neural pathways underlying emotion, decision-making, and learning abilities (Duke University Medical School).

A new study identifies interleukin-34 (IL-34) as a critical cue that guides early brain development by directing microglia, the brain’s immune cells, on when to prune synapses. Proper IL-34 timing helps build resilient neural networks and supports later emotional health, learning, and cognition. Researchers describe IL-34 as a signal that tells microglia when to start and stop pruning during infancy.

Traditionally, microglia were seen mainly as defenders against infection. The findings now show they actively shape brain architecture as well. Supported by national health research funding and dementia-focused philanthropic support, the work demonstrates that normal IL-34 signaling enables microglia to engage at the right moments. When IL-34 functions correctly, pruning proceeds in a balanced, developmentally appropriate way.

Latest scientific research is dismantling the myth that humans are “bad smellers,” revealing that our sense of smell is not only ancient but deeply intertwined with memory and emotion—a connection far richer than previously thought. This new understanding sheds light on how even a simple whiff of a familiar odor can instantly transport us back in time, evoking powerful memories and emotions, and opens the possibility of harnessing scents in therapeutic, educational, and cultural contexts in Thailand and beyond.

A recent study shows that people who dislike exercise can rewire their brains to tolerate and even enjoy physical activity. Using neuroscience and psychology, researchers found that the brain’s response to discomfort can be gradually recalibrated, making regular activity more appealing and sustainable for sedentary individuals. Small, controlled bursts of physical stress shift how effort is perceived, creating a more positive exercise experience.

For Thailand, urban life, long work hours, and screen time contribute to inactivity. With rising non-communicable diseases, understanding how to weave movement into daily routines is crucial for personal health and national goals. The research offers a practical path: retrain the brain’s response to effort so exercise feels less daunting, rather than pushing through pain alone.

A growing body of research shows that humans rely on smell far more than many assume. In Thailand, everyday aromas—from jasmine rice to temple incense—play a meaningful role in experiences, learning, and well-being.

Smell is one of our oldest senses. Scent detection emerged long before vision or hearing. Humans have hundreds of odorant receptors that detect a wide range of molecules, enabling rich aroma experiences. When you inhale a fragrance, millions of receptors fire in distinct patterns, creating meaningful perceptions in the brain.

A groundbreaking study published in June 2025 is reshaping the way we think about physical activity, revealing that even those who “hate” exercise can train their brains to not only tolerate but actually enjoy working out. By leveraging the latest neuroscience and psychological techniques, researchers have demonstrated that our mental resistance to physical discomfort can be gradually recalibrated, making regular exercise more appealing and sustainable—even for the most sedentary individuals (SciTechDaily).

New research published in eNeuro reveals how the human brain tracks and navigates rapid emotional transitions, using music to illuminate the shifting neural landscapes behind our changing moods. This discovery, which highlights the powerful influence of previous emotional states on subsequent emotional experiences, holds promise for informing future therapies for mood disorders such as depression—conditions characterized by difficulty in shifting out of negative emotional states.

In a world where music soundtracks everything from daily commutes to spiritual rituals, the news that our brains process emotional music based on recent experiences is both intuitively familiar and scientifically groundbreaking. Thai readers, whose relationship with music spans mor lam and luk thung to Western pop, may find these findings particularly resonant, linking the local appreciation of musical storytelling with new understandings of mental health.

A new study reveals how the brain tracks emotional shifts through music, offering insights into mood regulation and potential therapies for mood disorders such as depression. The research shows that prior emotions influence how we experience upcoming feelings, highlighting opportunities to tailor interventions that ease negative states.

For Thai readers, music connects tradition with contemporary well-being. From mor lam and luk thung to international pop, music’s storytelling power mirrors everyday life and community healing, now supported by neuroscience.

In a promising turn for Alzheimer’s disease research, scientists at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a gene activated during physical exercise that could be targeted to slow cognitive decline in patients unable to exercise. This discovery, detailed in a recent study published in Nature Neuroscience, could pave the way for drug therapies that replicate the brain-boosting effects of exercise—offering renewed hope for millions, including Thailand’s rapidly aging population, at risk of dementia and related conditions.

A new study from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital highlights ATPPIF1, a brain gene activated by exercise that may slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients who cannot exercise. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the findings suggest potential drugs or gene therapies that mimic exercise’s brain benefits. The discovery is particularly relevant for Thailand’s aging population.

For years, researchers have shown that physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. But many patients, especially those with frailty or advanced disease, cannot exercise. The study addresses this gap by uncovering molecular pathways that exercise influences, pointing to interventions that stimulate these pathways directly in the brain.

Smells can linger in memory long after the scent fades, shaping mood and behavior. A new study from the University of Florida reveals how the brain assigns emotional value to odors, offering fresh insights for sensory health and potential clinical treatments. The research shows that odor experiences are not just about smell notes—they’re tied to deep brain circuits that determine what we find pleasant or aversive.

In Thailand, where street market aromas swirl and local foods like pla ra (fermented fish) and other pungent scents are integral to daily life, the subjective nature of “good” and “bad” smells is more than a curiosity. As Bangkok and other cities become more diverse, understanding how the brain chooses which odors to embrace could impact mental wellbeing and everyday experiences, including healthcare environments.

A whiff of microwaved fish may linger in your kitchen—and your memory—but what makes some smells universally unpleasant while others draw fond nostalgia? Recent research from the University of Florida uncovers how our brains assign emotional value to odors, offering insights that could reshape approaches to sensory health and even clinical treatment of scent-related distress (SciTechDaily).

For Thais who cherish the bustling aromas of street markets or the stinging tang of fermented fish (pla ra), the subjective nature of “good” and “bad” smells is more than a curiosity—it’s a matter woven into daily life, heritage, and even mental wellbeing. As major Thai cities grow ever more cosmopolitan, and with mental health awareness rising, understanding exactly how our brain selects which odors to embrace (or reject) could have widespread impacts.

A wave of new research is reshaping what we know about fatherhood, suggesting that men’s brains undergo measurable, dynamic changes when they become parents—changes often echoing those long attributed to mothers. For Thai families watching the shifting roles of men in parenting and policymakers focused on child development, these findings open remarkable new windows into the neurobiology of caregiving and challenge prevailing cultural stereotypes.

Until recently, the concept of “mom brain” reigned supreme in popular culture and scientific study. Defined by both cognitive shifts and an emotional attunement toward a new child, much has been made about the brain and hormonal changes mothers experience. However, a growing body of work, including the latest research led by a US-based psychology professor at the University of Southern California, finds that becoming a father sparks a unique neurological and hormonal transformation—a phenomenon now being described as “dad brain” (wbur.org).

A wave of recent research is reshaping our understanding of fatherhood. Studies show that men’s brains can change in measurable, dynamic ways after becoming dads—changes that echo what has long been observed in mothers. For Thai families watching shifting parenting roles and for policymakers focused on child development, these findings reveal new insights into caregiving and challenge old stereotypes.

Historically, conversations about parenting often centered on “mom brain,” the idea that mothers undergo cognitive and emotional shifts after birth. Now, researchers from a leading US university report that fatherhood also triggers neurological and hormonal changes. The growing body of evidence suggests that dads engage in a biological process that supports caregiving, a development with broad implications for family life and public policy.

New research is shedding light on a paradox long observed in entertainment and everyday life: some of the world’s funniest individuals also struggle with some of the deepest emotional pain. Recent findings compiled by a neuroscience expert in Psychology Today draw directly on brain science and psychological studies to explain this hidden connection, offering insights not only for global audiences but also for Thai readers who deeply value humor as a tool for social connection.

New science is clarifying a paradox many have observed: some of the world’s funniest individuals also wrestle with deep emotional pain. A neuroscience-focused review in Psychology Today links brain science to the humor-emotion connection, offering insights relevant to Thai readers who value laughter as a social glue.

Thailand loves comedy, from Likay theatre and stand-up to TV satire. Jokes brighten markets, offices, and classrooms, yet research suggests making others smile can be both a blessing and a burden. A neuroscience piece notes that comedians and people with a talent for humor show complex brain activity. Laughter releases mood-boosting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, providing momentary relief. For those with depression, the usual sources of pleasure can be disrupted, making humor a coping mechanism rather than mere entertainment.

Recent research shines a light on misokinesia, a visceral aversion to watching others perform small, repetitive movements. Studies suggest up to one in three people may experience noticeable discomfort, with implications for social life, work, and education—issues that resonate in Thai communities as well.

Misokinesia is defined as a strongly negative emotional reaction to seeing minor repetitive movements such as finger tapping, foot bounce, pen clicking, fidgeting, chewing, or nervous tics. While the term may be new to many, researchers at the University of British Columbia and colleagues reported in reputable journals that a significant portion of the population experiences this visual sensitivity. The findings come from a survey of more than 4,000 people, revealing that roughly one-third reported meaningful distress triggered by such movements. For some, the impact is minor; for others, it can shape where they feel comfortable, how they work, and how they socialize. In Thai workspaces and classrooms characterized by close collaboration, these effects can be especially pronounced.

A recent wave of scientific research has brought attention to a previously little-known condition called misokinesia—an aversion to the sight of others’ repetitive movements—which is now estimated to affect nearly one in three people worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that this visual sensitivity is as pervasive as it is misunderstood, profoundly influencing social interactions and mental well-being, including within Thai society.

Misokinesia, a term translating literally as “hatred of movement,” refers to the strong negative emotional responses—ranging from mild annoyance to intense psychological distress—that some individuals experience when witnessing small, repetitive movements performed by others. Examples include finger tapping, leg bouncing, pen clicking, fidgeting with objects, chewing motions, or nervous tics (Futura Sciences). While the concept may be unfamiliar to the general public, new research led by psychologists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and published in Nature/Scientific Reports in 2021 has shown it is far from rare.

A new study published in Nature shows that the brain remains active and preparing for future challenges even during daydreaming or aimless exploration. Researchers at Janelia Research Campus, part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, tracked tens of thousands of neurons in mice. They found that unstructured exploration helps the visual cortex build an internal map of surroundings, setting the stage for faster, more effective learning later on. These insights come from work with mice navigating virtual reality corridors that varied in texture and reward, revealing unsupervised learning at work in the brain.

A new study published in Nature reveals that even when you’re zoning out or aimlessly exploring, your brain may be hard at work preparing itself for future challenges. Researchers at the prestigious Janelia Research Campus, part of HHMI, recorded the neural activity of tens of thousands of neurons in mice. Their findings suggest that unstructured, goal-free exploration triggers the brain’s visual cortex to build an internal model of the environment—one that primes the mind for faster, more effective learning later on (Neuroscience News).

It happens to everyone: after a long day filled with noise, digital pings, and never-ending demands, you snap at a loved one or lose patience in a seemingly trivial moment. According to new insight featured in HuffPost’s recent article, “So THAT’S Why You Get Mad When You’re Overstimulated”, this isn’t just a personal flaw—it’s a biological response experienced by countless people worldwide, including many Thais adapting to the nonstop rhythm of modern life (HuffPost).

After a long day filled with noise, pings, and never-ending demands, many people snap at loved ones or lose patience over small annoyances. New insights highlighted in a recent HuffPost piece explain that this isn’t a personal flaw—it’s a biological response shared by many worldwide, including many Thais adapting to the nonstop pace of modern life.

The trend of feeling irritable when overstimulated is gaining attention as digital life intensifies sensory input. A viral tweet sparked the HuffPost discussion, with thousands admitting, “I can be really mean when I’m overstimulated.” The pattern is familiar: a rough morning or a flood of notifications makes minor issues seem disproportionately upsetting. But what causes this, and what can people in busy cities like Bangkok do about it?