#Publichealth

A cutting-edge discovery by research teams at Mount Sinai Hospital is rewriting what we know about how emotions are regulated in the brain, potentially pointing to new hope for millions living with depression, anxiety, and related conditions. A study published recently in Science Advances has found that a fat molecule called a phospholipid, deep within our brain cell membranes, acts as a hidden “co-pilot” to a vital mood-regulating receptor. This fundamental insight could pave the way for more precise, faster-acting psychiatric therapies—with implications for mental health care in Thailand and across the world (neurosciencenews.com).

Recent international research collaboration has raised serious concerns regarding unexpected health risks associated with consuming gourmet false morel mushrooms, a delicacy that appears linked to an alarming cluster of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis cases in a small French village, findings that could have significant implications for food safety and neurological health throughout Thailand where wild mushroom consumption and foraging activities are increasingly popular among food enthusiasts and rural communities.

False morels, known scientifically as Gyromitra species, have attracted chefs and culinary enthusiasts across Europe and North America with their distinctive earthy flavor and prestigious culinary status, often featured in high-end restaurant dishes including risottos and cream-based sauces. However, despite their gourmet reputation, these mushrooms contain neurotoxins now believed connected to neurological illnesses including ALS, a degenerative disorder causing irreversible paralysis and death within several years of diagnosis.

A recent international research collaboration has raised alarm bells over an unexpected risk associated with a gourmet food long prized by the wealthy: eating false morel mushrooms, a delicacy that appears to be linked to an alarming cluster of Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS) cases in a small French village. This finding could have far-reaching implications for food safety and neurological health, including for Thai food lovers and foragers increasingly drawn to wild mushrooms.

Leading nutritional scientists have shattered long-standing dietary assumptions about potatoes and diabetes risk, revealing through comprehensive international research that preparation methods, rather than the vegetable itself, determine health outcomes for millions of Thai families who regularly consume potatoes as part of their daily meals. This groundbreaking study, published in a prestigious medical journal, demonstrates that boiled, baked, or steamed potatoes pose no significant diabetes risk compared to white rice, while fried preparations like French fries dramatically increase metabolic danger when consumed regularly. The findings prove particularly significant for Thailand’s evolving food culture, where Western-style fast food has gained popularity alongside traditional cooking methods, creating urgent need for evidence-based guidance that helps Thai families make informed dietary choices as diabetes rates continue climbing throughout the kingdom’s urban and rural populations.

New scientific findings have challenged the long-held notion that potatoes are an unhealthy food choice, as a major study reveals that the way potatoes are prepared has a far greater impact on diabetes risk than the vegetable itself. Released this week in a leading medical publication, the research brings new perspective to Thai families and health professionals who have looked to international guidelines for advice on everyday food choices.

For decades, nutritionists cautioned that potatoes—being high in rapidly absorbed carbohydrates—could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic health problems. Potatoes were thought to cause sharp spikes in blood sugar, raising concerns especially within Asian societies where rice and other carbohydrates are dietary staples. However, the latest study, led by a Harvard University research team, finds that much of the previous worry stems from the way potatoes are often consumed in Western diets, rather than from potatoes per se.

A pioneering study from the University of California, Irvine, has revealed that a combination of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) and the key green tea antioxidant EGCG could quickly restore youthful function to aging brain cells — at least in a laboratory setting — sparking hope for future therapies addressing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings, published in the journal GeroScience, have captured international attention, including in Thailand, where dementia prevalence continues to rise and natural preventive approaches are increasingly sought after (studyfinds.org).

A new study is challenging how we think about procrastination, revealing that people often delay not just unpleasant tasks but experiences they actually enjoy—such as reconnecting with friends, visiting attractions, or savoring special treats. The research, published in the journal PNAS Nexus and reported by The Washington Post, uncovers a hidden pattern: the longer people put off pleasurable activities, the harder it becomes to finally enjoy them, investing joy with so much expectation that the “perfect moment” never seems to arrive ().

A landmark study from Harvard Medical School has uncovered a groundbreaking link between lithium deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease, offering renewed hope in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating neurodegenerative illnesses. Researchers have demonstrated that restoring lithium in the brains of mice afflicted with Alzheimer’s not only halts but actually reverses disease symptoms—potentially paving the way for earlier detection and more effective therapies for the millions affected globally, including those in Thailand.

Misunderstandings about metabolism abound, fueling frustration and confusion for those hoping to manage their weight or improve their health. A wave of recent research, led by a top U.S. nutrition scientist and summarized in a new report from CNN, reveals that three widely held beliefs about how our bodies use energy are simply not true—and these misconceptions could be unintentionally derailing the efforts of many Thai readers striving for a healthier lifestyle ().

England has taken a pioneering step in global public health by launching the world’s first vaccination program targeting gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has reached record highs and shows worrying resistance to antibiotics. Starting from August 2025, sexual health clinics across England are now offering the vaccine—adapted from the 4CMenB meningococcal B vaccine—to people at highest risk, marking a significant move in the fight against a disease that has challenged medical professionals for decades. Health officials, experts, and advocacy groups alike are hailing the effort as a critical intervention with relevance for countries confronting rising STI rates, including Thailand.

In a rapidly evolving fitness landscape, a new firsthand report has caught the attention of health experts and yoga enthusiasts alike: practicing a single yoga pose—the triangle or “Trikonasana”—once a day can noticeably improve balance within one week. The account, recently published by Fit&Well, provides an accessible case study into how traditional asanas can yield quick, practical health benefits—even for those with limited time, energy, or mobility challenges ().

This finding is particularly relevant in Thailand, a country experiencing both an aging population and a high rate of sedentary work habits among its urban population. As economic development continues, public health officials and wellness practitioners have increasingly promoted simple, accessible tools to maintain mobility, flexibility, and quality of life. With busy urbanites and rural elders alike in need of simple routines, evidence that a single daily stretch could make a difference is compelling.

A newly published study has raised alarms among parents, teachers, and health professionals by revealing a clear link between excessive screen time and increased heart health risks in children and adolescents. The research, released in early August 2025 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adds crucial evidence to ongoing debates about digital device use among youth. As the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, computers and game consoles continues to reshape how children and teens spend their days—including in urban and rural households across Thailand—doctors caution this is more than a question of eye strain or distraction: it’s about the lifelong health of a new generation.

A major new clinical trial has delivered compelling evidence that lifestyle changes—ranging from diet and regular exercise to social engagement—can effectively delay age-related cognitive decline in older adults. The findings, featured in both medical journals and leading media outlets including Smithsonian Magazine, come from the U.S. POINTER study, the largest randomized trial of its kind, and mark a turning point in our understanding of how the brain ages and what we can do to protect it (Smithsonian).

A major new study has shaken up our understanding of how physical activity protects our brains, revealing that “more isn’t always better” when it comes to exercise and healthy aging. Researchers now say that moderate—not excessive—levels of physical activity may be the secret to maintaining a youthful brain, challenging decades of advice that simply “more exercise” leads to stronger minds for life.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Health Data Science and led by Associate Professor of Public Health at Hangzhou Normal University in partnership with Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tianjin Medical University, this ground-breaking research involved a robust analysis of data from 16,972 participants in the UK Biobank. Using state-of-the-art machine learning and MRI scans, the scientists set out to answer a question that affects millions of Thais: could the right amount of daily movement slow down our brain’s aging—without going overboard? (scitechdaily.com, Health Data Science, DOI: 10.34133/hds.0257)

A fresh wave of research and nutrition guidance is transforming breakfast tables for individuals concerned about heart health—focusing on diverse, practical alternatives to traditional oat-based breakfasts. According to a recent feature by EatingWell, nutrition experts are recommending a varied menu of heart-healthy morning meals, showcasing dishes ranging from Mediterranean-inspired egg plates and smoothies rich in fiber and antioxidants to protein-powered bowls and plant-based classics. These new recommendations offer accessible options, some of which parallel foods already found in the Thai breakfast repertoire, while incorporating insights from cutting-edge nutritional science ().

A brisk walk could be the key to unlocking greater health benefits, even for older adults with frail health, according to new findings published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One. The latest research indicates that intentionally speeding up your walking pace, even by a modest amount, leads to significant improvements in physical function—an insight with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s rapidly aging society.

Walking is already widely promoted as an accessible and low-cost exercise for people of all ages. But the study, conducted among retirees in Chicago, has now illuminated a crucial detail: the speed at which an individual walks—scientifically measured as cadence—can dramatically enhance the benefits gained, especially for individuals showing signs of frailty. Frailty, a common syndrome in elderly populations, is marked by fatigue, diminished strength, and unexplained weight loss, and is believed to affect anywhere between 5% and 17% of older adults globally, including those in Thailand.

A landmark study from Harvard Medical School has uncovered a groundbreaking link between lithium deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease, offering renewed hope in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating neurodegenerative illnesses. Researchers have demonstrated that restoring lithium in the brains of mice afflicted with Alzheimer’s not only halts but actually reverses disease symptoms—potentially paving the way for earlier detection and more effective therapies for the millions affected globally, including those in Thailand.

Groundbreaking clinical research demonstrates that comprehensive lifestyle modifications—encompassing dietary optimization, regular physical activity, and enhanced social engagement—can significantly delay age-related cognitive decline in older adults through scientifically validated interventions. The landmark U.S. POINTER study, representing the largest randomized trial investigating lifestyle-based brain protection strategies, provides compelling evidence featured across medical journals and Smithsonian Magazine reporting. These findings fundamentally reshape understanding of brain aging processes while offering practical approaches for cognitive preservation that hold particular significance for Thailand’s rapidly aging population facing increasing dementia and memory loss challenges.

An alarming new analysis has revealed that scientific fraud is no longer the isolated work of rogue researchers, but is instead now driven by large, organized networks—effectively making it an industry that profits from faked data and manipulated publications. According to several recent reports, including a major study published this week and covered by leading outlets such as Science, The New York Times, and The Economist, the scale, sophistication, and commercial reach of fraudulent science has reached unprecedented levels and is undermining trust in legitimate research worldwide (; ; ).

A recent wave of scientific research and new regulatory efforts has reignited a heated debate about the sugar content of orange juice—how much is in your morning glass, and what does it mean for Thai health? Amid widespread perceptions that orange juice is a wholesome, vitamin-rich beverage, the reality is far more complex and comes at a crucial moment for consumers and the beverage industry globally.

Orange juice is a staple in breakfast tables worldwide, often praised for its high vitamin C and nutrient content. However, recent attention has focused on its sugar content, which, according to multiple nutrition experts, is similar to that in many soft drinks. For Thai readers, where rising rates of diabetes and metabolic disease are increasingly prevalent, this comparison is especially significant. Research published by public health authorities and leading nutrition organizations, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has found that a standard 240 ml glass (about 1 cup) of 100% orange juice contains around 20–26 grams of sugar—, which have about 26–28 grams per serving. This similarity challenges the public perception that fruit juice is categorically healthier than soda.

The sudden death of a 37-year-old man in the United States after ingesting powdered kratom—a plant long used in Southeast Asia—has triggered renewed international safety warnings and legal scrutiny, with fresh research revealing mounting risks for consumers worldwide, including in Thailand. The case, now at the heart of a wrongful death lawsuit against manufacturers and vendors, highlights a surge in kratom-related poisonings, youth experimentation, and the global push for improved regulation and public awareness.

Thailand’s growing sleep crisis has found an unexpected champion in an ancient practice that predates modern medicine by millennia, as groundbreaking research reveals yoga’s superior effectiveness in combating insomnia compared to conventional exercise approaches. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Sleep and Biological Rhythms demonstrates that high-intensity yoga sessions lasting less than 30 minutes, performed just twice weekly, outperform walking, resistance training, and aerobic exercise in improving sleep quality for people worldwide. For Thailand’s increasingly sleep-deprived population—where up to 30% of adults in some communities report chronic insomnia symptoms—these findings offer a scientifically validated pathway to better rest that aligns perfectly with the kingdom’s rich contemplative traditions.

Billionaire philanthropist and global health advocate Bill Gates has voiced deep concerns over the rapidly growing anti-vaccine sentiment in the United States, warning that the spread of vaccine skepticism abroad could result in a greater loss of life in developing countries than within American borders. Speaking at a recent event in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Gates cautioned that exporting such unfounded fears threatens hard-won progress on preventing deadly diseases like measles and undermines decades of international public health achievements (STAT News).

A growing body of scientific evidence now confirms what many dog owners in Thailand have long sensed: sharing life with a canine companion does more than lift the spirits—it actually helps the body respond to stress in healthier, more balanced ways. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Denver and reported by PsyPost, the presence of a pet dog can intricately shape the way humans experience and recover from stressful events, influencing not only emotional wellbeing but also important physiological stress pathways (psypost.org).