#Publichealth

A recent study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that silent “mini-strokes,” technically known as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), may be a hidden cause behind constant fatigue experienced by many individuals—even those who never recognized the original neurological event. Danish researchers have revealed that lingering exhaustion following such mini-strokes can persist for up to a year, significantly challenging previous assumptions that symptoms of a TIA resolve within 24 hours and leaving global and Thai health professionals rethinking long-term care for stroke survivors.

A decade after its launch, the EAST framework—Easy, Attractive, Social, and Timely—still guides efforts to change habits across individuals, organizations, and governments. Developed by leading behavioral scientists to summarize decades of research, EAST remains relevant for health, education, and beyond. As Thailand faces complex challenges that hinge on daily decisions, understanding EAST’s principles is especially important.

The anniversary underscores EAST’s ability to translate science into practical actions. In a moment when policymakers and public health advocates must influence behavior—from pandemic response to environmental action and schooling improvements—simple, evidence-based approaches are invaluable. For Thai readers, the framework offers timely guidance as authorities tackle non-communicable diseases, air quality, and educational outcomes that depend on widespread adoption of healthier or more effective routines.

In a significant leap for environmental health research, scientists at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have developed a new computer language called Mass Query Language, or MassQL, which enables researchers to effortlessly sift through vast chemical datasets to detect previously hidden pollutants. This innovative tool, detailed in a recent Nature Methods journal article, has already led to the discovery of toxic compounds in public water sources that had previously gone unnoticed by traditional detection methods (UCR News).

Calorie information on menus and labels is common in Thailand’s urban dining scene, but new research calls into question its impact. A peer-reviewed study suggests that listing calories may not help consumers choose healthier options and could even confuse them.

The study, published in the Journal of Retailing, involved more than 2,000 participants across nine experiments. Led by researchers in health behavior and consumer psychology, the work found that considering calorie data while judging food caused people to rate unhealthy items as less bad and healthy items as less beneficial. After seeing calorie figures, participants’ confidence in their judgments diminished, with salads and cheeseburgers becoming less clearly distinct in healthiness. Those not exposed to calorie numbers could reliably differentiate between healthful and less healthful choices. The Conversation summarizes these findings and notes that calorie counts can blur rather than clarify perceived healthfulness.

A landmark international study has revealed that living with combinations of chronic physical illnesses—such as heart disease, diabetes, lung conditions, or liver problems—more than doubles the risk of developing depression, underscoring the urgent need for Thailand’s healthcare system to integrate physical and mental health care. The research, published in Nature Communications Medicine and based on health data from over 142,000 adults, highlights a concerning link between certain multimorbidity profiles and future depression diagnoses, particularly when illnesses like heart disease and diabetes occur together (Neuroscience News).

A new study in the Journal of Physiology reveals a strong liver–brain connection: ketones produced by the liver during exercise may support cognitive health, offering hope for those with liver challenges. Researchers from a leading U.S. university showed that when liver cells lose the ability to make ketones, brain energy and learning decline. Remarkably, endurance exercise could reverse these brain changes, hinting at a backup system that helps protect aging minds.

In a sweeping new directive, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market, raising concerns and debate among dental health professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. The move is driven by new scrutiny over the potential impact of systemic fluoride on children’s gut health and overall development, but it contradicts decades of dental best practices and global recommendations for caries prevention. As Thailand continues to battle high rates of childhood dental decay, this decision has important implications for local public health strategies.

A century-old anatomical puzzle may finally provide relief for millions battling diabetic nerve pain, according to groundbreaking new research that has reignited scientific interest in the Nageotte nodule—a little-known cellular structure first described over a hundred years ago. The latest study, led by scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), reveals that these tiny cell clusters are not only abundant in people with diabetes, but likely play a crucial role in the development of debilitating peripheral neuropathy, a leading cause of chronic pain, diminished mobility, and even amputation worldwide.

A new analysis by a California-based nutritionist has reignited global debate about rising obesity rates, highlighting how changes in food habits, physical activity, and daily routines have reshaped public health since the 1960s. With obesity affecting 43% of Americans in 2024—more than triple the 13% rate recorded in the 1960s—the findings resonate well beyond the United States, including among Thais increasingly exposed to Western fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and evolving sleep habits. The nutritionist’s insights, summarised from recent media interviews and supported by scholarly research, remind us that slimming secrets from the past could offer crucial lessons for preventing modern health crises in Thailand and across the globe (Daily Mail).

A new analysis from a California-based nutritionist has reignited a global conversation about rising obesity rates. It highlights how food habits, daily activity, and routines have reshaped public health since the 1960s. With obesity affecting about 43% of Americans in 2024—more than triple the 13% rate in the 1960s—the lessons extend beyond the United States. Thai audiences, facing increasing exposure to Western fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and changing sleep patterns, can gain practical insights from these findings. The analysis is drawn from recent media discussions and supported by scholarly research, offering a reminder that older dietary patterns may still inform modern health strategies in Thailand and beyond.

A wave of recent science highlights a troubling link between long work hours and brain changes. A multicenter study led by researchers in Asia found that people clocking more than 52 hours weekly showed notable alterations in brain regions tied to memory, decision-making, and emotional control. While the research sparked global discussions, it carries particular relevance for Thailand’s evolving labor market and rising demands on workers.

Data from the Thai workforce shows Bangkok consistently ranks as a city with high working hours, and nearly one in six employees report working more than 48 hours per week. This new evidence suggests that sustained overwork could contribute to cognitive and emotional challenges well beyond fatigue, underscoring the need for workplace and public health strategies in Thailand.

A flurry of new scientific findings has revealed that the stress of working long hours doesn’t just leave people feeling exhausted—it may actually alter the structure of the human brain. According to a major study led by researchers from South Korea and published in May 2025, individuals clocking more than 52 hours a week exhibited significant physical changes in brain regions tied to memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation, sparking fresh concerns about the risks of overwork worldwide—including in Thailand’s increasingly demanding labor market (The Times; CNN; Newsweek).

A breakthrough in environmental health research could transform how Thailand detects hidden pollutants. Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have developed Mass Query Language (MassQL), a user-friendly tool that streams through massive chemical datasets to uncover pollutants previously missed by traditional methods. The development is described in Nature Methods, and researchers demonstrated its potential by identifying toxic compounds in public water samples. The discovery was highlighted in UCR’s recent briefing on the project.

A landmark international study shows that living with two or more chronic illnesses—such as heart disease, diabetes, lung, or liver conditions—more than doubles the likelihood of developing depression. The finding highlights the urgent need to integrate physical and mental health care in Thailand’s evolving health system. Based on data from over 142,000 adults and published in Nature Communications Medicine, the research identifies specific multimorbidity profiles that raise future depression risk, especially when heart disease and diabetes co-occur. Research by a team at the University of Edinburgh, drawing on the UK Biobank cohort, underscores that mental health cannot be treated in isolation from physical illness. In clinical practice, this calls for proactive screening and integrated care approaches.

A long-forgotten cellular clue may offer new hope for millions with diabetic nerve pain. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have revived interest in the Nageotte nodule, a tiny structure first identified a century ago. Their work suggests these nodules are common in people with diabetes and may drive peripheral neuropathy, the chronic nerve pain that afflicts many and can lead to mobility loss or amputations.

Diabetic neuropathy is among the most feared diabetes complications, affecting roughly one in three Americans and, like Thailand, presenting a growing challenge for Thai families amid rising obesity and aging. While treatment often focuses on managing pain, current options do not directly halt nerve degeneration—creating a pathway for the new findings to influence future therapies.

A groundbreaking new study published in the Journal of Physiology has unveiled a striking connection between the liver’s metabolic function and brain health, highlighting the crucial role of liver-produced ketones during exercise—and raising intriguing possibilities for combating cognitive decline, even among those with liver impairments. Conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri, the research demonstrates that when liver cells lose the ability to make ketones, cognitive and mitochondrial function in the brain suffer. Remarkably, endurance exercise was found to reverse these negative effects, suggesting a possible “backup system” that could protect the aging brain and offer new hope to individuals with liver disease (psypost.org).

A major new study has found that spending prolonged hours seated each day may shrink the brain and raise the risk of cognitive decline, regardless of how much a person exercises. The findings, which have generated global attention, suggest that even regular physical activity may not be enough to counteract the potentially damaging effects of extended sedentary behavior on brain health, especially in older adults. For Thai readers, who increasingly balance desk-based work with daily commutes and digital leisure time, the message is clear: simply hitting the gym may not be enough—reducing sitting time itself is essential for healthy brain aging.

A groundbreaking study shows that long hours of sitting may cause brain shrinkage and faster cognitive decline, even for those who exercise regularly. For Thai readers juggling desk jobs, commutes, and digital leisure, the message is clear: cutting sitting time is crucial for healthy brain aging, not just hitting the gym.

Researchers tracked thousands of older adults over seven years, using MRI scans and genetic data to assess brain changes. They found that more daily sitting correlated with greater loss of brain volume and faster cognitive decline, even among people who met physical activity guidelines. The effect was stronger among individuals carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a known risk marker for Alzheimer’s disease, underscoring the importance of early lifestyle interventions for at-risk groups. Data from studies conducted by leading health organizations informs this insight, while health reporters around the world have highlighted the finding’s implications for aging populations.

A growing body of research shows social media is taking a toll on young people’s mental health worldwide, including in Thailand. Experts link rising depression, anxiety, and other distress signals to digital engagement. Regulators, parents, and schools are being urged to act now with stronger media literacy, healthier online habits, and safer platform design.

The surge in social media use among children and teens is reshaping childhood experiences and introducing new psychological risks. A recent briefing by the Kids Code Coalition highlighted in national media coverage, where advocates called for warning labels on social apps similar to tobacco or alcohol disclosures. The coalition points to an uptick in mental health crises that coincides with greater online activity, especially after the pandemic.

Concerns are mounting globally and in Thailand over the growing impact of social media on youth mental health, as the latest research warns of increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues strongly linked to digital engagement. Amid calls for regulatory interventions, parental vigilance, and enhanced media literacy, the rising tide of evidence signals the need for urgent action to protect the well-being of the next generation.

The rapid rise in social media usage among children and teenagers is reshaping traditional childhood experiences while spawning new psychological risks. A recent press call by the Kids Code Coalition – highlighted in a KRCR News Channel 7 report – drew attention to mounting concerns, featuring advocates pushing for warning labels on social media platforms similar to those required for tobacco or alcohol. The coalition cited a surge in mental health crises coinciding with expanded social media use, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent US report reveals that ultra-processed foods now account for 60% of American diets, raising urgent questions about the health costs of convenience and what this trend may signal for Thai consumers (WRAL). As Thailand’s urban lifestyles evolve and Western-style diets gain popularity, Thai health experts warn the nation may be following a similar—and troubling—trajectory.

Ultra-processed foods, often packaged for convenience, include items like sweetened breakfast cereals, instant noodles, reconstituted meat products, and sugary drinks. These foods are typically high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and artificial additives, while being low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). The sheer scale observed in the US—where more than half of daily caloric intake comes from such products—has serious implications for public health: studies consistently link diets high in ultra-processed foods to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers (BMJ).

A recent US study shows ultra-processed foods now comprise about 60% of daily calories, fueling concerns about the health costs of convenience. Thai health experts caution that a similar pattern could take root here as urban lifestyles and Western-style snacks spread across the country.

Ultra-processed foods are typically packaged for speed and ease. They include sweetened cereals, instant noodles, reconstituted meats, and sugary beverages. These items tend to be high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and artificial additives, while offering little fiber, vitamins, or minerals. In the United States, the scale of consumption has sparked discussions about rising obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers, prompting policymakers to reexamine food environments.

A major policy shift in the United States could reshape how Thailand approaches child dental health. The FDA announced plans to remove prescription fluoride tablets and drops for children in non-fluoridated areas, citing new questions about systemic fluoride’s effects on gut health and development. The move has sparked debate among dental professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. In Thailand, where childhood tooth decay remains a pressing issue, the development carries important public health implications.

A revolutionary scientific advance is offering new hope for millions worldwide suffering from autoimmune diseases: so-called “inverse vaccines” that promise to re-educate the immune system, potentially transforming how conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and lupus are managed. This innovative approach—heralded as a potential “holy grail” in immunology—could have particular significance for Thailand, where autoimmune disorders are rising as the country’s population ages, lifestyle changes accelerate, and environmental triggers become more common.