#Safety

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.

Tourism destinations worldwide are facing the complex challenge of balancing image, safety, and reputation in an era where travelers are increasingly selective about where—and how—they holiday. A recent op-ed in The Boston Globe encapsulates the growing skepticism toward tourism promotions for destinations with troubled records, as well as the shifting perspectives of international visitors in 2025. With global travel rebounding unevenly after the pandemic and amid renewed geopolitical tensions, destinations ranging from Los Angeles to Saudi Arabia find themselves battling not just wildfires, state advisories, and human rights controversies, but also the formidable power of online reputation and tourism marketing fatigue.

International tourists, once a familiar sight at American landmarks and city centers during the peak summer vacation months, are increasingly opting to take their holidays elsewhere, according to the latest news analysis and tourism research. With North America’s iconic destinations now reporting fewer foreign visitors—particularly from Canada, Europe, and other long-standing source markets—the trend signals a shift with broad implications for both the global and Thai tourism sectors (Wall Street Journal via MSN).

A new wave of research and testimony from front-line professionals is shining a spotlight on everyday habits that, while seemingly harmless, may carry significant hidden risks to health and safety. Recent reporting, sourced from the collective wisdom of medical, emergency, and safety experts, unpacks nineteen common activities regularly overlooked for their potential to cause injury or worse, underscoring the importance of public awareness—especially for Thai readers navigating similar modern lifestyles (Yahoo! Lifestyle).

A new wave of research and online discussion is shedding light on the hidden dangers lurking in many everyday habits that are often dismissed as harmless. Sparked by viral social media conversations and supported by the latest safety studies, experts are urging the public—particularly Thai readers who may share similar routines—to reexamine common behaviors ranging from device charging overnight to the way we cross busy streets.

In an increasingly fast-paced society, many Thais find comfort in the predictability of daily routines. Whether it’s multitasking while walking, using smartphones in bed, or handling electrical appliances with wet hands, these actions form part of the fabric of modern life. But recent investigations, combining public health research and anecdotal warnings, reveal that these familiar habits could be exacting a higher toll on health and safety than most people realize. As one academic from a prominent Thai university’s Department of Public Health explains, “People often underestimate the accumulation of small risks, but collectively, they contribute to a rise in preventable accidents and chronic health problems.”

A recent US-based investigation has rocked the dental care industry, with new research revealing that the majority of toothpaste brands—some specifically marketed for children or as “green” alternatives—are contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. The findings, released in April 2025, have raised serious public health concerns for families worldwide, including in Thailand, where toothpaste is a staple in daily hygiene routines and global brands are widely used.

The dried seeds of Myristica fragrans, known as nutmeg (ลูกจันทน์), have captured human imagination for centuries, straddling the realms of food, medicine, and mystique. From ancient trade routes to the heart of Thai and Southeast Asian traditional medicine, nutmeg’s journey is an illuminating saga—a testament to nature’s therapeutic potential and the evolving scrutiny of modern science. In recent decades, research has begun to substantiate many folk claims while issuing important cautions for contemporary users.

In a puzzling development, five nurses working on the same floor of a Boston-area hospital, Massachusetts General Brigham Newton-Wellesley, have been diagnosed with benign brain tumors. This worrisome cluster of health issues was identified among 11 employees from the hospital’s fifth-floor maternity unit, prompting an in-depth investigation by the hospital in collaboration with governmental health and safety bodies. Despite thorough scrutiny, the investigation has not identified any environmental factors within the hospital that could explain this phenomenon.

In a recent report, it has been highlighted that some popular herbal supplements—commonly used by older adults for various health benefits—pose significant risks to liver health. While many consume dietary supplements with the hope of filling nutritional gaps or alleviating health issues like joint pain, there is an alarming association with liver damage, which can be severe enough to lead to liver failure.

The investigation, based on a study published in JAMA Network Open in 2024, points out that six botanicals are most commonly linked to liver toxicity. These are Ashwagandha, Black Cohosh, Garcinia Cambogia, Green Tea Extract, Red Yeast Rice, and Turmeric/Curcumin. The study emphasized that such supplements are frequently taken by middle-aged and older adults, who are often more vulnerable to their adverse effects due to age-related changes in liver function.

Deeply embedded in the fragrant traditions of Asia, the camphor tree – known locally in Thailand as “การบูร” and scientifically as Cinnamomum camphora – has captivated generations with its distinctive aroma and remarkable healing properties. Revered as much in temple rituals as in household medicine chests, camphor (การบูร) bridges the world of ancient herbal wisdom and contemporary pharmacological research, serving as a vivid illustration of how tradition and science can intertwine for the benefit of health-conscious individuals today.