#Science

In a tale that echoes across decades, the latest discussions around autism research push back against blaming mothers for their children’s neurodevelopmental differences. A new wave of reporting and scientific consensus explicitly rejects the old notion that parental warmth, or the lack thereof, causes autism, and it reiterates that there is no reliable link between acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy or early life and autism. For Thai families navigating questions about their children’s development, the message is clear: science does not fault mothers, and effective support hinges on evidence-based care, early intervention, and compassionate communities rather than guilt or blame.

A new laboratory study suggests that a special kind of ultraviolet light could rapidly inactivate airborne allergy proteins, offering a potential new tool to reduce sneezing, itching, and breathing trouble for people in enclosed spaces. Using a safe, low-dose form of UV light, researchers found that certain allergy-triggering proteins—like those from cats, dust mites, mold, and pollen—become harder for the immune system to recognize after exposure. In practical terms, this could translate into quicker, room-level relief in homes, schools, and clinics if portable devices reach everyday use.

In a landmark observation that could reshape how doctors deploy last-resort antibiotics, researchers have captured, in real time, the moment a polymyxin antibiotic punctures the outer armor of harmful Gram-negative bacteria. The team used ultra-high-resolution imaging to show that the antibiotic rapidly creates surface bulges, prompting bacteria to churn out armor faster than it can shed it, and ultimately allowing the drug to infiltrate and kill the cell. Yet the breakthrough also reveals a critical caveat: the same antibiotics may be ineffective against dormant, non-replicating bacteria. This dual insight arrives at a moment when Thailand—and much of the world—faces persistent threats from drug-resistant infections that strain hospital resources and patient outcomes.

A newly released autism-focused report from a vocal anti-vaccine activist figure has ignited a fresh debate about how data is interpreted in public health. The piece argues that vaccines cause autism by presenting associations as if they demonstrate a direct, causal link. Scientists and health authorities, however, say the report misreads epidemiological signals, confuses correlation with causation, and risks sowing fear where the evidence remains overwhelmingly aligned with safety and efficacy of vaccines. In Thailand, where immunization is a central pillar of child health and a topic of continual public interest, the controversy adds another layer to a long-running conversation about how to navigate competing claims in a landscape crowded with social media chatter, political rhetoric, and genuine concern from families.

A new mathematical model suggests our brains may be optimized for seven senses rather than five, with memory capacity peaking when concepts are described by seven features. The study, conducted by researchers at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, points to a robust finding: a seven-dimensional conceptual space yields the greatest number of distinct memories in a steady state. While the work is theoretical and focused on memory engrams—the brain’s basic units of memory modeled as sparse, distributed networks—the idea has wide-ranging implications for artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and how we think about learning in humans. The team emphasizes that their conclusions are speculative when applied to real human senses, yet they stress that the mathematical insight could guide future research in robotics, AI design, and educational tools that harness multi-sensory information.

A provocative argument is gaining traction in scientific circles: the long-dominant materialist view of science may be narrowing our questions, and gatekeeping alternatives could be slowing progress. The lead voice in this debate, a theoretical physicist and neuroscientist, argues that to push knowledge forward we must interrogate the gaps in our current theories rather than resorting to rigid reverence for material explanations alone. The conversation reverberates beyond laboratories and conference rooms, touching the heart of how Thailand teaches, discusses, and applies science in everyday life. For Thai families, students, and policy makers alike, the question is whether our educational and media ecosystems encourage open inquiry without surrendering the standards of rigorous evidence that protect public trust.

A new international study provides striking evidence that cannabis exposure could affect female fertility at the cellular level and may lower the likelihood of producing chromosomally normal embryos in IVF. The research, published in a leading science journal, combined a retrospective clinical analysis of follicular fluid from patients undergoing IVF with a laboratory investigation using immature human egg cells. In the clinical arm, researchers detected traces of THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, in a small but notable portion of follicular fluid samples. In the lab arm, they exposed immature egg cells to THC and examined how these cells mature, how their chromosomes align, and how their gene expression changes. Taken together, the study suggests that cannabis exposure could be linked to changes in oocyte maturation, chromosome segregation, and ultimately the chromosomal health of embryos.

A recent fact-checking wave around a high-profile claim that pediatricians are paid to recommend vaccines has clarified a long-standing misunderstanding: in most real-world medical settings, doctors vaccinate because vaccines protect children, not to line their pockets. A close review of how vaccines are shipped, stored, and reimbursed shows that pediatric practices often spend money on vaccines up front and rely on reimbursement patterns that rarely generate profit. In other words, the notion that doctors push vaccines for financial gain does not hold up against the evidence and the everyday economics of pediatric care.

A new study reframes how Thailand’s coastlines, coral reefs, and marine life are sustained. Research indicates that flying seabirds provide a steady nutrient input to surface waters as they defecate mid-flight, fertilizing the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. This finding highlights natural processes that support Thailand’s vibrant marine ecosystems and tourism-dependent communities.

In a collaboration between researchers from a Japanese university and Thai scholars, lightweight belly-mounted cameras recorded 195 defecation events across 36 hours of seabird flight. The observations reveal that streaked shearwaters and similar species defecate almost exclusively while in flight, a behavior that creates regular aerial nutrient pulses over the sea.

Researchers warn that organised scientific fraud now acts like an industry. (How bad science is becoming big business)

This trend threatens trust in evidence used in health and education. (How bad science is becoming big business)

The problem goes beyond lone bad actors. (How bad science is becoming big business)

Paper mills now sell fake papers and authorships as commercial products. (How bad science is becoming big business)

Brokerage services guarantee publication for a fee in some cases. (How bad science is becoming big business)

A new wave of sophisticated academic fraud now threatens Thailand’s research credibility and public health. Experts warn that Thai universities and hospitals face challenges that could alter treatment guidelines, education policy, and tourism strategy if left unchecked.

Leading researchers describe a global fraud ecosystem that transforms plagiarism into a commercial service. Paper mills produce fake studies and sell authorships as ready-made products, often with fabricated data and convincing analytics. These operations cloak themselves with labels like publication consulting and manuscript enhancement, creating an illusion of legitimacy.

A sophisticated network of academic fraud now operates like a commercial enterprise, putting Thailand’s research credibility and public health at unprecedented risk

Scientific misconduct has evolved beyond isolated incidents of researcher dishonesty into a thriving global industry that threatens to undermine decades of progress in evidence-based medicine and education policy. Leading research integrity experts warn that Thailand’s academic institutions now face an existential challenge that could compromise everything from hospital treatment protocols to national education strategies.

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.

As high-protein products continue to flood supermarket shelves and fitness trends extol the benefits of “bulking up,” a new article published in The Conversation challenges readers to reconsider their protein obsession by asking a fundamental question: just how much protein do our bodies truly need, and can having too much—or too little—actually harm our health? The insights, based on current nutritional research and penned by a UK physiological sciences academic, are highly relevant for Thai readers navigating an increasingly health-conscious food market.

Groundbreaking nutritional research challenges the protein supplement industry’s marketing claims by revealing that excessive protein consumption poses serious health risks for Thai consumers, while protein deficiency remains surprisingly rare among well-fed populations throughout Southeast Asia. Leading physiological scientists from the United Kingdom present compelling evidence that the current high-protein trend flooding Thai supermarkets and fitness centers may be creating more health problems than it solves, particularly as urban Thais abandon traditional balanced diets in favor of Western-style protein-heavy regimens that strain kidneys, disrupt digestion, and ignore crucial nutritional balance principles.

A growing wave of protein-focused marketing is drawing concern from researchers about its health impact on Thai consumers. New evidence from leading physiology experts in the United Kingdom suggests that excessive protein intake may pose real risks, while deficiency is less common in well-fed Southeast Asian populations. The findings come as urban Thai lifestyles lean toward Western-style, protein-heavy regimens that could strain kidneys, disrupt digestion, and overlook balanced nutrition.

Protein is essential beyond muscle building. It supports tissue repair, immune function, and the structure of bones, skin, hair, and nails. Yet Thailand’s vibrant market for protein bars, fortified cereals, powders, and functional foods has transformed this macronutrient into a marketing tool that may promote overconsumption if guidance is lacking. Consumers need clear, science-backed information to navigate this trend.

A widely used sweetener found in many everyday foods and beverages may hold surprising promise as a weapon against some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, according to new scientific findings reported by researchers in 2024. This revelation marks a potential turning point in both cancer therapy research and the way many consumers think about low-calorie sweeteners in their diets.

The discovery comes at a time when cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with Thailand counting tens of thousands of new cancer diagnoses each year, especially of hard-to-treat cancers such as pancreatic, brain, and certain lung cancers. Treatments for these aggressive cancers often yield poor outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies.

A striking new study in 2024 suggests that a widely used artificial sweetener may interfere with the growth of some highly aggressive cancers. In Thailand’s diverse communities, where sugar substitutes are common in urban and rural settings, this research sparks cautious optimism about future treatment options that could complement existing therapies.

Thailand faces thousands of new cancer cases each year, including pancreatic, brain, and advanced lung cancers. These diseases often respond poorly to current treatments, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches that can work alongside chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. If validated in humans, the sweetener’s metabolic effects could help slow tumor progression and improve outcomes for patients.

Within Thailand’s bustling urban centers where sugar-free beverages line convenience store shelves, and across rural provinces where families increasingly choose artificial sweeteners to manage diabetes risk, a remarkable scientific discovery may fundamentally transform cancer treatment approaches. Groundbreaking 2024 research reveals that a widely-consumed artificial sweetener demonstrates unexpected anti-cancer properties against some of the most aggressive tumor types, potentially offering hope for thousands of Thai patients facing devastating diagnoses.

This breakthrough arrives at a critical moment for Thailand’s healthcare system, which confronts tens of thousands of new cancer cases annually including particularly challenging forms such as pancreatic, brain, and advanced lung cancers. These aggressive malignancies typically yield poor treatment outcomes despite intensive interventions, creating urgent demand for innovative therapeutic strategies that could complement existing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical approaches.

A wave of robust research confirms what many Thai communities have long believed: regular movement acts as nature’s most powerful medicine. The health advantages are broad, often outperforming costly drugs in effectiveness and affordability. For Thailand, where diabetes, hypertension, and obesity strain public health and an aging population tests independence and vitality, these findings carry urgent relevance. New analyses show that even modest activity can lower mortality risk and improve mental wellbeing, offering real hope to families in cities and rural areas alike.

Groundbreaking neuroscience research published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences reveals that the common experience of mental “blank moments”—when consciousness seemingly disappears despite being fully awake—represents a distinct neurological state resembling deep sleep brain activity. Scientists have identified this phenomenon, termed “mind blanking,” as affecting up to 20% of waking hours, fundamentally challenging traditional assumptions about continuous consciousness while providing crucial insights into brain maintenance and cognitive health. For Thailand’s millions of workers, students, and professionals navigating demanding schedules, chronic connectivity pressures, and intensive learning environments, understanding mind blanking offers valuable perspectives on mental wellness, attention management, and the critical importance of allowing natural cognitive rhythms to function optimally.

Ever found yourself staring blankly at your phone, only to realize you weren’t thinking about anything at all? It’s not forgetfulness or daydreaming—it’s a phenomenon neuroscientists now call “mind blanking.” A new wave of brain scan research, published in July in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, uncovers what truly happens when our minds seemingly hit pause, revealing an unexpected similarity to the state of deep sleep, even while we are wide awake (Live Science).

Revolutionary medical research is fundamentally changing how healthcare professionals view physical activity, transforming it from an optional lifestyle choice into an essential biological intervention that functions like a protective vaccine against disease, aging, and immune system decline. This paradigm shift carries profound implications for Thailand’s healthcare strategy as the country confronts rising rates of lifestyle-related diseases while seeking sustainable solutions that honor both modern science and traditional wisdom about movement and wellness.

Recent medical research is urging us to rethink how we view exercise: not simply as a means to maintain fitness or lose weight, but as a vital, vaccine-like intervention that “trains” our bodies to better withstand disease, stress, and the inevitable declines of aging. This concept, highlighted in the recent article “Think of Exercise as a Vaccine for Your Body” by a US medical expert, is now being echoed by leading health scientists worldwide and gaining resonance in Thailand’s ongoing quest for sustainable public health solutions (Medscape).