#Sciencenews

New research is turning kitchens into potential laboratories for health, as scientists increasingly highlight the brain-protective, mood-supporting, and sleep-enhancing benefits of rosemary—a common herb found in many Thai and global dishes. Recent international studies reveal that rosemary compounds, particularly carnosic acid, not only show promise in fighting Alzheimer’s disease but may also reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality, suggesting this fragrant staple could play a supporting role in Thailand’s aging and stress-prone society (HuffPost UK; The Conversation).

If you’ve ever gazed into the soulful eyes of your dog or pondered the enigmatic glance of your cat, you’ve likely wondered: does my pet truly understand me? Recent research—highlighted in a comprehensive feature by The Guardian—delves into the psychological worlds of dogs and cats, raising new questions and challenging old beliefs about our companion animals’ inner lives, especially as millions of Thai households share their homes with beloved pets (The Guardian).

A groundbreaking new study suggests that the same mRNA technology powering Covid-19 vaccines could become a vital weapon in the quest to cure HIV, raising hopes among researchers and millions living with the virus worldwide. Australian scientists announced last week that their innovative mRNA-based method was able to flush dormant HIV out of its hiding places in laboratory experiments—a necessary step toward eliminating the virus entirely from the human body (nytimes.com).

A recent study highlighted by Business Standard reveals that regular, moderate-to-high intensity exercise can serve as a powerful tool in significantly reducing the burden of negative thoughts such as rumination and worry—a finding that holds meaningful implications for mental well-being in Thailand and beyond (Business Standard). With negative thinking habits commonly linked to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life, this research offers a practical, accessible approach for individuals seeking to enhance their emotional resilience.

A recent scientific breakthrough has found that a simple dietary supplement—soluble fibre from oats—may help the human body flush out toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. This offers a glimmer of hope to communities in Thailand and around the world concerned about the health hazards of persistent environmental pollutants. The peer-reviewed study, published in Environmental Health on 4 June 2025, marks a significant step forward in the battle against chemicals that have long defied removal from our bodies. Read more on The Independent.

As Thai society becomes ever more health-conscious, fresh scientific insights are changing how we understand the path to greater stamina—no matter one’s age or starting fitness. Recent research and expert guidance are making it clearer than ever: anyone can improve their endurance through proven, practical steps that benefit not only physical performance but also long-term well-being (Prevention). The latest studies emphasise that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by VO₂ max (the body’s capacity to use oxygen efficiently during exercise), does more than allow you to take the stairs with ease. It actively reduces the risk of chronic disease and lowers the risk of early death (AMA), making stamina enhancement a vital goal for Thais of all backgrounds.

A new study published in Scientific Reports has revealed that creatine, a supplement widely known for enhancing athletic performance, could also offer a crucial cognitive boost for those recovering from a poor night’s sleep. This discovery points to a potentially game-changing strategy for people in Thailand and worldwide who struggle to stay sharp after inadequate rest, particularly in high-pressure work and educational settings where optimal brain function is critical (mindbodygreen.com).

New research from Spain has revealed a striking find: a Neanderthal may have intentionally created a piece of art with just a single, ochre-marked touch, rewriting long-held assumptions about human and Neanderthal creativity. The discovery, outlined in a new study published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, elevates the prehistoric record and deepens our understanding of the Neanderthal mind AOL News.

At the center of this revelation is an 8-inch-long quartz-rich granite pebble, excavated in 2022 from a rock shelter in central Spain. Thought to be between 42,000 and 43,000 years old, the pebble itself features curves and indentations that, to modern eyes, give it the uncanny appearance of a human face. But what captivated archaeologists most was a single, vivid red dot placed exactly where the “nose” would be. Forensics carried out by Spanish police confirmed what was invisible to the naked eye: the mark was a fingerprint made with ochre—an earth pigment commonly used in prehistoric times—applied purposefully by a Neanderthal finger AOL News.

A sweeping new study from Sweden is challenging the widespread belief that higher physical fitness in young people directly leads to a substantially lower risk of premature death from diseases like cancer and heart disease—a notion that has shaped public health messaging globally, including in Thailand. The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (news-medical.net), reveals that previous studies may have overstated the true impact of physical fitness on mortality due to overlooked differences among individuals.

The race to read the lost words of Ancient Rome has entered a new era of speed and precision as researchers leverage powerful scientific tools to decipher carbonized papyrus scrolls buried for nearly two millennia. Recent advancements, highlighted by an article in The Economist (economist.com), reveal that the laborious process of recovering text from the “Herculaneum scrolls”—once a slow crawl—has shifted into a faster, more promising phase, thanks to cutting-edge particle accelerator technology.

New scientific research is revealing that even modest amounts of aerobic exercise can significantly improve the diversity and function of the trillions of bacteria in your gut, leading to better overall health. This emerging evidence uncovers a fresh perspective on how physical activity works hand in hand with the gut microbiome to strengthen immunity, metabolism, and more—prompting health experts to reconsider the conventional wisdom that diet alone is the key player in digestive health (Scientific American).

The assumption that mental disorders are largely inherited from our parents—a bedrock belief of biological psychiatry for decades—is now under serious scrutiny. According to a detailed new analysis published in May 2025, current research demonstrates that heritability explains far less about mental illness than previously assumed, prompting renewed calls for a broader understanding of the interplay between genes, environment, and psychology in shaping mental health (Madin America).

Why does this matter for Thai readers? In a country where mental health awareness is only now gaining national attention, public discourse often echoes global trends in medicine and psychiatry, including an emphasis on genetic causation. Many Thais, especially in urban areas, may be told that conditions like depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia run in families and are predominantly genetic. Understanding that mental disorders stem from more than just DNA could help counter stigma, inform policy, and inspire more comprehensive mental health support across the country.

A new discovery is sending ripples through the medical world: scientists have identified a gene called PHGDH not just as a bystander but as a direct cause of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially changing the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition. Uncovering a previously unknown function of this gene, researchers have also pinpointed a candidate drug-like compound that may one day prevent or slow the disease in its earliest stages – a major leap forward, especially for aging societies like Thailand.

A groundbreaking study published in Nature by investigators at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, has linked taurine—an amino acid found in energy drinks and natural food sources—with an increased risk of blood cancers, particularly leukemia. The research, already sparking international dialogue, comes at a time when energy drink consumption is soaring in Thailand, especially among youth and office workers who rely on such products for an energy boost.

A groundbreaking new study has uncovered remarkable sex-based differences in the structure of a single neuron in the tiny nematode—Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)—offering fresh insight into the underpinnings of sex-specific neural and behavioral differences, with far-reaching implications for understanding the human brain. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and conducted by a collaborative team at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the research reveals that a single neuron, previously believed to function identically in both sexes, displays structural and functional differences linked to sex-specific behaviors in this simple organism (MedicalXpress).

A groundbreaking new study suggests that restricting carbohydrates just two days a week may provide the same metabolic health benefits as the more challenging intermittent fasting diets, offering hope for simpler approaches to improving heart and metabolic health. These findings could open new doors for Thai readers eager to enhance their health but daunted by the demanding routines of traditional fasting regimens.

Intermittent fasting — especially the popular “5:2” version, where people drastically reduce calorie intake on two days each week — has won devotees around the world, including in Thailand, for its reputation as a weight loss tool with additional metabolic perks. However, many Thais and others have struggled to stick with fasting due to hunger pangs, meal disruption, or concerns about nutritional adequacy. The latest research, led by an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey and published on May 11, 2025, in The Conversation, offers a gentler alternative: twice-a-week carbohydrate (not calorie) restriction may deliver similar health benefits without forcing people to go extremely hungry or disrupt their regular eating habits, according to their study outlined on ScienceAlert.

In a major breakthrough that reshapes our scientific understanding of animal intelligence, a series of studies published in Science in early 2025 confirm that advanced intelligence on Earth evolved independently at least twice—once in mammals and once in birds. This finding, as reported by Quanta Magazine and summarized in Wired (wired.com), challenges longstanding assumptions about the origins of cognition in vertebrates and could hold profound implications for neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the global search for intelligent life.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that mammals with larger brains and more robust immune systems tend to live significantly longer lives. The international research team, spearheaded by the University of Bath and published in Scientific Reports, mapped the genomes of 46 mammalian species and discovered that both brain size and an expanded set of immune-related genes are strongly linked to each species’ maximum recorded lifespan. This scientific breakthrough does not just add a new chapter to our understanding of animal longevity; it also prompts intriguing implications for human health and aging—topics that resonate deeply with Thai society where active aging and preventive healthcare are becoming pillars of national policy.

A new era in the scientific quest to pinpoint where consciousness arises in the brain has arrived with the publication of an unprecedented collaborative study, revealing tantalizing clues—but offering no final answers. International neuroscientists, working with the backing of major institutions, have tested the top two competing theories about consciousness using sophisticated brain imaging across hundreds of participants, uncovering emerging insights with far-reaching implications for clinical medicine and philosophical understanding.

A new wave of research out of Florida State University suggests that regular aerobic exercise could offer a protective buffer against some of the long-term health risks caused by heavy drinking habits in young adulthood—a finding that may resonate with university students and recent graduates across Thailand and globally. Presented at the American Physiological Society’s 2025 annual conference in Baltimore, this pioneering work shines a nuanced light on the role that physical activity may play in mitigating some of the damage from youthful nights of excess, especially during the formative years often marked by college parties and celebrations.

A wave of new research is questioning long-held beliefs about the importance of cooling down after exercise, suggesting that its physiological necessity may be overstated for most people. While personal trainers and fitness routines in Thailand and around the world have long emphasized the cool-down as a key component of any workout, recent evidence shows its benefits might be more limited than commonly assumed, prompting a shift in how fitness enthusiasts and everyday Thais might approach their exercise routines (New York Times, 2025).

In a historic breakthrough, scientists have finally confirmed a 67-year-old hypothesis about vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, radically advancing our understanding of how this crucial vitamin works in the human body. This finding not only settles a decades-old scientific debate but also unlocks new possibilities for eco-friendly chemical production, with potential impact reaching far beyond the laboratory.

The story of this discovery begins in 1958, when a chemist from Columbia University theorized that vitamin B1 might perform its vital metabolic functions through the formation of an elusive molecular structure called a carbene. Carbenes are notoriously unstable and tend to decompose instantly in aqueous (water-based) environments like the human body, making the hypothesis seem improbable for more than half a century. For years, the idea was dismissed as “crazy,” as quoted by Vincent Lavallo, a chemist at the University of California, Riverside, who led the recent research that validated this bold proposal.

Exercise’s mood-boosting powers have entered the spotlight once again as new research reaffirms what fitness enthusiasts and health professionals have long suspected: regular physical activity can significantly lift spirits by sparking the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals. The link between exercise, endorphin release, and improved happiness levels is capturing renewed interest among scientists worldwide, offering actionable insights for communities in Thailand striving to combat rising rates of stress, depression, and chronic illness.

A major international research project led by the University of Ottawa is upending decades-old assumptions about how serotonin neurons function in the brain, with profound potential implications for treating mood disorders such as depression and understanding how our brains make binary decisions. Published in Nature Neuroscience on April 25, 2025, the study reveals that serotonin neurons—long thought to act as isolated units—actually form interconnected networks that collaborate and compete, orchestrating the brain’s serotonin output in ways far more complex than previously believed. The findings mark a major shift in neuroscience’s understanding of one of the brain’s most important neurotransmitter systems and open new avenues for targeted mental health therapies (Neuroscience News).