#Stem

A landmark bill in North Carolina moves to allow high school students to substitute advanced mathematics with computer science for graduation and college admissions. House Bill 415 cleared the state House Education committee and heads to the House Rules committee, signaling a potential overhaul of math requirements to reflect a digital economy. The debate underscores a broader global discussion on which skills best prepare students for modern work, including the Thai context where digital literacy is increasingly prioritized.

A new QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 places the National University of Singapore (NUS) at the forefront of Asia for computer science, ranking 8th globally. The results underscore Asia’s growing leadership in technology education and signal ongoing shifts in the regional STEM landscape that matter for Thailand’s students, educators, and policymakers.

In Asia, NUS leads the pack, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) ranking globally around the mid-teens. Chinese institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University also rank highly, reflecting strong national investments in engineering and information science. The ranking framework considers research impact, employer and academic reputation, sustainability, learning experience, and international collaboration, rewarding universities with deep industry ties and high-impact research.

The latest results from the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 have confirmed that the National University of Singapore (NUS) holds the highest position among Asian universities for computer science, coming in at 8th globally. This reaffirms Singapore’s commitment to world-class technological education and highlights the continued ascent of Asia’s leading institutions in the fiercely competitive field of computer science and information systems (Tempo.co).

For Thai readers, this news points not only to the international success of universities in the region but also offers insights into the shifting competitive landscape for STEM education that matters both locally and globally. Computer science is among the most sought-after academic programs worldwide due to its direct link to economic growth, digital transformation, and advanced job prospects—a reality that Thailand’s education policymakers and students should closely watch.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Leicester shows that some of the largest flying reptiles, pterosaurs, spent far more time on the ground than scientists previously believed. By examining fossilized footprints attributed to Quetzalcoatlus, a giant with a wingspan up to 10 meters, researchers have enriched our understanding of how these creatures lived alongside dinosaurs. The findings help Thai readers connect global paleontology with Southeast Asia’s own ancient landscape, enriching Earth history education in Thailand.

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the University of Leicester has revealed that some of the largest creatures ever to soar the prehistoric skies, the pterosaurs, spent far more time on the ground than previously thought. Through extensive examination of fossilised tracks attributed to the giant Quetzalcoatlus, with wingspans reaching up to 10 metres (32 feet), scientists have now painted a richer picture of the behaviour and lifestyle of these flying reptiles that coexisted with dinosaurs hundreds of millions of years ago (BBC News).

NASA’s oldest active astronaut recently spoke about a surprising hurdle after returning from a 220-day mission on the International Space Station. The experience highlights how long-duration spaceflight reshapes the body and mind, and it offers practical lessons for both current explorers and Thai learners curious about health, science, and technology.

Thai audiences are increasingly engaged in space science and STEM education. Thailand’s NSTDA and GISTDA are expanding programs to inspire the next generation, while Thailand’s medical and research communities track how extreme environments affect human health. Research from Thailand’s institutions shows that global discoveries in space science can translate into improved health knowledge and new tech applications for local use.

NASA’s oldest active astronaut, renowned for spending 220 days on the International Space Station, has opened up about the profound challenges astronauts face upon returning to Earth—a revelation that newly illuminates the dramatic impacts of space travel on the human body and mind. His insights serve as a timely reminder of the scientific hurdles confronting both current astronauts and future generations hoping to embark on long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, or beyond.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has clinched the title of Asia’s top-ranked institution for computer science in 2025, securing a prestigious position as the fourth-best globally according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject. This accolade not only underscores the meteoric rise of Asian universities in science and technology but also signals a shift in academic influence within the region, resonating strongly with Thai students, educators, and policymakers striving to elevate Thailand’s own prestige in computer science and digital innovation (e.vnexpress.net, news.nus.edu.sg).

Singapore’s National University of Singapore has been crowned Asia’s leading institution for computer science in 2025, ranking fourth globally in QS World University Rankings by Subject. The award highlights Asia’s rapid rise in science and technology and provides a benchmark for Thai students, educators, and policymakers aiming to elevate Thailand’s own computer science and digital innovation capabilities.

For Thailand, the achievement carries particular significance as the country advances its digital transformation and pursues a stronger regional tech standing. The ascent of NUS and other Asian universities offers both inspiration and a practical framework for Thai universities to gain international recognition. As local industries increasingly demand advanced digital skills, global ranking milestones underscore the importance of investing in high-quality computer science education.

In a milestone that challenges decades-old scientific assumptions, an international team of researchers has created the world’s most detailed three-dimensional map of a mammalian brain—from a mere speck of mouse tissue. This stunning achievement not only redefines what’s possible in neuroscience but holds the potential to transform how we study and tackle complex neurological diseases, offering new hope for brain health advances both globally and in Thailand (CNN, 2025).

For Thai readers, this breakthrough matters because the brain disorders examined—such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s—are increasingly prevalent in our rapidly aging society. A deeper understanding of the brain’s “wiring” can ultimately shape better treatments, inspire new research collaborations, and improve quality of life for millions of Thais facing brain-related illnesses. With Thailand’s medical research sector aspiring to world-class status, the implications of this advancement could influence both policy and local innovation.

Scientists are probing a bold question: can neurons, long viewed as the brain’s electrical messengers, also transmit light? Interdisciplinary teams blending neuroscience with advanced optics are testing the idea. If proven, it could transform our understanding of brain function and enable faster brain-computer interfaces and novel diagnostics for neurological diseases. Data from leading research centers suggests researchers are inching toward experimental evidence, though clear proof remains elusive.

For Thai readers, the potential implications are profound. The brain has traditionally been seen as a network that communicates through electrical impulses and chemical signals. Now researchers are exploring whether axons—the long, cable-like projections of neurons—could carry light particles, similar to fiber-optic cables used in telecommunications. If this “optical layer” exists, the brain would hide an additional mode of information flow alongside electrical signaling.

A global team of researchers has produced the world’s most detailed three-dimensional map of a mammalian brain, starting from a tiny mouse tissue sample. This milestone could reshape how we study neurological diseases and accelerate brain-health advances worldwide, including in Thailand. The development underscores how international collaboration and advanced imaging are transforming science in ways that may benefit Thai researchers, clinicians, and patients.

For Thai readers, the significance is clear. Brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are rising with an aging population. A richer understanding of the brain’s wiring can guide better treatments, spark local collaborations, and improve quality of life for millions of Thais facing neurodegenerative conditions. As Thailand aims for a stronger role in biomedical research, this breakthrough could influence policy, funding decisions, and the growth of domestic innovation.

In a discovery that could redefine our understanding of the human brain, scientists are investigating a mind-bending question: can neurons, long known as the brain’s electrical messengers, also transmit light? This remarkable hypothesis—now being tested by interdisciplinary teams blending neuroscience with cutting-edge optics—could revolutionize both scientific knowledge and medical technology, including brain-computer interfaces and diagnostics for neurological diseases (SciTechDaily).

For Thai readers, the implications are far-reaching. The brain has traditionally been thought of as a network of cells communicating via electrochemical signals, with electricity and chemicals passing information rapidly between neurons. Now, research teams such as those at the University of Rochester are asking if neurons’ long, thin axons could carry light particles (photons) in a way that’s similar to fiber-optic cables used in internet communications (University of Rochester News Center). If proven true, this would mean the brain may have an entirely new layer—an optical internet—hidden within its already intricate wiring.