#ThaiHealthcare

A growing body of new research is shedding light on a potential link between vitamin D supplementation and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes among individuals with high-risk prediabetes. Recent studies suggest that boosting vitamin D levels in those who are already at risk could slow or even prevent the onset of overt diabetes—a finding that may have significant implications for the millions of people in Thailand and worldwide who are living with prediabetes.

Radiation therapy is often portrayed in media and popular culture as a high-tech and impersonal process, overshadowed by images of chemotherapy’s more visible side effects. But as illuminated by a recent guest column in the Washington Post, the real-life, day-to-day experience of patients undergoing radiation therapy—especially those in palliative care—offers a different, far more nuanced picture of both physical realities and emotional journeys, providing valuable insights for Thai readers as the country modernizes its cancer care infrastructure (Washington Post).

A recent research review has uncovered a striking connection between tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears with no external cause, and one of the body’s most important restorative processes: deep sleep. With around 15% of the global population suffering from tinnitus—many experiencing significant distress, sleep disturbances, and even depression—this finding could signal new directions for symptom management and treatment for millions, including Thais impacted by this commonly misunderstood condition ScienceAlert.

A groundbreaking international clinical trial has revealed that a structured exercise regimen after cancer treatment can significantly lower the risk of recurrence and overall mortality, equaling—and even surpassing—the impact of conventional pharmaceutical therapies. This new research, presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has rapidly shifted medical opinion and could transform after-care protocols for cancer survivors around the world, including those in Thailand.

A groundbreaking study from the American Cancer Society has revealed that maintaining physical activity after a cancer diagnosis significantly increases survival chances for patients with a wide range of cancers, including those where such evidence was previously scarce. Published in the reputable Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the research is being hailed as a vital step in shaping survivorship care and public health policy for millions worldwide, including the thousands of Thai cancer survivors seeking guidance on life after treatment (mcknights.com).

A recent topical review published in the journal Stroke has put the spotlight on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of post-stroke recovery: sexual health. The research emphasizes that sexual dysfunction and intimacy issues are prevalent among stroke survivors but remain under-discussed, urging healthcare professionals—including those in Thailand—to take a more proactive and compassionate role in addressing these concerns (ahajournals.org).

For many Thai stroke survivors and their families, the journey to recovery is long and challenging. While physical rehabilitation and prevention of further strokes are primary concerns, sexual health is rarely brought up in clinical discussions, often brushed aside due to social stigma, embarrassment, or cultural reservations. Yet, the ability to maintain intimacy and a fulfilling sexual relationship has a substantial impact on overall quality of life, psychological well-being, and marital stability.

A growing body of international research and recent expert commentary has exposed common myths about pelvic floor health, raising crucial questions for Thai readers about prevention, treatment, and societal awareness. As pelvic floor issues increasingly surface in medical and lifestyle conversations, Thai health professionals and the public alike must reconsider the idea that pelvic floor disorders are inevitable, unpreventable, or exclusive to women — and whether the all-popular Kegel exercises are always the answer.

A new study has found that humans’ wounds heal significantly more slowly than those of other mammals, raising intriguing questions about our biology and evolutionary trade-offs. The research, recently profiled by The New York Times, has major implications for medicine and health, especially for Thailand’s ageing population and those managing chronic health conditions.

The discovery comes from a comparative investigation into the healing rates of skin wounds in humans versus other mammalian species, using both laboratory models and clinical data. According to the report, researchers found that while most mammals—such as mice, pigs, and dogs—heal wounds within days or weeks, similar injuries in humans often require much longer timeframes. This discrepancy holds true even when accounting for differences in body size, environmental factors, and medical intervention.

Thai readers are increasingly seeking ways to manage joint pain without invasive treatments, and recent research is providing promising, practical solutions. A new wave of medical guidance highlights the effectiveness of gentle exercise routines in alleviating sore knees, a common complaint among the Thai population as the country faces an ageing society and sedentary lifestyles. Health authorities, physical therapists, and international experts all point to targeted, low-impact exercises as key to both relief and prevention of knee discomfort.

A University of Toronto researcher is calling renewed attention to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: the impact of hysterectomy type on post-operative sexual wellbeing. Recent work suggests the decision between radical and simple hysterectomy—two procedures used primarily in the treatment of uterine and cervical cancers—has profound implications not only for cancer control but also for the long-term quality of life, including sexual health, for women worldwide, including those in Thailand.

A wave of fresh research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychosis, as scientists explore the crucial differences between substance-induced and primary psychotic disorders. This emerging body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Medscape report, could help guide better diagnosis, tailored treatment, and more hopeful outcomes for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a loss of contact with reality—often via hallucinations or delusions—has long been categorized into those primarily caused by a psychiatric illness, like schizophrenia, and others triggered by substance use, such as methamphetamine (“ya ba”) or cannabis. Understanding whether symptoms are “primary” (intrinsic to psychiatric illness) or “substance-induced” (caused by drug or alcohol use) shapes every aspect of medical care, but until now, the true distinctions have often been blurred, fueling debates among clinicians and researchers worldwide.

A groundbreaking wave of neuroscience research is redefining what it means to think—and, crucially, why artificial intelligence (AI) still falls far short of the intricacies of the human mind. A newly published feature in Salon highlights the distinct evolutionary adaptations that make the human brain more than a glorified computer, challenging decades-old assumptions fundamental to AI development and the neural network concept that underlies machine learning models.

For years, popular understanding—and much of AI research—has treated the brain as a vast network made up of nearly identical neurons whose intelligence emerges through the patterns of their collective firing. This view inspired so-called artificial neural networks, computer systems designed to solve problems by mimicking the way brains process information. Such analogies, cemented over decades, fostered the belief that if machines could imitate the structure and connectivity of brains, they might one day match, or even surpass, human intellect. But recent scientific discoveries show this metaphor misses the mark in fundamental ways, with profound implications for both neuroscience and the future of AI.

A recent national survey in England has found that one in four women is living with a serious reproductive health issue, shedding new light on the scale of gynecological challenges and potentially offering important lessons for Thailand’s healthcare system. The findings signal the persistent and pervasive nature of conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), persistent pelvic pain, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The study underscores the urgent need for improved screening, public awareness, and healthcare accessibility—issues that are equally resonant for Thai women.

Recent research and expert statements have highlighted an often silent struggle faced by cancer patients worldwide—including here in Thailand: the significant unmet need for sexual health support during and after cancer treatment. As treatments improve and survival rates rise, the quality of life, especially intimate wellbeing, has emerged as an urgent concern for many survivors and their families. Medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic and Thai academic circles now urge healthcare providers, patients, and policy-makers to recognize sexual health as an integral part of cancer care—one that is too often neglected, misunderstood, or left unaddressed (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; J Med Assoc Thai PDF).

A major new report brings much-needed relief to the global cancer community, revealing that advanced cancer diagnoses in the United States—which spiked during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic—have now returned to levels seen before the global crisis. Published Monday in the journal Cancer, the study offers a broad analysis of U.S. cancer statistics, addressing widespread fears that disruptions to screening during the pandemic would drive a lasting increase in late-stage cancer cases and, ultimately, higher death rates (AP News).

Exciting news in the fight against Parkinson’s disease: Two newly published clinical studies are providing the strongest evidence yet that stem cell transplants may offer a powerful new treatment for people living with this debilitating condition. In results published this week in the journal Nature, both research teams found that surgically implanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells into the brains of patients led to symptom improvements and no serious side effects—marking an important milestone after decades of painstaking efforts to replace the dying neurons at the root of Parkinson’s. For over a million Americans and countless others worldwide, including an estimated 150,000 Thais suffering from Parkinson’s, this research signals fresh hope for dramatically improving quality of life in the coming years (NPR).

A groundbreaking study has found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice daily can reduce gut inflammation by as much as 40% in patients with ulcerative colitis—a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This discovery, led by researchers at the University of Central Lancashire and University of Hertfordshire, comes as hopeful news for millions suffering from debilitating digestive conditions worldwide. For Thais coping with similar problems, the findings offer a promising, natural supplement strategy to improve quality of life alongside standard medical care (source).

In an intriguing breakthrough, Cornell researchers have discovered pivotal neurological mechanisms that make psilocybin – the active compound in “magic mushrooms” – a potential game-changer in treating depression. Their findings, published in the renowned journal Nature, shine a light on how psilocybin’s mood-altering benefits might be harnessed for clinical use without the accompanying psychedelic trips.

The research team, led by Dr. Alex Kwan, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, identified that psilocybin’s therapeutic effects hinge on specific interactions within the brain’s circuitry. This discovery centers around the pyramidal tract neurons and their serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, located in the medial frontal cortex. These components are critical for psilocybin to enact its mood-enhancing properties, while inhibiting the infamous hallucinogenic experiences. This separation of effects offers a tantalizing pathway for developing treatments that leverage psilocybin’s benefits without its psychedelic side effects.

In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet, Chinese researchers have unveiled a significant association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and an elevated risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD in children. This extensive meta-analysis evaluated 202 studies encompassing over 56 million pregnancies. It reveals that diligent monitoring of blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy could be crucial in mitigating these risks, underscoring a vital public health message for expecting mothers.