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Resistance exercise ‘activity breaks’ at night may improve sleep length

A small comparative study found that regular 3-minute resistance exercises every half hour for 4 hours can increase sleep duration by an average of 27 minutes compared to prolonged sitting. The study suggests that evening exercise may not adversely impact sleep quality, but further research is needed.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2024

CHEST Critical Care and CHEST Pulmonary receive indexation with Directory of Open Access Journals

The American College of Chest Physicians' CHEST Critical Care and CHEST Pulmonary journals have been indexed with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), enhancing their open access content's accessibility and usage. The indexation is attributed to strong editorial boards led by Hayley Gershengorn and Matthew Miles.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·JournalCHEST Critical Care·DateMay 23, 2024

Climate change likely to aggravate brain conditions

A UCL-led team of researchers warn that climate change will aggravate brain conditions such as stroke, migraine, and dementia. The study, which reviewed 332 papers, found that extreme temperatures and weather events can disrupt sleep, exacerbate cognitive impairment, and lead to increased hospital admissions and mortality.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 15, 2024

Disparities in sleep health and insomnia may begin at a young age

A study by Penn State researchers found that childhood-onset insomnia symptoms persist through young adulthood, with Black children being 2.6 times more likely to experience long-term sleep problems compared to white children. The findings highlight the need for early intervention and treatment to address this public health issue.

SourcePenn State·JournalSLEEP·TypeObservational study·DateApr 8, 2024

Does cannabis use affect cognitive decline?

A new study found that non-medical cannabis use is significantly associated with a 96% decrease in odds of subjective cognitive decline. However, medical and dual-use were not significant in reducing the risk of SCD. The study highlights the potential protective effects of cannabis on cognition, but more longitudinal research is needed...

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Alzheimer Research·DateApr 8, 2024

Study finds gunshots in American cities twice as likely at night, potentially disrupting sleep for those in earshot

A new study found that nighttime gunshots are twice as common as daytime gunshots in American cities, potentially disrupting the sleep of nearby residents due to loud sirens. Low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by these sounds, with millions of person nights potentially impacted annually.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 3, 2024

Is your partner’s disturbed sleep keeping you up at night? Letting go of unattainable dreams may keep you both happy in bed

A new study found that individuals with a high capacity for goal disengagement can prevent worsening relationship satisfaction in couples experiencing sleep problems. By learning to let go of unattainable goals, partners can reallocate resources towards protecting and improving their relationship.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 19, 2024

New research in April: colorectal cancer, kidney health, OR supply costs, and more

Research highlights new findings on social vulnerability and survivorship after colorectal cancer resection, as well as disparities in kidney recovery among Black donors. Additionally, studies reveal cost savings from implementing quality interventions and explore eligibility for transplants in obese patients with end-stage renal disease.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 15, 2024

Research reveals promising approach to enhance treatment for sleep apnea-related issues

A groundbreaking study found that combining partial normoxic recovery with senolytic Navitoclax significantly reduced sleepiness and improved cognitive function in mice with OSA. This suggests targeting accelerated senescence may be a promising avenue for improving treatment outcomes.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 3, 2024

Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and risk of miscarriage

A nationwide case-time-control study found an association between benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage. The results suggest that healthcare professionals should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of using benzodiazepines to treat psychiatric and sleep disorders in pregnant women.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateDec 27, 2023

Light therapy may improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials found significant improvements in sleep efficiency and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2023

Repeated blast exposures may harm the brain health of military personnel

A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 6, 2023

Bone growth drug may reduce sudden infant death syndrome in children with common form of dwarfism

A new study found that vosoritide treatment increases height, facial volume, and foramen magnum size in young children with achondroplasia, reducing sudden infant death syndrome, sleep apnea, and surgery needs. Vosoritide may improve quality of life and potentially save lives by addressing the root cause of the condition.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 21, 2023

You don’t lose if you snooze

Regular snoozers who get an extra half hour of sleep show no negative effects on night sleep, mood, or cognitive abilities. In fact, they tend to wake up feeling more alert and quick-thinking.

SourceStockholm University·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2023

Sleep and stress give clues to understanding epileptic seizures - study

A recent study discovered two subgroups of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, one experiencing highest incidence during sleep and the other during daytime. The researchers found that either dynamics of cortisol or sleep stage transition explained most of the observed distributions of epileptiform discharges.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

Risk for dementia varies by ethnicity, study finds

A new study analyzing English primary care records found that hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol confer a higher risk of dementia in South Asian and Black people compared to White individuals. The results suggest tailored dementia prevention efforts should be targeted towards minority ethnic groups.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023