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Chronic jet lag discovered in people living with HIV

Researchers found that people living with HIV have a significantly delayed internal body clock, consistent with the symptoms of jet lag. This disruption may contribute to increased health problems experienced by those with HIV. The study suggests a strong need for further research on younger people living with HIV in other countries.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalJournal of Pineal Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 10, 2022

The early bird may just get the worm

A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCurrent Research in Behavioral Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 4, 2022

Autistic women have increased risk of mental illness

Researchers found that autistic women are more vulnerable to psychiatric conditions and hospitalization than men, with a higher risk of depression, anxiety disorders, and self-harm. The study suggests that healthcare needs to be expanded for young adults, especially autistic women, to detect mental illness in time.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 26, 2022

Interactions between genetics and the environment can explain variability seen in common neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 7, 2022

The presence of certain bacteria in the saliva might indicate post-trauma in veteran soldiers

A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 10, 2022

Shift work increases the severity of strokes later in life

A new study published in Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms found that shift work can lead to long-lasting health effects, including increased severity of strokes. The research, led by Texas A&M University, suggests that disrupted internal body clocks can alter gut and brain interactions, leading to worse stroke outcomes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNeurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms·TypeNews article·DateJul 12, 2022

Novel sleep education learning modules developed for nurse practitioners

A first-of-its-kind study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing investigated the use of novel graduate-level sleep education curriculum for primary care nurse practitioners. The program positively impacted a range of learning outcomes, including improved recognition and evaluation of sleep disturbances and disorders.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJun 23, 2022

How sleep helps to process emotions

Researchers at the University of Bern have identified how the brain processes emotions during dream sleep. During REM sleep, the brain favors the discrimination of safety versus danger in the dendrites, but blocks the over-reaction to emotion, particularly danger. This decoupling is essential for optimizing survival and stability.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience·DateMay 13, 2022

Study shows memory is formed through rewiring of global network among pre-existing local neuronal ensembles

Researchers found that neuronal ensembles in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex existed before memory acquisition, but developed through experience in the hippocampus. The study also revealed that ensemble synchrony across brain regions was particularly strong during transient bursts of activity, suggesting a role in memory consolidation.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2022

Levels of a certain hormone could predict or detect bone loss in premenopausal women

Researchers at UCLA found that premenopausal women with low levels of anti-Mullerian hormone are at a higher risk of experiencing significant bone loss within two to three years. The study suggests that measuring AMH levels could help physicians identify women at risk and provide targeted treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 4, 2022

Dopamine triggers sleep state transitions

Researchers found that a temporary increase in dopamine levels in the basolateral amygdala initiates transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This discovery may have important implications for understanding changes in sleep state and treating conditions like cataplexy and narcolepsy.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2022

Scientists discover how our circadian rhythm can be both strong and flexible

Researchers found that the master clock and slave clock operate via distinct molecular mechanisms, allowing for robustness and flexibility in regulating bodily rhythms. The master clock's ability to adapt to environmental changes enables quick adjustment to new time zones after international flights.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022

COVID-19 survivors face increased mental health risks up to a year later

Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2022

Researchers from the GIST propose ultrasound stimulation as an effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease in new study

Researchers at GIST demonstrate that ultrasound pulses can reduce β-amyloid plaque concentration and tau protein levels in AD-model mice, suggesting a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. The treatment also improves brain connectivity without causing harm to brain tissue.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022

Sleep disruption can vary depending on the respiratory event type and severity in OSA

Researchers found that EEG arousal intensity varies by respiratory event type and severity in OSA, affecting sleep disruption. The study reveals distinct patterns of gamma power during arousals from different types of respiratory events, such as obstructive apnoeas and hypopnoeas with varying degrees of blood oxygen desaturation.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 4, 2022

Common sleep disorder combo could be deadly

A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people with both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea are at a higher risk of heart problems and mortality. Participants with co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnoea were two times more likely to have high blood pressure and 70% more likely to have cardiovascular disease.

SourceFlinders University·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 13, 2021

Study finds racial-ethnic differences in sleep health

A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found significant racial-ethnic differences in sleep health, with white adults having the best sleep outcomes and Black adults facing the worst. The research used data from over 1,700 adults and identified factors such as irregular timing and duration, insufficient sleep duration, and high ...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 9, 2021

New warning on teen sleep

A recent study published in SLEEP found that teenagers who slept only five hours per night experienced significant depression, anger, and confusion. In contrast, those who slept ten hours reported increased happiness. The study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for adolescents to mitigate mood deficits.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSLEEP·DateJul 6, 2021