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Eating jetlag and the risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study suggests that eating jetlag, which disrupts the body's biological rhythm, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in men. The study found that each additional hour of eating jetlag was associated with a 14% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Spring fatigue cannot be empirically proven

A study by researchers at the University of Basel and University of Bern found that spring fatigue is not a real biological phenomenon, but rather a culturally influenced concept. Participants in an online survey reported feeling more exhausted in spring, but the data showed no correlation with seasonal changes.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 9, 2026

Mapping the dance of circadian synchrony

A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a computational tool to reveal connections in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the body's central circadian pacemaker. The study identified five functional cell types and found that a small subset of 'hub' cells are critical to SCN timekeeping.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2025

Leaving on a jet plane in genes

A team of researchers from Kyoto University found that the pituitary vasopressin system is crucial for building a robust circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This discovery has led to the development of potential treatments for jet lag, which currently target only the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 23, 2023

Are you breaking your body clock?

Researchers developed a new mathematical model to study circadian rhythm resilience and develop ways to improve it in individuals with weak internal clocks. Sustained disruptions can lead to disorders like diabetes and memory loss.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems·DateAug 17, 2023

Irregular sleep patterns associated with harmful gut bacteria

Researchers at King's College London found irregular sleep patterns are associated with lower overall diet quality, higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, and lower intakes of fruits and nuts. This is linked to differences in gut microbiome composition, with certain species having 'unfavourable' associations with health.

SourceKing's College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateAug 1, 2023

Jet lag’s harmful health impacts found to be caused by biological clock misalignment

Research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that circadian disruption from jet lag can harm adult neurogenesis, which supports learning and memory. The study found that the Cryptochrome 1 gene regulates this process and that misalignment can lead to adverse health effects such as dementia and mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournaleNeuro·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

Dissecting the circadian clock in real time

Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Merced developed a high-throughput method to study the circadian clock in real time, shedding light on its internal functions. The study found that kinases play a crucial role in relaying the circadian rhythm from the core oscillator to gene expression.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

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

Body clock off-schedule? Prebiotics may help

A new study suggests that prebiotics can help realign sleep-wake cycles and core body temperature after chronic disruption of rhythms, hosting health-promoting microbes and a different metabolome. Researchers hope to develop customized prebiotic mixtures for individuals with frequent circadian disruptions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2021

NIH-funded study suggests teen girl 'night owls' may be more likely to gain weight

A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that teenage girls who go to bed later are more likely to gain weight compared to those who sleep earlier. The research also showed a significant association between late bedtime and increased waist size and body fat in young females.

To monitor 'social jet lag,' scientists look to Twitter

Researchers found that sustained periods of low Twitter activity were correlated with sleep patterns, while the nightly lull shifted to later times on weekends. The magnitude of 'Twitter social jet lag' varied seasonally and geographically, with the West Coast experiencing less lag.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 15, 2018

Delaying meals impacts the sugar levels of the body

Researchers at the University of Surrey discovered that delaying meal times by five hours can delay blood sugar rhythms, suggesting a potential solution for alleviating symptoms of shift work and jet lag. This finding indicates that separate circadian clocks govern glucose metabolism and fat levels in the blood.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 1, 2017

VIP treatment for jet lag

A study at Washington University in St. Louis found that a small molecule called VIP can temporarily desynchronize brain cells, but also enables them to re-synchronize more quickly to abrupt shifts in daily light-dark schedules. This effect may be useful for travelers and shift workers who struggle with jet lag.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2013

Down with jet lag

Researchers found that individual organs' internal clocks synchronize with the external time at varying speeds, leading to discoordination of physiological processes. The adrenal gland plays a key role in this adaptation, and manipulating corticosterone production can help rodents recover from jet lag faster.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 25, 2010

Jetting off without the jet lag

A new study has identified a key role for adrenal glucocorticoids in resetting the internal body clock, a finding that could lead to new treatments for jet lag. The research also highlights the importance of timing and location in regulating circadian rhythms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 23, 2010

Using math to take the lag out of jet lag

A new software program uses mathematical modeling to prescribe optimal light exposure for avoiding jet lag, resulting in quicker re-synchronization and improved performance. The method considers background light levels and time zones traveled, providing personalized recommendations for bright light intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 18, 2009

New medication brings hope of jet lag cure

Researchers at Monash University found a new drug, tasimelteon, that can effectively shift melatonin levels to alleviate jet lag and sleep disorders. The drug has the potential to improve sleep quality for patients with transient insomnia caused by time zone changes.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 1, 2008