Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
A new study from the University of Tsukuba identifies a critical signaling pathway within brain cells that regulates both the length and depth of sleep. By manipulating enzymes and proteins, researchers found that altering this pathway can significantly impact sleep duration and quality.
Researchers found that students fell asleep later and woke up later in winter due to limited daytime light exposure. Daytime light exposure had a greater impact on circadian rhythms than evening light exposure.
A recent study led by Stefan Seidel found that light therapy significantly improves fatigue symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis patients, with measurable improvements observed after just 14 days of use. The study used objective measurements to rule out sleep disorders, which are common comorbidities with fatigue in MS patients.
A study of over 2000 US parents found that behavioural sleep interventions (BSIs) such as controlled crying and 'cry it out' are associated with longer and more consolidated infant sleep. These interventions were also found to be safe, with no adverse consequences on parent-infant bonding or parent depression.
A nasal spray has shown promising results in treating obstructive sleep apnea by preventing airway narrowing during sleep. The treatment, which targets specific receptors on the upper airways, improved airway stability and was well-tolerated in a small clinical trial.
Researchers developed an app to track CPAP use, sleep patterns, and other health metrics to provide a new adherence metric that aligns therapy with individual need. This tool can help patients and providers deliver more effective sleep apnea treatment by tracking progress toward a personalized dose of therapy.
A Japanese research collaboration found associations between elementary and junior high school students' self-reported health and adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines. Meeting the guidelines for 'screen time and sleep' was associated with good self-reported health in elementary school students, while junior high school students ben...
A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that people who are physically fit have a lower risk of needing prescription sleeping pills. The research, based on data from Norway's HUNT study, suggests that being in good physical shape can help improve sleep quality.
A study of over 1000 Australian adults found that people with trouble sleeping were more likely to have indicators of poor cardiometabolic health, including inflammatory markers, cholesterol, and body weight. Prioritizing a good night's sleep is crucial for maintaining good health, according to researcher Dr Lisa Matricciani.
Researchers found that substantial exercise, sleeping longer and later, and eating a low sugar, high carb breakfast can increase alertness. A high carbohydrate breakfast was linked to individuals revving up their alertness quickly in the morning.
A new study reveals that having too few job demands can disrupt sleep, while moderate demands with adequate control lead to a regular sleep schedule and shorter time to fall asleep. The researchers also found that individuals who have more control over their work environment tend to sleep better.
Small cell clusters in hippocampus are vital for fear-based memories, while sleep helps stabilize these clusters to improve memory. The study uses immediate early gene imaging to visualize active cells throughout the entire rat hippocampus.
A new study published in Frontiers found that parental methods to help toddlers sleep are related to their behavioral development. The researchers discovered that passive sleep-supporting techniques were associated with lower fussy temperaments and higher sociability scores, while active techniques were linked to more challenging tempe...
Wild geese in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands experience significant changes in their behavior after fireworks, including flying further and foraging more, even after the disturbances end. The effects persist for up to two weeks, with birds leaving their sleeping sites and flying hundreds of kilometers non-stop.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that transgender youth are 5.4 times more likely to experience insomnia and three times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea compared to cisgender youth. Gender-affirming therapies may offer a protective effect against worsening sleep health, according to the researchers.
Researchers found that artificial neural networks learn better with occasional periods of inactivity, similar to the human brain's benefits of sleep. This approach mitigates catastrophic forgetting and allows for continuous learning, like humans or animals.
The November issue of CHEST journal features new guidelines for perioperative management, studies on COVID-19 treatment and COPD treatment, as well as research on sleep apnea and long COVID. These findings have significant implications for patient care and healthcare resource use.
The USPSTF recommends against routine screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in asymptomatic adults and those with unrecognized symptoms. OSA is linked to various adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.
Pediatric sleep apnea can be detected with high precision using a unique gene signature that distinguishes children with OSA from healthy children. A recent study found that obstructive sleep apnea induces changes in immune cell diversity, leading to elevated levels of certain white blood cells.
Researchers induced brain-like sleep in an artificial spiking neural network, enabling it to retain previously learned information. This breakthrough helps the model avoid catastrophic forgetting and improve its overall performance over time.
A team of researchers from Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and Northern Illinois University are developing an open source system called FLASH to objectively measure children's screen-viewing behaviors. The five-year grant includes funding for three long-term studies on the impacts of screen use on young children.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that divisive political events negatively influence factors related to public mood, well-being, and alcohol consumption. Participants reported reduced sleep quality, increased stress, negative mood, and higher alcohol use in the days leading up to the election.
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.
A study by Ural Federal University found that daytime naps and wakefulness both reinforce the formation of fear memories in response to emotional trauma. This research has significant implications for developing strategies for rehabilitating individuals with anxiety disorders.
Researchers discovered a new daily rhythm in inhibitory synapses, which rebalance brain activity to consolidate new information into long-lasting memories during sleep. The study suggests that wakefulness strengthens inhibitory synapses, enhancing memory formation.
A Washington State University-led study found that sleep quality impacts women's mood and aspirations for career advancement. Women who get a good night's sleep are more likely to be oriented towards achieving status and responsibility at work.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified TRPM7, a cation channel in carotid bodies and bloodstream, as a promising therapeutic target for sleep apnea. Blocking or eliminating this channel may offer a new treatment option for obesity-related breathing disorders.
Researchers aim to identify electrical activity in brain consolidation and test targeted brain stimulation to strengthen memories. The study could advance understanding of neural mechanisms involved in memory formation, potentially benefiting people with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that CaMKII β promotes sleep onset and inhibits awakening, with its phosphorylation state controlling the transition from wakefulness to sleep. The study provides clues for ideal sleep control methods, aiming to maintain sleep duration.
Researchers used a neural network model to study how brain regions interact during sleep. They found that the hippocampus and neocortex work together to convert fleeting information into long-term memory. The findings suggest that alternating between REM and slow-wave sleep stages is crucial for strong memory formation.
Researchers found that reactivating memories during sleep improves memory storage by triggering electrical activity in the brain. The study, led by Northwestern University, used implanted electrodes to record brain activity in five patients while they slept and presented sounds associated with learned objects.
A new theory by UMass Amherst sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer suggests that young children's brain development, not age, determines when and why they stop napping. The hippocampus, a memory area of the brain, plays a critical role in nap transitions.
The University of Missouri is revamping its training courses for childcare providers with a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The new online video-based courses aim to be more accessible and engaging, covering topics such as safe sleep, transportation, and emergency preparedness.
Researchers discovered a molecular link between disrupted circadian rhythms and lung tumor growth, implicating a cancer-signature gene known as HSF1. Disrupted clocks may trigger lung tumors in individuals with irregular sleep patterns or night shifts.
Research at Northwestern University finds that eating during the daytime is ideal for dissipating energy as heat, while nighttime eating disrupts this process. This study's findings have broad implications for dieting, sleep loss, and patient nutrition, particularly in cases of Type II Diabetes.
A new study using the American Heart Association framework provides evidence that sleep is integral to preserving heart health. Sleep metrics add independent predictive value for CVD events over and above the original 7 CVH metrics.
Adults who sleep for five hours or less per night have a greater risk of developing multiple chronic conditions compared to those who sleep seven hours. Shorter sleep duration at mid-to-late life is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and subsequent multimorbidity.
A new study found that sleeping five hours or less per night is associated with a higher risk of developing at least two chronic diseases over a 25-year period. This includes heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 men and women aged 50, 60, and 70.
The October issue of CHEST journal showcases 43 clinically relevant articles on topics such as asthma, COPD, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also offers web and multimedia activities, including visual abstracts, to expand its reach.
Researchers studying fruit flies found that brain neurons adapt to help the flies stay awake despite tiredness in dangerous situations, and fall asleep after an intense day. Time-restricted feeding also improved sleep quality in the flies, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for humans.
A history of migraines is associated with poor sleep in premenopausal women, but the relationship changes in perimenopausal women due to factors like body mass index, anxiety, and hot flashes. Poor sleep quality significantly impacts work productivity and quality of life, costing the US economy approximately $411 billion annually.
A research team has identified a specific cell group in the brain that regulates shifts in the sleep-wake rhythm caused by psychostimulants. The hypothalamic dopamine locus is responsible for modulating circadian rhythms and gates the effect of psychostimulants, leading to increased alertness and activity.
A Washington State University pilot study showed that home sensors can accurately monitor overnight restlessness and sleep problems in people recovering from opioid use disorder. The sensors matched other monitoring methods about 89% of the time, validating patients' concerns about their disturbed sleep.
A new study from Flinders University has shown that reboxetine, previously used to treat depression, can reduce obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. The study found that reboxetine alone reduces the number of sleep apnoea events per hour and improves oxygen levels.
A Finnish study found that retiring individuals experience an increase in sleep time and a corresponding decrease in physical activity. This shift is attributed to the absence of work-related activities and commute time, which are replaced by sedentary behavior.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown biological contributor to postpartum depression: impaired autophagy, which limits the body's ability to clean up old genetic material. This finding may lead to new treatments and early identification of women at risk before they become ill.
A new study from Uppsala University found that using a weighted blanket at bedtime increases melatonin production by about 30 percent. The researchers also discovered that the weight of the blanket (12% of participant's body weight) reduced stress system activity, but had no effect on oxytocin and cortisol levels.
A machine learning model developed by Carnegie Mellon University can accurately predict how stay-at-home orders affect people with multiple sclerosis. The model uses passively gathered smartphone and fitness tracker data to identify factors that signal changes in health.
Researchers found that warmer nighttime temperatures increase sleep disturbance, comparable to the impact of heatstroke, in Japan's residents. The study suggests that measures like air conditioner use or reducing outdoor temperatures may help mitigate this issue.
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that chronic circadian disruption can increase lung cancer growth in animal models by activating the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) pathway. This finding suggests a molecular link between disrupted sleep patterns, temperature changes, and tumor formation.
A US cohort study suggests that maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of sleep and attentional problems in offspring at age 3. The study found a potential link between acetaminophen exposure and neurobehavioral issues in children.
Researchers at UVA Health have developed a new magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) technique to track peripheral artery disease, which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The CEST approach produces comparable results to the current gold standard without requiring specialized equipment.
Imperial College London researchers have developed a new low-cost sensor thread called PECOTEX that can be embedded into clothing to monitor vital signs. The sensors, which cost $0.15 to produce, can track breathing, heart rate, and gases like ammonia, potentially leading to diagnosis and monitoring of disease.
Research at the University of Birmingham suggests that people who experience frequent bad dreams in middle age are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life. The study found that middle-aged individuals with weekly nightmares were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline over a decade.
A cohort study of Chinese older adults found that sleeping for more than 8 hours increases dementia risk by 69% and going to bed before 9 PM doubles the risk. The study suggests monitoring cognitive function in those with prolonged sleep timing.
A new study finds that consistently losing an hour and a half of sleep per night can negatively impact immune stem cells, leading to increased inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Even after catching up on sleep, the effects of disrupted sleep remain long-lasting.
Researchers found that getting enough sleep influences the environment where monocytes form, develop, and get primed to support immune function. This process, hematopoiesis, occurs in the bone marrow and can accelerate clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related condition linked to cardiovascular disease.
Research found that 'night owls' are more insulin resistant, favoring carbohydrates over fats as an energy source. In contrast, 'early birds' are more active and use more fat for energy, reducing their risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The September issue of CHEST journal features 40 articles on clinically relevant topics, including disparities in rural populations with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The journal also offers complementary web and multimedia activities to expand its reach.
Researchers are developing wearable tonometric sensors that can collect blood pressure data without disrupting patients' sleep. The new cuffless monitoring system uses gecko-inspired adhesion technology to provide accurate readings.