Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
A longitudinal survey of over 3,000 adolescents aged 11-14 found that supportive relationships with family and friends, physical activity, and better sleep helped shield against the pandemic's negative impact on mental health. Girls were more likely than boys to experience psychological distress during the pandemic.
A team of NTU Singapore scientists has developed a predictive computer programme using wearable technology data to detect depression risk. The programme, Ycogni model, achieves an accuracy of 80% in detecting individuals at high or low risk of depression.
Researchers have created a compact and affordable device for recording brain activity, offering research-grade signal quality and customizable configuration. The device has the potential to help people with epilepsy detect impending seizures and those with limited mobility regain control over their limbs.
A study found that sleep and biological rhythm variables are associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in women during the peripartum period. Changes in circadian quotient, nighttime activity, and rest fragmentation were linked to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms.
A new study published in JNeurosci found that the brain selectively responds to unfamiliar voices during sleep, even when familiar voices are present. This ability allows the brain to strike a balance between resting and being responsive to its environment.
New research by Northwestern University found that reactivating memories during sleep significantly improves face-name learning. The study also discovered that uninterrupted deep sleep is crucial for this improvement.
Research found that teens in short sleep consumed more foods high in carbs and added sugar, leading to weight gain and cardiometabolic diseases. Teens got 12 extra grams of sugar each day, resulting in over 4.5 pounds of extra sugar each year.
Adolescents experienced improved health-related quality of life during school closures, with increased sleep duration by about 75 minutes per day. This positive effect outweighs the negative impacts of depression and anxiety.
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.
A new study by National Jewish Health finds that adjusting school start times can benefit parents' sleep, particularly those with children in middle and high school. Parents reported improved sleep duration and reduced daytime fatigue after the start time adjustments.
A new study by ISGlobal found no association between overall mobile device exposure and sleep disturbances in pre-adolescents, but suggested an effect on sleep when exposure occurs in the evening. The study of over 1,500 children aged 9-12 years old found that those making phone calls in the evening had reduced sleep time.
A digital version of cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) has been shown to reduce insomnia, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy. The treatment also reduced symptoms of insomnia and depression in non-depressed women for up to six months postpartum.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are using a $2 million grant to install in-home sensors that monitor older adults' daily activities. The sensors can detect falls, track vital signs, and alert care teams to abnormalities, enabling timely interventions.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have developed simpler measurement technologies for diagnosing sleep disorders, enabling more accurate analyses. The new methods use reusable sensors in home environments, reducing costs and increasing patient comfort.
A research group from Tohoku University discovered that melatonin, a sleep hormone, exacerbates asthma by potentiating bronchoconstriction. Melatonin weakens the relaxing effect of bronchodilators through the activation of the melatonin MT2 receptor.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a high-tech sleeping bag that may prevent vision problems caused by brain pressure in space. The study found that suctioning fluids from the body can unload brain pressure and prevent progressive flattening of the eyeball, swelling of the optic nerve, and vision impairment.
Researchers found a specific phase of sleep after falling asleep that triples the chances of finding creative solutions, making it a potential tool for stimulating creativity in everyday life. This discovery opens a new field of study on brain mechanisms of creativity and challenges the common view of sleep as a waste of time.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that eating during the nighttime can lead to glucose intolerance due to a misalignment between central and peripheral circadian clocks. In contrast, limiting meals to the daytime maintains internal circadian alignment and prevents glucose intolerance in shift workers.
A dental device to reduce snoring improves cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The maximum breathing rate during uninterrupted periods of sleep can differentiate healthy individuals from those with Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment. Improved sleep may slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found that inadequate sleep can jeopardize brain organization in early adolescence, leading to deficits in cognitive processes such as attention, reward, and memory. The research identified racial disparities in the impact of sleep on brain networks, with non-white participants experiencing dispr...
Research found that people who rated their sleep as poor also felt older and had a more negative perception of their ageing. This study suggests that addressing sleep difficulties could promote a better perception of ageing and have other health benefits.
Researchers discovered a mechanism of sleep in zebrafish and mice, linking PARP1 protein to signaling the brain for sleep. Six hours of sleep per night is sufficient to reduce DNA damage, highlighting the importance of adequate sleep for efficient DNA repair.
Researchers developed a technology that accurately detects lies by analyzing facial muscle contractions, achieving a success rate of 73%. The study identified two distinct groups of 'liars' based on cheek muscle and eyebrow activation, with potential implications for real-life deception detection.
A large study of UK patients found a significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent psychiatric illness, fatigue, and sleep problems. The research used health records of over 12 million patients to examine the relationship between COVID-19 and mental health issues.
A 13-year study tracked the mental health of new doctors during their most stressful time, showing a significant reduction in depression scores over the past decade. The study suggests that reduced work hours, increased sleep, more feedback from supervisors, and greater use of mental health care contributed to this change.
A new gene called Tango10 has been identified as critical for daily behavioral rhythms, modulating the activity of neurons to drive the animal's sleep-wake cycle. The study suggests that targeting this molecular pathway could lead to therapeutics to address sleep problems and related human diseases.
A new study reveals that female physician-parents were more likely to experience disruption to their home and work lives, and suffered from higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to male counterparts. The study also found that motherhood contributed to a significant increase in depression symptoms over time.
A study by West Virginia University researcher Sunil Sharma found that rural COVID patients who end up in an intensive care unit are more likely to die within 30 days compared to their urban counterparts. The researchers also discovered that rural patients with COVID-linked ARDS have a higher mortality rate, even when controlling for d...
A new Cleveland Clinic study found that patients with certain sleep disorders have a 31% higher rate of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19. The research team analyzed retrospective data from 5,400 patients and found that sleep-related hypoxia translates to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
The November issue of CHEST journal includes 69 articles on topics such as asthma, COPD, critical care and thoracic oncology. The journal also offers complementary web and multimedia activities to expand the reach of its research.
A large study found that sleeping between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm is associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease compared to earlier or later bedtimes. The study also showed that the riskiest time for cardiovascular disease is after midnight, potentially due to reduced morning light exposure.
A recent study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that people who wake up, smoke, and return to sleep are more likely driven by stress than nicotine addiction. To help these smokers quit, researchers recommend addressing their psychological distress and developing treatments that go beyond nicotine dependence.
A new study published in Annals of Human Biology found that over two-thirds of university students experience poor sleep quality, which is linked to increased risk of depression and high stress levels. Women are more likely to suffer from inadequate sleep habits and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Exposure to artificial light at night impairs crickets' activity cycles, disrupting their nocturnal chirping and potentially affecting reproduction. The study, conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Open University, highlights the need to reduce artificial light pollution to protect environmental behaviors.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that mice with altered internal clocks gained more weight, had higher blood sugar, and fattier livers when fed high-fat and sugar diets. However, adjusting their environment to match their internal clock corrected these outcomes.
A new study reveals that nurses who are parents face a unique challenge: poor sleep quality is linked to increased daily stress and frequency of stressors, particularly those with one or two children at home. This can impact their work performance and caregiving roles.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lack of sleep affects gait control, with students who stayed awake all night performing poorly. However, those who compensated for lost sleep by catching up on weekends showed improved walking control.
A new study suggests that newborns who get more sleep and wake up less throughout the night are less likely to be overweight in infancy. Researchers found a 26% decrease in infant obesity risks with just one additional hour of sleep.
A new study found that telephone cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively improve sleeplessness and pain in older adults with osteoarthritis-related insomnia, reducing clinical and financial burdens. The study showed that telephone CBT reduced healthcare costs without increasing them.
Researchers found that reactivating memories during sleep improves motor skills by enhancing learning of new motor tasks. The study showed participants performed better without sound cues after a nap, indicating improved memory recall and muscle activation.
Research finds that fruit flies fall asleep when moved in slow circles, and this effect continues in flies missing key circadian clock genes. The study also reveals the role of nanchung receptors, which are sensitive to vibrations and motion, in inducing daytime sleep.
Scientists have identified specific peptides in milk that relieve stress and enhance sleep. The study found that one of these peptides, YPVEPF, increased sleep duration by over 400% in mice.
Researchers found associations between 10 sleep measures and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, with sleep efficiency most affected. The study used wrist accelerometer data from 89,205 individuals, providing detailed, objective sleep measurements at scale.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with mental illnesses have poorer sleep quality compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from 89,205 participants and discovered significant differences in sleep patterns, including increased waking frequency and duration.
A Flinders University study found that residents living near wind farms reported similar levels of sleep disruptions as those in quiet rural areas. Only a small percentage attributed their sleep disturbance to wind farm noise, which was comparable to rates from road traffic and other sources.
A Dartmouth study found that individuals who experienced higher levels of stress on a given day had lower social interaction the following day. The research used mobile phone sensing data from 99 undergraduate students and showed that stress predicted less social interaction, but not the other way around.
A Seattle ordinance requiring more notice in scheduling for hourly workers resulted in improved worker well-being, sleep quality, and economic security. Researchers found that predictable shifts led to measurable changes in workers' schedules and positive effects on happiness, sleep quality, and material hardship.
Researchers tracked fruit flies' ability to interpret information while asleep, discovering a specific brain region involved in processing salient smells. The study used defined fly brains to analyze neural connections, finding that aversive odors woke the flies up more often than attractive ones.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital are testing a novel light therapy to slow Alzheimer's debilitating effects, aiming to improve both cognition and sleep. The treatment involves flashing pulses of light designed to enhance electrical brain waves and reset the sleep-wake cycle.
A new study suggests that failing to meet sleep recommendations can lead to higher intake of non-meal calories, including carbohydrates, added sugar, fats, and caffeine. Adults who don't get enough sleep tend to make poorer snacking choices, such as reaching for salty snacks and sweets.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
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.
A new study published in Science identifies a specific molecule, C1q, that plays a key role in the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury. The researchers found that an antibody treatment could prevent the development of negative outcomes such as sleep disruption and inflammation.
A study of 120 older Taiwanese adults found 45.8% experienced sleep problems, linked to living with a partner or needing to get up at night. The study suggests early recognition of these issues can lead to improved health outcomes for this population.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new clinical practice guideline recommending referral to upper airway or bariatric surgery for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of CPAP therapy. The guideline provides strong recommendations for treatment, considering factors such as BMI and patient adherence.
A study of Finnish adults with overweight found that higher sleep-time parasympathetic activity is associated with healthier diets and lower alcohol consumption. Those with a good stress balance reported better diet quality, fibre intake, and self-control.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals with inflexible metabolisms exhibit higher carbohydrate oxidation rates at night, indicating a reduced ability to burn fat during sleep. This discovery has the potential for practical use in disease prevention and early intervention.
Researchers investigate how the internal circadian clock affects asthma severity. The study found that people with worse asthma experience greater drops in pulmonary function at night, and exhibit more symptoms-driven bronchodilator use during nighttime hours. This understanding could lead to new treatments for asthma.
A recent Austrian study found that approximately 7.8% of Austrians between the ages of 18 and 67 suffer from chronic insomnia, with symptoms affecting around 50% of respondents. The low rate of help-seeking behavior highlights a need for better public health initiatives and patient education to address this widespread issue.
Researchers Altaf Engineer and Esther Sternberg aim to redesign office spaces to enhance employees' emotional and physical health. Their seven-domain framework considers factors like sleep, movement, environment, and nutrition to create a healing space.