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Goldilocks was right! No one-size-fits-all when it comes to kids’ health

Researchers developed a customisable time tool, the Goldilocks Day calculator, to help parents allocate hours and activities for optimal health outcomes. The tool considers physical health, cognitive abilities, and mental wellbeing, allowing parents to adjust daily schedules based on their child's needs.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2021

Sleep duration buffers effects of adversity among recently immigrated Latinx adolescents

A new study by University of Houston researchers suggests that maximizing sleep can offer psychological benefit to adolescents in this at-risk group. The study found that experiences of neglect in childhood were associated with mental health symptoms, but this relation was weakened in the presence of high sleep duration.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Child & Adolescent Trauma·TypeCase study·DateAug 18, 2021

COVID-19 boost for baby sleep

A new study published in Sleep Medicine has found that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about increased infant sleep duration and decreased daytime drowsiness in parents. However, it also introduced more screen time for babies and mild increases in depressive symptoms among parents.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSleep Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2021

A sleep study’s eye-opening findings

A recent study conducted by MIT economists found that increasing nighttime sleep had no positive effects on work productivity, earnings, or overall sense of well-being among low-income workers in Chennai, India. However, short daytime naps did show significant improvements in these areas.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 29, 2021

A blood test for your body clock? It's on the horizon

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder have developed a blood test that can assess the timing of an individual's internal circadian clock, potentially leading to personalized medicine breakthroughs. The study found that analyzing a combination of molecules in a single blood draw can determine the timing of a person's biological ...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Biological Rhythms·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected our dreams?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to affect our sleep patterns, with a higher number of awakenings and difficulty falling asleep reported during lockdown. In contrast, post-lockdown periods saw an increase in dream recall and more lucid dreams, with people also reporting more dreams related to crowded places.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateJul 21, 2021

What does the sleeping brain think about?

Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity during deep sleep, finding that the brain relives memories of rewarding experiences and consolidates them through an internal dialogue. This process enhances memory performance, particularly for emotionally charged events.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2021

Guiding principles for work shift duration published by AASM and SRS

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) have published guiding principles for determining optimal work shift durations. The principles consider factors such as physical and mental fatigue, job requirements, safety risks, lifestyle factors, and health to find a balance between competing goals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJul 15, 2021

Turn off the blue light!

Researchers from University of Tsukuba discovered that exposure to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) before sleep reduces negative health effects on energy metabolism. OLEDs emit less blue light, leading to decreased energy expenditure and core body temperature during sleep.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2021

Counting sheep and still awake? Mindfulness therapy may help bring on the zzz's

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that mindfulness-based therapy (MBTI) was more effective than a sleep hygiene program in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality. MBTI participants took less time to fall asleep and spent less time awake during the night compared to those in the sleep hygiene program.

New solution for sleep apnoea

Researchers have successfully repurposed two existing medications to reduce the severity of sleep apnoea in people by at least 30 per cent. The study showed that reboxetine and butylbromide increased muscle activity around participants' airways, reducing the number of breathing stoppages and improving oxygen intake.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateJul 2, 2021

Mental well-being higher in the summer vs. fall

Research from Binghamton University found that mental distress is lower in summer compared to fall. Good quality diet, good sleep quality, and higher exercise frequency are all associated with better mental well-being. Seasonal changes impact diet quality and mental health.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders Reports·DateJun 22, 2021

Stress during pandemic linked to poor sleep

A Washington State University study of twins found that stress and anxiety during the pandemic were associated with decreased sleep quality. The researchers linked self-reported mental health issues to changes in sleep patterns, showing a two-way relationship between disrupted sleep and poor mental health.

SourceWashington State University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJun 17, 2021

Tick for insomnia treatment

Researchers developed new clinical guidelines for Australian doctors to treat insomnia with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi), improving mental health and quality of life. CBTi can be more successful than sleeping pills in managing insomnia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian Journal of General Practice·DateJun 3, 2021

Earlier sleep timing associated with lower depression risk, new study suggests

A large genetic study suggests that going to bed earlier may be associated with a lower risk of major depression. The study found that one-hour earlier sleep timing corresponded to a 23% lower likelihood of having a major depressive disorder. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this effect and how shifting sl...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMay 28, 2021

Sleep warning for older men

A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that disrupted slumber can be associated with cognitive dysfunction in middle-aged and older men. The research suggests that optimal attention and cognitive speed may be affected by poor sleep, particularly in day-to-day activities such as driving and physical activities.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateMay 27, 2021

Poor sleep may impact academic achievement for children in disinvested neighborhoods

A new longitudinal study found that sleep health is related to observed classroom behavior and predicts future academic achievement among primarily Black children growing up in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Higher teacher-reported child sleepiness was associated with lower adaptive behaviors and higher behavior problems.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 27, 2021

Children's sleep and adenotonsillectomy

Children who undergo adenotonsillectomy surgery to treat sleep disorders experience improved sleep quality and quality of life. However, their behavior remains unchanged. The study suggests that parents may be reassured by post-operative improvements in behavior due to factors such as increased family sleep and reduced parental worry.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalSleep Medicine·DateMay 19, 2021