Articles tagged with Sleep
A recent study published in eLife reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, can independently promote longer or deeper sleep in mice by manipulating slow-wave activity. The findings suggest that targeting astrocytes could lead to new insights into sleep disorders and brain diseases linked to sleep disturbances.
Research suggests that sleep disturbances during menopause may contribute to changes in the body that increase the risk of weight gain and related diseases. The study found that poor sleep reduced fat utilization, increasing the likelihood of fat storage and subsequent weight gain.
Women with gestational diabetes who prefer evening activity are more likely to experience preeclampsia and have newborns requiring neonatal intensive care. The study suggests that circadian rhythm disturbances may add an additional risk of poor pregnancy outcomes.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has announced its 2021 award recipients, recognizing excellence in clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy. M. Safwan Badr, Terri Weaver, Scott Williams, and Indira Gurubhagavatula are among those honored for their dedication to advancing sleep care and enhancing sleep health.
A large European survey found that women managers report better sleep quality in countries with greater gender empowerment. In contrast, men managers slept better in higher-GDP countries. These findings suggest a link between gender equality and improved sleep quality for women, while economic development benefits men.
A new study by University of Arizona researcher Mary-Frances O'Connor found that people with persistent sleep challenges before losing someone are at higher risk for developing complicated grief. Complicated grief is characterized by an intense and persistent yearning for the lost loved one, disrupting daily functioning.
Four sleep and circadian scientists were selected as 2021 SRS award recipients, including Allison G. Harvey for her treatment development research, Colin E. Sullivan for his novel discoveries on sleep apnea, Girardin Jean-Louis for his education and outreach efforts, and James K. Walsh for his public service and leadership in the field.
Researchers found that employees who took more frequent microbreaks were better able to manage their fatigue and engage with their work throughout the day. Microbreaks include short, voluntary respites such as snacking or chatting with colleagues, and can be beneficial for both employers and employees.
Researchers found that poor sleep leads to increased signs of brain waste and post-concussive symptoms among veterans with traumatic brain injuries. A new technique developed at OHSU measures the brain's waste-clearance system through MRIs.
An international study found that decreased physical activity during the pandemic was linked to poorer physical and mental health, including perceptions of weight gain and decreased sleep. Increased physical activity was associated with better physical health and wellbeing.
Research at the University of Leicester found that two-thirds of children use multiple screens simultaneously, leading to reduced physical activity, higher BMI, and less sleep. The study also identified a strong correlation between screen use and poor self-esteem.
Researchers found that sleep helps connect fear memories to sensory events, allowing accurate associations to be made. Without sleep, brain processing of fear becomes impaired, potentially contributing to anxiety and PTSD.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute developed a phone-based therapy to combat insomnia in older adults with osteoarthritis. The study found that this treatment can be delivered in just a few short calls, improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue and pain symptoms.
A recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine suggests that inconsistent sleep schedules in toddlers are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Researchers found that children from households living at or below poverty levels had more inconsistent sleep onset times, leading to higher BMI percentages.
A new study by Syracuse University researchers reveals that material hardship is linked to poor health, depression, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts in young adults aged 24-32. The study found that struggling to meet basic needs increases the likelihood of reporting these negative health outcomes.
A study of over 2,100 first-year medical residents found that irregular sleep schedules can increase the risk of depression and negative mood. Those with variable wake-up times and sleep times were more likely to experience symptoms of depression.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found that genetically manipulating a fly's Imitation SWItch/SNF (ISWI) gene led to marked sleep disturbances, memory problems, and social dysfunction. The study suggests that targeting sleep may improve symptoms in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
A new study found that treating obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP therapy increased self-reported physical activity in adults with a history of heart disease. The study also showed the CPAP group was more likely to report activity levels consistent with expert recommendations.
During the pandemic, people with poor sleep quality reported increased negative mood, psychotic experiences, and somatic complaints. Daily COVID-19 death reports predicted psychological symptoms on the same day and impaired sleep quality the following night.
A recent study published in Aging found that very short sleep duration, poor-quality sleep, and snoring were associated with a higher risk of incident dementia. The study also revealed an increased risk of all-cause mortality among participants who reported less than five hours of sleep per night.
A study by UniSA sleep experts found that teenagers need at least eight hours of sleep each night to function well. Insufficient sleep can lead to behavioral problems, anxiety, and depression in teens.
Children with epilepsy experience poorer sleep quality, disruptions, and parasomnias compared to healthy peers. Integrating sleep assessments into diagnosis and management could reduce seizures' impact on sleep and overall quality of life.
Researchers identified three mechanisms that promote napping and found many genes also regulate sleep. The study linked napping to cardiometabolic health concerns, suggesting personalized recommendations may be needed.
A new RAND Corporation study found that people who struggle to pay rent or are forced to move due to financial issues sleep significantly less than their peers. The study of 1,046 participants in California's welfare program revealed a 22-minute and 32-minute reduction in sleep duration for those facing housing insecurity.
A study by Karin Trimmel and Stefan Seidel found that insomnia patients are most likely to underestimate their actual sleep time, regardless of age or screening setting. The researchers analyzed polysomnography results and identified factors influencing this misperception.
Research shows that sleep cycles in people oscillate during the 29.5-day lunar cycle, with people going to bed later and sleeping less in the days leading up to a full moon. This natural adaptation may have allowed ancestors to take advantage of available evening light.
Researchers developed a neural network to assess sleep apnea severity in acute stroke patients, showing high accuracy and ease of use. The new screening method uses simple nocturnal pulse oximetry, enabling early detection and treatment of sleep apnea in cerebrovascular disease patients.
Research suggests that regular afternoon napping may be associated with better mental agility, including improved locational awareness, verbal fluency, and working memory. The study found significant differences in cognitive performance scores among nap-takers compared to non-nappers.
Scientists used MRI to study brain activity during sleep, discovering that overall activity decreases but communication among brain regions becomes more dynamic. The findings suggest a breakdown in neural networks during transitions between light and deep sleep stages, with implications for understanding human consciousness.
Research by University of Bristol scientists shows neonicotinoid insecticides disrupt bees' and flies' ability to get a good night's sleep, affecting daily behavioral rhythms. The pesticides also impair memory and circadian behavior in these insects, leading to potential decline in pollinator populations.
A study from McGill University found that mothers with multiple children experience more fragmented sleep patterns compared to mothers of a single child. However, fathers with multiple children do not exhibit significant differences in sleep quality.
A NYU Abu Dhabi study found that abnormal sleep architecture can predict stress vulnerability in mice. The research used an animal model to demonstrate how disrupted NREM sleep results in increased susceptibility to future stress.
A new study found that more than half of people using cannabis for pain experience clusters of multiple withdrawal symptoms when they're between uses. About 10% of patients experienced worsening changes in sleep, mood, mental state, energy, and appetite over two years.
A recent study by the University of Tsukuba found that drinking two cups of oolong tea a day can increase fat breakdown by about 20% in healthy volunteers. This effect was observed even when participants were asleep, suggesting a potential role for oolong tea in weight management.
Researchers used novel experimental designs to study brain activity during general anesthesia and normal sleep. They found that the effects of anesthesia and sleep on brain activity were surprisingly similar, pointing to a common central core brain network fundamental for human consciousness.
A brain network comprising thalamus, cingulate cortex, and angular gyri is associated with changes in connectedness during sleep and anesthesia. This region's activity corresponds to changes in conscious state, indicating its possible role in human consciousness.
A new study from North Carolina State University has established a baseline for understanding sleep patterns in healthy adult dogs, shedding light on the effects of age, sex, and weight on their activity cycles. The research aims to improve detection and treatment of chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction in dogs.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a new clinical practice guideline supporting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia as the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia disorder. The guideline also recommends multi-component brief therapies and single-component therapies like stimulus control and relaxation ther...
A new study from the University of Ottawa found that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected sleep habits in half of surveyed Canadians, leading to increased stress and anxiety. The study highlights the need for accessible interventions to address sleep problems during this unprecedented time.
The COHORT Academy Programme has become a global leader in collaborative use of existing research data, integrating basic and clinical research to improve scientific impact. This collaboration is exemplified by six multidisciplinary projects that combined different datasets for healthy ageing studies.
A University of Otago study found that quality sleep, rather than quantity, was the strongest predictor of mental health and well-being in young adults. The three pillars of good mental health identified in the study are sleep quality, exercising, and eating more raw fruits and vegetables.
A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that NBA teams perform significantly better at home due to the alignment of their internal body clock with the new time zone. This is attributed to disruptions in sleep quality caused by traveling across time zones, which can impact accuracy and impair performance.
New studies from the University of Eastern Finland show that obstructive sleep apnea causes higher heart rate variability and changes in heart rate intervals, leading to reduced daytime alertness. The findings suggest a link between OSA and increased cardiovascular disease risk.
A comprehensive review of existing literature suggests that wind turbine noise can affect sleep stages and deep sleep time. Researchers are calling for further well-controlled experimental studies to better understand the impact on sleep.
A study of 44 infants found that half never slept 8 hours consecutively, and parents' perceptions of infant sleep vary greatly. Researchers suggest that understanding these differences is key to supporting healthy sleep habits in infancy.
Flies sleep longer and are less responsive to light pulses during vibration, suggesting they accumulate 'sleep credit.' The ability to go to sleep improves with repeated exposure, implying habituation. Vibration-induced sleep serves vital functions and may offer insights into human sleep regulation.
Researchers have identified a neural pathway that links the circadian clock, stress, and wakefulness in mammals. The study found that excessively active corticotropin-releasing factor neurons triggered insomnia and other sleep disorders when the circadian rhythm was disturbed.
A study of over 600 men found that grip strength was associated with hypoxemia-induced reductions in peripheral neural innervation. Sleep apnea was also linked to fat infiltration of muscle and endothelial dysfunction, highlighting the importance of addressing this common sleep problem.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that teens with migraines who started school after 8:30 a.m. experienced an average of 4.8 headache days per month, compared to 7.7 days for those who started earlier. The difference remained significant even when adjusting for risk factors.
A new study reveals that Z-drugs are associated with adverse effects similar to benzodiazepines, particularly for people with dementia taking higher doses. The research recommends avoiding higher dose Z-drugs and instead considering non-pharmacological alternatives.
Researchers at MLU discovered that special activity trackers can accurately measure respiratory rates while sleeping, offering a new diagnostic tool. The study showed that minimal arm movements can provide more precise conclusions about breathing than standard ECGs.
The Hormones: The Inside Story podcast series explores the facts behind hormones and their impact on daily life, sleep, stress, body fat, fertility, and more. It cuts through myths and misinformation with expert-led science, empowering listeners to make informed decisions about their health.
Researchers found a significant increase in online search queries for 'insomnia' between April and May 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge was associated with higher rates of insomnia symptoms, particularly during prime sleeping hours.
Adults with healthy sleep patterns had a 42% lower risk of heart failure compared to those with unhealthy sleep patterns, according to the study. The researchers analyzed data from 408,802 UK Biobank participants and found that healthier sleep habits were independently associated with reduced risk of heart failure.
A new study found that infant sleep patterns differ by race and socioeconomic status, with Hispanic and Black infants having shorter night sleep durations. The research, published in Sleep, suggests that these disparities begin early in life and may be linked to future health risks.
A new study from the University of Utah finds that people experiencing homelessness are exposed to high levels of air pollution, particularly those sleeping outdoors at night. The researchers also discovered that sheltered and unsheltered individuals experience similar negative health outcomes associated with air pollution.
Researchers identified melatonin's role in promoting sleep by activating the BK channel in the brain, a process that limits neurotransmitter release. This finding has implications for understanding melatonin's effects and potential treatment of diseases related to the BK channel.
A longitudinal study of almost 85,000 people found that a combination of lifestyle interventions including optimal sleep and reduced screen time can help prevent depression. Additionally, healthy dietary patterns and physical activity were also associated with lower rates of depressed mood.
A lack of recommended sleep can lead to poor athletic performance, as well as increased risk of injury and illness in young athletes. The study emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep for youth athletes to perform at their best.
A new study has confirmed that negative health behaviours during Scotland's COVID-19 lockdown contributed to poorer mental health. The research found a link between increased alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and poorer sleep quality with higher negative mood.