Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
A study found that 89% of college students experienced moderate or severe nomophobia, which is associated with greater daytime sleepiness and poorer sleep quality. Limiting phone use before bedtime may exacerbate bedtime anxiety for individuals with nomophobia, disrupting their sleep.
A recent study found that men who used smartphones and tablets in the evening had poorer sperm quality, with lower sperm concentration, motility, and progressive motility. Additionally, longer sleep duration was associated with higher sperm total and greater progressive motility.
A large meta-analysis of 20 studies found that long naps (over 60 minutes) are associated with a 30% greater risk of all-cause death and 34% higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Napping can also increase the risk of death in women and older participants.
A new study discovered a significant association between frequent and severe nightmares and cardiovascular disease in veterans. The research found that 32% of veterans reported frequent nightmares and 35% reported severe nightmares, which were linked to heart problems, high blood pressure, and heart attack.
A recent study found that immersive virtual reality and slow breathing techniques can help promote bedtime relaxation and improve overall sleep quality in adolescents. The study revealed an average reduction of 6 minutes in sleep latency and a 3% increase in sleep efficiency among participants.
A new study aims to determine if sleep optimization interventions can help adults with Type 1 diabetes improve their sleep and glycemic control. Participants will receive a wearable sleep tracker and brief phone counseling sessions.
Researchers found that teams traveling east had higher scoring and predicted win probabilities, while westward travel was associated with lower scores. The unique 2020 NBA playoff format eliminated advantages and disadvantages related to long-distance travel.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that concussions can cause persistent and common sleep problems, affecting quality of life. The research tracked 378 patients with concussions for one year, revealing that 53% experienced sleep or daytime problems lasting three months or longer.
Researchers analyzed genetic studies and found no causal link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer's disease. However, they discovered a small association between certain sleep characteristics and increased or decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's, including being a 'morning person' and having lower insomnia risk.
A study found that increased sleepiness is tied to decreases in social activity, especially on days off and in the evenings, while more social activity in the afternoon can lead to longer sleep duration. The complex relationship between social activity and subsequent sleepiness suggests that sleepiness may impede voluntary social contact.
The American Thoracic Society has released new practice guidelines on non-invasive ventilation in chronic stable Hypercapnic COPD. The guidelines recommend using nocturnal NIV in addition to usual care and screening patients for obstructive sleep apnea before initiating long-term therapy.
The Virtual SLEEP 2020 meeting provides a platform for live and on-demand access to over 1,200 research abstracts and presentations on various sleep-related topics. Clinical sleep specialists will discuss current practices in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as insomnia and narcolepsy.
Researchers used computational models to examine how sleep encodes new memories while preventing damage to old ones. The study suggests that memories, even old ones, are dynamic and constantly updated during sleep, which helps prevent forgetting and increases recall performance.
A new study found that fitness watches can be beneficial for patients with chronic illnesses, increasing exercise motivation, but also causing unnecessary anxiety due to misinterpreted data. Researchers recommend a collaborative care approach to help patients and clinicians jointly interpret wearable device data.
A new study by CHOP sleep experts found that sleep disturbances at any age are associated with diminished well-being in children by 10 or 11 years old. Children with persistent sleep problems have the greatest impairments, while those with mild sleep problems over time also experience psychosocial impairments.
Researchers mapped the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and found two distinct subnetworks of neurons with different functions. This could lead to specific targets for designing drugs to alleviate sensory, sleep, and attention symptoms in autism.
The American Thoracic Society has published a guidance document to help clinicians restore elective in-person pulmonary and sleep services. The guidance provides recommendations for resuming services, prioritizing patients, and implementing infection control measures to mitigate the risk of viral transmission.
A large-scale US study reveals associations between high levels of outdoor and artificial light at night with less sleep and increased risk of mood disorders among teens. Teens living in areas with high levels of outdoor artificial light tend to report later bedtimes and shorter sleep duration.
A study published in ERJ Open Research found that teenagers who prefer to sleep later have a higher risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis. The research suggests that the body's internal clock plays a significant role in respiratory health, with late-sleepers more likely to experience symptoms.
A University of Colorado Boulder study found that mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were more likely to report their children having clinical sleep problems. The researchers also discovered that frequent marijuana use was associated with somnolence symptoms in children, such as excessive tiredness and difficulty waking up.
A new study found that specific infant sleep problems can signal mental disorders in adolescents, including psychotic experiences and borderline personality disorder. The research analyzed data from over 7,000 participants and found associations between irregular sleep routines and shorter nighttime sleep.
Researchers developed a computational model to analyze brain activity in different states of consciousness, from wakefulness to deep sleep. The study found that the brain's functional segregation into systems with distinct activation patterns during cognition.
A study by Queensland researchers found that half of individuals who fell from ladders experienced a deterioration in psychological wellbeing for at least six months after the incident. The study highlights the need for improved safety designs and injury prevention strategies to prevent ladder falls.
A large study found that increased physical activity, including just walking alone, is associated with a lower risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. The study analyzed data from over 155,000 adults and found that adding 20 minutes to daily walks can reduce the risk by 10%.
A study from Arizona State University found that frequent media use before bed in children who struggle with self-regulation is associated with shorter sleep duration. Children with low effortful control, a personality characteristic, slept the least amount of time when consistently using media before bed.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute finds that an online CBT-I program significantly alleviates insomnia and improves overall quality of life in AYA cancer survivors. The program helps correct maladaptive sleep habits developed during treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found a significant link between poor sleep and teenage depression. Teenagers who experienced depression reported both poor quality and quantity of sleep, while those with anxiety had poor quality sleep only.
A new study from University of Kansas psychologists identifies difficulty getting to sleep and worrying prior to bedtime as significant predictors of post-trauma nightmare occurrences. The research aims to help survivors reduce or avoid nightmares using these findings in a clinical setting.
A new study led by Dr Melyssa Roy found that later bedtimes for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old aren't directly linked to an increased risk of obesity. The study revealed that these children slept for a longer duration, which may limit eating opportunities and reduce overall caloric intake.
During lockdown, people slept longer and more regularly due to flexible working hours, but reported a deterioration in perceived sleep quality. Physical activity outdoors may help counteract this negative impact.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine honored three trainee investigators for their exceptional sleep research. Kent Werner, MD, PhD, received the top prize, while Michael R. Goldstein, PhD, and Samira Naime, MD, were awarded honorable mentions for their work on sleep disturbances and gender parity in medicine.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered sleep patterns in the US and Europe, with increased sleep duration and reduced social jetlag, but also lower self-reported sleep quality due to increased stress and burden.
Research found that college students in Colorado increased their daily sleep time by 30 minutes and kept more regular sleep schedules after stay-at-home orders. Post-pandemic, students also met the CDC's minimum seven hours of recommended sleep, with some sleeping up to two extra hours nightly.
A recent study from University of California, Berkeley reveals that disrupted nightly sleep leads to chronic inflammation, which is linked to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest that poor sleep quality can be an important risk factor for heart health, highlighting the need for improved sleep hygiene.
A new study finds that disrupted sleep increases the risk of atherosclerosis and stroke by promoting inflammatory pathways. Sleep fragmentation was associated with higher neutrophil counts and coronary artery calcium, two markers of atherosclerosis pathology.
Research suggests that COVID-19 lockdowns have a detrimental impact on the diet, sleep, and physical activity habits of children with obesity. Compared to pre-pandemic behaviors, these children consumed more junk food, watched more TV, and slept an extra half hour per day.
New studies reveal that low noradrenaline activity during sleep allows us to block sensory responses, while high noradrenaline levels may lead to hyperarousal. Researchers also found that anesthesia disrupts communication between cortical regions, leading to loss of consciousness.
A study found that sleep-wake disturbances, including insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing, are associated with a higher risk of recurrent events in stroke survivors. Assessing and improving sleep patterns could improve long-term outcomes for these patients.
A study of fruit fly sensory neurons has identified a 'thermometer' circuit that relays cold temperature information to the brain, inhibiting morning wakefulness. This finding sheds light on why humans struggle to wake up in winter and may have implications for understanding human sleep regulation.
Researchers have identified a 'thermometer' circuit in the fruit fly that relays information about external cold temperature to the brain, inhibiting neurons that promote activity and wakefulness. This discovery helps explain why humans struggle to wake up in the morning during winter.
Research found substituting prolonged sedentary time with sleep was associated with lower stress and improved mood. Light physical activity, such as walking around the home office, also provided benefits for up to a year, including improved mood and lower BMI.
A new AI-powered algorithm has revolutionized the analysis of deep sleep patterns by automating the detection of K-complexes. The tool, developed by Flinders University researchers, outperforms human scoring methods in speed and accuracy, providing a more comprehensive understanding of sleep health.
A research team found that PTPδ is crucial for synaptic development and sleep behavior in mice. Genetic deletion of PTPδ leads to disruptions in brain structure, function, and behavior, resulting in hyper-locomotor activity, increased anxiety, and decreased sleep.
Fruit flies sleep more when unable to fly, adapting to challenging situations. Sleep helps animals respond effectively, according to researchers at WashU Medicine.
New research suggests that sleep problems in babies may be associated with altered growth trajectory in the hippocampus, a key part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Infants who later develop autism were more likely to have difficulty falling asleep, which was linked to changes in the size of the hippocampus.
A small NIH-funded study suggests that early sleep problems may further raise the likelihood of an autism diagnosis among at-risk children. The study found that high-risk children who met criteria for ASD scored higher for sleep problems and had more growth in the brain's hippocampus region.
Researchers found that human brains replay neural firing patterns experienced while awake during sleep, supporting the idea of memory consolidation. The study used intracortical microelectrode arrays to record neuronal activity in two participants playing a sequence-copying game before and after sleep.
A global study of over 350,000 teens reveals that lack of sleep can lead to anhedonia, or loss of pleasure, as well as anxiety, anger, and significantly increased risk of depression. Easy interventions such as regulating screen time, delayed school starting times, and monitoring academic pressures can improve mental health.
Researchers found that older adults with worsening insomnia symptoms were more likely to remain depressed and report suicidal ideation. The study suggests that treating sleep problems should be explored as a potential means to improve depression outcomes in older people.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine announced the winners of its 2020 High School Video Contest, which aimed to educate teenagers about the importance of healthy sleep. The first-place winner received $1,000, while the second-place winner got $500 and a Teen Choice Award winner received $250.
High school students who attended later school start times slept longer and experienced improved mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression and anxiety. The observational study suggests that adjusting school start times can be a viable strategy to address sleep deprivation among adolescents.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that geodesic measurements from 3D photographs predicted sleep apnea with high accuracy. The algorithm's accuracy was 89%, outperforming traditional linear measurements alone, and identified key facial features such as neck width and lower jaw retrusion as indicators.
Researchers found that rapid-acting antidepressants share the ability to regulate both synaptic potentiation and reciprocal homeostatic mechanisms, which weaken synaptic strength during sleep. This suggests that slow-wave responses could be a useful measure for determining treatment efficacy and developing novel treatments.
Researchers found that novel polysomnography parameters describing oxygen desaturation severity are significantly associated with impaired daytime alertness in people with sleep apnea. Conventional parameters do not show the same correlation.
Participants in a study perceived pleasant and neutral pictures in a more negative way when their sleep was restricted. Insufficient sleep may impose a negative emotional bias, leading to an increased tendency to evaluate emotional stimuli as negative.
Researchers found that babies build episodic memory during sleep, enabling them to remember details of their experiences. The study showed that brain activity differs in children who slept versus those who stayed awake, especially when recalling specific events.
Researchers found that swallowing and reflex airway closure can disrupt sleep and trigger tachycardia in healthy adults. These defense mechanisms tend to coincide with spontaneous arousal from sleep, suggesting a potential link between sleep disruption and cardiovascular issues.
Researchers studied 16 COVID-19 patients who recovered from symptoms but still shed the virus. Half kept shedding for up to eight days after symptom resolution, with more severe infections potentially lasting longer.
A recent study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that individuals who went to bed even 30 minutes later than their usual bedtime presented a significantly higher resting heart rate, which lasted into the following day. This increase in resting heart rate carried over into the next day and was linked to an increased risk to ...
Researchers found that starlings sleep five hours less per night during the summer and two hours less under full-moon nights. This study provides new insights into flexible sleep regulation in birds, highlighting the importance of natural conditions for understanding sleep patterns.