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Study links increased exercise with lower sleep apnea risk

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%.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJun 23, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Poor sleep significantly linked with teenage depression

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.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJun 17, 2020

Later bedtimes fine for pre-schoolers if they get enough sleep

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.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateJun 14, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

AASM congratulates 2020 Trainee Investigator Award recipients

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateJun 11, 2020

One silver-lining amid the pandemic: College students are sleeping better

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 10, 2020

Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 5, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Study: COVID-19 lockdowns worsen childhood obesity

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.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalObesity·DateJun 3, 2020

How do we disconnect from the environment during sleep and under anesthesia?

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.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 27, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A clue as to why it's so hard to wake up on a cold winter's morning

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 22, 2020

A clue as to why it's so hard to wake up on a cold winter's morning

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 21, 2020

AI unlocks rhythms of 'deep sleep'

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSLEEP·DateMay 18, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Proper synaptic joint will get you good night's sleep

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.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMay 13, 2020

Sleep difficulties linked to altered brain development in infants who later develop autism

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 7, 2020

NIH-funded study links early sleep problems to autism diagnosis among at-risk children

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.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 7, 2020

Evidence that human brains replay our waking experiences while we sleep

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 5, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

'Loss of pleasure' in teen sleep study

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSleep Medicine·DateMay 4, 2020

AASM announces winners of the 2020 AASM High School Video Contest

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateApr 29, 2020

Sleep effects of later school start time for teens

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 27, 2020

Study suggests 3D face photos could be a sleep apnea screening tool

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateApr 23, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Ef­fects of rapid-act­ing an­ti­de­press­ants con­sol­id­ated in sleep?

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.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPharmacological Reviews·DateApr 22, 2020

Restricting sleep may affect emotional reactions

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.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateApr 8, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Babies retain even detailed events during a nap

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.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 7, 2020

Swallowing, tachycardia, and sleep arousal

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Past your bedtime? Inconsistency may increase risk to cardiovascular health

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 ...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2020

Starlings sleep less during summer and full-moon nights

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 19, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Bad sleep habits can depress teens

A study by Flinders University found that bad sleep habits in teenagers are linked to negative thoughts, perfectionism, and an increased risk of depression. The researchers recommend alternative treatments for repetitive negative thinking and perfectionism, including encouraging regular bedtime routines and limiting screen time.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSleep Health·DateMar 18, 2020

Getting too little -- or too much -- sleep may be bad for the heart

Research found that sleeping seven or eight hours a night is associated with lower evidence of arterial stiffness and a reduced risk of heart disease. However, both short and long sleep durations were linked to increased plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. A balanced sleep pattern may be key to maintaining cardiovascular health.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 18, 2020

Is your child getting enough sleep?

A study of almost 800 children found that those who get the fewest hours of sleep are at greatest risk of developing psychiatric difficulties later. Children's sleep was measured with motion sensors every night for a week, and clinical interviews were conducted to measure mental health difficulties.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 16, 2020

Poor sleep in infancy linked to behavioral and emotional problems in toddlers

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found a clear relationship between infant sleep problems and emotional and behavioral problems in toddlers. Infants who experienced frequent night wakings, short sleep duration, or difficulty falling asleep were more likely to show emotional and behavioral problems by 24 months.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open·DateMar 10, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New sleep method strengthens brain's ability to retain memories

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Weizmann Institute of Science developed a new sleep method that uses smell to strengthen memory retention in the brain. The technique, which administers a specific scent to one nostril, has shown promise in boosting memory consolidation during sleep.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2020

Sleeping sheep may offer clues to human brain disease

A specific brain wave type shared by humans and sheep may help researchers study human brain disorders. Researchers monitored a sheep's sleep changes during the progression of a brain disease, potentially leading to a sleep-based diagnosis in humans.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMar 2, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study finds irregular sleep patterns double the risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults

A new study finds that irregular sleep patterns, such as no regular bedtime and wake-up schedule or varying amounts of sleep each night, may represent a novel and independent heart disease risk factor. Older adults with these patterns are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 2, 2020

Irregular sleep may increase risk of cardiovascular events

A new study found that individuals with irregular sleep patterns experienced a two-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those with regular sleep patterns. This suggests that healthy sleep isn't just about quantity, but also about variability, and can have an important effect on heart health.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 2, 2020

Can light therapy help improve mood in people with concussion?

A preliminary study found that blue light therapy can decrease depression and other concussion symptoms in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury. Participants who received blue light therapy showed significant improvements in depression scores and other symptoms compared to those receiving a placebo.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateMar 2, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How sleep helps teens deal with social stress

Adequate sleep is crucial for teenagers to navigate challenging social situations and cope with ethnic or racial bias. The study found that getting a good night's sleep helps teens problem-solve more effectively and seek peer support when faced with hardships.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 24, 2020

Study suggests later school start times reduce car crashes, improve teen safety

A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that later school start times significantly reduce vehicle accidents involving teen drivers. Teenagers who get more sleep are less likely to make poor decisions such as not wearing a seat belt or engaging in distracted driving.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

The skinny on why poor sleep may increase heart risk in women

A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that women who sleep poorly tend to overeat and consume lower-quality diets. Women with poorer sleep quality consumed more added sugars, calories, and unhealthy fats, while those with insomnia symptoms ate more food by weight.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 17, 2020

Smelling your lover's shirt could improve your sleep

A new study from the University of British Columbia found that sleeping with a partner's scent can significantly improve sleep efficiency. Participants experienced better rest and reduced tossing and turning when exposed to their partner's scent, even if they weren't consciously aware of it.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 13, 2020

Romance, scent, and sleep: The stuff that dreams are made of

Research suggests that wearing a partner's favorite T-shirt can improve sleep quality, with participants sleeping over nine minutes more efficiently per night. This effect is comparable to that of melatonin supplements and may have broader health benefits.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 13, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New study provides criteria for good infant sleep for the first time

A new study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare provides criteria for good infant sleep, revealing large individual variations in sleep patterns. The study found that infants' sleep improves significantly during their first two years, with most children waking up only once during the night by age two.

SourceFinnish Institute for Health and Welfare·JournalSleep Medicine·DateFeb 5, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.