Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Persistent sleep difficulties in infancy are associated with heightened risks of childhood anxieties and emotional disorders. Infants with persistent severe sleep problems are nearly three times as likely to have emotional problem symptoms when they are 4 years old.
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.
Preliminary research suggests that improved sleep patterns can lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. Regular bedtimes and consistent sleep duration can also lead to healthier body weights.
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.
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.
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.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends integrating AI into sleep medicine to improve diagnoses, predict disease outcomes, and personalize treatments. AI can automate sleep scoring, derive meaningful insights from sleep data, and optimize treatments for patients.
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.
A study found that older adults who experience excessive daytime sleepiness are at increased risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 participants and discovered a significant link between daytime sleepiness and the development of these conditions.
Research published in PLOS Biology found that the timing of meals affects metabolism, with eating breakfast promoting fat burning and late-night snacking delaying it. The study suggests that a daily fast between evening meal and breakfast can optimize weight management.
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.
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.
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.
Fruit fly sleep is driven by oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. This discovery may explain why chronic lack of sleep shortens life expectancy. By sleeping, cells may mitigate damage from accumulated oxidative stress.
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.
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.
A new AAN guideline provides recommendations for treating sleep problems in children and teens with autism. The guideline suggests starting with behavior-modification strategies, such as setting a consistent sleep routine, before considering medication like melatonin.
A large dataset of daily resting heart rates from wearables reveals significant individual variations, accounting for less than 10% of variation between people. The analysis also identifies seasonal trends and brief periods of abnormal heart rate.
A study published in Military Medicine found that nearly all veterans with Gulf War illness (GWI) reported experiencing moderate to severe fatigue, sleep, and pain symptoms. The survey, which included 485 veterans, also revealed a high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction and anxiety.
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.
Research from the University of Warwick found that shorter sleep duration is associated with increased depression and anxiety in children. The study examined brain structure and cognitive performance in 11,000 children aged 9-11, revealing lower brain volume in areas involved in emotional regulation.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Terrence Hill found that gun ownership is not associated with improved happiness or better sleep. Gun owners were more likely to be married, which was driving their reported happiness. However, a separate study on sleep disturbance showed no difference between gun owners and non-gun owners.
Shift workers are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type 2 diabetes due to disrupted circadian rhythms. Employers and workers can take steps to mitigate these risks, including establishing consistent sleep schedules, controlling light exposure and promoting healthy nutrition and exercise.
A study by RMIT University found that melodic alarms can improve alertness levels, while harsh alarm tones are linked to increased morning grogginess. The research suggests that the sound used to wake up could have important implications for people who need to perform at their peak soon after waking.
Researchers found that smelling roses before and after bedtime can improve English vocabulary learning by 30%. The study suggests a practical application of fragrances to enhance learning during sleep.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found a 6% increase in fatal car crashes during the workweek following daylight saving time. The risk is higher for those living on the western edge of their time zone, where sleep deprivation and darkness can contribute to crashes.
A recent study found a six percent increase in fatal traffic accidents in the week following the DST transition each spring, resulting in over 28 fatalities potentially prevented annually. The risk is particularly pronounced in the morning hours and locations further west within a time zone.
A study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that children aged two to three who spend more than three hours a day viewing screens are less physically active at age 5.5 years. Adhering to WHO guidelines to limit screen time may promote healthier behaviors in later life.
The American Osteopathic Association's comprehensive whole-person health poll found that 71% of Americans have good or excellent health and wellness. However, socioeconomic disparities emerged, with lower-income individuals facing greater challenges in accessing healthcare. The poll also highlighted concerns about mental health, financ...
A University of Barcelona study found that irregular eating schedules during weekends, known as eating jet lag, may contribute to increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity. Researchers suggest that maintaining regular eating and sleeping schedules can help prevent weight gain.
A study on esports athletes' sleep habits found that most do not get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night, leading to impaired mental health and performance. Esports organisations are now taking steps to address this issue through sleep interventions.
Research suggests that medicinal cannabis users may experience increased difficulty falling asleep and more frequent waking during the night due to tolerance development. Additionally, cannabinoids have been found not to be effective in reducing cancer-related pain.
A study found improved real-time prediction of influenza-like illness in five US states compared to current surveillance methods using de-identified data from wearable devices. The researchers used Fitbit data to identify abnormal resting heart rates and sleep patterns, which were linked to increased risk of flu.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that older adult Medicare beneficiaries with untreated obstructive sleep apnea had greater health care utilization and costs. The researchers suggest routine screening for sleep apnea to better contain treatment costs.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered that early morning blue light exposure therapy can aid in the healing process of people impacted by mild traumatic brain injuries. The study found that improved sleep quality led to improvements in cognitive function, reduced daytime sleepiness, and actual brain repair.
University of Tartu scientists have discovered that sleeping bacteria can learn about the growth of other bacteria by spying on them. This discovery offers hope for creating a solution for chronic infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
A new blood test has been developed to measure microRNAs in children's blood, which can indicate sufficient or inadequate sleep. This test may provide a more reliable metric for assessing sleep hygiene and predicting susceptibility to various health conditions.
Cannabis edibles take on average four hours longer to produce noticeable effects than inhaled cannabis, increasing the risk of overconsumption. Vulnerable groups, such as children, pets, older people, and youth, are at particular risk due to delayed effects and potential for accidental overconsumption.
A study found that people who sleep 4 hours or less double their risk of pulmonary fibrosis and those who sleep 11 hours or more triple their chance. The researchers attribute this to the body clock and suggest targeting it as a potential target for treating the disease.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed an algorithm to analyze biometric data from smart devices and recommend personalized sleep and light schedules. The approach has been shown to estimate circadian rhythm variation with high accuracy, potentially benefiting travelers and service members.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that good sleep habits can compensate for a high genetic risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers analyzed over 385,000 participants and found that those with healthy sleep patterns had a 35% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that good sleep patterns can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35% compared to unhealthy sleep patterns. People with a healthy sleep score of 5 had nearly seven fewer cases of cardiovascular disease per 1000 people per year compared to those with a poor sleep pattern.
Using dimmer, cooler lights in the evening and brighter, warmer lights during the day may be more beneficial to health than previously thought. The body clock uses a specialized protein to measure brightness, and blue colors have a weaker impact on the clock than white or yellow light of equivalent brightness.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that sleep fragmentation, not short nightly sleep duration or low sleep quality, was associated with higher odds of having a migraine on the day after. The team observed that participants reported more headaches when they experienced more time spent in bed but not asleep.
A recent study found that nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is increasing in prevalence and incidence across the US, particularly among women and those over 65. The annual incidence of NTM lung disease increased from 3.13 to 4.73 per 100,000 person-years, while prevalence rose from 6.78 to 11.70 per 100,000 persons.
The study identifies hundreds of proteins involved in the cell division cycle of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and rhodesiense parasites. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted drugs that can treat sleeping sickness without harming humans or animals.
A study of over 31,750 people found that those who took long naps or slept for nine or more hours per night were at a higher risk of stroke. The researchers also found that poor sleep quality was associated with an increased risk of stroke.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that television watching is the strongest lifestyle habit associated with childhood obesity. The research found that limited physical activity, inadequate sleep time, and high ultra-processed food consumption also contribute to weight gain in children.
A new study found that 77% of girls in mid-Western Nepal still sleep outside in menstruation huts, despite the practice being criminalized in 2018. The tradition, rooted in ancient Hindu customs, exposes women to harsh conditions, including animal bites and smoke inhalation.
A study found that cell secretions may be the cause of elevated nighttime blood pressure in patients with apnea, leading to cardiovascular complications. The researchers identified a potential diagnostic test using blood exosomes to assess cardiovascular risk.
A new trial found that probiotic drops containing Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12 reduced daily crying by 50% in 80% of infants, improving sleep duration and stool frequency.
A study of 1,480 children found that limited TV time and low ultra-processed food consumption are associated with lower obesity risks. High physical activity, sleep duration, and plant-based food consumption also contribute to a reduced likelihood of developing overweight or obesity.
Researchers will evaluate how sleep-disordered breathing impacts chronic kidney disease progression, recruiting 2,200 adults from the CRIC study. They hypothesize that sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease progression due to its effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and organ damage.
New research investigated the effect of sleep on eyewitness memory and found no benefit for eyewitness identification accuracy. Despite this, reliability remained high, with participants accurately identifying guilty suspects even after a 12-hour delay or sleep period.
A new study finds that face masks (CPAP machines) can improve symptoms of mild sleep apnoea, leading to increased energy levels and vitality. The research involved over 200 patients and revealed a significant improvement in those who used the CPAP machine compared to those receiving standard care.
Persistent concussion symptoms in children may be a sign of reduced brain function and decreased grey matter, according to researchers at the University of Queensland. The study found that poor sleep was linked to decreases in brain grey matter and reduced brain function, allowing for predictions of recovery outcomes with 86% accuracy.