Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
A study of 752 older adults found that using sleeping pills regularly was associated with an increasing number of blood pressure medications over time. The association held true regardless of sleep duration, quality, or other factors, suggesting that sleeping pill use may indicate a future need for greater hypertension treatment.
Research suggests that discrimination during the day is linked to poor sleep quality at night. Minority youth, particularly Black and Latinx adolescents, experience disrupted sleep patterns and increased daytime symptoms.
A special journal issue highlights the science and solutions behind shift work, addressing health and safety risks, sleep deprivation, and more. The issue provides practical guidance for employers and workers, and will inform policy makers and researchers.
Researchers developed smart pajamas with self-powered sensors that track vital signs while sleeping. The 'Phyjama' provides detailed information on heart rate, breathing, and sleep posture, helping users and clinicians improve sleep quality.
A new study by The Endocrine Society found that treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an overnight CPAP machine can result in more weight loss for adults with obesity who try to lose weight by restricting calories. Patients who received concurrent CPAP treatment lost an average of 5.7 pounds more than those who did not treat thei...
A new study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting suggests that eating later in the day is associated with a higher body mass index and greater body fat. The research used advanced technology to track participants' sleep, physical activity, and eating patterns over a week-long period.
A study found that sleep quality decreases in the late luteal phase, just before menstruation, with less sleep efficiency, longer wake after sleep onset, and higher sleep fragmentation index. Caloric restriction also negatively affects sleep during this period.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have found that oxidative stress leads to both sleep disturbances and aging. The study, published in Nature, suggests that targeting the mechanism behind sleep-regulating neurons could lead to a powerful new type of sleeping pill with fewer side effects.
A study analyzing data from over 11,600 mother-child pairs found that having a child with eczema was associated with difficulty falling asleep, insufficient sleep, and increased daytime exhaustion for mothers. The severity of a child's eczema was linked to worse sleep outcomes for mothers.
Researchers found that low-risk patients undergoing total hip replacement with a posterior approach can eliminate standard hip precautions without increasing the risk of dislocation. This could lead to improved recovery and reduced fear in patients, as they focus more on mobility rather than restrictions.
A study found that napping during the day can significantly lower blood pressure levels, with an average drop of 5 mm Hg. This reduction is comparable to other known interventions for lowering blood pressure.
A recent study has identified 76 new gene regions associated with sleep duration, revealing a significant link between genetics and sleep patterns. The findings suggest that many genes important for animal models may also influence human sleep, opening up new avenues for understanding the regulation of sleep.
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that consuming a casein shake just before overnight sleep increases muscle protein synthesis, leading to bigger squat and quad gains. This effect is thought to be due to increased total protein intake, not just the bedtime beverage.
Researchers studied pallid swifts, finding they can live in the air for 2-3.5 months without landing. This allows them to avoid predators and parasites on the ground, increasing their survival rate.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University identified a beneficial role of sleep in clearing out DNA damage accumulated during waking hours. Sleep increases chromosome dynamics, which helps to repair and maintain the integrity of individual neurons.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has selected several leaders in the field of sleep medicine as 2019 award recipients. The AASM President Dr. Douglas Kirsch congratulated the awardees, noting their achievements in academic research, clinical care, public policy, and education. The 2019 award recipients include Patrick J. Strollo,...
A Mayo Clinic study found that people with sleep apnea had higher accumulations of the toxic protein tau in the entorhinal cortex, a part of the brain responsible for memory, navigation, and perception. This association may suggest a link between sleep disruption and an increased risk of dementia.
Research found that sleeping in on weekends doesn't lastingly improve health measures, and even short-term recovery is disrupted by returning to poor sleep habits. The study suggests that consistency matters for getting sufficient sleep and minimizing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
A new study found that babies sleeping less at three months old are more likely to have mothers without a university degree or experience prenatal depression. The researchers analyzed data from over 600 infants and their mothers, revealing that maternal education and prenatal depression significantly impact infant sleep duration.
Researchers have identified specific brain cell types, areas and biological processes linked to the genetic risk of insomnia, a major step towards understanding its mechanisms. The study found that over 100 genes contribute to insomnia, with some influencing the functionality of axons and specific cell types in the frontal cortex.
Researchers at IST Austria discovered that place cells in the hippocampus randomly replay memories of movement in open environments during sleep, following a pattern similar to Brownian motion. This finding suggests that the complex circuitry of the hippocampus generates an abstract representation of experience.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have identified a promising strategy to develop an agent against African sleeping sickness. The team discovered a small inhibitor molecule that binds to and deactivates a vital protein of the parasite, rendering it harmless.
A new study found that high-intensity exercise performed in the evening does not negatively impact sleep quality, but may actually reduce feelings of hunger. The research suggests that afternoon and evening exercise may be more effective for weight loss due to increased power output.
A small study found that acupuncture reduced hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, sleep disturbances, skin and hair problems in women with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. The treatment was associated with significant reductions after just six weeks.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine published a clinical practice guideline for the use of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. The guideline provides nine recommendations, including the use of PAP therapy as a first-line treatment for OSA in adults with excessive sleepiness.
Adults with moderate to severe OSA who experience excessive daytime sleepiness are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases than those without it. They are more likely to have been diagnosed with heart failure and experience cardiovascular events.
A study by University of Birmingham researchers found lower brain connectivity in 'night owls' compared to morning larks, leading to poorer attention, slower reactions and increased sleepiness. This can be particularly problematic for those forced to fit into a societal 9-5 working day that doesn't align with their natural rhythms.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that self-reported sleep parameters reported by children and their parents are relatively accurate compared to objective measures. Children overestimated their sleep duration by a median of 32 minutes, while parents overestimated it by 36 minutes.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that hypocretin, a hormone regulating wakefulness, also controls the production of inflammatory white blood cells. This discovery suggests that insufficient sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by disrupting this process.
Researchers found that certain Gαs-coupled receptor agonists, including adrenaline and prostaglandin E2 and D2, prevent T cells from activating their integrins after recognizing their target. Sleep helps to decrease these molecules' levels, leading to higher integrin activation in T cells.
Children with undiagnosed sleep disordered breathing face brain development impairment, cognitive and behavior problems. Removing tonsils and adenoids or using an orthodontic maxillary expander are common treatments for sleep apnea in children.
Researchers found that walnut consumers had lower depression scores and experienced greater energy levels, concentration, and optimism compared to non-consumers. Walnut's unique fatty acid profile was also associated with the benefits.
A new study found that positive relationship experiences in early adulthood reduce stressful life events, leading to better sleep quality later in life. The research suggests relationships play a crucial role in reducing stress, which in turn affects health behaviors.
A recent study from Oregon State University suggests that mindfulness practices can reduce exhaustion in entrepreneurs by compensating for sleep deprivation. The research found that even short periods of mindfulness exercise, such as 10 minutes a day, can have the same benefits as an extra 44 minutes of sleep per night.
A study of nearly 60,000 US adolescents found that only 1 in 20 meet national recommendations for sleep, physical activity, and screen time. The research highlights the need for doctors to advise parents on parenting style and home environment to promote healthier lifestyles.
A study by UTHealth researchers identified three high-risk areas in Harris County where SUID cases are most likely to occur. Modifiable risk factors included unsafe co-sleeping, improper sleep position, and tobacco use. The study suggests that following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations can reduce SUID incidence.
Researchers found that sleep, mood, and stress impact older adults' perceived competence and locus of control. Positive emotions and good sleep efficacy improve control beliefs, while negative affects and stressful events decrease them.
Pre-teens using screens an hour before bed are at risk of poor sleep quality, with a 31% increase in likelihood when done in the dark. Insufficient sleep has been linked to impaired immune responses, depression, anxiety and obesity in children and adolescents.
A large-scale genomic analysis reveals the inner workings of the body clock and its link to mental health and disease. Being genetically programmed to rise early may lead to greater well-being and a lower risk of schizophrenia and depression, while morning people are found to have lower risk
Researchers from UNIGE, HUG, and UNIL demonstrate that slow and repeated movement during sleep modulates brain wave activity, leading to improved deep sleep and memory consolidation. Rocking has been shown to synchronize brain waves and reinforce deep sleep, with benefits also observed in mice studies.
Two studies, one in young adults and the other in mice, found that rocking during sleep leads to better sleep quality, faster falling asleep, and improved memory consolidation. The researchers discovered that rhythmic stimulation of the vestibular system plays a key role in this phenomenon.
A new study finds an association between lengthy periods of maternal sleep and late stillbirths, independent of other risk factors. Further research is needed to understand the relationship and its implications for pregnant women.
Research by University of Adelaide scientists has revealed that poor blood oxygenation during sleep is a significant indicator of the chance of heart-related death. Extended episodes of interrupted breathing while asleep also increase the risk.
A new study found that acupressure significantly improved chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep in breast cancer survivors experiencing fatigue. Researchers tested two types of acupressure and found relaxing acupressure to be more effective for depressive symptoms and sleep.
The study found that participants who slept less than six hours were 27% more likely to have atherosclerosis compared to those who slept seven to eight hours. Poor quality sleep also increased the risk of atherosclerosis, with participants waking during the night or experiencing frequent movements during sleep being at higher risk.
Researchers developed a new class of hypnotic drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) that selectively target the brain's sleep/wake pathways. DORA-22 preserves the ability to wake in response to threats, unlike common sleeping pills.
The Sleep Research Society recognized four scientists with awards for their groundbreaking work in sleep and circadian research. Louis Ptáček received the Distinguished Scientist Award for his pioneering genetic studies, while Frank A.J.L. Scheer and Steven A. Shea were honored for their seminal discoveries on circadian misalignment.
Researchers observed newborn rats navigating environments to understand brain development of episodic memory. The hippocampus plays a critical role in turning experiences into memories.
Researchers identified five distinct subtypes of insomnia, each with unique characteristics and underlying brain mechanisms. These findings have significant implications for treatment effectiveness and the prevention of depression, offering a new direction in understanding this complex mental disorder.
Contact lens wearers are advised to remove their lenses before sleeping to avoid microbial keratitis, a potentially serious infection. Proper eye care is crucial to prevent such health issues.
A recent study published in JAMA found that opioids provide only modest benefits for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The research suggests that while opioids may help alleviate symptoms, their use comes with a high risk of side effects and addiction.
A new study from Portland State University found that workplace incivility can negatively impact an employee's sleep, as well as their partner's sleep if they work in the same company or occupation. The researchers surveyed 305 couples and found that rumination about work at home can lead to insomnia symptoms.
Researchers from ETH Zurich found that moderate exercise in the evening has a positive effect on deep sleep phases, with participants spending 21.2% of their sleeping time in deep sleep after evening exercise, compared to 19.9% without exercise.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that delaying school start times for Seattle high schools resulted in a median increase of 34 minutes of sleep each night. This led to improved academic performance and more consistent wake-up times, with students sleeping in longer and waking up closer to their natural wake-up times.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that increasing physical activity during the day is associated with improved spirits. The research also suggests that tracking sleep, activity, mood, and energy levels concurrently can provide valuable insights for people with bipolar disorder.
Delaying high school start times in Seattle increased daily sleep by over half an hour and was linked to improved academic performance. The change also showed promise for reducing absenteeism and improving punctuality among economically disadvantaged students.
Researchers studied 91,105 UK Biobank participants and found 14 genetic regions related to physical activity, including seven new discoveries. The analysis also showed that increased physical activity lowers blood pressure and has a causal link to better health outcomes.
Scientists review interplay between sleep and TBI to improve diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Early treatment is crucial for optimal cognitive recovery, and non-pharmacologic interventions like regular bedtime routines and sleep-conducive environments can help.
Research suggests that having a regular bedtime and getting enough sleep from early childhood may lead to healthier body weight in adolescence. Children who had age-appropriate bedtimes were found to have optimal sleep patterns and lower BMI compared to those with suboptimal bedtimes.
Sleep problems are prevalent and increasing among young adult students, with women experiencing a higher prevalence of insomnia. The study suggests that sleep issues warrant attention as a public health concern in this population.