Articles tagged with Sleep
A new study from the University of California found that light therapy can alter circadian rhythms and sleep/wake cycles, leading to improved mood and sleep in perimenopausal women. This non-pharmacological treatment option may provide symptomatic relief for those struggling with depression and sleep problems.
A pilot study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can slow or even reverse the atrophy of cortical gray matter in patients with co-morbid fibromyalgia. Eight weeks of CBT-I resulted in increases in cortical thickness, while CBT-P had no similar effect.
A study found that high school students who slept less than six hours per night were more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, such as substance abuse and carrying a weapon. The researchers also found a significant association between sleep duration and suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Patients undergoing elective hip surgery may experience new health issues such as mental health disorders, chronic pain, and cardiovascular ailments up to two years after the procedure. The study found that these hidden complications can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life.
An observational study of over 4,500 US children aged 8-11 found that limiting recreational screen time to less than two hours a day is associated with improved cognition. Half of the children met only one guideline, while those who met all three (sleep, screen time, and physical activity) had better cognitive development.
A new study from CHEO Research Institute found that children aged nine and 10 who meet Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep time have superior global cognition. The results suggest a positive relationship among childhood global cognition, future academic success, and lower all-cause mortality.
A new study found that an online insomnia program using digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improved not only insomnia symptoms but also daytime functioning and overall health. The program, called Sleepio, was used by 1,711 participants and showed significant improvements in global health and mental wellbeing.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that adults with irregular sleep patterns weigh more, have higher blood sugar, and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Regular sleep schedule was associated with better heart and metabolic health outcomes.
A new guideline published by the American Thoracic Society recommends weight loss strategies for adults with obstructive sleep apnea, particularly those who are overweight or obese. The guideline suggests comprehensive lifestyle interventions and behavioral counseling to help patients achieve weight loss.
A team of scientists has discovered the atomic-resolution structure of a specialized ribosome in Trypanosomes, a parasitic disease-causing organism. The study reveals that these ribosomes are composed primarily of proteins, unlike other ribosomes which are dominated by RNA.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that Chicago news media reported 59% of child traffic crash deaths and 38% of fire-related deaths, but not a single case of sudden unexpected infant death. This lack of reporting contributes to parents' unawareness of the risks involved, leading to unsafe sleep environments.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that one in four older adults prescribed benzodiazepines continue to use them long-term. The research highlights the need for better education and critical thinking among healthcare providers to reduce the risk of long-term use, particularly among low-income older adults.
A study of black women found that those who slept less than 7 hours a night had higher blood pressure and lower levels of physical activity. The researchers suggest that addressing sleep quality is crucial for combating obesity and high blood pressure in this population.
A study of 1639 adults aged 65 found that better sleep quality was positively associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The researchers suggest that aspects of the Mediterranean diet may promote better sleep, or vice versa.
Researchers found a brief sleep intervention in infancy reduced the risk of childhood obesity, with benefits still apparent at five years old. The study, funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, involved over 800 babies and showed that even very young infants can learn to do so relatively quickly.
A recent study by UC Riverside researcher Kate Sweeny found that perception of romantic partner's responsiveness during anxious waiting periods is associated with reduced stress. People who perceived their partner as supportive reported better sleep and overall health, even if they didn't receive actual support.
Researchers tracked marmosets with Fitbit-like devices to study sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm changes, and cognitive impairment, mirroring Parkinson's non-motor symptoms. The findings provide a valuable animal model for understanding the neuro-circuitry responsible for these complex aspects of the disease.
Researchers found that listening to yoga music before bed increased heart rate variability, while pop music decreased it. Additionally, yoga music reduced anxiety levels and improved participants' mood.
A large study found that sleeping less than six hours or waking up several times in the night increases the risk of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Participants with short and fragmented sleep had significantly more atherosclerosis, according to Dr. Fernando Dominguez.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that sleeping 5 hours or less per night is associated with a doubled risk of cardiovascular disease. Men who slept five or fewer hours had twice the risk of developing a major cardiovascular event compared to those who slept seven to eight hours.
A study found strong associations between sleep apnoea severity and abnormal lipid levels, including higher cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol. Patients with sleep apnoea require careful management of cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study found that overweight mice with Type 2 diabetes who don't sleep well need more time to heal their wounds compared to healthy mice. The research suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in wound healing among obese mice with Type 2 diabetes.
A study found that people with prediabetes who prefer to be active and alert later in the day tend to have higher body mass indices compared to those with morning preferences. This association is partly due to lack of sufficient sleep, which can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at HRL Laboratories developed a novel system that uses closed-loop electrical brain stimulation to improve memory retention. The technique, which matches transcranial alternating current stimulation with the brain's slow-wave oscillations during sleep, enhances learning and skill acquisition by about 48%. This study offers ...
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that sleep boosts 'fitness' and future family line reproductive success, suggesting it plays a significant role in evolutionary adaptation. The research used mathematical modeling to compare the fitness of sleeping and non-sleeping strategies under various conditions.
A nationwide health study found that service workers, particularly those who rely on tips, are more susceptible to mental health issues such as depression and stress. The research team suggests that the precarious nature of service work, including lower wages and lack of control over work hours, may contribute to these findings.
A subset of dopaminergic neurons are inhibited during the day by light-responsive neuropeptide Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF) and its receptor (PDFR), promoting wakefulness. High daytime levels of PDF increase daytime sleep, while reducing PDFR expression decreases daytime sleep.
A new study highlights the need for effective treatments for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and behavioral changes. Researchers found that synthetic cannabinoid treatment, like nabilone, may be an effective option for treating agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that noise on children's medical wards at night exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended maximum limit. Children and their parents experienced significantly less sleep than when sleeping at home, with an average loss of over an hour.
Researchers have found that non-invasive brain stimulation during sleep can improve memory consolidation and generalization. The study used a closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation system to synchronize brain activity during slow-wave oscillations, leading to enhanced performance in detecting targets in novel situations.
A new study published by the American Thoracic Society found that supplemental oxygen eliminated the rise in morning blood pressure experienced by OSA patients who stopped using CPAP. The study suggests that intermittent hypoxia is the dominant cause of daytime increase in blood pressure in OSA.
A new study found that following a Mediterranean diet was positively associated with academic grades and verbal ability in adolescents. The diet's effect on sleep quality may be an underlying factor contributing to these improvements.
A new study found that eating an early supper and having a long interval between the last meal and sleep are associated with lower breast and prostate cancer risks. Participants who had supper before 9pm or slept 2 or more hours after supper had a reduced risk of developing these cancers.
A new study reveals that practicing yoga during pregnancy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced stress levels. The research also found a decrease in alpha-amylase levels, indicating a reduction in stress response.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a clinical practice guideline on the use of actigraphy in evaluating adult and pediatric patients with suspected sleep disorders. Actigraphy is recommended as a useful tool for gathering objective data on sleep habits, but not used as a substitute for polysomnography.
A study from Binghamton University found that individuals living in areas with lower sunlight exposure may have a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers suggest that reduced morning light exposure could disrupt the internal biology and external light-dark cycle, leading to increased OCD symptoms.
A study by King's College London found that babies introduced to solid foods early slept longer and woke less frequently at night compared to those exclusively breastfed for six months. This research challenges current government advice, which states that starting solid foods won't make babies more likely to sleep through the night.
A randomized clinical trial found that early introduction of some solid foods, accompanied by continued breastfeeding, resulted in small but significant improvements in infant sleep. The study also showed that the timing of introducing solid foods may influence infant sleep patterns.
A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with changes to brain structure similar to those seen in early-stage dementia. The study suggests that screening for OSA and treating it could help prevent dementia in older adults.
A study of 829 adolescents found that both short sleep duration and poor sleep efficiency are associated with increased abdominal fat deposition and cardiometabolic risk. In contrast, longer sleep duration and higher efficiency were linked to reduced waist circumference, lower blood pressure, and improved HDL cholesterol levels.
Two studies presented at EULAR 2018 found that sleep problems predict the onset of chronic widespread pain and are associated with chronic pain in adolescents. Sleep difficulties, fatigue, and anxiety were identified as key predictors of chronic pain.
A large observational study found that middle-to-older aged women who are naturally early to bed and rise have a significantly lower risk of developing depression. After accounting for environmental factors, the study shows a modest link between chronotype and depression risk.
A position paper from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends image rehearsal therapy as a useful treatment option for nightmare disorder and PTSD-associated nightmares. Cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and other interventions may also be effective, while clonazepam and venlafaxine are not recommended.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center identified an enzyme responsible for vascular damage caused by aircraft noise. The study found that night-time noise has a particularly harmful effect on vessels and brain, and suggest that protecting night-time sleep from noise is crucial.
A new study by UTSA researcher Christopher Ellison analyzes the impact of religious involvement on sleep quality, concluding that people with higher levels of religious involvement tend to have healthier sleep outcomes. The research suggests that religion benefits mental health by reducing stress, promoting social engagement and provid...
Researchers at Japan's University of Tsukuba found that phosphoproteins accumulate when mice are awake and dissipate during sleep. The study identified 80 proteins, dubbed the Sleep-Need-Index-PhosphoProteins (SNIPPs), which change their phosphorylation state along with sleep need.
A large Korean study found that sleeping fewer than six hours a day is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and its components, including higher waist circumference and triglycerides. The study also showed a potential gender difference, with long sleep linked to metabolic syndrome in women and short sleep in men.
A team of researchers has identified lipid defects in the brain as the cause of sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease. Restoring the balance of a key lipid, phosphatidylserine, improves sleep patterns in genetically modified fruit flies and suggests a potential new treatment direction.
A new study found that playing a recording of a mother reading stories can improve sleep in preterm newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. The research involved 20 near-term and 27 premature infants born between 33-34 weeks, with results showing reduced likelihood of wakefulness during peak noise levels.
A recent study found that teenage girls reported a higher degree of interference of daytime sleepiness on multiple aspects of their school and personal activities compared to boys. The study also showed that girls were more likely to miss school due to tiredness and felt less motivated in school because of poor sleep quality.
A study of Japanese adults aged 60 found that short and long daily sleep durations were risk factors for dementia and premature death. Participants with optimal sleep duration (5-6.9 hours) had a lower risk of dementia and death compared to those with shorter or longer sleep durations.
A study published in Acta Diabetologica found that people with diabetes and prediabetes who have lower sleep efficiency have poorer cognitive function than those with better sleep efficiency. The researchers also found that having diabetes was associated with lower cognitive function scores.
A pilot study found promising effects of a combined sleep health and yoga intervention on improving sleep disturbance, impairment, and behaviors. Participants experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, daytime functioning, and relaxation after the six-week intervention.
A recent study in Canada investigated the relationship between wind turbine proximity and human health, finding no direct correlation. However, respondents closer to turbines reported lower environmental quality of life ratings, suggesting potential indirect effects.
A recent study found that immigrants in Switzerland are more likely to experience sleep disorders due to high levels of emotional distress. The study analyzed data from 17,968 participants and found that immigrants reported higher levels of trouble falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and early morning awakenings.
A study found that maternal depressive mood during pregnancy and postpartum is associated with child sleep disturbances. Increased happiness during pregnancy was found to be protective against child sleep problems.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that about 25% of Americans experience acute insomnia annually, but 75% recover normal sleep within a year. The study tracked 1,435 adults nationwide and found no significant differences in recovery rates among racial, ethnic, or gender lines.
A tailored lighting intervention has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of depression and agitation in Alzheimer's patients. The study found that the lighting intervention significantly decreased sleep disturbances, with a significant improvement seen in sleep quality.
A study of 22 toddlers found that hippocampal activation was higher when they heard a previously learned song, regardless of playback direction. Correctly remembered locations associated with the song also showed stronger hippocampal responses.
Pilot data shows that short sleep duration is associated with a double risk of hospital readmission in acute coronary syndrome patients. The study found that patients with less than 6 hours of sleep per night were two times more likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days.