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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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...
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 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 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 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 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 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.
A recent study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that NFL teams perform better at night due to their circadian rhythms. The research revealed fewer turnovers and mental errors during late evening games compared to afternoon games, suggesting a significant impact of circadian timing on game-day statistics.
A recent study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that childhood cancer survivors are more likely to experience sleep problems and daytime sleepiness as adults. The study also showed a higher likelihood of persistent or worsening emotional distress among those who reported poor sleep.
A new study suggests that nighttime light exposure during sleep can disrupt metabolic function, leading to increased insulin resistance. The researchers found that just one night of light exposure acutely impacts measures of insulin resistance, which is a diminished ability of cells to respond to insulin.
A new study suggests inadequate sleep has grave economic consequences, affecting over 33% of Australian adults and costing billions. The financial cost of $17.88 billion represents 1.55% of the country's GDP.
A new study found that adolescents who spend more time on screens are more likely to experience insomnia symptoms and shorter sleep duration. Regulating screen time may improve sleep health and reduce depression in young people.
A new study found that adults who slept seven hours per night had the lowest excess heart age, while those sleeping less than or more than seven hours were associated with increased risk. The research demonstrates a quantitative method for including sleep duration in cardiovascular risk assessment.
A recent study found that sleep paralysis and dream-like hallucinations are prevalent in student athletes, with 18% and 24% of the sample reporting occasional experiences. These symptoms were independently associated with symptoms of depression, even after controlling for sleep duration and quality.
Research suggests that police officers on night shifts are more likely to receive public complaints due to elevated fatigue. Going to court during the day after a night shift further increases this risk, highlighting the need for duty schedules to consider court appearances.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that glial cells play a crucial role in regulating sleep and movement in worms, offering new insights into the neuroscience of sleep. The study found that glial cells help counteract the inhibitory effect of a specific neuron on movement.
Researchers found stroke patients took longer to fall asleep, had poorer sleep efficiency, and were more prone to errors during the day. The study suggests sleep problems in stroke patients are due to psychological strain, pain, and reduced physical activity, highlighting the importance of good sleep for recovery.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified CK1 as the priming kinase that 'switches on' the biological clock's phosphorylation process, shedding light on circadian rhythm regulation. This discovery may lead to treatments for circadian clock disorders and improve sleep-wake cycles.
Researchers found that sleep spindles, brief bursts of brain activity, are linked to memory reactivation and improve retention. The rhythmic pattern of spindles may help segregate memories, preventing interference between them.
Arthritis patients with poor sleep quality reported lower weekly minutes of moderate-vigorous activity. Participants with restless sleep had 11.9% and 23.7% less physical activity compared to those with rare restless sleep.