Articles tagged with Sleep
Scientists developed a new statistical method to track the continuous changes in wakefulness during sleep onset, identifying healthy subjects who behave as though awake despite being clinically asleep. The study suggests that understanding how one falls asleep is crucial for improving sleep diagnosis and treatment.
A study by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression than their counterparts in the 1980s. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, concentration difficulties, memory problems, feeling overwhelmed, restless sleep, poor appetite, and lack of motivation.
Chronic alcohol exposure disrupts normal sleep cycle by over-activating brain chemicals. Targeted medications may help treat sleep issues related to alcohol use disorders, according to Boston University School of Medicine researchers.
Researchers found that the hormone melatonin governs the nightly migration of a plankton species and may have evolved early in animal history. The study suggests that melatonin's role in controlling daily rhythms could be linked to the evolution of human sleep patterns.
A pilot study using emotional videos has led to a significant increase in CPAP machine usage among patients with sleep apnea, with some users reporting up to 2 hours of additional therapy per night. The approach, which uses personalized videos to create a sense of urgency, resulted in sustained improvement after three months.
A new study by Henry Ford Health reveals that pain can disrupt sleep in patients undergoing total hip replacement or knee replacement surgery, leading to longer hospital stays. The study found that better pain control could improve sleep duration for these patients.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that can be targeted to kill parasites causing deadly diseases such as sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. The study found that a small sugar molecule activates the enzyme, providing an opportunity to design drugs that block its activity in specific species.
A Swedish study found that adolescents with sleep disturbance or short sleep duration are less likely to succeed academically. The research suggests that sleep may play a crucial role for adolescents' performance at school, with around 30% of participants reporting regular sleep problems.
A UGA study reveals that socio-economic concerns drive mothers' decisions to bed-share. Salm Ward recommends personalized options and harm-reduction techniques to educate the population about safe sleep.
Researchers found a specific type of neuron in the parafacial zone responsible for deep sleep, allowing unprecedented control over brain function. The discovery may lead to new medications for treating sleep disorders and developing safer anesthetics.
Researchers found that parts of the brain continue to make word classifications even while asleep. This ability may help explain everyday experiences like being sensitive to one's name or alarm clock sounds during sleep. The study also suggests unconscious processing isn't limited by task complexity but rather by automation.
Children who experience bullying between ages 8-10 are at increased risk of sleep-related problems like nightmares and night terrors by age 12. The University of Warwick study suggests stress may play a key role in the association.
A neuroimaging study reveals that severe obstructive sleep apnea causes significant damage to brain white matter integrity in multiple brain areas. However, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy has been shown to reverse this damage and improve cognitive function, mood, and quality of life after just 12 months of treatment.
A new study found that sleeping on animal fur in the first three months of life may reduce the risk of asthma in later childhood. The research, presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, suggests that exposure to animal skin and fur could have a protective effect against asthma and allergies.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night is associated with the lowest risk of absence from work due to sickness. The optimal sleep duration was between 7 and 8 hours, with shorter or longer sleep durations increasing the risk of work absences.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in older people, reducing daytime sleepiness and healthcare costs. The study found that CPAP can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of road accidents, heart disease, and other conditions associated with OSA.
A study of 19,136 people found that 15% had experienced an episode of sleep drunkenness in the last year, with more than half reporting multiple episodes per week. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were more likely to experience the disorder.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that sleep improves performance on piano tasks by increasing communication between subcortical brain regions. After a night of sleep, these regions function with greater synchrony, enabling better motor learning and memory consolidation.
Researchers found that teenagers who got less than six hours of sleep per night had a 20% higher risk of being obese by age 21. This study provides the strongest evidence yet that lack of sleep raises risk for an elevated BMI, and emphasizes the importance of getting more than eight hours of sleep per night.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that poor sleep quality is associated with a higher risk of suicide in older adults. The research, conducted over a 10-year period, revealed that individuals who reported poorer sleep at baseline had a significantly increased risk of suicide, even when controlling for depressed mood.
A study published by a Stanford researcher found that poor sleep quality significantly increases the risk of suicide among older adults. The study, which analyzed data from 14,456 adults aged 65 and older, confirmed that disrupted sleep is an independent risk factor for late-life suicide.
A new study by Northwestern University finds that office workers with natural light exposure have longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and improved quality of life. The study suggests that architects should prioritize natural daylight exposure in office environments to boost employee health.
A 10-year study of astronauts' sleep monitoring reveals widespread sleep deficiency and medication use in space. The research highlights the need for more effective countermeasures to promote adequate sleep and optimize human performance during space flights.
A QUT study found that one in two new mothers experience excessive sleepiness four months after giving birth. Despite stable night sleep times, they reported being tired during the day. The study highlights the importance of preserving sleep quality for new mothers.
A study of high school students found that teen insomnia is independently linked with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Eveningness chronotype – being more active in the evenings – is also an independent risk factor for insomnia and depression among teens.
A new UC San Francisco study shows that maintaining healthy behaviors can reduce telomere shortening, a marker of cellular aging. The researchers found that post-menopausal women who exercised, slept well and ate well had less telomere shortening than those with poor lifestyles.
A recent study published in Health Psychology found that people who experience persistent sleep problems after a divorce may be at risk for increased blood pressure. The longer the sleep problems persist, the more likely they are to have an adverse effect on blood pressure.
Researchers have successfully used computer models to locate and eliminate high numbers of tsetse flies in Senegal, resulting in a 99.6% reduction. The eradication effort aims to control the devastating disease that affects humans, livestock, and wildlife.
A new study reveals that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who experience poor sleep quality are more likely to exhibit lower physical activity. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, suggests a potential behavioral pathway from disturbed sleep to negative health outcomes such as obesity.
A new study identifies maladaptive coping behaviors as mediating pathways between stress exposure and insomnia development. Cognitive intrusion, self-distraction, behavioral disengagement, and alcohol/drug use were found to significantly contribute to the relationship between stress and insomnia.
Research suggests that short and long sleep durations are associated with lower brain function scores in older adults. Optimizing sleep at an older age may help delay cognitive decline. The study's findings support the importance of 6-8 hours of sleep per night for optimum brain function.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that a sleep education program for preschoolers increased their average bedtime by 30 minutes, resulting in better daytime functioning. The program improved parents' awareness and knowledge of good sleep behaviors but had limited long-term effects.
A University of Oregon-led study of middle-aged and older individuals found that those sleeping six to nine hours a night scored higher on cognitive tests than those sleeping fewer or more hours. Women reported longer sleep durations and struggled with quality, while men outperformed women in some countries.
Despite popular beliefs, a recent Max Planck Institute study of 1,265 volunteers found no correlation between human sleep and lunar phases. The researchers discovered conflicting results may be due to publication bias, which can lead to omitted negative findings.
A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that parental and child sleep are closely linked to decreased child obesity. The study found that adequate sleep is the only significant protective factor against childhood obesity, and that a parent's sleep can affect their child's likelihood of being overweight or obese.
A new study suggests that relationship satisfaction can influence how couples sleep together. When the wife reports higher marital satisfaction, the percent of time the couple is awake or asleep at the same time increases significantly.
A new study suggests that light treatment tailored to increase circadian stimulation during the day can improve sleep quality, efficiency, and total sleep duration. The research also shows significant reductions in scores for depression and agitation.
A new study found that night owls are more likely to be sedentary and experience barriers to exercise. Later sleep times were associated with more self-reported minutes sitting and perceived difficulties in exercising. Circadian factors should be considered when discussing exercise participation, especially for less active adults.
A new study found that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressures and decreases vascular tone in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. Successful treatment also reverses these improvements after a short period of treatment withdrawal.
A new study reveals that marijuana users are more likely to experience sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and feeling daytime sleepiness. The association is strongest in adults who started marijuana use before age 15, with those who began early being twice as likely to struggle with severe sleep issues.
A new study suggests that blue-enriched light exposure before and during evening meals can increase hunger and alter glucose metabolism. The research found that this type of light exposure decreased sleepiness but resulted in higher insulin resistance.
A new study reveals that suicidal deaths are more likely to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. than during the daytime or evening, peaking at 16.27 percent between 2 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. This finding suggests that circadian factors may contribute to suicidality and highlights the importance of addressing insomnia as a potential risk factor.
A new study reveals that poor sleep timing and maintenance significantly predict academic problems, comparable to binge drinking and marijuana use. Healthy sleep habits are crucial for academic success.
A new study suggests that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea who have supportive family relationships may be more likely to adhere to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The research found that married or partnered patients had better CPAP adherence after three months compared to singles.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using fruit flies to study the internal circadian rhythms that control sleep, blood pressure, and metabolic rate. The findings could provide valuable insights into medical conditions and even help understand jet lag and temperature response mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered a pair of genes that regulate eating schedules in sync with daily sleep rhythms, and mutations in one of these genes may play a role in night eating syndrome. In mice with mutations, eating patterns are shifted, leading to unusual mealtimes and weight gain.
A University of Liverpool study found that male fruit flies kept in groups have shorter lives and are less desirable to females. The males' sleep patterns are disrupted, leading to early death, a phenomenon also observed in other species.
A study presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2014 found that sleeping pills prescribed to heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) increase their risk of cardiovascular events. The study also showed that HFpEF patients who were prescribed high blood pressure medications had a lower risk of cardiovascular event...
A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes a reduction in activity among brainstem neurons responsible for regulating heart rate. This reduced activity contributes to increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as the risk of cardiovascular events in OSA patients.
A new study published in Diabetes journal found that poor-quality sleep during late pregnancy can increase the odds of weight gain and metabolic abnormalities in offspring. Disrupted sleep can lead to epigenetic modifications that reduce expression of the adiponectin gene, resulting in increased body fat and reduced activity.
Researchers developed a system that predicts and prevents dangerously low overnight blood sugars in patients with type-1 diabetes. The device, which couples a glucose sensor with an insulin pump, reduces cumulative time spent with low blood sugars during sleep by 81%.
People with exploding head syndrome typically hear abrupt noises like door slams or gunshots as they fall asleep. The episodes can be frightening and are often accompanied by anxiety and daytime sleepiness.
Researchers say a virtual patient, electronic medical record, and sleep queries are effective new tools in recognizing suicide risk. The comfort level of caregivers and family members is also crucial in talking openly about suicide.
A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.
A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.
Despite recommendations for safer sleeping, infant deaths continue to occur due to bed sharing and prone sleeping. A study found that 18% of parents share a bed with their infants, with black families at higher risk.
Researchers found that nightmares or night terrors are more common in children who reported being bullied, indicating significant distress. The study suggests that parents and healthcare providers should be aware of this potential indicator of bullying and consider it when assessing a child's mental health.
A new study finds that higher sleep efficiency is associated with lower mortality in women with advanced breast cancer. Mean survival was 68.9 months for efficient sleepers compared to 33.2 months for those with poor sleep efficiency.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests that extreme sleep durations may affect brain health in later life. Women who slept five or fewer hours or nine or more hours per day had worse memory than those sleeping seven hours a day.
A study found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice twice a day for two weeks increased sleep time by nearly 90 minutes among older adults with insomnia. The researchers also discovered that the natural polyphenolic compounds in tart cherries, such as proanthocyanidins and tryptophan, play a role in improving sleep efficiency.