Articles tagged with Sleep
Researchers at UCLA found abnormal brain networks in Fragile X syndrome, a common cause of inherited autism and intellectual disability. The study suggests that neuronal excitability may be the basis for symptoms in children with FXS, including disrupted sleep, seizures, and learning disabilities.
Type 2 diabetics and people with hypertension are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, which can improve insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to have a significant impact on glucose levels and insulin sensitivity.
A Mayo Clinic study suggests that dimming smartphone brightness and holding devices at least 14 inches from the face can reduce light exposure's impact on melatonin levels, leading to better sleep. The research found that only high brightness settings posed a risk to sleep, while mid or low settings were safe.
A new study by University of Alberta researcher Johanna Darrah found that babies' rolling abilities have not been impaired by the 'back to sleep' campaign. The study of 725 Canadian infants aged one week to eight months confirms that gross motor skills emerge in the same order and at the same ages as 20 years ago.
A new study found that people with narcolepsy have a large increase in the number of neurons producing histamine, which may contribute to symptoms like preserved consciousness during cataplexy and fragmented nighttime sleep. This discovery suggests that drugs reducing histamine signaling at night may improve sleep in narcolepsy.
A recent study found that night work can significantly impair glucose tolerance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes among shift workers. The research showed peak glucose levels were 16% higher during night shifts compared to day shifts.
Office workers with windows in their workplaces receive 173% more white light exposure during work hours and sleep an average of 46 minutes more per night. The research suggests that enhancing indoor lighting may improve office workers' physical well-being and sleep quality.
Two studies found that fatigue affects strike-zone judgment in MLB players and can predict their career longevity. A significant relationship was also discovered between a player's sleepiness score on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and their likelihood of remaining in the league three seasons later.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a heart attack are relatively common and associated with poor sleep quality. The study found that survivors with PTSD have a doubled risk of having another cardiac event or dying within one to three years.
A new study finds that bright light therapy can improve sleep quality, reduce daytime sleepiness, and alleviate depressive symptoms in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment also shows changes in brain activation during cognitive tasks, suggesting potential improvements in brain function.
A new study suggests that disturbed sleep in adolescents is associated with more symptoms of depression. However, perceived support and acceptance from parents and teachers appear to have a protective effect on sleep disruptions and depressive symptoms. Support from peers does not offer the same benefits.
A study reveals that insomnia can impair emotion regulation by causing increased activity in the amygdala, a key player in emotional processing. This dysfunction may contribute to the development of depression.
A study of 170 parent-child dyads found that compromised lung function corresponded with poor sleep efficiency and impaired academic performance in urban schoolchildren. Family-level interventions aimed at asthma control and improving sleep quality may help improve academic performance in vulnerable populations.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that tonsil/adenoid surgery improved behavior, quality of life, and other symptoms in children with obstructive sleep apnea. However, there was no significant difference seen in attention and executive function between the treatment groups.
A study of 19,327 newly licensed drivers aged 17-24 found that those sleeping 6 hours or less per night had a higher crash risk. Young drivers who got less sleep on weekends were more likely to be involved in run-off-road crashes between 8pm and 6am.
A new study from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that bed sharing with breastfed babies under 3 months increases the risk of cot death by fivefold, even if parents do not smoke. The study suggests that promoting room sharing could save up to 40% of cot death cases in the UK.
Scientists identify Gene Ataxin-2 as a key component of the circadian clock, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. The study found that Ataxin-2 helps activate translation of PER protein, keeping the clock on a 24-hour rhythm.
A new study found that insomnia symptoms in middle-aged and older adults are associated with greater future use of costly health services, including hospitalization. Insomnia is common among this population, affecting over 40% of respondents, and may be a preventable indicator of poor health outcomes.
A new study suggests that regular bedtime prior to initiation of CPAP therapy is a significant predictor of CPAP adherence. The odds of non-adherence were 3.7 times greater for every one unit increase in bedtime variability. Stabilizing bedtime schedules may help improve treatment compliance.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers has discovered a connection between restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia and brain chemistry, suggesting that high levels of glutamate may be the key to understanding the condition. The findings could lead to a new approach in treating RLS and potentially other forms of insomnia.
A study by American Academy of Sleep Medicine links diet composition with daytime sleepiness and alertness in healthy adults. Higher fat consumption is associated with increased objective daytime sleepiness, whereas higher carbohydrate intake is linked to increased alertness.
A study found that long sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly among individuals who are overweight or snore regularly. The researchers suggest that obstructive sleep apnea may contribute to this association by reducing sleep quality and increasing tumor growth.
A study published in Obesity found that the body's internal clock regulates hunger, increasing appetite for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings. This natural tendency can lead to weight gain due to impaired sugar tolerance and energy storage in the evening, rather than expending energy after a morning meal.
A new study found that pianists' performance improved after practicing a new melody followed by a night of sleep. However, gains in speed and accuracy declined when two similar melodies were practiced one after the other before sleep. Replaying the first melody before sleep seemed to counteract this interference and enhance skills.
A new study suggests that obstructive sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men, particularly in certain age ranges. The study found a significant association between race and AHI after controlling for demographic factors, with African-American men showing increased breathing pauses per hour of sleep compared to white men.
Patients with untreated sleep apnoea are more likely to fail a driving simulator test and report nodding whilst driving. The study found that 24% of sleep apnoea patients failed the test compared to 12% of controls.
A study presented at the Sleep and Breathing Conference found that CPAP treatment significantly improved productivity at work among sleep apnea patients. The researchers observed a notable reduction in daytime sleepiness among those who adhered to the treatment programme, with 35 out of 45 participants showing significant improvements.
A new study found that each additional hour of sleep is associated with a lower BMI for teens. Increasing sleep duration to 10 hours per day could help reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity. The findings suggest delaying school start times could also aid in reducing obesity rates.
New research using mice shows that disrupting our internal clocks can lead to a complete absence of 24-hour bodily rhythms, resulting in immediate weight gain. Proper sleep patterns are critical for healthy metabolic function, and even mild impairment in circadian rhythms can have serious health consequences.
A study published in Menopause found that higher levels of routine daily physical activity, particularly household and caregiving chores, were associated with better sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings for women with hot flashes. The positive effects were mainly observed in white, non-obese women.
A study by the Wellcome Trust found that four out of five mugging victims experienced excessive mistrust and paranoia lasting up to six months after the attack. Factors such as feeling defeated, worrying excessively, and difficulties sleeping increased paranoid fears in victims.
New research from Johns Hopkins suggests that limiting medical interns' work hours to 16 hours per shift increased the number of potentially dangerous handoffs of patients. The study found no significant increase in sleep duration, despite reduced training time and perceived lower quality of care.
A recent study of over 2,300 first-year residents found that the percentage of self-reported medical errors increased after new work-hour restrictions took effect in 2011. The researchers suggest that the reduction in work hours led to a decrease in 'down time' and an increase in communication gaps, contributing to the rise in errors.
A University of Michigan-led study found that supine sleep increases the risk of low birth weight and subsequently stillbirth in pregnant women. The researchers suggest that encouraging pregnant women to avoid sleeping on their backs could be a simple approach to improve pregnancy outcomes.
A new study demonstrates that sleep consolidation helps retain both new memories, overcoming interference from learned tasks. Researchers measured starlings' ability to recognize new songs and found that a good night's sleep improves performance on previously learned tasks.
A new study found that nocturia, a bladder condition, can exacerbate insomnia symptoms in older adults. Treatment of nocturia may alleviate poor sleep and improve overall sleep quality.
A study led by UC Riverside psychologist Sara C. Mednick has discovered a mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate memory during sleep. The research found that Ambien enhances this process, increasing verbal memory consolidation in healthy adults. This breakthrough could lead to new sleep therapies for aging adults and those wit...
A new CU-Boulder study found that sleeping just five hours a night led to significant weight gain in participants, who also ate more calories than those who slept nine hours. The research suggests that healthy sleep may help people maintain a healthier weight and battle obesity.
A new study from the University of Utah reveals that individuals with higher mindfulness traits experience greater emotional stability, better self-control, and lower physiological activation before bedtime. This finding suggests that mindfulness may contribute to improved emotional and physical well-being by enhancing self-regulation ...
A large study found that people with insomnia symptoms, including trouble falling asleep and waking up feeling unrefreshed, have a higher risk of developing heart failure. The study followed 54,279 participants for over 11 years and found those with all three insomnia symptoms had a more than three-fold increased risk.
Researchers found that fear, threat, and assault during sleep paralysis episodes were associated with increased post-episode distress. Cognitive styles, distress sensitivity, and supernatural beliefs also played a role in predicting distress levels.
The National Sleep Foundation's 2013 Sleep in America poll found a strong association between exercise and better sleep. Exercisers reported better sleep quality and reduced symptoms of insomnia compared to non-exercisers. Additionally, regular exercise was linked to lower risk of sleep apnea and improved overall health.
A team of doctors and nurses at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented interventions to improve patient sleep quality, reducing delirium by 54% in ICU patients. The study suggests that simple measures can have a significant impact on patient outcomes and recovery from intensive care.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reveals that insomnia and nightmares can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that targeted assessment and treatment of sleep problems may reduce this risk in people with depressive symptoms.
A new study finds that losing hope for a good night's sleep increases the risk of suicidal thoughts, independent of other types of hopelessness. The study suggests that addressing insomnia and negative thoughts about sleep can help prevent suicidal behavior.
Researchers aim to show a direct link between insomnia treatment and reduced suicidal thinking, with 138 adults enrolled over four years. The study assesses patient response to treating insomnia strategically as a focus of care, using sleeping pills like zolpidem alongside antidepressants.
Research highlights how poor sleep negatively affects feelings of gratitude toward others, while spending money on others boosts sense of wealth. Spending on experiences brings more happiness than material purchases.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a specific receptor regulating calcium release in the trypanosome parasite, which could lead to new therapies for sleeping sickness. The discovery may also have applications beyond treating this disease, including new treatments for blood clotting disorders.
African sleeping sickness, caused by a brain-invading parasite transmitted by tsetse flies, can persist in areas with no human cases due to wild animal populations. A new study suggests that targeting humans alone may not be enough to control the disease and that efforts must factor in wild animals.
A new study suggests that treating mild sleep-disordered breathing in pregnant women with preeclampsia with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves fetal activity levels and may improve fetal outcomes. On average, fetal movement increased by 273 during the night with CPAP therapy.
A new UCSF study examines the role of key molecule PKCγ in regulating the food clock, which is disrupted by irregular eating patterns. The findings have implications for understanding diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic syndromes.
A study by the University of Exeter found that badgers sleeping in outlying dens were more likely to carry TB, highlighting the importance of behavior in disease transmission. The research could inform measures to manage bovine TB in parts of the UK.
A study found a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness and vitamin D levels, with higher levels associated with increased sleepiness in black patients. Vitamin D deficiency was linked to reduced sleepiness in this group.
Approximately ten percent of 6 year olds have sleep-disordered breathing, with certain craniofacial morphology traits increasing the risk. Early intervention and diagnosis can prevent progression of the disease.
Research led by Dr. Karen Bonuck found that children with sleep-related breathing problems (like snoring or apnea) often have behavioral sleep problems too, like frequent waking. Children who suffer from one issue are not usually checked for the other, which can lead to poor development and academic performance.
A team of scientists using the world's most powerful X-ray laser has revealed the three-dimensional structure of a key enzyme that enables the single-celled parasite causing African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. This discovery paves the way for designing new drugs to inhibit the parasite without harming humans.
A protected sleep period of 5 hours improved morning alertness for medical interns, with an average increase in sleep time and a significant reduction in call nights without sleep. The study found that participants with protected sleep periods felt less sleepy after on-call nights.
A new study has identified factors during pregnancy and postpartum that can predict pelvic girdle pain among working women. History of low back pain and higher somatization are found to be predictors, while more sleep or rest and fewer days of bed rest after delivery are associated with a lower risk.
A new screening tool has been developed to help identify individual vulnerability to health and safety impacts of shift work. The tool, for a condition known as shift work disorder, aims to reduce workplace accidents and illnesses caused by shift work, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that the drug suvorexant may be an effective alternative strategy for treating insomnia. Participants who took suvorexant experienced improved sleep efficiency and reduced awakenings, with significant improvements compared to those taking a placebo.