Articles tagged with Sleep
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics found new genetic variants that protect against human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, also increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. These variants were most common in Fulani pastoralist groups living in western and central Africa.
Research suggests that humans still respond to lunar cycles, influencing sleep patterns even when unaware of the moon phase. Studies show decreased deep sleep, slower sleep onset, and lower melatonin levels around full moon.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that lunar cycles affect human sleep quality. The research revealed a significant drop in brain activity related to deep sleep around full moon, with participants also reporting poorer sleep quality and lower melatonin levels.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that poor sleep quality during pregnancy can disrupt the immune system, leading to lower birth weights and other complications. Women with depression are more likely to experience disturbed sleep and immune system disruption.
Researchers found that athletes sleeping less than 7 hours before baseline concussion testing performed worse on cognitive tests and reported more symptoms. Significant differences were seen in Reaction Time, Verbal Memory, and Visual Memory scores.
A study of 9,000 preschoolers found that those with shorter than average sleep times had higher rates of 'externalizing' behavior problems. The researchers recommend discussing steps to improve sleep habits for children with behavior problems.
UC Berkeley psychologists found that people are more likely to lash out at their romantic partners over relationship tensions after a bad night's sleep. Couples who fight more are less happy and less healthy.
A new study suggests that CPAP therapy significantly reduces nightmares in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment compliance improves when patients experience restful sleep without frequent nightmares, leading to better overall health outcomes.
A large population study found that sufficient sleep increases the protective benefits of exercise, healthy diet, and non-smoking on cardiovascular disease. Adding sufficient sleep to these factors resulted in a 65% lower risk of composite CVD and an 83% lower risk of fatal events.
Researchers found that circadian rhythm disruption and alcohol combination leads to liver disease, a previously unrecognized risk factor. The study suggests that lifestyle factors like shift work and poor sleep can promote gut leakiness and increase disease susceptibility.
A recent study has found a significant link between long-term night shifts and an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who worked night shifts for 30 or more years were twice as likely to develop the disease, highlighting the importance of workplace policy.
A study found that healthy adults with late bedtimes and chronic sleep restriction gained more weight than control subjects, likely due to increased caloric intake and fat consumption during late-night hours. The study also revealed gender and race differences in weight gain among sleep-restricted subjects.
Researchers found SAD participants have misconceptions about sleep habits similar to those of insomniacs, leading to incorrect reports of sleep duration. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder by addressing unhelpful beliefs about sleep.
A virtual skin model developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and PÎG has revealed that skin has 'sleeping' stem cells which can be woken up to regenerate skin, explaining why our ability to do so reduces with age. The model has implications for combating aging effects and skin cancer.
A study by Wayne State University researcher James A. Rowley found that African-American men are more likely to experience severe sleep apnea, especially in younger age groups. The study controlled for body mass index and other factors, revealing a racial disparity in sleep apnea severity.
Prader-Willi syndrome is associated with the loss of non-coding RNAs, resulting in dysregulation of circadian and metabolic genes. The study found that mice engineered with the loss of a long non-coding RNA showed altered energy use and metabolic differences during sleep.
A study by LA BioMed found that men who get more sleep on the weekend can improve their insulin sensitivity, reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted over six months, involved 19 non-diabetic men who slept an average of 6.2 hours per night during the week and caught up on sleep on weekends.
A study found that patients taking tasimelteon had a significantly higher rate of re-synchronization of their body clock, leading to improved night-time sleep and reduced daytime drowsiness. The medication addresses the root cause of Non-24 Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder in blind individuals by synchronizing their circadian clock.
A study found that insufficient sleep raises levels of a substance in the body that controls pleasurable eating, leading to increased hunger and appetite. The research suggests that this may be due to an elevation in the endocannabinoid molecule 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is involved in signaling rewarding events and enjoyment of food.
A study found that farmworkers don't get a break from the heat when they're off the clock, leading to compromised sleep quality and potential safety issues. The research highlights the need for improved housing conditions and respite from the heat in migrant farmworker communities.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a significantly higher risk of sudden cardiac death. The study, which followed over 10,700 participants for an average of 5.3 years, revealed that people with sleep apnea were almost twice as likely to exp...
A new study reveals that frequent binge drinking is significantly associated with insomnia symptoms in older adults. Participants who engaged in binge drinking on more than two days per week had an 84 percent greater odds of reporting insomnia symptoms compared to non-binge drinkers.
Researchers found that consistent bedtime within 45 minutes increases likelihood of using CPAP for at least four hours. Adults with inconsistent bedtimes are more likely to nonadhere to treatment, increasing odds by 3.2 times.
A recent UC San Francisco study found that poor sleep quality is significantly associated with increased inflammation levels among women with coronary heart disease. Women who reported very poor or fairly poor sleep quality showed a greater increase in inflammatory biomarkers compared to men.
A clinical study has found electronic stimulation therapy to reduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) safe and effective. The therapy, called Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation, was shown to significantly improve symptoms by restoring tone to key airway muscles and preventing airway collapse.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside's Maxim Bazhenov is investigating the role of sleep in memory and learning with a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense. The study aims to explore the neural substrate for memory consolidation during sleep, which may improve human memory performance.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.