Articles tagged with Sleep
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a key mechanism behind sleep, which could lead to the development of new treatments for fatigue and sleep disorders. The finding reveals how brain activity is linked to sleep and provides potential targets for medications.
A 12-year study of 14,000 Canadians found that using medications for insomnia or anxiety increased mortality risk by 36%. The study controlled for personal factors, suggesting a link between medication use and increased risk of death due to falls and other accidents, as well as respiratory problems.
A study of over 1,900 children found that short nighttime sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity. The authors suggest that there is a critical window prior to age 5 when nighttime sleep may be important for subsequent obesity status.
A study of 1,000 men found that those with chronic insomnia and a short sleep duration were four times more likely to die over a 14-year period. The results suggest that public health policy should prioritize the diagnosis and treatment of chronic insomnia in men.
A randomized controlled trial found smoked cannabis significantly reduces chronic pain intensity, improving sleep quality and anxiety levels. The study used three different potencies of THC and a placebo, with the highest THC level showing the most significant benefits.
Researchers have found that African trypanosomes avoid human immune systems by mutating surface protein receptors, reducing TLF-1 uptake. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapies against the disease-causing parasites.
Research suggests that responding to infants' cues is key to better sleep outcomes, contradicting past findings on physical contact. Parents who show disinterest or gentle interactions help children fall asleep faster, while those using stern directives hinder sleep.
A new study has found that male infants are easier to arouse from sleep than female infants at 2-4 weeks of age, but this difference resolves by 2-3 months. The study suggests that the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in males may not be due to differences in arousability.
A new survey of child psychiatrists reveals that nearly one-third of school-aged and adolescent patients suffer from insomnia, leading to the widespread use of sleep medication. The study suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although clinical approaches vary widely.
Research identifies APOL1 gene variants associated with increased risk of kidney disease in African-Americans. The genetic variants may have evolved as a survival mechanism against parasitic disease in Africa.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center investigators identified the APOL-1 gene as a key factor in kidney disease among African Americans. The researchers found that variants in this gene are more common in individuals of recent African ancestry and may have evolved as a survival mechanism against parasitic disease in Africa.
A recent study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that head and neck cancer patients with poor sleep quality had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments. The researchers suggest that reducing these factors may be warranted to improve sleep hygiene and enha...
A new study suggests that drinking tart cherry juice daily can reduce insomnia severity and improve sleep efficiency in older adults. The researchers found significant reductions in reported insomnia severity and an average of 17 minutes saved on wake time after going to sleep.
A study of 201 students found that a delayed school start time was associated with significant improvements in adolescent alertness, mood, and health. Students reported increased satisfaction with sleep, reduced daytime sleepiness, and improved motivation after the change.
Researchers found that individual organs' internal clocks synchronize with the external time at varying speeds, leading to discoordination of physiological processes. The adrenal gland plays a key role in this adaptation, and manipulating corticosterone production can help rodents recover from jet lag faster.
A mathematical model reproducing sleep patterns for multiple species suggests the neural circuitry controlling human sleep may be universal across mammals. The study reveals fundamental physiological mechanisms underlying diverse sleep patterns, with implications for understanding evolution and diversity in mammalian sleep.
A new software called SleepServer created by UC San Diego computer scientists reduces energy consumption on enterprise PCs by an average of 60 percent. The software maintains connectivity and responds to applications even when the PCs are in low-power sleep mode, enabling them to work while they sleep.
A study by the American Headache Society found that soldiers with post-traumatic headache and migraine reported improved sleep quality after three months of treatment. The research aimed to determine if effective headache treatment could also improve sleep quality among patients with these conditions.
Two University of Arizona studies find that loneliness is a matter of perception and can be linked to poor health. Stress serves a crucial function for lonely individuals, who tend to have fewer close connections and manage daily stressors poorly.
A new study establishes a link between air pollution, temperature increases, and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a known cause of cardiovascular diseases. The study found that short-term elevations in temperature were associated with increased severity of SDB, while particulate pollution was linked to poorer sleep quality.
Researchers discovered how the parasite survives in a fly's gut, triggering an enzyme response that adapts its body. This reaction has a corresponding part in human cells, potentially leading to greater understanding of inherited diseases like Zellweger syndrome.
Research suggests that MLB pitchers who are 'morning types' tend to perform better in early games and have an advantage over evening types. The study analyzed the statistics of 18 pitchers from five teams and found a correlation between sleep preference and pitching performance.
A recent study found that objective total sleep time measured by actigraphy is more strongly associated with self-reported relationship satisfaction among first-time parents than subjective sleep quality. The study also revealed that mothers and fathers have different perceptions of each other's sleep, highlighting the importance of ad...
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps restore memory consolidation in adults with obstructive sleep apnea, suggesting that CPAP is effective at recouping memory abilities impaired by OSA. Participants treated with CPAP outperformed untreated OSA patients on an overnight picture memory consolidation task.
A study suggests sleep may restore color perception to achromatic equilibrium, allowing for accurate classification of gray as neutral. Wakefulness causes a drift in color perception, which is corrected by overnight sleep.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that earlier school start times are associated with increased teenage car crash rates. Teen drivers who started school at 7:20 a.m. in Virginia Beach had 41% higher crash rates than those who started at 8:40 a.m. in Chesapeake.
A study using 'Guitar Hero III' found that sleep improves performance accuracy on the game by 3-5 percentage points, compared to daytime wakefulness. The results suggest a significant correlation between sleep duration and motor learning consolidation.
A study found that oral appliance therapy remained effective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms, with significant improvements in respiratory disturbance index, daytime sleepiness, fatigue severity, and quality of life. Patients showed high compliance with wearing their appliances at night.
A survey of 58 US dental schools found that students spend an average of just 2.9 hours studying sleep disorders, despite a growing epidemic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affecting 18 million Americans.
A new study suggests that nasendoscopy can help dentists predict which sleep apnea patients are most likely to benefit from oral appliance therapy. The procedure involves examining the velopharynx and oro-/hypopharynx, and results show that patients who exhibit this widening respond more effectively to treatment.
Researchers found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea who responded to mandibular advancement splint treatment had a larger tongue volume for their oral cavity size, suggesting this ratio as a predictor of response. The study included 49 patients and assessed the association between anatomical factors and treatment outcome.
Researchers evaluated two pediatric SDB questionnaires in children undergoing orthodontic treatment, finding that 20% of subjects reported snoring and suggesting that family dentists may use simple questionnaires to identify preliminary risks of sleep-disordered breathing. Craniofacial abnormalities are a common cause of SDB in children.
A study published in Neurology found that brain injuries disrupt sleep regulation, resulting in lower melatonin levels and decreased sleep efficiency. The study suggests that taking supplemental melatonin may improve sleep in people with brain injuries.
A tightly controlled University of Rochester study found that eliminating gluten and casein from children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns. Despite this, some subgroups of children may receive benefits from dietary changes, particularly those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers discovered that newborns can learn and respond to tones while asleep, a finding that could lead to early identification of infants at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia. The study used EEG recordings to measure brain waves and found that 24 of 26 babies showed neural activity during sleep.
Children from poor families experience higher levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms when they sleep poorly. In contrast, getting a good night's sleep protects against behavioral problems in minority children.
A new bacterial species found in the fly that transmits African sleeping sickness has been identified as a potential tool for controlling the disease. The bacterium, named Serratia glossinae, has shown promise in killing the parasite that causes the disease and could lead to new treatment strategies.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that 23% of bus and tram drivers in Sweden experience pronounced daytime sleepiness, while 28% struggle with getting to sleep. Treatment with a CPAP machine improved symptoms and reduced daytime sleepiness among drivers with obstructive sleep apnoea.
A study of 121 older adults in Los Angeles ALFs found that 65% had clinically significant sleeping problems, associated with lower quality of life and increased depression. Poor sleep was also linked to a worsening of health-related quality of life and more symptoms of depression over time.
A study of 723 adolescents found that shorter sleep duration was related to higher BMI, with stronger associations in boys and middle school students. The research suggests that inadequate sleep may be a risk factor for childhood obesity.
Research found that short sleep (less than 6 hours) increases mortality risk by 12%, while long sleep (over 9 hours) can be a marker of serious illness. The study of over 1.3 million participants suggests that consistent sleep duration is an additional behavioral risk factor.
A study analyzing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey found that about 65% of 100-year-olds reported good or very good sleep quality. Sleep duration was closely linked to health status, with those having poor health more likely to experience sleep problems.
Dreams play a crucial role in memory consolidation by integrating recent experiences to improve short-term and long-term learning skills. The study found that subjects who dreamed about the task showed significant improvement, indicating that dreams are the brain's way of processing and understanding new information.
A recent study reveals that sleep disturbances have a significant impact on health-related quality of life, varying by race. For African-Americans, physical health-related quality of life is significantly worse than in Caucasians, while Hispanics experience greater mental distress due to snoring and insomnia symptoms.
Researchers developed software that uses mathematical models to predict how individuals will react to specific conditions. The Circadian Performance Simulation Software (CPSS) allows users to design a schedule and predicts optimal times for light to shift circadian rhythms, enhancing performance.
A new study has found a long-term relationship between childhood sleep problems and subsequent alcohol and drug outcomes. Childhood sleep problems are associated with an increased risk of substance use and substance-related problems during young adulthood.
A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that maintaining regular daily routines is associated with improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia in older adults. Stability in basic activities such as bathing and eating was more strongly linked to better sleep quality than stability in instrumental activities.
A study published in Sleep found that a woman's perception of poor sleep and its impact on daytime functioning are stronger predictors of immediate postpartum mood disturbances than actual sleep quality and quantity. Poor subjective nighttime sleep during pregnancy and after delivery is associated with worse postpartum mood.
Research finds that postadoption depression in adoptive parents is linked to unmet or unrealistic expectations. Adoptive parents may experience struggles with bonding, feelings of guilt and shame, and confusion over their emotions. Empowerment and support can help alleviate these issues.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has endorsed pay-for-performance (P4P) programs in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The organization aims to improve patient outcomes by linking reimbursement to quality of care.
Researchers have identified the shape of a protein molecule at various stages as it breaks down sugar to produce energy, offering insights into how cells regulate their activities. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for diseases such as sleeping sickness.
The National Sleep Foundation's Annual Sleep in America poll explores sleep issues among Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, and whites, revealing significant differences in sleep habits and attitudes. Blacks/African-Americans report the busiest bedtime routines, while Asians get the best sleep and infrequently use sleep aids.
Researchers found stress and poor coping mechanisms are common among people who grind their teeth at night. Stress has been implicated in the development of sleep bruxism, which can lead to tooth wear, sensitivity, and muscle pain.
A study of over 19,500 Chinese participants found that frequent napping is associated with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. The observed associations were unaltered even after removing participants with potential health issues, suggesting that napping may increase the risk of diabetes.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a new computer model using mathematics to predict how environmental, medical, and physical changes affect sleep. The model provides clues to the basic dynamics of the sleep-wake cycle, offering a non-invasive way to study the brain and sleep.
A field study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center found that teenagers who missed morning light exposure experienced a 30-minute delay in sleep onset. The researchers believe that schools can be designed to provide adequate daylight to stimulate the body's natural sleep/wake cycle.
A new study published in Sleep Medicine shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain. The treatment, delivered by nurse therapists, also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with daily functioning.
Patients with severe OSA show decreased gray matter concentration in multiple brain areas, including limbic structures and prefrontal cortices. The study suggests that OSA may lead to memory impairment, cardiovascular disturbances, and executive dysfunctions.
Researchers have discovered a compound that can obstruct the enzyme protecting a deadly parasite causing sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. The findings provide new hope for developing effective treatments against these incurable diseases.
Researchers found anti-inflammatory agents that increase wakefulness during the day and affect normal sleep/wake cycles. The study suggests a shared neurochemistry between zebrafish and mammals, paving the way for new compounds to regulate sleep and wakefulness in humans.