Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
A new study found that circadian misalignment in teens is associated with increased carbohydrate intake and sedentary behavior. The research involved 377 adolescents and showed that a later sleep schedule was linked to greater carb consumption and sedentary behavior.
A new study found that 48% of foster caregivers administer melatonin to their child, associated with poorer overall sleep quality. Children taking melatonin also experienced increased severity of daytime behavioral problems despite no link to depression or anxiety.
Researchers found that restricting screens in bedrooms and at mealtimes has the biggest impact on reducing screen time and addictive behavior. Parents who model healthy practices at home also see a decrease in their child's screen use. Limiting and monitoring screen time can reduce usage by 1.29 hours and 0.83 hours, respectively.
A new study by the National Sleep Foundation finds that approximately one in six adolescent drivers have driven drowsy, leading to 1.7 million reported incidents and over 400,000 teens driving drowsy at least once a week. The majority of teens pointed to work or school schedules as factors preventing them from getting sufficient sleep.
A new study found that healthy sleep has a positive impact on gratitude, resilience, and flourishing in adults. Measures of flourishing, resilience, and gratitude improved with sleep extension and worsened with sleep restriction.
A new study found that smart thermostats can identify three distinct sleep quality clusters with clear variations in duration, disturbances, and efficiency. Machine learning models were used to discern sleep quality indicators from eight terabytes of data collected from 178,706 households.
A new study found that college students exhibit lower levels of empathic concern and accuracy when they are less alert. The researchers suggest that sufficient sleep is essential for maintaining cognitive and affective empathy.
A study found that low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) can reduce pro-inflammatory responses to sleep restriction. The treatment reduced interleukin-6 expression, COX-1/COX-2 double positive cells in monocytes, and C-reactive protein serum levels.
A new study found that 29 out of 35 unique sleep tips shared on TikTok have empirical support, with six unsupported by scientific evidence. The research suggests that the public is learning appropriate sleep hygiene tips through social media.
A new study explores the relationship between sleep quality and ADHD symptoms in teens, revealing that household chaos and poor sleep hygiene are significant mediators. Improving daily routines and household stability can help alleviate sleep difficulties in adolescents with ADHD symptoms.
A study found that adolescents who slept less than 4 hours a night were two times more likely to attempt suicide, while improved sleep duration could potentially lower suicide risk among teens. Sleep moderates the association between bullying and suicide in U.S. teenagers.
A new study presented at SLEEP 2024 conference found that better sleep health is associated with lower levels of loneliness. The association was strongest among younger adults, suggesting that improving sleep could have a beneficial effect on loneliness, especially in young people.
A new study found a strong correlation between social media usage and sleep duration in adolescents, with specific areas of the brain involved. The research suggests that digital engagement and poor sleep quality can alter neural reward sensitivity, potentially affecting adolescent brain development.
A 15-year analysis of national data on suicides and homicides shows that nocturnal wakefulness significantly increases the risk for both. Disrupted sleep impairs rational thought and drives impulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals.
Researchers developed a novel light-sensitive drug that enhances extracellular adenosine activity, inducing sleep artificially without genetic modification. The drug overcomes issues with conventional photosensitive drugs, showcasing optochemistry's potential in targeting A2A receptors and regulating brain function.
A recent study by University of Houston sleep expert Candice Alfano found that weighted blankets do not improve sleep for children who have experienced various types of maltreatment, including abuse or neglect. Despite the popularity of weighted blankets as a sleep aid, research has been lacking on their effectiveness in this population.
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies has awarded University of Arizona sleep researcher Michael Grandner the 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award. The award recognizes Grandner's work to increase diversity and inclusion in sleep medicine through his research and educational programs.
The American College of Chest Physicians' CHEST Critical Care and CHEST Pulmonary journals have been indexed with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), enhancing their open access content's accessibility and usage. The indexation is attributed to strong editorial boards led by Hayley Gershengorn and Matthew Miles.
Adolescents with overweight or obesity may be more vulnerable to negative cognitive effects following sleep restriction. Improved sleep hygiene and duration can positively impact their cognitive health.
A new scale, SMNS, measures social media's impact on nightmares, finding a link between excessive social media use and negative mental health outcomes. The study suggests that responsible social media use can help mitigate the occurrence of social media-related nightmares.
The AASM has announced five 2024 award recipients, including Dr. Michael Littner, Dr. Shahrokh Javaheri, Dr. Iris Perez, Lynne Lamberg, and Dr. Lisa Wolfe, for their significant contributions to research, education, advocacy, and clinical care in sleep medicine.
The Sleep Research Society has recognized four individuals with its 2024 awards, honoring their exceptional contributions to sleep and circadian science, education, and public health. The winners include Dr. Elizabeth Klerman, Dr. David Raizen, Michael Perlis, and Julie Flygare.
Nearly 5,000 sleep professionals will attend SLEEP 2024, featuring rapid-fire symposia, lectures, and poster presentations on topics like sleep health inequities and artificial intelligence in the clinical setting. The event will also include keynote addresses and awards ceremonies.
A new research commentary highlights AI's potential uses in sleep medicine for clinical applications, lifestyle management, and population health. The committee also reviewed barriers and challenges associated with using AI-enabled technologies.
A comprehensive study by University of Technology Sydney researchers confirms CPAP therapy's safety without adverse effects on the respiratory system. The study uses computational modeling to assess airflow velocity and shear stress, providing reassurance for patients.
A new study published in Nature found that sleep weakens new brain connections forged during wakefulness only during the first half of a night's sleep. The researchers suggest that this 'reset' prepares the brain for learning and new connections the next day.
A study of 25,000 NBA matches found that home teams from the Western Time Zone Area have a near 10% better win ratio when playing against Eastern Teams. The researchers suggest that elite basketball coaches and teams should consider the physical and mental effects of time zone travel on game planning.
The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has released the ATS 2024 International Conference Abstracts, featuring research on heat exposure and RSV among other topics.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study is tracking over 300 infants and preschoolers to assess the importance of napping on brain development. The research aims to identify the bioregulatory mechanisms involved in napping and its impact on memory, with findings expected to inform nap policies for young children.
Researchers explore how improving sleep can boost health for adolescents and young adults affected by racism. Sleep-promoting programs have been shown to improve developmental outcomes and disrupt the negative effects of racism on mental health, physical health, and academic outcomes.
Research found that higher light levels increase activity in the posterior hypothalamus, leading to improved cognitive performance during executive tasks. In contrast, lower light levels decreased activity in this region, negatively correlating with cognitive performance.
A study of 322 participants found racial discrimination to predispose Black young adults to metabolic syndrome through sleep issues and chronic inflammation. This discovery could inform targeted prevention strategies to address existing health disparities in minority populations.
A new series of studies will test the effectiveness of PATCH, a USC-designed wearable device that accurately captures everyday activities. The device integrates multiple sensors to measure physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep in children.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found consistent associations between perceived stress scores and factors like total sleep time, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate. The study used wearable Oura ring data to detect changes in stress levels during sleep, potentially leading to early interventions.
A team of researchers from the University of Buenos Aires has developed a method to translate the vocal muscle activity of birds during sleep into synthetic songs. This breakthrough uses electromyography data and dynamical systems models to recreate the sounds of dreaming birds, providing a new window into the subconscious mind of avians.
The review found women report lower sleep quality, more fluctuations, and higher likelihoods of developing restless legs syndrome and sleep-related eating disorder. Women's brains respond differently to food images after sleep deprivation, with increased emotional processing and activation.
The SUNRISE European Study Group urges European countries to take specific actions to promote healthy movement behaviors in children under five years. Effective policies targeting upstream environmental influences are required to equitably change movement behaviors among European populations.
A study by Penn State researchers found that childhood-onset insomnia symptoms persist through young adulthood, with Black children being 2.6 times more likely to experience long-term sleep problems compared to white children. The findings highlight the need for early intervention and treatment to address this public health issue.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that nerve-stimulation treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is less effective for people with higher BMIs. The study analyzed data from 76 patients with BMIs of less than 35 and showed that the likelihood of successful treatment drops significantly as weight increases.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that employees with volatile work schedules early in their career had worse sleep and more depressive symptoms at age 50. The study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 to examine the impact of employment patterns on health in middle age.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism in the brain that determines which memories are consolidated into permanent form during sleep. Sharp wave-ripples, a pattern of neural activity, are believed to be the key 'tagging' system that identifies important experiences and replays them during sleep.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sleeping less than seven hours a day increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, with females facing a greater risk. The study pooled data from 16 studies and found that short sleep duration was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension.
A new study published in Stroke found that exposure to artificial, bright outdoor nighttime light may increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke. The research, which analyzed data from over 28,000 adults living in China, suggests that higher levels of outdoor light pollution at night may be a risk factor for these conditions.
A new study found that multiple unsafe sleep practices, such as sharing a bed, were present in over 75% of sudden infant deaths. Infants who died were often younger, non-Hispanic Black, and publicly insured. The research emphasizes the need for better safe-sleep education and support to reduce Sudden Infant Deaths.
Women experience disruptions in sleep patterns and heightened feelings of anger before their period, with reduced sleep efficiency and increased emotional distress. The study highlights the importance of considering hormonal fluctuations when addressing sleep disorders and emotional distress in women.
Researchers have discovered that clown loaches and zebrafish can control their sleep-wake rhythm without relying on orexin, contradicting the long-held assumption that vertebrates share similar mechanisms. This finding reshapes our understanding of sleep and wake regulation in vertebrates.
A four-year study by Dartmouth researchers tracks changes in student mental health during college, identifying key populations and stressors. The study found that first-year and female students are at risk for high anxiety and low self-esteem, while sophomores experience increased social activity but higher stress levels.
A new study by UArizona Health Sciences researchers found that sleep disturbances increase the vulnerability to migraine attacks. Improving sleep health may decrease the likelihood of migraine attacks in people with migraine. The study used preclinical mouse models and found no link between migraine-like pain and disrupted sleep.
A new biomarker developed by researchers at Monash University and the University of Birmingham can accurately detect when someone has not slept for 24 hours. The test has a 99.2% probability of being correct and could inform future tests to identify sleep-deprived drivers, reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies is open to media registration for its 2024 event. Journalists can access the latest research discoveries in neuroscience fields such as dementia, addiction and depression.
A study of 247,000 UK residents found a strong association between habitual short sleep duration and the development of type 2 diabetes. Even among those with healthy diets, short sleep duration was associated with an increased risk of developing the condition.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia reveals that getting a good night's sleep is tied to how you structure your day, with exercise at the heart of sleep quality. Children and adults with higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity had less troubled sleep, reduced tiredness, and better sleep quality.
A new study from the University of Toronto found an association between poor sleep and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian young adults. Participants who reported greater muscle dysmorphia symptoms had shorter sleep duration and difficulty falling or staying asleep more than half the time.
Researchers at ULiège found that hearing relaxing words during sleep slows down cardiac activity, reflecting deeper sleep. This discovery provides insight into brain-heart interactions during sleep and challenges traditional views of the sleeping body as disconnected from the external world.
A global study found that only 15% of adults slept the recommended 7-9 hours per night for five or more nights in a row. The researchers used sleep tracker data from almost 68,000 adults worldwide to examine sleep durations over nine months. Establishing regular healthy sleeping patterns is crucial for overall health and wellbeing.
Adults who spend more than 5 hours a day watching TV and/or videos are 48% more likely to experience nocturia. Healthcare professionals can offer behavioral intervention recommendations for individuals with prolonged screen time.
Researchers found that sleep consolidates weak associations and strengthens connections between elements of complex events, improving memory recall. This process is essential for completing memories of whole events and drawing a coherent picture of the environment.
A new study found that women with migraines and long-term hot flashes or night sweats are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. However, the research suggests that focusing on prevention and correcting unhealthy habits can help most women mitigate this risk. Women who have experienced both migraines and vasomotor symptoms for ...
Officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals worsened sleep duration among Black respondents, while no adverse effects were found for white respondents. The study highlights the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health.
The Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference in Toronto will explore the nature of thought and cognition. Registered press members will have access to scientific talks, posters, and receptions.