Research on sleep and its role in health. Covers restorative sleep, nighttime light exposure, sleeplessness, and the links between sleep and disease.
This study found that better sleep architecture and the absence of obstructive sleep apnea were associated with improved global cognition over a five-year follow-up. The findings suggest that interventions to improve sleep may be crucial for maintaining cognitive function in adults.
Researchers found that sleep patterns vary significantly across cultures and geographical locations. The study used commercially available smartwatches to collect data from over 52 million individuals in 11 countries, revealing discrepancies between self-reported data and digital logs.
The American College of Chest Physicians has launched CHEST Pulmonary, a new online publication dedicated to pulmonary and sleep medicine. The journal features original research, case series, and reviews on various topics, including implementation science and artificial intelligence applications.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that deep-sleep brain waves can regulate the body's sensitivity to insulin, improving blood sugar control. The study found that synchronized brain waves during deep sleep predict next-day glucose control, even after controlling for other factors.
A recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that people who were more physically active had better cognitive function, but this benefit was reduced for those with short sleeps. The research suggests that getting sufficient sleep is essential to reap the full cognitive benefits of physical activity.
A new study published in Sleep Health found that habitual daytime napping is associated with a larger total brain volume, a marker of good brain health linked to lower risk of dementia and other diseases. The research team used Mendelian randomisation to establish a causal link between napping and brain health.
A 37-year study in Finland found that evening types have a slightly increased risk of dying compared to morning types, primarily linked to smoking and drinking habits. The study tracked nearly 23,000 twins and found that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking status, play a significant role in mortality rates.
The study found that fathers who supported their partners' breastfeeding goals had higher rates of successful breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Fathers were also more likely to implement safe sleep practices when they received guidance on infant sleep safety. However, racial disparities in safe sleep practices persist, with Bl...
The June issue of CHEST features 49 articles on clinically relevant topics, including asthma, COPD, and critical care. The journal offers web and multimedia resources to expand the reach of its research.
A new method for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing in dogs has been developed, revealing that brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to the condition due to their shorter snouts. The study used a neckband system to measure breathing during sleep and found a higher number of events in short-snouted dogs.
A study found cross-sectional associations between various domains of next-day cognitive function and sleep spindle metrics in middle-aged men with obstructive sleep apnoea. The presence and severity of OSA were significant factors in this relationship.
Researchers used unbiased genetic screening to identify genes involved in regulating sleep in worms, finding that proteins play a crucial role. These findings suggest new approaches for preventing diseases related to sleep disturbances and inflammation.
Daily evening recovery may improve employees' wakefulness and calmness at work, but these benefits subside during the workday. Higher quality recovery on evenings has been linked to better sleep quality, which in turn contributes to improved mood.
A study published in JMIR Formative Research found that wearable sleep devices show promise in positively impacting sleep health among marginalized populations. Participants perceived the device as easy to use and comfortable to wear, suggesting its potential for improved sleep health. However, barriers to adoption, such as housing sta...
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA developed a method to improve memory consolidation by inducing deep-brain stimulation during sleep. The study found that precise timing of electrical stimulation enhances synchronization between the hippocampus and frontal cortex, leading to improved accuracy in recalling memories.
A study analyzing real-world truck collisions found that anti-drowsiness alarms need to go beyond eye monitoring to consider other microsleep behaviors. The researchers reviewed 3,120 seconds of dashcam footage and identified key signs of microsleeps, including body relaxation and abnormal vehicle behavior.
A study of 1,979 women found that healthy sleep prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic may protect against post-COVID condition. Researchers suggest interventions on sleep health could prevent or alleviate long COVID symptoms.
A new study from Uppsala University found that consuming junk food can lead to shallower deep sleep, which can impact hormonal release and brain activity. The researchers monitored the sleep patterns of healthy participants who followed a healthier diet and an unhealthier diet in a randomised order.
Researchers found altered serotonin 2A/C receptor binding in brain stems of infants who died from SIDS, suggesting a biological basis for the condition. The study suggests that specific combinations of genetic vulnerability, external stressors, and critical developmental periods may contribute to SIDS.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found a key molecule involved in sleep homeostasis also plays a critical role in circadian behavior. The SIK3-HDAC4 pathway modulates the length of the circadian period through NMS-producing neurons, contributing to the sleep/wake rhythm.
A national study published in Sleep Health found that screen habits linked to better sleep include keeping devices out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bedtime. The study analyzed data from 10,280 preteens aged 10-14 and found that 15.5% reported trouble falling or staying asleep in the past two weeks.
A wearable device developed by Georgia Tech researchers detects obstructive sleep apnea and quality of sleep at home, addressing comfort, time, access, and cost issues. The patch has an 88.5% accuracy rate for sleep apnea detection and can predict the likelihood of developing the condition.
Increasing physical activity, particularly daily 20-minute walks, can improve cardiovascular health and reduce disparities in heart health. Despite this, only one in four American adults meet the recommended physical activity levels, with certain groups facing additional barriers to accessibility.
A new study from Baylor University's Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory reveals that chronotypes can fluctuate across a semester, with evening-type students showing worse sleep quality and duration. Engaging in healthier daytime behaviors can lead to better sleep, improving daytime life and academic success.
The May issue of the CHEST journal features cutting-edge research on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also highlights awareness for cystic fibrosis, a once-fatal childhood condition now affecting adults.
A large study found that adults with obstructive sleep apnea were more likely to experience long-term symptoms of COVID-19 than those without the condition. Adults with both sleep apnea and COVID-19 were up to 75% more likely to develop long COVID, according to researchers.
A study found that fatigued law enforcement officers have difficulty collecting information that could bring justice to victims. Researchers linked sleep deprivation to increased resistance from interviewees, decreased ability to establish rapport, and difficulties in managing emotions.
A study published by the European Respiratory Society found that around 20.2% of French adults are likely to have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), with only 3.5% being treated for the condition. OSA is more common in men, older adults, and those with cardiovascular disease.
A study published in Microorganisms shows that melatonin can aggravate Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis by disrupting the balance of gut microbiota. The hormone, commonly used to improve sleep, had negative effects on bowel inflammation in laboratory mice, depending on their microbiota profile.
A systematic review of 14 clinical trials found solriamfetol to be the most effective treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Anti-fatigue medications like solriamfetol, armodafinil–modafinil, and pitolisant also showed promise in combating fatigue.
Researchers at McMaster University have found that solriamfetol is the most effective treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A systematic review of 14 clinical trials and analysis of data from various databases revealed solriamfetol to be the best option.
Researchers found that solriamfetol, armodafinil–modafinil, and pitolisant reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea already using conventional therapy. However, patients may be more likely to discontinue the use of these medications due to adverse events including headache, anxiety, and insomnia.
Researchers discovered that sleep spindles can alleviate anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), contradicting recent findings. The study found that spindle rate frequency was higher during a stressful visit than a control visit, suggesting non-invasive ways to harness the benefits of this sleep stage for symptom ...
Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 US adults, finding that those who lost at least 5% of their body weight showed higher diet quality and more moderate physical activity. However, the study also found that many individuals relied on unsustainable non-evidence-based approaches for weight loss, highlighting the need for a paradig...
A new study found that people exposed to moderate aircraft noise were less likely to get the minimum recommended sleep each night. The risk increased among those living near airports or large water bodies, as well as those with no hearing loss. Exposure levels as low as 45 dB were associated with short sleep duration.
A new study found that cannabis use by cancer patients leads to reduced pain levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced cognitive function. After two weeks of sustained use, patients reported better thinking clarity and objective measures of cognition also showed improvements.
Researchers found that long siestas (30+ minutes) increased the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure. In contrast, short siestas were associated with improved systolic blood pressure levels.
A new meta-analysis found that clozapine is associated with decreased insomnia and a lower risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that clozapine's ability to improve sleep quality may be linked to its reduced suicide risk, and highlights the importance of assessing and treating insomnia in these patients.
Researchers discovered that parvalbumin interneurons secrete substance P, driving slow vasodilation and increasing blood flow in the brain. This process allows for waste removal and prevention of neurological dysfunctions like dementia.
A new machine-learning method analyzes metabolites in blood to predict the time of an individual's internal circadian timing system. This approach has shown accuracy comparable to previous methods, but requires fewer samples.
A recent study from Aarhus University found that music used for studying and sleeping share similar characteristics, such as slow tempo and repetitive patterns. The study suggests that these similarities can be attributed to the calming effects of the music on the brain, creating a conducive environment for both tasks.
Researchers have identified a possible way to help break the cycle between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer's disease. A small study found that people who took a sleeping aid experienced a drop in key Alzheimer's proteins.
A new PANDA-project aims to develop and test an ear-EEG device that can screen patients for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The technology measures brain electrical activity and sleep patterns, with the goal of identifying early signs of the diseases and enabling earlier diagnosis.
A new study published in Sleep Health found that high levels of air pollution, carbon dioxide, noise, and temperature can lower sleep efficiency. The study analyzed data from 62 participants and found significant associations between these environmental factors and reduced sleep quality.
The CHEST journal April issue features cutting-edge research on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sarcoidosis. Key findings include the potential of efzofitimod as a treatment for managing sarcoidosis. The journal also showcases innovative approaches to clinical practice and education in chest medicine.
Research found that individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder have erratic sleep patterns and rigid daily routines, predictive of worse symptoms. The study suggests varying daily routines and incorporating movement can improve brain health and reduce negative mental health symptoms.
A novel clinical trial demonstrated that open-label placebo increased patient retention rates by 78% compared to methadone-only treatment. Participants also reported better sleep quality, with no significant differences found in other outcome measures. The study suggests that deception-free placebo treatment can provide valuable benefits.
A study of 308 adults found that people displayed more active and healthy behaviors during a three-day holiday, with increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behavior. The extra time off also led to improved sleep patterns, with participants gaining an average of 21 minutes of sleep per day.
A nationwide study found that more experienced resident physicians are at risk of medical errors when working extended-duration shifts or long weekly hours, similar to first-year residents. The study calls for policy changes to limit work hours and extend safer training periods in the US.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have developed a new method to measure consciousness without external stimulation, using a breathing task internally prompted by the subject. This approach detected loss of responsiveness at lower concentrations of anesthetic than previous methods, suggesting it is more sensitive.
Researchers found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause premature cognitive decline in middle-aged men, including poorer executive functioning and social cognition. The study suggests that OSA itself is sufficient to cause these deficits, rather than being solely attributed to co-morbidities.
A global study led by the University of Galway found that sleep problems, including snoring and sleep apnea, can increase the likelihood of having a stroke. The study identified six sleep behaviors associated with an increased risk of stroke.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that phototherapy improved cognitive function in patients with dementia. The analysis of 12 randomized clinical trials revealed no significant impact on symptoms of depression or sleep quality.
A recent study published in Neurology found a significant association between sleep problems and an increased risk of stroke. People who experience excessive or insufficient sleep, snoring, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders may be at higher risk for stroke.
A new case series study found that an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program reduced biological age by 4.60 years, with five of six participants exhibiting significant age reversal. The study suggests that this intervention may favorably influence biological age in both sexes.
A novel drug, AF-130, has been shown to improve heart function and prevent sleep apnoea in heart failure patients. This breakthrough could lead to improved life expectancy and wellness for nearly 200,000 people in New Zealand affected by heart disease.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Merced developed a high-throughput method to study the circadian clock in real time, shedding light on its internal functions. The study found that kinases play a crucial role in relaying the circadian rhythm from the core oscillator to gene expression.
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School researchers analyzed tens of thousands of student data to determine the impact of early class start times on attendance, sleep behavior, and academic performance. The findings suggest that students who attend early morning classes often lose an hour of sleep and experience lower grades.
A new study assesses sleep and fatigue risk in emergency physicians over two months using a wearable device, revealing that 50% of their shifts are spent in a high cognitive readiness state. The researchers also found that later shift start times are associated with greater fatigue due to circadian rhythm disruption.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.