Sleep Health

It’s traumatic enough to lose a spouse, but new research from Northwestern University and Rice University suggests sleep disturbances that are triggered by grief may impact the health of the partner left behind. The results suggest these sleep difficulties may cause higher inflammation. This puts the bereaved spouse at an increased risk for cardiovascular issues such as …

Read morePoor Sleep Triggered By Grief May Leave Widows More Vulnerable To Heart Disease

The world’s largest sleep study has concluded, and the researchers identified patterns that are relevant to anyone looking to improve their sleep health. We spoke with Conor Wild, Research Associate in the Owen Lab at London’s Western University and the study’s lead author, to understand some of the study’s main takeaways. More than 10,000 people …

Read moreTakeaways From The World’s Largest Sleep Study

If you feel unwell after a night of bad sleep, you may need more than just some extra shut-eye. It might be time to reach for a glass of water and drink up, say experts. Researchers from Penn State University found that adults who sleep only six hours per night — as compared to eight hours — are …

Read moreNew Study Links Shorter Sleep And Dehydration

Sleep-deprived teens may be at a higher risk of engaging in risky or suicidal behavior, new research finds. The study, which was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found that teens who slept fewer than eight hours on an average school night were more likely to participate in a variety of unsafe behaviors, which ranged …

Read moreCould A Lack Of Sleep Lead To Risky Behavior In Teens?

A new study has found a certain set of nerve cells may be responsible for turning the brain “on” and “off,” thereby promoting sleep. The findings suggest this particular set of nerve cells (dubbed GAL neurons) is essential for maintaining normal sleep cycles. What’s more, GAL neurons may at least partially explain the relationship between …

Read moreResearchers ID A Neural “Sleep Switch” That Turns Sleep On And Off

Scientists have developed a blood test that determines whether a person has skipped a night of rest. The researchers discovered that people who have not slept within the past 24 hours develop unique biomarkers in their blood that indicate a lack of sleep. This research might set the stage for developing tools that enhance public …

Read moreScientists Have Created A Blood Test For Drowsy Driving

Going to bed and waking up at different times each day may increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. So concludes the first study to consider the relationship between disease risk and a minute-by-minute measure of sleep regularity. We spoke with the study’s lead author, Assistant Professor …

Read moreIrregular Sleep-Wake Cycles Are Associated With Higher Disease Risk

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recently released a call for proposals in an effort to establish a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) for the field of sleep medicine. If successful, this initiative will represent the first QCDR dedicated exclusively to sleep medicine. The AASM’s hope is that this clinical data registry will advance …

Read moreThe AASM Is Attempting To Develop The First Clinical Data Registry For Sleep Medicine

Sleep deprivation is linked with a higher likelihood of being in (and being responsible for) a car crash, says a new study. These risks may increase when sleep deprivation is more severe. The study, which was published in the journal SLEEP, found that people who slept for fewer than seven hours within the past 24 …

Read moreSleep-Deprived People Are More Likely To Be In Car Crashes, Research Says

A new study found that just one night of sleep loss could increase our risk of type 2 diabetes. Using mice as subjects, researchers at Toho University compared sleep-deprived mice to mice with healthy sleep. The mice who had been kept awake showed a higher count of enzymes associated with insulin resistance. In previous studies, …

Read moreDoes Sleep Deprivation Increase Type 2 Diabetes Risk?