Minority teens may be sleeping less due to daytime discrimination, a new study says. Based on actigraphy data and self-reports, researchers from Fordham University and Auburn University found that experiences of discrimination negatively affected sleep duration, alertness, and daytime functioning in minority adolescents. While previous research has linked discrimination to poor sleep quality in minority
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say “unsafe sleep practices” with infants — such as sleeping in an adult bed and with soft objects like blankets — increases their risk of death from suffocation. The complete findings were released in a study published in the journal Pediatrics last month. According to
Whether or not cannabis can assist people in obtaining better sleep is a matter of hot debate. As cannabis is legalized in a growing number of states, cannabis researchers are finding more opportunities to study the plant, its properties, and its potential effects on human health. So far, 10 states have legalized recreational marijuana, while
Failing to get enough sleep can impair emotional functioning and prime the brain to perceive situations in a more negative light, according to a new series of five studies. The studies examined the effect of sleep loss on a range of emotional functions including empathy, mood, emotional perceptions, and emotional regulation. “Emotion regulation is the
Fisher-Price and its parent company, Mattel, have voluntarily recalled more than four million Rock ‘n Play Sleepers. The sleepers, which were marketed as an “inclined sleeper designed for all-night sleep,” have been linked to more than 30 infant deaths since the product’s launch in 2009. The voluntary recall was announced on April 12 and followed
A new study found that being thanked during the day could have a positive effect on our overall health and sleep quality. Business and psychology researchers from Portland State University and Clemson University found that nurses who receive expressions of gratitude throughout the day reported better sleep quality and healthier eating habits. We spoke with
A new type of sleep tracker may be hitting the market soon. But you don’t wear this tracker on your wrist or place it on your bedside table. Instead, you wear this sleep tracker like you would a pair of pajamas. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst recently unveiled the “Phyjama,” smart pajamas outfitted
Results from a 2018 survey conducted by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia found that one in every five women and one in every eight men are getting less sleep because of time spent on their smartphones. Researchers looked at the results from a survey on smartphone use that involved more than 700 Australian men and
Menstrual cycles might cause sleep disruptions in the days before a person gets her period, a new study finds. These disruptions may result from the hormonal shifts that are common at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Specifically, the researchers found that spikes in estrogen and/or progesterone might account for sleep disturbances in the days
Americans are getting more sleep than they were in 2015 and sleep for an average of more than seven hours per night, according to a new report. Last month, sleep tracking app Sleep Cycle celebrated its 10-year anniversary by launching the Sleep Cycle Institute. In the Institute’s inaugural report, Sleep Cycle shared insights into the
Research already suggests that short naps may help improve memory, boost mood, and increase alertness. And a 2007 review suggested that naps might even reduce the risk of heart disease. Now, a new study suggests a possible explanation for naps’ heart-healthy benefits: People who enjoy a midday nap may experience a drop in blood pressure.
We all know that parenting a newborn is guaranteed to lead to some sleepless nights. But new research suggests parents may deal with sleep loss well past the infant stage. In fact, they may be signing on for at least six years of disrupted sleep and less satisfying sleep overall. The study, which was published