Could a Novel Light Therapy Help People With Alzheimers?

Recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai a five-year grant to out whether exposing patients to a combination of light therapies will slow Alzheimer’s debilitating effects.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine organizes second annual Student Sleep Health Week

As many students return to classrooms for the first time in more than a year, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages students, families, and teachers to recognize that sleep is essential for health and learning. To highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students, the AASM is organizing the second annual Student Sleep Health Week, Sept. 12-18, 2021.

“Springing forward” affects early birds less than night owls, study finds

Every spring, the Daylight Saving Time shift robs people of an hour of sleep – and a new study shows that DNA plays a role in how much the time change affects individuals. People whose genetic profile makes them more likely to be “early birds” can adjust to the time change in a few days. But those who tend to be “night owls” could take more than a week to get back on track.

Kids’ sleep: check in before you switch off

The struggle to get your child to go to sleep and stay asleep is something most parents can relate to. Once the bedtime battle is over and the kids have finally nodded off, many parents tune out as well.

But University of South Australia researcher Professor Kurt Lushington is calling for parents to check on their small snoozers before switching off.

Arlington, Va., Named ‘Fittest City’ in 2021 American Fitness Index Ranking of Top 100

CSM and the Anthem Foundation release the 2021 American Fitness Index, ranking America’s 100 largest cities on health behaviors, chronic disease and community infrastructure indicators. Arlington, Va. earned the title of “America’s Fittest City.” Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; St. Paul, Minnesota; Irvine, California; Portland, Oregon; and Atlanta, Georgia; round out the top 10 fittest cities.

ACSM / Anthem American Fitness Index to Reveal 2021 Fittest City

For more than a decade, the evidence-based ACSM / Anthem American Fitness Index has recognized the critical role physical activity and city infrastructure play in a city’s overall health and fitness. ACSM and the Anthem Foundation will release the 2021 Fitness Index rankings at 7 a.m. EDT on July 13.

Is it more than a snore? Recognizing sleep apnea warning signs

New research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), shows nearly 70% of Americans who sleep with a bed partner report that their partner snores while sleeping. Since snoring can be an indicator of sleep apnea, the AASM is asking Americans to consider, “Is it more than a snore?”

Weight cycling linked to increased sleep problems in women

Women with a history of weight cycling – losing and regaining 10 pounds or more, even once – have increased rates of insomnia and other sleep problems, reports a study in The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, official journal of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

Children’s sleep and adenotonsillectomy

While a pint-sized snorer may seem adorable, studies shows that children with sleep disordered breathing are likely to show aggressive and hyperactive behaviours during the day. The recommended treatment is an adenotonsillectomy – not only to fix the snore, but also the behaviour. Now, new research from the University of South Australia, shows that while surgery can cure a child’s snoring it doesn’t change their behaviour, despite common misconceptions by parents and doctors alike.

Get Off the Couch! Replacing Sedentary Time with Physical Activity or Sleep Improves Heart Health

National and international guidelines recommend replacing the amount of time spent being sedentary with physical activity to improve health. This message is especially important in the face of COVID-19, as overall sedentary behaviors have increased substantially. In fact, research suggests…

How Did 500 Species of a Fish Form in a Lake? Dramatically Different Body Clocks

Despite the dramatic difference between day and nightlife, how fish exploit different times of day has not been studied systematically. Scientists explored alterations in the circadian timing of activity and the duration of rest-wake cycles in Lake Malawi’s cichlids and identified the first single nocturnal species. Timing and duration of rest and activity varies dramatically, and continuously, between populations of Lake Malawi cichlids, providing a system for exploring the molecular and neural basis underlying variation in nocturnal activity.

Night owls with gestational diabetes may face higher risk of pregnancy complications

Among women who develop diabetes during pregnancy, night owls have a higher risk of complications for mother and baby than early birds do, according to a study whose results will be presented at ENDO 2021, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting.

Exercise Improves Blood Vessel Dysfunction Caused by Lack of Sleep

Article title: Regular aerobic exercise counteracts endothelial vasomotor dysfunction associated with insufficient sleep Authors: Kelly A. Stockelman, Anthony R. Bain, Caitlin A. Dow, Kyle J. Diehl, Jared J. Greiner, Brian L. Stauffer, Christopher A. DeSouza From the authors: “Regular aerobic…

Good sleep is just what doctor ordered

In a study released Feb. 22 in JAMA Internal Medicine researchers found that six 20-minute telephone calls over eight weeks coaching participants on how to get better sleep improved their sleep, pain, and daytime function. The improvements in sleep and daytime function persisted 12 months after treatment. One of the lead investigators who has been researching age and sleeping for 40 years offers great tips on getting better sleep. Just because you are aging, does NOT mean your sleep needs to get worse.

Young Athletes Need their Sleep to Achieve Top Performance

DETROIT (February 9, 2021) – As Michigan high school student athletes get back to sports competition this week, most are not getting the sleep they need to perform at their best, said Meeta Singh, M.D., a nationally recognized sleep medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health System. Many young athletes simply don’t focus on getting the sleep they need to recover from training and the energy they expend playing their sport, which ultimately affects performance on game day.

Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Tuesday.