Bedtime use of media devices more than doubles the risk of poor sleep in children

Children using devices such as smartphones and tablets at bedtime have over double the risk of a disrupted night’s sleep compared to children without access to such devices, according to a new study.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161031111328.htm

Sleep loss tied to changes of the gut microbiota in humans

Curtailing sleep alters the abundance of bacterial gut species that have previously been linked to compromised human metabolic health, results from a new clinical study suggests.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161025114118.htm

Diet Coke won't stop you getting diabetes, study finds

Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden studied 2,874 adults who had completed a year-long diary about their intake of drinks.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3857536/That-Diet-Coke-won-t-stop-getting-diabetes-Two-glasses-calorie-free-drinks-day-doubles-risk.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Insight into sleep's role in schizophrenia offers potential treatment path

A sleep abnormality likely plays an important role in schizophrenia, according to sleep experts. In a review of the growing body of evidence linking a reduction in sleep spindle activity to schizophrenia, the researchers suggested that a better understanding of this sleep abnormality’s genetic underpinnings opens the door to new treatments for the psychiatric disorder.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161018081828.htm

Does weed help you sleep? Probably not

Marijuana users may believe that frequent use helps them sleep, but that perception has been challenged by a new study. It found that daily marijuana users actually scored higher on the Insomnia Severity Index and on sleep-disturbance measures than those who did not use it daily.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161017155004.htm

Sleep-deprived preschoolers eat more

Sleep-deprived preschoolers consumed about 20 percent more calories than usual, 25 percent more sugar and 26 percent more carbohydrates, say researchers. The following day, the kids were allowed to sleep as much as they needed. On this "recovery day," they returned to normal baseline levels of sugar and carbohydrate consumption, but still consumed 14 percent more calories and 23 percent more fat than normal.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161013145906.htm

Being fat and having type 2 diabetes 'more than DOUBLES the chances of liver cancer'

Doctors at the American Cancer Society found an eight per cent risk increase for every five centimetres on a man's waistline after studying data from 1.57 million adults.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3837792/Being-fat-having-type-2-diabetes-DOUBLES-chances-liver-cancer.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

How fat mothers are harming their babies: Those born to obese parents 'risk heart attacks, diabetes and asthma in later life'

Research published in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology said women are passing on obesity to their children in a 'viscous cycle,' when they are dangerously overweight in pregnancy.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3836266/How-fat-mothers-harming-babies-born-obese-parents-face-heart-attacks-diabetes-asthma-later-life.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Have YOU tried the Atkins diet? High-protein foods may help you lose weight but 'DOESN'T protect against diabetes'

University of Washington School of Medicine scientists found women who lost weight eating a high-protein diet didn't show improvements in insulin sensitivity

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3832803/Have-tried-Atkins-diet-High-protein-foods-help-lose-weight-DOESN-T-protect-against-diabetes.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Aberrant tau proteins put neuronal networks to sleep

Researchers present new findings on the role of the protein Tau in certain brain diseases. Their report, which is based on laboratory studies, suggests that the drug “Rolofylline” could possibly alleviate learning and memory problems associated with aggregating Tau proteins.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161007084622.htm

Jet-lag is given the swerve by adjusting meal times on the ground, find researchers

Traditionally cabin crew rely on sleep strategies (sleeping in a dark room, avoiding caffeine before bedtime etc) to alleviate jetlag, but these do not reset body clocks. New research suggests that long-haul cabin crew can ease symptoms of jetlag by regulating meal times on their days off.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161005084035.htm

How the brain consolidates memories during sleep

Researchers have studied which brain processes consolidate memories during sleep. They found clear parallels to findings from experimental animal studies.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161005083700.htm

Developing brain regions in children hardest hit by sleep deprivation

Sleep is vital for humans. If adults remain awake for longer than usual, the brain responds with an increased need for deep sleep. This is measured in the form of "slow wave activity" using electroencephalography (EEG). In adults, these deep-sleep waves are most pronounced in the prefrontal cortex -- the brain region which plans and controls actions, solves problems and is involved in the working memory.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161004114514.htm

Developing brain regions in children hardest hit by sleep deprivation

The effects of acute sleep deprivation in children has been the focus of new study for the first time. They discovered that the brain in five to 12-year-olds responds differently to sleep deprivation compared to adults: The reduced amount of sleep leads to an increased need for deep sleep in maturing areas of the brain. This affects posterior regions of the brain, which are involved in vision, spatial perception and processing multi-sensorial input.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161004085311.htm