Untreated sleep apnea in children can harm brain cells tied to cognition and mood

A study comparing children 7 to 11 years old with moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea to children the same age who slept normally found significant reductions of gray matter -- brain cells crucial to most cognitive tasks -- in several regions of the brains of children with sleep apnea. The finding points to connections between this common sleep disturbance and the loss of neurons or delayed neuronal growth in the developing brain.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170317082507.htm

Better sleep feels like winning the lottery

Improving your sleep quality is as beneficial to health and happiness as winning the lottery, according to new research.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170316112136.htm

Poor sleep in early childhood may lead to cognitive, behavioral problems in later years

A new study finds that children ages 3 to 7 who don't get enough sleep are more likely to have problems with attention, emotional control and peer relationships in mid-childhood.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170309171109.htm

Sound waves boost older adults' memory, deep sleep

Gentle sound stimulation -- such as the rush of a waterfall -- synchronized to the rhythm of brain waves significantly enhanced deep sleep in older adults and tripled their ability to recall words, reports a new study. The goal is to make the new technology available for home use.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170308081024.htm

Living with children may mean less sleep for women, but not for men

New research backs up what many women already know: They're sleep deprived. Unlike men, a good night's sleep for women is affected by having children in the house, according to a preliminary study.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170226212745.htm

Dietary prebiotics improve sleep, buffer impacts of stress, says study

New research suggests that lesser-known gut-health promoters called prebiotics -- which serve as food for good bacteria inside the gut -- can also have an impact, improving sleep and buffering the physiological impacts of stress.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170225102123.htm

Tired teens 4.5 times more likely to commit crimes as adults

Teenagers who experience sleep problems and exhibit anti-social behavior are more likely to commit violent crimes as adults, new research concludes.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170223092143.htm

People far from urban lights, bright screens still skimp on sleep

Screen time before bed can mess with your sleep. But people without TV and laptops skimp on sleep too, researchers say. A study of people living without electricity or artificial light in a remote farming village in Madagascar finds they get shorter, poorer sleep than people in the US or Europe. But they seem to make up for lost shuteye with a more regular sleep routine, the researchers report.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170217012515.htm

Using an air conditioner in summer may affect sleep quality

Using an air conditioner helps people sleep better on sweltering nights. However, researchers found that when airflow is directed at a human body, even at an insensible velocity, it impacts on sleep conditions causing sleeping positions and affects the depth of sleep.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170216094523.htm

Melatonin content of supplements varies widely, study finds

The melatonin content of dietary supplements often varies widely from what is listed on the label, a new study has found. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps regulate the daily cycle of sleep and wakefulness, with melatonin production increasing at night and decreasing in the morning. It also is widely available as a dietary supplement.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170214162728.htm