Snappy Sleep Stager system identifies gene related to shorter sleep

Sleep genetics research has been advanced by developing a new method for monitoring mouse sleep cycles. The Snappy Sleep Stager is a non-invasive, automated sleep cycle monitoring system based on mouse respiration, or breathing. By combining it with a new system for developing nearly perfect knock-out mice, they have identified a new short-sleeper gene, Nr3a.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160107184940.htm

Light exposure and kids' weight: Is there a link?

Light exposure plays a role in the weight of preschool children, a world-first study reveals. The researchers studied children aged three to five, from six childcare centers, measuring the children's sleep, activity and light exposure for a two week period, along with height and weight to calculate their BMI, then followed up 12-months later.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160107104820.htm

Sugar reduction in fizzy drinks and fruit juice 'would stop 1.5m Britons becoming obese'

Reducing the sugar would mean the average adult would consume 38 fewer calories a day and lose 1.2kilos. Academics also estimated there would be 300,000 fewer cases of Type 2 diabetes.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3387816/Reducing-sugar-fizzy-drinks-fruit-juice-five-years-stop-1-5million-Britons-obese.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Is the end of insulin jabs in sight? New treatment made from diabetics' skin could 'reboot' the pancreas

University of California, San Francisco scientists have found a found a way of turning skin cells into healthy pancreatic cells, which could replace those damaged in type 1 diabetes.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3386930/Is-end-insulin-jabs-sight-New-treatment-diabetics-skin-reboot-pancreas.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Record 4m Britons suffer from diabetes as obesity levels soar

The number of Britons with diabetes has topped four million for the first time due to soaring obesity, and if current trends continue experts believe there will be around five million with the illness by 2025.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3384713/Record-4m-Britons-suffer-diabetes-obesity-levels-soar.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Loneliness is 'AS deadly as a lack of exercise and diabetes': Poor social network 'drastically increases risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer'

University of North Carolina scientists found that lonely people are more likely to develop health problems, such as inflammation and high blood pressure - and have a shorter life expectancy.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3384242/Loneliness-deadly-lack-exercise-diabetes-Poor-social-network-drastically-increases-risk-heart-disease-stroke-cancer.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Scientists detect inherited traits tied to sleep, wake, and activity cycles

A dozen inherited traits related to sleep, wake, and activity cycles that are associated with severe bipolar disorder have been identified by an international team of researchers.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151228161404.htm