Bacteria 'sleep', then rapidly evolve, to survive antibiotic treatments

Using quantitative approaches from physics, biophysicists discovered a surprising way that bacteria can evolve resistance to antibiotics. After evolving a sleeping mechanism, the bacteria can then wake up and evolve resistance 20 times faster than normal -- at which point continuing to administer antibiotics won't kill the bacteria. The results indicate that tolerance may play a crucial role in the evolution of resistance in bacterial populations under cyclic exposures to high antibiotic concentrations.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170209142558.htm

Exercise, sleep are key to keeping employees from bringing home work frustrations, study shows

A brisk walk or a long swim may be the key to preventing a bad day at the office from spilling over into the home. A study tracked participants' sleep patterns and daytime physical movements found employees who recorded more than 10,900 steps each day were less likely to perpetuate abuse at home.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170207191902.htm

Putting on just half a stone can raise diabetes risk

Scientists at Cambridge University say that if everyone aged 30 to 60 maintained their weight, one in five cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4198170/Putting-just-half-stone-raise-diabetes-risk.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Sleep deprivation handicaps the brain's ability to form new memories, mouse study shows

Studying mice, scientists have fortified evidence that a key purpose of sleep is to recalibrate the brain cells responsible for learning and memory so the animals can 'solidify' lessons learned and use them when they awaken -- in the case of nocturnal mice, the next evening.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170202141916.htm

Sleep research high-resolution images show how the brain resets during sleep

Striking electron microscope pictures from inside the brains of mice suggest what happens in our own brain every day: Our synapses -- the junctions between nerve cells -- grow strong and large during the stimulation of daytime, then shrink by nearly 20 percent while we sleep, creating room for more growth and learning the next day.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170202141913.htm

Study points to a universal immune mechanism as a regulator of sleep

Sleep may be regulated in part by several brain-based immune proteins collectively called inflammasome NLRP3, suggests new research conducted in mice.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170202141838.htm

Better sleep can lead to better sex

Sleep disturbance is common for many women during menopause, creating an array of adverse health outcomes such as heart disease, hypertension, and depression. A new study shows that sleep problems can also interfere with a woman's level of sexual satisfaction.

Originally published at https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170201092644.htm