Lack of 'sleep' may zap cell growth, brain activity, study in plants suggests

Lack of adequate sleep can do more than just make you tired. It can short-circuit your system and interfere with a fundamental cellular process that drives physical growth, physiological adaptation and even brain activity, according to a new study.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151030153115.htm

Forget counting sheep - therapy could help chronic pain sufferers get a good night’s sleep

Research indicates that chronic pain sufferers could benefit from therapy to help them sleep better.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151030161421.htm

Sleep interruptions worse for mood than overall reduced amount of sleep, study finds

A new study suggests that awakening several times throughout the night is more detrimental to people's positive moods than getting the same shortened amount of sleep without interruption.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151030220514.htm

Jet lag-like sleep disruptions spur Alzheimer's memory, learning loss

Chemical changes in brain cells caused by disturbances in the body’s day-night cycle may be a key underlying cause of the learning and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151029103405.htm

Watching TV for more than three and a half hours a day linked to 8 diseases

The National Cancer Institute in Michigan discovered that long-term TV watchers are at risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, influenza, pneumonia, Parkinson's and liver disease.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3294520/How-watching-TV-kill-Sitting-box-three-half-hours-day-linked-eight-major-diseases.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Mortality rates for leading causes of early death SLOW

A study by the American Cancer Society reveals between 1969 and 2013 age-standardized death rates for all causes of death fell by 43 per cent - with falls in death rates for heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.

Read the rest at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3294299/Mortality-rates-leading-causes-early-death-SLOW-fewer-succumb-heart-disease-cancer-stroke.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

New finding helps explain why many alcohol drinkers also are smokers

Alcohol and nicotine use have long been known to go hand in hand. Previous research shows that more than 85 percent of US adults who are alcohol-dependent also are nicotine-dependent. Now, researchers have found that nicotine cancels out the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol. It's a finding that sheds light on the reason alcohol and nicotine usage are so closely linked.

Originally published at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151027154958.htm