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Sleep

·August 5, 2023·5 min read

How Our Own Sleep Ratings Shape Our Next-Day Mood

According to a recent study people's feelings about their sleep have a stronger influence on their well-being than data from sleep-tracking technology. Over 100 participants kept daily sleep diaries and wore actigraphs on their wrists to monitor sleep patterns. The research compared these readings to participants' personal evaluations of their sleep and their moods the next day.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 28, 2023·5 min read

Infant Nap Frequency Reflects Cognitive Needs

A new study found that the frequency and duration of naps in infants are an indication of their cognitive needs. According to the research, infants with smaller vocabularies and poorer cognitive abilities tend to nap more frequently.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 18, 2023·6 min read

Culture and Geography Significantly Influence Sleep Patterns

A new study reveals that culture and geography significantly influence sleep patterns. Using data from Nokia smartwatches, the researchers analyzed 52 million logs over four years from 30,082 individuals in 11 countries.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 13, 2023·4 min read

Sleep Quality Is A Stronghold Against Depression and Anxiety

A recent study reveals quality sleep can significantly bolster resilience to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, especially under chronic stress. Analyzing data from over 600 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that positive coping strategies, supported by high-quality sleep, helped to prevent poor mental health outcomes.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 8, 2023·7 min read

How Deep Sleep Brain Waves Can Impact Blood Sugar Levels

Deep-sleep brain waves could be a significant factor in regulating blood sugar. The research shows that a combination of sleep spindles and slow waves can predict an increase in insulin sensitivity, subsequently lowering glucose levels.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 6, 2023·7 min read

Sleep Deprivation May Dull Benefits of Exercise on Cognition

Not getting sufficient sleep could offset the cognitive benefits gained from regular physical activity. Researchers studied cognitive function over 10 years in nearly 9000 English people aged 50 and over.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 28, 2023·6 min read

In Dreams of Color: Octopuses Exhibit REM-Like Sleep Patterns

Octopuses, despite their completely different brain structures, display sleep cycles akin to humans. The research reveals octopuses enter an active sleep phase similar to REM sleep in humans, suggesting the existence of this sleep stage in complex cognition across species.

This shows a man taking an afternoon nap.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 25, 2023·6 min read

A Power Nap a Day May Keep Brain Aging at Bay

Habitual daytime napping could help preserve brain health and slow down the brain shrinkage that comes with aging. Using Mendelian randomisation and examining DNA snippets, researchers linked napping to larger total brain volume, a known indicator of brain health and dementia risk reduction.

This shows a person awake late at night.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 16, 2023·5 min read

Night Owls’ Lifespan Less Linked to Sleep Patterns, More to Lifestyle Choices

Recent research refutes the idea that 'night owls' face a shorter lifespan due to their late-night tendencies, emphasizing lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking as the more significant contributors. The study involved almost 23,000 twins from Finland, tracked over a period of 37 years.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2023·4 min read

Unlocking Memory Secrets: The Surprising Power of Sleep & Dreams

Recent neuroscience studies underscore the profound impact of sleep and sleep disorders on memory. Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, selectively preserving relevant memories while discarding non-essential ones. However, sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome, can significantly hinder this process, leading to memory impairments. These insights highlight the need for effective treatment strategies to ensure cognitive health.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 2, 2023·5 min read

Unlocking Memory Enhancement: Sleep-Based Deep-Brain Stimulation Shows Promise

Researchers provide evidence of how the brain consolidates memory during sleep. The study revealed that targeted deep-brain stimulation during a specific sleep phase can enhance memory consolidation.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 30, 2023·2 min read

Hair Cortisol Levels in Infants May Predict Sleep Patterns

Cortisol levels in late pregnancy may predict an infant's sleep patterns. Higher cortisol levels in neonates were found to be associated with longer sleep latency at 7 months.