Sleep News and Research

Latest Sleep News and Research

Template for COVID-19 management in a rural health system

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge existing health networks, a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in October 2020 reports on a strategy to address existing health care disparities in rural and urban areas of the USA. This should draw attention to the need for more such systems to ensure proper rural healthcare in the current and future pandemics.

20 Oct 2020

Study finds dramatic increase in the use of non-invasive ventilation

More research is needed before a less invasive form of ventilation is used near the end of life for patients who have cancer and dementia, recommends the authors of a scientific paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

19 Oct 2020

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea linked with increased hospitalization from flu

As we approach flu season, adults with obstructive sleep apnea may want to take extra precautions. A study published online as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is the first to find that patients with sleep apnea who did not use CPAP therapy were more likely to be hospitalized with the flu.

19 Oct 2020

Melatonin may increase survival chances among intubated COVID-19 patients

Researchers at Columbia University in New York have conducted a study showing that patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require intubation and mechanical ventilation due to respiratory distress may benefit from treatment with the hormone melatonin.

19 Oct 2020

'Jumping genes' may frequently alter neural function

A new study by neuroscientists at the University of Oxford shows that mobile genetic elements that were active in the genomes of our ancestors could be closely linked to important functions in our brain and might help diversify our behavior, cognition and emotions.

16 Oct 2020

Wearing blue-light glasses before sleeping can improve sleep quantity and quality

During the pandemic, the amount of screen time for many people working and learning from home as well as binge-watching TV has sharply increased. New research finds that wearing blue-light glasses just before sleeping can lead to a better night's sleep and contribute to a better day's work to follow.

15 Oct 2020

Combination therapy is more effective at preventing recurrence of bipolar disorder

A review of 39 randomized clinical trials by scientists from UCLA and their colleagues from other institutions has found that combining the use medication with psychoeducational therapy is more effective at preventing a recurrence of illness in people with bipolar disorder than medication alone.

15 Oct 2020

'Shrinking' tonsils results in lesser pain and bleeding than full tonsillectomy

A 10-year study from Flinders University has found "shrinking" tonsils results in far less pain and bleeding than a full tonsillectomy.

14 Oct 2020

Fecal transplants: The secret to eternal youth

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to researchers about their latest research which could reveal the secret to eternal youth, fecal transplants.

14 Oct 2020

Better sleep improves next-day mindfulness, finds study

Sleeping an extra 29 minutes each night can be the key to improving mindfulness, a critical resource that has benefits for daily well-being and work performance.

13 Oct 2020

Sleep disorders common during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in October 2020 reveals the significant prevalence of sleep abnormalities among the population in areas affected by COVID-19. This is likely to cause a heavy toll on mental and physical health if sustained over the long run.

13 Oct 2020

Regular moderate physical exercise can significantly reduce cancer risk

Disruption to our circadian rhythms due to a mismatch between environmental influences, such as exposure to light or mealtimes, and our internal 24-hour clock (circadian rhythm) is a possible cause of cancer.

13 Oct 2020

Mothers who report increased insomnia symptoms have higher levels of acute COVID-19 anxiety

Many mothers are experiencing an increase in insomnia severity and mild-to-high levels of acute COVID-19 anxiety, according to a new study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College in Israel.

12 Oct 2020

Study examines ways to improve prone positioning for severe ARDS during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society examines ways to increase the use of prone positioning for patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and develops specific implementation strategies that can assist in clinicians' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

9 Oct 2020

Hard lives made harder by COVID: Homeless endure a ‘slow-moving train wreck’

The message wasn't lost on Daniel Gonzalez. Early in the pandemic, one of the first things Imperial County did to ward off the virus was close the public bathrooms and, later, public cooling centers. In this sprawling Southern California desert, where summer brings blistering triple-digit heat, that lack of access could amount to a death sentence for people without shelter.

8 Oct 2020