Melatonin News and Research

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Melatonin, also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes. In animals, circulating levels of the hormone melatonin vary in a daily cycle, thereby allowing the entrainment of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.

The effect of melatonin on colitis

In rats with experimental colitis, the marked increase in bacterial translocation in postcolitis rats has been reversed by melatonin administration.

19 Mar 2008

Poor sleep more dangerous for women

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center say they may have figured out why poor sleep does more harm to cardiovascular health in women than in men.

11 Mar 2008

Blind humans lacking rods and cones retain normal responses to non-visual effects of light

In addition to allowing us to see, the mammalian eye also detects light for a number of "non-visual" phenomena.

14 Dec 2007

Why is flu worse in winter?

If you've ever wondered why flu is more common in winter a new study by researchers in the U.S. may have some answers to that question.

6 Dec 2007

Prolonged exposure to night shift work increases odds of cancer

A study by the World Health Organization has found that night shift work increases the risk of cancer in humans.

3 Dec 2007

Night shift work linked to cancer risk

A study by a team of international scientists has found that shift work may increase a person's risk of cancer.

3 Dec 2007

Melatonin could actually be hurting you at night!

What do you do when a naturally occurring hormone in your body turns against you? What do you do when that same hormone - melatonin - is a popular supplement you take to help you sleep?

16 Nov 2007

Glasses designed to block blue light improve sleep and ADHD symptoms

Scientists at John Carroll University, working in its Lighting Innovations Institute, have developed an affordable accessory that appears to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Their discovery also has also been shown to improve sleep patterns among people who have difficulty falling asleep.

13 Nov 2007

Melatonin levels tied to quality of sleep

Vanderbilt sleep researchers are reporting a relationship between good sleep and how much melatonin the body produces - the first in a series of research studies intended to help children with autism spectrum disorders sleep through the night.

6 Nov 2007

Brain chemistry and genes dictate nicotine cravings

Individual brain chemistry and genes could be key to understanding why some people become addicted to nicotine and why the chemical compound's effects appear to diminish at night, University of Colorado at Boulder researchers say.

6 Nov 2007

Practice parameters discuss the evaluation, treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Practice parameters published in the November 1 issue of the journal SLEEP are a guide to the appropriate assessment and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs).

2 Nov 2007

Night shift work and cancer - no link found

Working the night shift doesn't appear to increase the risk of developing cancer, suggest the findings of a new study of Swedish workers.

24 Aug 2007

Cicardian system suffers and protects from prenatal cocaine exposure

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that prenatal cocaine exposure in zebrafish (which share the majority of the same genes with humans) can alter neuronal development and acutely dysregulate the expression of circadian genes and those affecting melatonin signaling, growth and neurotransmission.

11 Jul 2007

Multitasking hardest late at night and early morning

Multitasking seems to come easier for some and is virtually impossible for others, however new research shows that it is difficult for all in the late night and early morning.

8 May 2007

Report on effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields on human health

A response to the Stakeholder Advisory Group's report on the effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, by a member of SAGE.

30 Apr 2007

Humans should try to increase melatonin consumption through food

The Spanish Ageing Research Network (Red Nacional de Investigaci'n del Envejecimiento), funded by Carlos III Health Institute and headed by professor Dario Acuna Castroviejo, from the University of Granada, is very near to achieving one of today's Science greatest goals: allowing humans to age in the best possible health conditions.

25 Apr 2007

A mild head injury can increase your chance of developing a sleep disorder

Researchers say these findings highlight the need for improved diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in mild traumatic brain injury patients who complain of insomnia.

4 Apr 2007

New insights into melatonin production

In the April 1 issue of G&D, a Korean research team led by Dr. Kyong-Tai Kim (Pohang University) describes how melatonin production is coordinated with the body's natural sleep/wake cycles.

2 Apr 2007

Corn, oats, cherries and red wine's high melatonin content can help delay ageing

The Spanish Ageing Research Network (Red Nacional de Investigación del Envejecimiento), funded by Carlos III Health Institute and headed by professor Darío Acuna Castroviejo, from the University of Granada, is very near to achieving one of today's Science greatest goals: allowing humans to age in the best possible health conditions.

31 Jan 2007

Massage may help tots sleep better

New research by a team at the University of Warwick says that massage may help infants aged under six months sleep better, cry less and be less stressed.

8 Nov 2006