Sleep News and Research

Latest Sleep News and Research

Stress-induced sleep may hold the key to faster recovery

A new Neuron perspective reveals that stress can both disrupt and promote sleep, with specific brain circuits making stress-induced sleep a potential tool for recovery. This insight may lead to innovative approaches for building resilience and treating stress-related disorders.

25 May 2025

Oral microbiota transmission linked to shared depression and anxiety in couples

Oral microbiota dysbiosis and altered salivary cortisol levels have been linked to depression and anxiety.

23 May 2025

Mild winter temperatures offer surprising mental health benefits

Higher ambient temperatures during the cold season were linked to reduced stress, improved life satisfaction, better self-reported health, and less loneliness in a large Swiss population study. While effects were modest at the individual level, they highlight the broader mental health impacts of seasonal temperature changes.

22 May 2025

Unlocking the secrets of human longevity and healthy aging

Human healthy aging and longevity are complex phenomena influenced by a dynamic interplay of genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, immune, and environmental factors.

22 May 2025

Reduced monitoring after stroke found safe for low risk patients

Halving the number of times vital signs and neurological function are checked in low-risk patients after treatment for acute ischaemic stroke does not compromise care or recovery, according to new findings presented at the 11th European Stroke Organisation Conference in Helsinki, Finland.

22 May 2025

REM sleep suppression linked to longer survival in ALS patients

During REM sleep, the body enters a state of paralysis. This can pose a danger for patients with weakened diaphragms due to neuromuscular diseases.

21 May 2025

Eating garlic, berries, and tea may support younger, healthier cells

Higher intake of methyl adaptogen foods, such as turmeric, green tea, and berries, was associated with reduced epigenetic age in middle-aged men, according to a secondary analysis of the MDLS trial. These findings support the potential role of specific dietary polyphenols in modulating biological aging, though further research in larger and more diverse populations is needed.

21 May 2025

Microplastics in ultra-processed foods may fuel mental health risks, experts warn

New research highlights a possible link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and rising rates of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Experts call for urgent investigation as microplastic accumulation in the human brain increases alongside ultra-processed food intake.

21 May 2025

Majority of U.S. workers report stress linked to job insecurity

A majority of U.S. workers (54%) said job insecurity has had a significant impact on their stress levels at work, and more than a third (39%) said they are concerned they may lose their job in the next 12 months due to changes in government policies, according to the American Psychological Association's 2025 Work in America survey.

21 May 2025

Trump won’t force Medicaid to cover GLP-1S for obesity. A few states are doing it anyway.

When Page Campbell's doctor recommended she try an injectable prescription drug called Wegovy to lose weight before scheduling bariatric surgery, she readily agreed.

21 May 2025

Gut bacteria and genes jointly shape obesity risk, review reveals hidden links

Researchers examined the heritability of body mass index (BMI), highlighting that genetics and the gut microbiome both play major roles in obesity risk. The review emphasizes that maternal microbiome transmission and family environment may help explain “missing heritability” beyond known genetic factors.

20 May 2025

Long COVID linked to rising anxiety and depression in children

A new study from Kennedy Krieger Institute is calling attention to an emerging mental health crisis among children with long COVID. Researchers found that nearly 40% of pediatric patients with long COVID reported feeling significant symptoms of anxiety or depression.

20 May 2025

Snooze alarms steal hours of sleep each month, new research shows

Researchers analyzed over 3 million sleep sessions from a global cohort of smartphone users and found that more than half used snooze alarms, with frequent snoozing linked to irregular sleep patterns. The study highlights potential health implications and the need for further research into the effects of repeated snooze use.

20 May 2025

New AI model assesses eczema severity using smartphone images

A team of researchers from Keio University School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, and Teikyo University, in collaboration with Atopiyo LLC, has developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model that can objectively assess eczema severity using smartphone images uploaded by patients.

20 May 2025

Combination of two drugs shows promise in treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A combination of two drugs could improve outcomes and reduce the need for toxic chemotherapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the commonest cancer in childhood and one that can be particularly difficult to treat in older patients, according to Cambridge scientists.

20 May 2025

Personality traits influence risk and persistence of insomnia

A study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil examined the influence of personality traits on the development and perpetuation of insomnia and found that there is a direct relationship between the two.

19 May 2025

Higher McCance Brain Care Score linked to lower stroke risk in women

Women with a higher McCance Brain Care Score (BCS) – a score that measures physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional factors – have a lower risk of experiencing a stroke or other cerebrovascular event reducing blood flow to the brain, according to a new study conducted by experts from Mass General Brigham.

19 May 2025

New short film sheds light on the impact of climate change on brain health

A powerful new short film, from the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences sheds light on the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on brain health.

19 May 2025

New machine learning model shows promise in predicting postpartum depression risk

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 15 percent of individuals after childbirth. Early identification of patients at risk of PPD could improve proactive mental health support.

19 May 2025

Study reveals high rates of cannabis use disorder in older US veterans

A large national study of U.S. veterans aged 65–84 found that 10.3% reported cannabis use in the past 30 days, with over one-third of these meeting criteria for cannabis use disorder. Frequent use and inhaled forms of cannabis sharply increased the risk.

19 May 2025