This week in sleep news…
The optimal sleep temperature
A longitudinal study published this week in Science of the Total Environment confirmed that the optimal temperature for sleep in older adults is 68 to 77°F. This study looked at 11,000 nights of sleep for people over 50 to examine the impact of ambient temperature on sleep. They found that sleep efficiency in older adults dropped by 5 to 10% when bedroom temperatures rose from 77 to 86°F, with extreme worsening in sleep time and restfulness as the temperature rose above 77°F. The study emphasized the need for individualized thermostat settings in certain people such as the elderly and low-income adults.
A study in sleep in space
On his long-term visit to the International Space Station (ISS), European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen will run two experiments on sleep to learn about circadian light and sleep in orbit. While in space, astronauts often find it hard to maintain a natural daily rhythm due to the ISS’s 90-minute orbit schedule around the earth. For Mogensen’s mission, dubbed the Huginn mission, the astronaut will use a lamp designed to support the circadian rhythm of astronauts in space, which will sync to Mogensen’s sleep schedule and mimic the natural light of day.
The other device they’re testing is a small in-ear device that is similar to in-ear headphones. The device will measure electroencephalogram (EEG) of Andreas’s brain, letting researchers analyze his brain activity throughout the night to help understand the quality of his sleep.
Good sleep habits can buffer kids from stress-linked impulsivity
A study reveals that adequate sleep can help children combat impulsive behaviors often brought on by stressful environments. Researchers from the University of Georgia analyzed data from over 11,000 children aged 9 and 10 and found that those who had less than nine hours of sleep or took over 30 minutes to fall asleep exhibited more impulsive behaviors. The findings suggest that addressing sleep may offer a cost-efficient way to help children navigate stressful situations.
In sleep-centric social media ...
Rylie Shaw is pulling back the curtain on sleep studies and taking us along on her journey.
