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Beauty Sleep : While taking a good night sleep, makes one feel energetic and refreshed for the day, Biologists have explained for the first time why having a good night's sleep really could prepare us for the rigorous activities of the day ahead. The study was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. The study conducted on mice shows how the body clock mechanism boosts our ability to maintain our bodies when we are most active. And because we know the body clock is less precise as we age, the discovery, argues lead author Professor Karl Kadler, may one day help unlock some of the mysteries of ageing. The discovery throws fascinating light on the body's extracellular matrix -which provides structural and biochemical support to cells in the form of connective tissue such as bone, skin, tendon and cartilage. Readmore Interesting points

Healthy sleep habits can make a big difference in one's life but work week keeps us all a bit short on sleep, which can be severely harmful, says a study. In the Journal of Lipid Research, researchers at Pennsylvania State University reported that just a few days of sleep deprivation can make participants feel less full after eating and metabolise the fat in food differently. Sleep disruption has been known to be having harmful effects on metabolism for some time. Orfeu Buxton, a professor at Penn State and one of the senior authors of the new study, contributed to a lot of the research demonstrating that long-term sleep restriction puts people at a higher risk of obesity and diabetes. However, Buxton said, most of those studies have focused on glucose metabolism, which is important for diabetes, while relatively few have assessed digestion of lipids from food. Read Complete Article

People often say they can get by on five or fewer hours of sleep. Some believe that snoring is harmless and that having a drink helps you to fall asleep. According to a recent study, these are among the most widely held myths about sleeping that not only shape poor habits but may also pose a significant health threat. As part of the study, a team of researchers reviewed more than 8,000 websites to identify the 20 most common assumptions about sleep. With a team of sleep medicine experts, they ranked them based on whether each could be dispelled as a myth or supported by scientific evidence, and on the harm that the myth could cause. "Sleep is a vital part of life that affects our productivity, mood, and general health and well-being. Dispelling myths about sleep promotes healthier sleep habits which, in turn, promote overall better health," said Rebecca Robbins, lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Sleep Health. The claim by some people that ...

As part of a recent study, researchers have found oxidative stress as the common link between sleep and aging . The research suggests that oxidative stress leads to sleep and is also believed to be a reason why we age. It is also seen as a cause of degenerative diseases. "It's no accident that oxygen tanks carry explosion hazard labels: uncontrolled combustion is dangerous. Animals, including humans, face a similar risk when they use the oxygen they breathe to convert food into energy: imperfectly contained combustion leads to "oxidative stress" in the cell. This is believed to be a cause of aging and a culprit for the degenerative diseases that blight our later years. Our new research shows that oxidative stress also activates the neurons that control whether we go to sleep," explained Gero Miesenbock, lead researcher of the study. The team studied the regulation of sleep in fruit flies - the animal that also provided the first insight into the ...

A new study now finds that the quality of a person's marriage could be affected by their genes. The study was conducted at at Binghamton University, State University of New York. A research team, led by Richard Mattson evaluated whether different genotypes of the Oxytocin Receptor gene ( OXTR ) influenced how partners support one another, which is a key determinant of overall marital quality. OXTR was targeted because it is related to the regulation and release of oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with feeling love and attachment. Oxytocin also appears to be relevant to social cognition and a wide range of social behaviour. Speaking about the study, Mattson said that while prior research has hinted that marital quality is, at least partially, impacted by genetic factors, and that oxytocin may be relevant to social support -- a critical aspect of intimate partnerships, his study is the first to provide evidence that variation on specific genes related to oxyto...

Ever noticed how rocking motion always works like magic when putting a small child to bed? Turns out it works just as effectively for adults as well. In fact, according to a recent study, rocking not only leads to better sleep, but it also boosts memory consolidation during sleep. According to the researchers, having a good night's sleep means falling asleep rapidly and then staying asleep during the whole night. Speaking about the study, Laurence Bayer, lead author of the research said, "Our volunteers -- even if they were all good sleepers -- fell asleep more rapidly when rocked and had longer periods of deeper sleep associated with fewer arousals during the night. We thus show that rocking is good for sleep." The researchers enlisted 18 healthy young adults to undergo sleep monitoring in the lab. The first night was intended to get them used to sleeping there. The participants stayed two more nights -- one sleeping on a gently rocking bed and the other s...

Budget 2019 : Did you know that a woman's ' body clock ' benefits her heart health ? A new research suggests that a gene that governs the body's circadian clock acts differently in males as compared to females and may protect females from heart disease. The study is the first of its kind to analyse circadian blood pressure rhythms in female mice and has been published in the American Journal of Physiology--Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. According to res earchers, the body's circadian clock that organises bodily activities over a 24-hour period contributes to normal variations in blood pressure and heart function over the course of the day. In most healthy humans, blood pressure dips at night. People who do not experience this temporary drop, called "non-dippers," are more likely to develop heart disease. Interim Budget 2019

Business Standard : Researchers have identified two biomarkers that could help in the diagnosis of a irregular heart beat condition that raises the risk of stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting over 30 million people worldwide. But it is often detected only after someone has had a stroke. The study, by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK, found three clinical risk factors and two biomarkers had a strong connection with AF, the BBC reported on Monday. Those most at risk of the condition were older, male and had a high BMI. One is a hormone secreted by the heart called brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the other is a protein responsible for phosphate regulation called fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23). "The biomarkers we have identified have the potential to be used in a blood test in community settings such as in general practices to simplify patient selection for ECG screening," lead aut...

Business Standard : A bacteria discovered in the soil from Northern Ireland can halt the spread of several antibiotic resistant superbugs, new research has found. The soil the researchers analysed originated from an area of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which is known as the Boho Highlands. It is an area of alkaline grassland and the soil is reputed to have healing properties. The researchers named the new strain of bacteria Streptomyces sp. myrophorea. The findings published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology showed that the newly-identified strain of Streptomyces inhibited the growth of four of the top six multi-resistant pathogens identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being responsible for healthcare-associated infections. The four multi-resistant pathogens against which the new strain of bacteria was found effective are -- Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneum...

Business Standard : Winter has finally arrived and for most people, this means layering up in all blacks or greys and hibernating till the season is over. While there is nothing wrong with these colours, one can also experiment with different hues to add freshness to this gloomy winter . Neelanjan Sil, Head of Design at Blackberrys Casuale and Kamakshi Kaul, VP Design Head, Max Fashion brings you some amazing tips to incorporate colours in your otherwise monochrome winter wardrobe. * Statement coats and blazers in bright hues: Statement coats are one of the biggest winter trends . Opt for a statement coat in a bold colour that not only brightens your wardrobe but also keeps you warm. While traditionally blazers do fall under formal category, they look great for casual looks too. Throw a bright colour blazer over a simple outfit to give an instant boost to your outfit. With temperatures decreasing, you can choose from seasonal fabrics wool and tweed to keep you warm. * So...

Business Standard : Kicking and yelling during sleep? You may want to know the risk factors of a violent sleep disorder . According to a recent study, taking antidepressants for depression, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety diagnosed by a doctor are risk factors for a disruptive and sometimes violent sleep disorder called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder. The study was published in the journal of ' Neurology ', the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study also found that men are more likely to have the disorder. REM sleep is the dream state of sleep. During normal REM sleep, your brain sends signals to prevent your muscles from moving. However, for people with REM sleep behavior disorder, those signals are disrupted. A person may act out violent or action-filled dreams by yelling, flailing their arms, punching or kicking, to the point of harming themselves or a person sleeping next to them. "While mu...

Business Standard : Over 10,000 Mumbaikars , including cancer patients and farmers, will march for healthy and 'toxicity-free' good foodstuff grown naturally without using deadly chemicals or pesticides, an organiser said here on Friday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to lead the Help Our Society Health (HOSH) Walk with celebrities on Sunday morning. The event is organised by AmbaGopal Foundation in collaboration with Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and University Of Mumbai. According to the AmbaGopal Foundation founder-trustee Harish Shetty, the HOSH Walk is the first-ever initiative of its kind in Mumbai, intended to highlight how people suffer in different ways by unknowingly consuming foods that are laced with dangerous chemicals , besides air and water pollution compounding problems. "We have also launched a public campaign demanding a complete ban on the use of all chemical fertilisers or pesticides in agriculture, and to ...

Business Standard : Turns out, exercising four hours before going to bed does not have a negative effect on sleep. Even among sleep researchers, it is a widely held belief that sleep quality can be improved by avoiding exercise in the evening. However, according to researchers from the Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, it is not generally true. The scientists concluded that "If doing sport in the evening has any effect on sleep quality at all, it's rather a positive effect, albeit only a mild one." By combining the data from the different studies, the researchers showed that in the night after study participants had done some sport in the evening, they spent 21.2 percent of their sleeping time in deep sleep. Following an evening without exercise, the average figure was 19.9 percent. While the difference is small, it is statistically significant. Deep sleep phases are especially important for physical recovery. However, vigorous training with...

Business Standard : According to a new research, inhibiting a protein within blood vessels can stimulate their growth, resulting in healthier fat tissue and lower blood sugar levels. A research conducted at the York University gave insights on improving blood vessel growth and showed how to mitigate serious health problems that arise with obesity, such as diabetes. The findings of the study are published in the journal ELife . The researchers investigated a process of the vascular system called angiogenesis and whether inhibiting FoxO1 protein would stimulate adipose angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the formation of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. It helps to maintain normal healthy functions in tissue, particularly when that tissue enlarges. However, when the tissue expands as it stores excess fat, angiogenesis is repressed and new capillaries fail to grow. This results in unhealthy adipose tissue , which increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovasc...

Business Standard : According to a recent study, having a fixed bedtime and getting sufficient amount of sleep from early childhood may lead to a healthy body weight in adolescence. The results of the study were published in the journal ' Sleep '. The researchers at Penn State identified groups of children by bedtime and sleep routines and tested longitudinal associations for each group with adolescent body mass index (BMI). The findings suggest that childhood bedtime and sleep routine groups predict adolescent sleep patterns and BMI. In a national study of urban households, one-third of children consistently adhered to age-appropriate bedtimes for ages five through nine. Those who had no bedtime routine at age of nine had shorter self-reported sleep duration and higher BMI at age of 15 when compared to those children with age-appropriate bedtimes (after adjusting for age 3 BMI). "Parenting practices in childhood affect physical health and BMI in the ...

Business Standard : A single workout session consisting of three 20-minute treadmill runs could activate neurons that are important regulators of blood glucose levels and energy balance as well as influence metabolism for up to two days, says a study over mice. The findings showed that a single bout of exercise for mice could boost the activity of energy-burning neurons and inhibit the counterpart one for up to two days and those changes can last longer with more training. "It doesn't take much exercise to alter the activity of these neurons," said Kevin Williams, a neuroscientist at University of Texas Southwestern. "The study predicts that getting out and exercising even once in a semi-intense manner can reap benefits that can last for days, in particular with respect to glucose metabolism," he added. Further, a single workout consisting of three 20-minute treadmill runs caused a decrease in appetite that lasted up to six hours. "Th...

Business Standard : Do you sleep too much or do you not get sufficient sleep ? If so, there is bad news. The amount of time you sleep, including daytime naps, is associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death, a new study warns. The study found that people who slept for longer than the recommended duration of six to eight hours a day had an increased risk of dying or developing heart disease or stroke. "Our study shows that the optimal duration of estimated sleep is six to eight hours per day for adults," said Chuangshi Wang, postdoctoral student from the McMaster University in Canada. "Too little sleep could be an underlying contributor to death and cases of cardiovascular disease, and too much sleep may indicate underlying conditions that increase risk," Wang added. Although daytime napping was associated with higher risks of death or cardiovascular problems in those with sufficient or longer sleep at night, this w...

Business Standard : A Chinese researcher claims that he helped make the world's first genetically edited babies twin girls born this month whose DNA he said he altered with a powerful new tool capable of rewriting the very blueprint of life. If true, it would be a profound leap of science and ethics. A US scientist said he took part in the work in China, but this kind of gene editing is banned in the United States because the DNA changes can pass to future generations and it risks harming other genes. Many mainstream scientists think it's too unsafe to try, and some denounced the Chinese report as human experimentation. The researcher, He Jiankui of Shenzhen, said he altered embryos for seven couples during fertility treatments, with one pregnancy resulting thus far. He said his goal was not to cure or prevent an inherited disease, but to try to bestow a trait that few people naturally have an ability to resist possible future infection with HIV , the...

Business Standard : Sleep length can be associated with an increased risk of fractures, a recent study has suggested. According to the findings of th e research, compared with women who slept seven to eight hours each night, women who slept for 5 hours or 10 hours had about 25 per cent increased odds of experiencing recurrent falls. BS Short sleep was associated with an increased risk of all fractures, and upper limb, lower limb, and central body fractures, but not with an increased risk of hip fractures. The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. The analysis included 157,306 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative, with an average follow-up time of 7.6 years for falls and 12.0 years for fractures. The annualized rate of recurrent fall events was 10.6 percent among women reporting 5 hours of sleep per night, 7.0 percent among women sleeping seven to eight hours per night, and 11.8 percent among women sleeping 10 ho...

Business Standard : According to a recent study, adults who sleep just six hours per night -- as opposed to eight -- may have a higher chance of being dehydrated. These findings suggest that those who don't feel well after a night of poor sleep may want to consider dehydration as a cause, and drink more water. Results of the study are published in the journal SLEEP . Researchers looked at how sleep affected hydration status and risk of dehydration in the US and Chinese adults. In both populations, adults who reported sleeping six hours, had significantly more concentrated urine and 16-59 percent higher odds of being inadequately hydrated compared to adults who slept eight hours on a regular basis at night. The cause was linked to the way the body's hormonal system regulates hydration. A hormone called vasopressin is released to help regulate the body's hydration status. It is released throughout the day, as well as during nighttime sleeping hours, which ...