After a long day spent socializing or learning who to flirt with, scientists say fruit flies need to sleep longer, shedding light on what sleep may actually do for humans. Sleep remains a mystery. To delve into why people need to sleep, neurogeneticist Indrani Ganguly-Fitzgerald at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, Calif., and her colleagues Paul Shaw and Jeff Donlea at Washington Univers... read full post picked by 2manyusernames 3 years ago

"Whatever the function of sleep, or the functions of sleep are, they seem to be so important that evolution is willing to put us in that place of potential danger by losing consciousness. It would be the biggest evolutionary mistake if sleep does not serve some critical function," Walker says. picked by dollyllama 2 years ago

Many situations exist where it is taboo to sleep despite the natural inclination of humans to rest their tired eyes. Examples include meetings, lectures, and conversations. With Sleep Safe Tape, users can get the shuteye they need while appearing to be wide-awake. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

A leading sleep expert claimed that most people need far less than eight hours' sleep a night. Here, Professor Jim Horne of the Sleep Research Centre explains why. picked by karenben 1 year ago

Sleep deprivation can lead to the development of mental disorders. picked by maxriter 2 years ago

Sleep is one of those funny things about being a human being... you just have to do it. Have you ever wondered why? picked by bunmaster 2 years ago

Did you grab that extra hour of sleep this morning after setting the clocks back an hour? (I didn't). You probably shouldn't have. picked by suebe 4 weeks ago

Scientists believe the position in which a person goes to sleep provides an important clue about the kind of person they are. picked by ogri2003 2 years ago

Some types of sleep, sleep behavior and sleep beliefs that can be odd, different or just false. picked by maxriter 2 years ago

If you ever argued with your mother when she told you to get some sleep after studying for an exam instead of pulling an all-nighter, you owe her an apology, because it turns out she's right. picked by karenben 10 months ago

When someone tells me they've had a bad night's sleep, I find it hard to sympathise. I can't believe anyone sleeps as badly as me. On a good night I get three hours of restless catnapping, waking every 15 minutes and then dropping off again. I regularly go for two or three nights with no sleep at all. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Derek Rogers, 70, from Bedford, has a rare sleep disorder which causes him to become violent when he sleep-walks. He has destroyed furniture, attacked his wife and injured himself during the night - but remembers nothing. picked by BrownTrout 3 years ago

Sleep problems in children and teens have reached a crisis level in America. New science shows that these issues are setting the table for obesity, depression, drug abuse, and future cardiovascular disease. Sp picked by karenben 1 year ago

Drivers will be able to sleep, read, work or watch television behind the wheel of their cars at 70mph on the motorway, using technology being developed by scientists.
A system which will lock cars together using sensors and wireless technology, allowing up to ten at a time to cruise in ‘car train’ convoys, could be unveiled within two years. picked by AutumnLotus 5 months ago

Twenty percent of Americans sleep less than six hours a night, and nearly one-third have lost sleep worrying about financial concerns, according to the National Sleep Foundation, which recommends that adults get seven to nine hours. "Our society thinks sleep is for slackers," says Darrel Drobnich, the organization's chief program officer. (Interesting column on sleeping and ways to lear... read full post picked by lynxears 6 months ago

A NYC museum is looking for women to participate in a "sleep art" installation. Pay is $10/hour. Participants are expected to sleep 6 hours. How to apply for the job picked by suebe 10 months ago

Compounds found in green tea may help ward off the neurological damage that can come with the breathing disorder sleep apnoea. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

"Many of the kids with a sleep disorder will present with inattention. They'll have fatigue. They may even look like a child who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but in fact, it's related to their sleep," said Thomas Burns, a neuropsychologist. picked by muppet 2 years ago

There has always been an air of mystery surrounding Margaret Thatcher's famous boast that she only needed four hours sleep a night.

But now scientists have discovered a gene that determines the amount of sleep we need - and which allows some people to survive on fewer hours. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech and memory and concentration lapses. picked by 2manyusernames 3 years ago