When people don't get enough sleep, it can affect attention, reflexes, and communication. Even the reactions of people are different when they are well rested from when they are deprived of sleep. A group of scientists studying epilepsy also studied the effects of sleep deprivation. They learned that when people don’t sleep enough, certain brain cells literally slow down. Listen to hear more about how important sleep is to the way we process information.
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April 18, 2016
3:31
Astronauts live and work in small spaces. If they were to stay in space for years at a time, they would need a larger place to live. The problem has been how to pack something large into a small space capsule. The solution may be an inflatable room. NASA is now ready to test a new inflatable habitat. It will be sent to the International Space Station for a trial. Listen to hear more about this invention.
Read MoreDecember 15, 2015
5:06
Hundreds of people sleep by the side of noisy roads typical in India’s largest cities. The same is true in other low-income countries. Researchers are now looking at whether or not a lack of sleep may actually be a root cause of poverty. Researchers are studying the real-world impact of chronic sleep deprivation, and the impact on how people make, and avoid, decisions. When people are tired, they don’t have the mental capacity to deal with some decisions and that can keep them from making good choices. Listen to hear more about how lack of sleep can affect learning and brain functions.
Read MoreAugust 25, 2015
2:56
Sleep is important for everyone’s health, but it’s particularly important for children and teenagers, whose brains are still growing. Teenagers are biologically inclined to stay up later, resulting in two-thirds of young people being seriously sleep deprived. Lack of sleep can lead to obesity, depression, smoking, drinking, lower grades, and can contribute to car crashes. To prevent these things, health experts recommend that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. School districts are not following this recommendation, however, as five out of six schools start before then. Listen to more about this ongoing public health issue.
Read MoreNovember 6, 2014
4:00
When people don’t get enough sleep they aren’t able to think clearly, but why? A new study has uncovered what happens in the brain of animals as they sleep. These findings shed light on why people and animals need sleep and help researchers better understand the links between sleep and Alzheimers. Listen to this public radio story about why sleep is important to brain health.
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