Sleep

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A recent study conducted by the University of Otago has found that using electronic devices in bed, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, is linked to poorer sleep quality. The research indicates that individuals who engage in screen time while in bed experience delayed sleep onset and reduced overall sleep duration.

Dr. Bradley Brosnan, the lead author of the study, emphasized that while screen time before bed had little impact on sleep, usage once in bed significantly impaired sleep quality. The study observed that 99% of participants used screens in the two hours before bed, with more than half continuing this usage once in bed, leading to an average delay of 30 minutes in falling asleep.

Health experts warn that poor sleep can have serious long-term effects on mental and physical well-being, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, obesity, and heart disease.

Dr. Amina Bello, a sleep researcher at the National Institute of Sleep Research, who was not involved in the study, commented on the findings: “This research reinforces the importance of creating a tech-free bedtime routine. Even just 30 minutes without screens before bed can make a significant difference.”

The study recommends setting screen curfews, charging devices outside the bedroom, and engaging in relaxing activities like reading or meditation before bed to promote healthier sleep habits.

By Muhammad Isah Zng

Sleeping is essential to the human body. It helps the body function well in the office, school, and daily activities. That’s why experts in health care emphasise that people should get at least six to seven hours of sleep daily.

Sleep improves physical health, helping humans build bones and muscles and strengthen the immune system. Although it decreases the lifespan of healthy adults, it also helps children grow up with the utmost energy.  

Therefore, sleeping enhances cognitive function. It plays a crucial role in brain function and development, helping the brain process information and get enough rest to function well. Consequently, a lack of sleep can impact cognitive function, leading to difficulties reading, understanding, or making good decisions. 

Furthermore, enough sleep helps the human body have a stronger immune system, which produces cytokines that fight infections and inflammation. Because of these cytokines, people who sleep well have fewer diseases. Therefore, chronic sleep deprivation can weaken a human’s immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. 

Sleep improves memory, and the human body protects the body from minor diseases and helps people perform well in the office, school, and other activities. 

Muhammad Isah Zng wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of California has uncovered intriguing insights into the mechanics of sleep, particularly focusing on the brain’s activity during this crucial rest period.

Published in Nature, the study sheds light on how sleep acts as a “reset” for the brain, primarily during the initial half of the night.

According to the research, during sleep, the brain undergoes a process of weakening newly formed connections between neurons, known as synaptic pruning. This phenomenon predominantly occurs during the first half of sleep, suggesting that this period is crucial for streamlining neural connections.

However, the purpose of the second half of sleep remains enigmatic. While researchers speculate that it may involve processes such as waste removal or cellular repair, further investigation is needed to elucidate its exact function.

Lead author Professor Jason Rihel from UCL Cell & Developmental Biology explains, “When we are awake, the connections between brain cells get stronger and more complex.

“If this activity were to continue unabated, it would be energetically unsustainable. Too many active connections between brain cells could prevent new connections from being made the following day.”

The study supports the Synaptic Homeostasis Hypothesis, suggesting that sleep serves as a necessary reset for the brain, facilitating optimal cognitive function.

Using optically translucent zebrafish, researchers monitored synaptic activity over multiple sleep-wake cycles.

They observed that brain cells gain connections during wakefulness and lose them during sleep, with the extent of synaptic rearrangement influenced by sleep pressure.

Furthermore, the study revealed that synaptic remodeling predominantly occurs in the first half of the nightly sleep cycle, correlating with patterns of slow-wave activity.

While the findings provide valuable insights into the role of sleep in synaptic regulation, questions persist regarding the functions of the second half of sleep.

The study hints at potential avenues for future research into the broader functions of sleep beyond synaptic pruning.