WASHINGTON D.C. [USA]: We all know now that spending too much time watching screens – be it computers, phones, iPads – wreaks havoc on sleep. But do you know why?
Researchers have identified how certain cells in the eye process ambient light and reset our internal clocks, daily cycles of physiological processes known as circadian rhythms. When these cells are exposed to artificial light late at night, our internal clocks can be disrupted, resulting in many health problems.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Salk Institute, was published in the journal Cell Reports.
The results could contribute to the development of new treatments for migraines, insomnia, jet lag and circadian rhythm disorders related to cognitive dysfunction, cancer, obesity, resistance to insulin, metabolic syndrome, etc.
"We are continually exposed to artificial light, whether it is to switch to the screen, to spend the day indoors or to stay awake late at night" , said Professor Satchin Panda of Salk, lead author of the study. "This lifestyle disrupts our circadian rhythms and has deleterious health consequences."
Sleeping like a baby! Six technologies to make your room comfortable
For a restful sleep
August 9, 2017
Technology that is an integral part of our daily lives can not only brighten our bedrooms, but also improve the way we sleep the night.
Sleep Sensor and Bedroom Monitor
Aug 9, 2017
This beautiful little bullet – Hello's second generation Sense with Voice – has everything to help you sleep better. Besides the measurement of light, humidity, temperature, air quality and noise, the device can now detect volatile organic compounds such as CO2, levels UV in the room and the barometric pressure. Its Sleep Pill button attaches to your pillow to monitor your movements overnight and sends this data to the Sense app for badysis.
(Image: www.hello.is)
Ensuring that clothing devices follow your sleep
August 9, 2017
Apparel groups are more than just follow-up activities. The lightweight and stylish Jawbone UP3 is designed to give you the benefits of tracking your sleep and a complete picture of your hearing, outside of your daily activities. It tracks your sleep by automatically measuring Deep, Light and REM (quick eye movements) and offers tips to help you sleep well at night.
(Image: www.jawbone.com)
Wake Up Light
Aug 9, 2017
Daily light therapy with a Philips morning wake-up light can change the way you start the day. This light alarm concept uses a colorful simulation of the sunrise with sound. It gradually brightens from soft morning red to orange until your room is filled with a bright yellow light. The process of increasing light change, according to the society, stimulates your body to wake up naturally.
(Image: www.usa.philips.com)
Wardrobe Management Becomes Easy
9 Aug. 2017
Wardrobes are gone. Give your room a smart clothing management system that not only houses your clothes, but also refreshes them. The LG Styler reduces wrinkles and eliminates odors from your clothes, minimizing the frequency of their trips to the cleaner. Hot steam is used to refresh and remove wrinkles and odors from clothes.
(Image: www.lg.com)
The back of our eyes contains a sensory membrane called the retina, whose innermost layer contains a tiny population of light-sensitive cells that function like pixels in a digital camera . When these cells are exposed to continuous light, a protein called melanopsin continually regenerates within them, signaling ambient light levels directly to the brain to regulate consciousness, sleep, and alertness. Melanopsin plays a vital role in synchronizing our internal clock after 10 minutes of illumination and removes, under bright light, the hormone melatonin, responsible for regulating sleep.
"Compared to other light-sensing cells in the eye, melanopsin cells react as long as the light lasts, even a few more seconds," said Ludovic Mure, first author of the document. "It's essential because our circadian clocks are designed to respond only to prolonged illumination."
In the new work, Salk researchers used molecular tools to activate the production of melanopsin in retinal cells in mice. They discovered that some of these cells were able to maintain bright responses when they were exposed to repeated long pulses of light, while others became insensitive.