Man unable to sleep (stock image). Acute sleep loss in humans is associated with increased appetite and insulin insensitivity, while chronically sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to develop obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Credit: © Focus Pocus LTD / Fotolia
A new study is the first to identify that a conserved gene – translin – works as a modulator of sleep in response to metabolic changes. The sleep habits of fruit flies are remarkably similar to humans. They get most of their sleep at night, certain drugs and stimulants like caffeine can negatively affect their sleep, and if they get a lousy night’s sleep it can even affect their memory performance.
When fruit flies are hungry, they sleep less because they will sacrifice sleep for their...
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