Feeling tired and sleepy? This test will detect if you are sleep deprived
Monday, September 24, 2018 IST
A machine learning algorithm identified a subset of 68 genes and with 92% accuracy could detect whether a sample was from a sleep-deprived or well-rested individual.
Being sleep deprived can lead to many problems. Drowsy driving can be dangerous for both the drivers and the other people on road; it can cause accidents and crashes. In order to stop this, researchers have developed a blood test to examine whether one has skipped a night’s sleep.
During this study from the Sleep Research Centre at the University of Surrey, 36 participants skipped one night of sleep. During the 40-hour period of sleep deprivation, blood samples were taken and changes in the expression levels of thousands of genes were measured.
A machine learning algorithm identified a subset of 68 genes and with 92% accuracy could detect whether a sample was from a sleep-deprived or well-rested individual.
This discovery paves the way for a future test which will be able to assess if a driver was sleep deprived. Previous research in this area from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has shown that drivers who get just one to two hours less than the recommended daily allowance in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk for a car crash.
“Identifying these biomarkers is the first step to developing a test which can accurately calculate how much sleep an individual has had. The very existence of such biomarkers in the blood after only a period of 24-hour wakefulness shows the physiological impact a lack of sleep can have on our body,” said study author Simon Archer.
“This is a test for acute total sleep loss; the next step is to identify biomarkers for chronic insufficient sleep, which we know to be associated with adverse health outcomes,” said lead author Derk-Jan Dijk. The study could help police identify drowsy drivers in road accidents, or assist employers in assessing fitness for duty.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
Your sleep position has a great impact on your overall health.
Recently posted . 1K views . 0 min read
The research was conducted among the Canadian students aged between 11-20 years which revealed a dose-response relation between the over-use of social media.
Recently posted . 889 views . 1 min read
Sleeping with a pillow is comfortable, but is it healthy?
Recently posted . 1K views . 0 min read
The idea has sparked a race to develop apps that warn of impending mental health crises.
Recently posted . 971 views . 1 min read
Configure the airflow velocity of your air conditioner to a comfortable sleeping environment, as a study reveals when airflow is directed at a human body a...
Recently posted . 946 views . 20 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
In a study in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists from Britain’s Cambridge University who used the artificially-intelligent (AI...
Recently posted. 659 views . 2 min read
Not a gym fan? Here are ways in which you can exercise at home using household items instead
Recently posted. 700 views . 0 min read
Anybody can cook, even if it’s only a fried egg – but not just anyone has the discipline to fast. This ancient practice of abstaining from eating for a ...
Recently posted. 919 views . 2 min read
Recently posted . 660 views
Recently posted . 927 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 52 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 89 min read
Say hello to the other worried parents who are also standing around aimlessly. This group will be your support system for the next 12 years. Exchange numbers and ma...
Recently posted. 978 views . 1 min read
Kidney disease can affect people of all ages and races, including children. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don'...
Recently posted. 805 views . 15 min read