Sleep – The Loh Down On Science

Coffee or Nap?

March 15, 2023 Jing Zhang

Two cups of coffee on a potable table placed on a bed

Foggy brain? How do YOU recharge your batteries — nap or coffee? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Chug down a grande frappuccino after lunch and whoa, you are rip-roaring and ready to go! But does coffee ACTUALLY help? Sara Mednick and colleagues at the

Sleep on That!

March 8, 2023 Alan Ly

Woman resting in bed with her eyes opened, looking at the camera

Does a bad Tuesday night’s sleep mean an even worse Wednesday? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. After a night of tossing and turning, random bad thoughts or memories seem to come out of nowhere to ruin the day! Is there a connection? Marcus Harrington

A Snooze Boost

March 3, 2023 Jing Zhang

Exams…ugh! I’m drinking Red Bull and pulling all-nighters but I can’t remember ANYTHING! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. After a good night’s sleep, our memory is tip-top compared to when we’re more bleary-eyed. But how does a snooze help us remember? Jing Zhang and

Grumpy or Gracious

January 24, 2023 Emily Tom

Stayed up last night binging Star Wars: The Last Rehash? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying… It’s time to hit the hay! Sleep helps us fight off diseases and think clearly. But why does sleep deprivation make us so… GRUMPY? Eti Ben Simon and

Dreaming Spiders

December 14, 2022 Carlene Chinn

Spiders – they bite! They jump! They…DREAM? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It’s bedtime and you stare up at your ceiling. A SPIDER! Do you flee? Do you leave it be? Maybe it’s asleep? Say… do spiders… dream? Daniela Robler and team from Washington

Watts Up Doc?

September 1, 2022 Lily Li

Can’t fall asleep without the TV on? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Your eyelids are drooping as you TRY to binge just one more Stranger Things episode. Unfortunately, studies show that sleeping with lights on is linked to diabetes and obesity….. But HOW? Ivy

The Twilight Zone

May 4, 2022 Sarah Merrigan

For your consideration: a baffling conundrum – a question without an answer. Next stop . . .The Twilight Zone! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. I’ve been puzzling over this Sudoku for HOURS! Maybe it’s time for . . . a trip to the inner

Worth a Shot

April 21, 2022 Karissa Munoz

Is your sleep quality ON THE ROCKS? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. WINE-ing about not getting a good night’s sleep? Maybe that after-work cocktail is to blame! Dandan Zheng and researchers at Penn State University wondered whether alcohol intake affects sleep. To find out, they

Sound Asleep?

January 4, 2022 Ying Huang

Shh, don’t wake the baby! She’s busy learning… This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. “Mama, dada, MORE!!”… Babies pick up words so quickly! When kids memorize words, specific regions of the brain go into hyper-drive. But where does this speed-learning take place in BABIES’ brains??

Blue Light Battle

October 12, 2021 Paige Halas

Time for bed … but first, just ONE MORE TikTok video! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Blue light naturally comes from the sun. But modern humans have developed EXTRA exposure! Think artificial light sources like LED lights, tablets and cell phone screens! How do