A study in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research found that even mild insomnia symptoms can predict increased future alcohol use in adults. Using objective measures like wrist actigraphy and the dim light melatonin onset test, researchers discovered that higher baseline insomnia severity and longer total sleep time were linked to greater alcohol consumption and binge drinking. The study highlights the importance of addressing sleep disturbances to potentially reduce alcohol misuse.
The thymus, an organ previously believed to be non-functional in adults, may actually play a crucial role in our health and cancer prevention as we age, according to recent research. A study found that adults who had undergone thymectomy (removal of the thymus) had a significantly higher risk of dying and developing cancer compared to those who hadn't. The thymus is involved in developing the immune system and producing immune T cells. The findings suggest that the thymus remains functionally important in adulthood and that the consequences of thymectomy should be carefully considered.
