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Dr. Scott R. Garrison, MD, PhD, presented two studies at ESC comparing the timing of blood pressure medication dosing in hypertensive primary care patients and frail, older adults in nursing homes. The BedMed and BedMed-Frail trials found that there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) or safety outcomes based on whether the medication was taken in the morning or at bedtime. These findings align with the TIME study from the United Kingdom and contradict earlier trials suggesting a cardiovascular benefit from bedtime dosing. The studies suggest that the timing of blood pressure medication dosing may not significantly impact outcomes, and adherence to medication is crucial regardless of timing. [Extracted from the article]

A study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting suggested that individuals with late chronotypes, or night owls, may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) beyond lifestyle factors. Late chronotypes were found to have a 46% increased risk for T2D, along with higher BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat, and liver fat. The study highlighted the importance of circadian rhythms and suggested that adjusting chronotype earlier in life could potentially reduce T2D risk, although more research is needed in this area. [Extracted from the article]

Dr. Scott R. Garrison presented two studies at ESC, the BedMed and BedMed-Frail trials, comparing the timing of blood pressure medication dosing in hypertensive primary care patients and frail, older adults in nursing homes. The studies found that there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) or safety outcomes between morning and bedtime dosing. These findings align with the TIME study from the UK and contradict earlier trials like MAPEC and the Hygia Chronotherapy Trial, which suggested a significant benefit from bedtime dosing. Additionally, a meta-analysis combining these trials did not show a significant advantage to either timing. Further analysis on chronotype and timing of medication administration is ongoing. [Extracted from the article]

A study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes suggested that individuals with late chronotypes, or night owls, may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even after accounting for lifestyle factors. Late chronotypes were found to have a 46% increased risk for T2D, along with higher BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat, and liver fat. The study highlighted the potential impact of circadian misalignment on metabolic disturbances and the importance of healthy sleep habits in reducing T2D risk. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study suggests that individuals who are more active in the evening tend to perform better on cognitive tests compared to those who are more active in the morning. However, the researchers caution that this does not mean all morning people have worse cognitive performance, as there is an overall trend towards better cognition in evening types. The study also found that getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night was beneficial for cognitive function, while sleeping for less or more than that had detrimental effects on brain function regardless of chronotype. The study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of over 26,000 adults from the UK Biobank database. It is important to note that the study did not find a significant relationship between sleep, sleepiness/insomnia, and cognitive performance. The study has limitations, including its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported sleep data. Experts caution that more research is needed to understand the relationship between chronotype, sleep, and cognitive function, and that there are no real-world implications from this study. The main takeaway is that the cultural belief that early risers are more productive than night owls does not hold up to scientific scrutiny, and individuals should work in ways that suit their own cognitive best. The study was funded by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine in collaboration with Imperial College London. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of understanding one's personal energy patterns and using that knowledge to optimize productivity. It emphasizes that certain times of the day are better suited for specific tasks, and these preferences vary from person to person. The author suggests identifying one's "power hours," the periods when they feel most productive, and reserving those hours for focused, strategic work rather than low-energy meetings. Additionally, the article highlights the value of "off-peak hours" for activities that don't require sharpness, as these times are when creativity tends to flourish. Ultimately, the author encourages individuals to rearrange their schedules to align with their energy levels and tackle tasks when they are best equipped to do so. [Extracted from the article]

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, constantly asking children about their feelings can be counterproductive and may lead to negative outcomes. Research psychologists suggest that focusing too much on happiness can actually result in lower psychological function and increased depressive symptoms. Emotions are malleable and unreliable indicators of what is going right or wrong in our lives. Instead of constantly checking in on their feelings, adults should teach children that emotions can be imperfect and should sometimes be ignored. Encouraging children to set goals and take risks can be more beneficial than obsessing over their happiness. [Extracted from the article]

"Given the importance of lifestyle modification in diabetes prevention, future research is warranted to investigate whether improving lifestyle behaviors could effectively reduce diabetes risk in persons with an evening chronotype", the authors conclude. In one 2015 study, female nurses who had worked daytime shifts for more than 10 years but had an evening chronotype had the highest diabetes risk, compared with early chronotypes (51% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes). [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Andreas Staier, a harpsichordist and pianist, who, since being diagnosed with a rare bone marrow cancer in 2019, finds solace in playing music, particularly in the mornings. Staier, a key figure in the European early music movement, continues to shape the music scene with his knowledge, intuition, and freedom in interpretation, bringing surprising connections between musical styles through his extensive discography of about 60 recordings.

The article suggests that Neanderthals were morning people, and modern humans who prefer early rising may credit their genes inherited from Neanderthal ancestors, according to a study comparing DNA in living humans and Neanderthal fossils.

The article focuses on reader submissions from The California Today newsletter about what they love most about the Golden State, including one submission about watching the sunrise from a ridge-top home in La Mesa with a view of the changing position of the sun throughout the year.

The article focuses on expert tips for making mornings more tolerable and productive, taking into account individual differences in people's natural wake-up times.