Spit Test for Sleepy People
By Steve Robinson
Ever wondered if there was a way to test how drowsy someone was? Well, scientists have recently found a way to monitor sleepiness in people and even flies - by looking at their spit.
The research, lead by scientists in Washington University, Missouri, US, has discovered that the digestive protein amylase - found in the saliva of both flies and humans - is produced in greater quantities when the animal is more tired. Though the protein does not have any influence on sleeping patterns, its heightened presence may allow scientists to develop a test for it. The results of this could then be calibrated to levels of tiredness, and so a test for sleepiness would be born.
Researchers spent months monitoring the sleeping habits of flies. Flies which were given caffeine and kept awake for 9-12 hours increased the number of naps they took by 2-7 times. Concurrently, the flies' amylase levels rose by five times, providing the link the researchers were looking for. Similar results were then found in humans; volunteers showed a similar increase in amylase as they became more tired.
Though more human study is needed, the hope is that scientists can develop a practical test for sleepiness to identify people “at risk from sleepiness-related mishaps," said James Walsh, psychologist at Saint Louis University in Missouri and a past president of the National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C.
If all goes to plan, then truck drivers' spit could come in handy for saving lives. I just wouldn't want to be the guy doing the tests.
Find out more about Steve and read his articles here.
The research, lead by scientists in Washington University, Missouri, US, has discovered that the digestive protein amylase - found in the saliva of both flies and humans - is produced in greater quantities when the animal is more tired. Though the protein does not have any influence on sleeping patterns, its heightened presence may allow scientists to develop a test for it. The results of this could then be calibrated to levels of tiredness, and so a test for sleepiness would be born.
Researchers spent months monitoring the sleeping habits of flies. Flies which were given caffeine and kept awake for 9-12 hours increased the number of naps they took by 2-7 times. Concurrently, the flies' amylase levels rose by five times, providing the link the researchers were looking for. Similar results were then found in humans; volunteers showed a similar increase in amylase as they became more tired.
Though more human study is needed, the hope is that scientists can develop a practical test for sleepiness to identify people “at risk from sleepiness-related mishaps," said James Walsh, psychologist at Saint Louis University in Missouri and a past president of the National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C.
If all goes to plan, then truck drivers' spit could come in handy for saving lives. I just wouldn't want to be the guy doing the tests.
Find out more about Steve and read his articles here.
Image: Riesma Pawestri
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