Migrating birds needing less sleep may help people sleep better
14 July 2004
by Richard
Conan-Davies
|
Scientists studying the sleep patterns of migrating birds may give us an insight into people with sleep disorders. The researchers led by Dr. Ruth Benca of the University of Wisconsin, Madison USA were studying the birds, white-crowned sparrows , during the times they would normally be migrating and measured their brain activity. They discovered that birds don't need to sleep as much when migrating, an obvious advantage and in fact can concentrate better with a lack of sleep. Rather than "sleepwalking" or perhaps "Sleep flying" for birds through their migrations these results suggest that migrating songbirds simply slash their sleep time. |
 Migrating birds may just go without most of their sleep to get where they need to go This research may help to develop future techniques for helping people stay awake longer and alert such as airline pilots. But remember these birds only do this twice a year. |
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