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The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Should you let your pets sleep on the bed? Experts say it's not that simple
Having a furry friend in bed may not be conducive to a good night's sleep. Many pet owners allow their animals to sleep with them, which often leads to sleep disruption, though many say the companionship is worth it. Melissa Milanak, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina specialising in sleep health, said that most of her patients report that their pets frequently disturb them at night. 'You can't say that hands down, it's bad for every single person, but there is a lot out there saying it negatively impacts your sleep,' she said. Generally speaking, having a pet is good for many people's health. Pets have been shown to lower their humans' stress levels, get them to exercise and more. Many pet owners also say they feel an immeasurable amount of comfort by having their pets close as they sleep. But dogs' and cats' natural sleep cycles aren't the same as those of humans. Dogs tend to be light sleepers and wake up multiple times at night. Some display instinctual behavior like scratching at bedding, which can prevent deeper phases of sleep even if it doesn't wake you up. As many cat owners know, 'the zoomies' often happen before they are ready to get out of bed. Cats evolved to hunt in low light, meaning they are particularly active at dusk and dawn. Milanak also said allergens such as pet dander and microbes brought into the house can affect owners' breathing, preventing them from getting enough deep sleep. Brian Chin, a professor of social and health psychology at Trinity College in Connecticut, said his research has found sleeping with pets was associated with poor sleep, 'particularly those dimensions of sleep quality and insomnia symptoms.' That's even accounting for the fact that pet owners may be less inclined to report problems in a survey because they don't believe their beloved pets cause problems. 'I hate to even admit that my cat disrupts my sleep at all,' said Chin, who has one cat that keeps him awake and another that leaves him alone. Moreover, a higher number of pets was associated with higher sleep disruption, he said. What should you do about it? It's not as simple as telling pet owners that they shouldn't share the bed, Milanak said. For a lot of people, it becomes part of their sleep routine, which makes it difficult to sleep without it because they have come to associate pets with sleep. Because the topic is sensitive, Milanak asks new patients several questions before getting to whether they sleep with a pet. If they're waking up multiple times a night, for example, they may not realize why. Once the association is made, she then asks whether they are open to not sleeping together. 'It's like if I said to somebody, you need to stop smoking,' she said. 'They're going to give me all the reasons why they want to continue smoking.' The first, most obvious solution is putting a dog bed on the floor in the bedroom, or locking the cat out of the room at night. For those who insist on having the pet in bed with them, she advises washing the sheets more frequently and perhaps adjusting their sleep schedule to match their pet's routine. 'Maybe you need to go to bed earlier so you can get up earlier to accommodate the pet,' she said. If it ain't broke, don't fix it Despite any problems, many pet owners feel that the bonding and emotional benefits outweigh minor sleep disruption. Angela Wilson, who lives in Cobb County, Georgia, said she has bought a series of ever-more plush beds for her golden retriever, Sadie. But Sadie jumps into her bed anyway. Then they usually sleep peacefully back to back. 'People complain about their dogs waking them up, but she doesn't wake me up,' Wilson said. 'She's very gentle.'
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Should you let pets sleep next to you? (Does it even matter what the experts say?)
It turns out, our furry best friend might be our sleep enemy. Lots of pet owners let their animals sleep on the bed with them, which usually disrupts sleep . But many would say it's worth it. And researchers don't necessarily disagree. Melissa Milanak, a professor at Medical University of South Carolina specializing in sleep health, said most people at her clinic say their pets disturb them often at night.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Should you let your pets sleep on the bed? Does it even matter what the experts say?
It turns out, our furry best friend might be our sleep enemy. Lots of pet owners let their animals sleep on their bed, which usually disrupts sleep. But many would say it's worth it. And researchers don't necessarily disagree. Melissa Milanak, a professor at Medical University of South Carolina specializing in sleep health, said most people at her clinic say their pets disturb them often at night. 'You can't say that hands down, it's bad for every single person, but there is a lot out there saying it negatively impacts your sleep,' she said. Generally speaking, having a pet is good for many people's health. Pets have been shown to lower their humans' stress levels, get them to exercise and more. Many pet owners also say they feel an immeasurable amount of comfort by having their pets close as they sleep. But dogs' and cats' natural sleep cycles aren't the same as those of humans. Dogs tend to be light sleepers and wake up multiple times at night. Some display instinctual behavior like scratching at bedding, which can prevent deeper phases of sleep even if it doesn't wake you up. As many cat owners know, 'the zoomies' often happen before they are ready to get out of bed. Cats evolved to hunt in low light, meaning they are particularly active at dusk and dawn. Milanak also said allergens such as pet dander and microbes brought into the house can affect owners' breathing, preventing them from getting enough deep sleep. Brian Chin, a professor of social and health psychology at Trinity College in Connecticut, said his research has found sleeping with pets was associated with poor sleep, 'particularly those dimensions of sleep quality and insomnia symptoms.' That's even accounting for the fact that pet owners may be less inclined to report problems in a survey because they don't believe their beloved pets cause problems. 'I hate to even admit that my cat disrupts my sleep at all,' said Chin, who has one cat that keeps him awake and another that leaves him alone. Moreover, a higher number of pets was associated with higher sleep disruption, he said. What should you do about it? It's not as simple as telling pet owners that they shouldn't share the bed, Milanak said. For a lot of people, it becomes part of their sleep routine, which makes it difficult to sleep without it because they have come to associate pets with sleep. Because the topic is sensitive, Milanak asks new patients several questions before getting to whether they sleep with a pet. If they're waking up multiple times a night, for example, they may not realize why. Once the association is made, she then asks whether they are open to not sleeping together. 'It's like if I said to somebody, you need to stop smoking,' she said. 'They're going to give me all the reasons why they want to continue smoking.' The first, most obvious solution is putting a dog bed on the floor in the bedroom, or locking the cat out of the room at night. For those who insist on having the pet in bed with them, she advises washing the sheets more frequently and perhaps adjusting their sleep schedule to match their pet's routine. 'Maybe you need to go to bed earlier so you can get up earlier to accommodate the pet,' she said. If it ain't broke, don't fix it Despite any problems, many pet owners feel that the bonding and emotional benefits outweigh minor sleep disruption. Angela Wilson, who lives in Cobb County, Georgia, said she has bought a series of ever-more plush beds for her golden retriever, Sadie. But Sadie jumps into her bed anyway. Then they usually sleep peacefully back to back. 'People complain about their dogs waking them up, but she doesn't wake me up,' Wilson said. 'She's very gentle.' EDITOR'S NOTE: Albert Stumm writes about wellness, food and travel. Find his work at
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New genetic insights into hypospadias: MAFB and CEBPA's role in urothelial growth
GA, UNITED STATES, March 25, 2025 / / -- A recent study has unveiled the critical roles of two transcription factors, MAFB and CEBPA, in the development of hypospadias, a common congenital malformation affecting male urethral development. The research reveals that MAFB and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) regulate urothelial cell growth via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, offering new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying this condition. These findings pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of the genetic and molecular foundations of hypospadias. Hypospadias is characterized by an ectopic urethral opening and abnormal penile curvature, affecting approximately 1 in 200 live male births. While its origins are believed to stem from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, androgen signaling pathways are thought to play a significant role in the condition's development. Despite progress in identifying the genetic components, the precise molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in urethral development, but the specific contributions of transcription factors such as MAFB and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) have yet to be fully explored. This gap in understanding highlights the need for in-depth research to elucidate the pathways involved in hypospadias. On September 13, 2024, a study (DOI: 10.1016/ published in Genes & Diseases and led by researchers from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China identified MAFB and CEBPA as crucial regulators of urothelial cell growth. By influencing cell proliferation and apoptosis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, MAFB and CEBPA play a significant role in the genetic mechanisms of hypospadias. This research lays a strong foundation for future studies aimed at developing targeted therapies for this prevalent congenital condition. The study focused on the roles of MAFB and CEBPA in urothelial cell growth, utilizing human foreskin samples and mouse models. The researchers found that expression levels of MAFB and CEBPA were significantly reduced in the foreskin tissues of hypospadias patients. Using RNA sequencing and Western blot analysis, they discovered that MAFB knockdown led to suppressed CEBPA protein expression, inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and causing cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis in urothelial cells. Furthermore, MAFB overexpression promoted cell proliferation and activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while CEBPA knockdown reversed these effects. These findings highlight the pivotal role of the MAFB-CEBPA axis in regulating urothelial cell growth and suggest that disruptions in this pathway may contribute to hypospadias development. The study also pinpointed potential therapeutic targets for future interventions. Dr. Xing Liu, the corresponding author of the study, commented, 'Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying hypospadias. By identifying the roles of MAFB and CEBPA in urothelial growth, we have uncovered potential targets for therapeutic intervention, which could lead to improved outcomes for patients with this condition.' The discovery of the MAFB-CEBPA regulatory pathway holds immense potential for advancing the treatment and prevention of hypospadias. By targeting this pathway, researchers could develop novel therapies to correct or prevent the malformation during early development. Additionally, the study opens exciting new avenues for exploring the genetic and molecular underpinnings of other congenital disorders related to urethral development. Future research may focus on identifying additional genetic factors and environmental influences that interact with the MAFB-CEBPA pathway, further advancing our understanding of hypospadias and related conditions. DOI 10.1016/ Original Source URL Funding information This work was financed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81970571), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Municipality, China (No. CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX1001), and the Program for Youth Innovation in Future Medicine, Chongqing Medical University (No. W0109). Lucy Wang Legal Disclaimer:
