Latest news with #SRIInternational
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Family Dinners, Stronger Social Ties Boost Teen Sleep
Strong family ties and in-person social connections may contribute to healthy sleep in adolescents. COVID-era survey data from nearly 5000 preteens showed that gathering around the family dinner table and participating in neighborhood activities predicted longer sleep duration, while family conflict, household distancing, and longer time spent with technology predicted shorter sleep time. 'Social connectedness is tightly linked with mental and emotional health: Healthy, regular, in-person social connections, including parental monitoring, are known to favor well-being in adolescents,' lead author Marie Gombert-Labedens, PhD, with the Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California, told Medscape Medical News . 'Through routine and structure, reduced conflicts and associated stress, and lower screen-related stimuli, these relationships may contribute to foster a healthy sleep environment. In parallel, adequate sleep durations allow teens to be in better mental and emotional disposition, which may also lead to positive social connections, said Gombert-Labedens. The findings were presented on June 11 at SLEEP 2025 in Seattle. Better Sleep, Real-Life Bonds COVID lockdowns and distancing measures led to significant disruptions in adolescents' social interactions, altering the quality, quantity, and type (in-person vs online) of social connections. The pandemic also affected sleep patterns, providing a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between social connectedness and sleep, the study noted in the conference abstract. They analyzed data from 4996 boys and girls aged 9-11 years from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study who completed at least two COVID-19 surveys — the first in May 2020 and the second in August 2020. At both timepoints, family conflict, household distancing, and longer use of technology-mediated connections were associated with a higher probability of short sleep. Conversely, eating dinner with family and participating in neighborhood activities predicted longer sleep. When analyzed in clusters of social connectedness, the lowest rates of adequate sleep and the highest sadness scores were robustly found in clusters characterized by high technology-mediated relationships or by poor family/friend relationships and little parental engagement. On the other hand, clusters characterized by high parental engagement, such as eating together and discussing plans for the following day, had significantly higher rates of adequate sleep and lower sadness scores. The results were adjusted for potential confounding factors including sex, age, race, and household income. Gombert-Labedens said that during adolescence, it's especially important to keep sleep top of mind — by asking about it and, when needed, trying strategies to create a healthier sleep environment. Social connections, within and outside of the family, may be a leverage toward better sleep, she said. This could include prioritizing in-person connections, providing routine and structure, including by monitoring and moderating technology use, and working on reducing conflicts and improving communication. Weighing in on the research journalist Lisa Lewis, MS, author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen , said a key aspect of the study is that it measured the impact of both in-person family relationships and online friendships on sleep duration. 'The study results reinforce the importance of family connectedness — specifically, adolescents' perceived closeness with their parents — on their sleep,' said Lewis, who wasn't involved in the study. 'It also reinforces that online relationships, while important, simply aren't a substitute for parental engagement and the effect it has on adolescents,' Lewis added.
Arabian Business
25-04-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi to launch pioneering AI and healthcare Innovation Hub with SRI and VantageBridge
Abu Dhabi is set to supercharge its ambitions in digital health and artificial intelligence with the launch of a cutting-edge Innovation Hub, unveiled through a landmark partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), Silicon Valley's SRI International, and private equity firm VantageBridge Partners. Announced recently during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the collaboration is poised to transform the Emirate into a global epicentre for AI-driven healthcare innovation. The Innovation Hub will nurture startups, accelerate research, and serve as a platform for commercialising next-generation technologies across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region. SRI International, a world leader in R&D and the birthplace of innovations like Siri, will dedicate exclusive AI and healthcare resources to the partnership. VantageBridge will lead commercialisation and investment efforts from its base in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). A post shared by Malaffi (@malaffi) 'This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to building a world-class healthcare ecosystem powered by innovation and global collaboration,' said H.E. Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. 'The Innovation Hub will play a pivotal role in advancing research, attracting exceptional talent, and delivering transformative health solutions that benefit the region and the world.' The agreement was signed by Kareem Shahin, CEO of M42's Digital Health Solutions platform; Peter Marcotullio, SRI's Senior Vice President of Commercialisation; and Alain Baron, Founder and CEO of VantageBridge Partners, in the presence of senior health and industry leaders. Combining ADHDS's advanced healthcare data infrastructure with SRI's research legacy and VantageBridge's capital and market access, the hub is designed to unlock global breakthroughs and amplify Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in life sciences and digital health. 'We are thrilled to partner with ADHDS and VantageBridge to create this Innovation Hub in Abu Dhabi,' said Marcotullio. 'Together, we have a unique opportunity to redefine the global healthcare landscape through AI-powered solutions.' The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader vision to become a world-class destination for health innovation and economic diversification, and reinforces its growing stature on the global healthcare stage. 'This collaboration is a landmark moment in our mission to build a future-ready healthcare ecosystem,' added Shahin. 'Abu Dhabi is now positioned to lead the world in AI-driven healthcare innovation.' 'By fostering investment opportunities and accelerating research, we are not only addressing critical healthcare challenges but also creating a lasting legacy of technological progress, economic growth, and enhanced wellbeing across the region,' said VantageBridge Partners' Baron.
