Editorial – The Diversity of Advances in Sleep Science

In this issue of Sleep Science, you will find a range of advances across our field, from diagnostic technologies to the identification of risk factors for various sleep disorders.

For example, this edition features studies on obstructive sleep apnea (Farber et al.), sarcopenia (López-Ramírez et al.), and the impact of everyday habits, such as napping, on disease risk, including cardiovascular problems (Inazumi et al.). Interestingly, dietary supplements such as curcumin appear to benefit sleep quality, as reviewed by Kumar et al. Furthermore, Aizawa et al. reinforce the intricate biopsychosocial factors linked to insomnia, shedding light on potential pathways for both prevention and treatment. High-pressure situations demand good sleep too, as demonstrated by Torales et al., who found that junior physicians with better sleep quality before their residency exam scored higher.

Together, these articles illustrate the dynamic momentum within sleep research today. We see novel devices being tested, most of them wearable technologies. Kubota et al., for instance, explored whether a wearable temperature sensor could estimate the circadian phase of body temperature as reliably as a rectal probe, suggesting that wearable sensors may offer a viable, less invasive alternative. Meanwhile, Trindade et al. evaluated the feasibility of a high-resolution oximeter combined with actigraphy and a cloud-based algorithm to detect obstructive sleep apnea in children with craniofacial anomalies, concluding that this technology is both feasible and applicable.

Efforts to improve CPAP adherence are also gaining ground. Goh et al.'s study tested whether positive airway pressure naps prior to a CPAP trial could boost patient compliance, and the results were promising. A particularly intriguing scoping review by Barve et al. associates increased waist circumference with eveningness, offering valuable insight for metabolic health research. Another review by de Almeida et al. suggests that physical exercise improves sleep quality and alleviates depressive symptoms in adults.

Lastly, a letter from Matsubara continues the discussion initiated by Cavalcante-Silva et al. regarding using AI in academic writing. Matsubara advocates for clear regulation of AI usage, aligning perfectly with our journal's forthcoming policy requiring authors to disclose any AI assistance in manuscript preparation. This transparency reflects Sleep Science's commitment to embracing AI as a helpful tool while encouraging its responsible and ethical use (and yes, I do use AI!).

Enjoy the read!

Publication History

Received: 28 July 2025

Accepted: 30 July 2025

Article published online:
16 September 2025