How Daylight Savings Time Affects Baby Sleep Patterns: What Parents Need to Know

Published

3 months ago

November 2, 2024

RTX

As daylight savings time comes to an end, parents of young children may find themselves anxious about how the shift will disrupt their baby’s sleep schedules. Research indicates that the transition can be challenging for infants and toddlers, as their biological clocks require time to adjust, much like adults.

Dr. Pamela Douglas, a general practitioner and sleep researcher from Australia, emphasizes that even though mechanical clocks change immediately, the body’s internal clock takes longer to adapt. A study analyzing the sleep patterns of over 600 children following the spring clock change revealed that toddlers aged one to two years took an average of three days to return to their original bedtime, while infants under one experienced an adjustment period of about eight days. Additionally, the shift affected morning wake times, with some age groups losing an hour of sleep in the days following the transition. Notably, infants aged six to 11 months experienced a reduction in nighttime sleep of seven to 15 minutes, even four weeks post-adjustment.

Despite the slight reduction in nighttime sleep, experts from organizations such as the National Sleep Foundation stress that this loss is minimal compared to the total sleep recommended for infants, which ranges from 12 to 15 hours in a 24-hour period for those aged four to 11 months.

It is important to recognize that infants’ sleep patterns are inherently flexible. The notion of adhering to rigid sleep schedules is a relatively modern concept. In many pre-industrial societies, children often sleep with caregivers or drift off in their arms without a fixed bedtime routine. For example, a study of Maya families in Guatemala noted that babies would simply fall asleep when tired, alongside the rest of the family.

The impact of seasonal changes on sleep patterns also warrants attention. Research has shown that humans naturally tend to sleep longer in winter and shorter in summer. A study of foraging societies indicates that nighttime sleep duration can vary by nearly an hour between seasons, with winter sleep averaging 53 to 56 minutes longer. Although industrial societies experience less dramatic seasonal changes, they still feel some effects; for instance, a study of medical students in Berlin found that winter sleep duration increased by approximately 18 minutes compared to summer.

Moreover, studies have indicated that babies older than 10 weeks can also experience changes in sleep quality with the seasons. In autumn, eight-month-olds may enjoy less fragmented sleep and more slow-wave sleep compared to spring. In another study involving both eight-month-olds and 24-month-olds, researchers noted increased rhythmic brain activity during non-rapid eye movement sleep during the autumn months.

As parents navigate the upcoming clock change, understanding these sleep dynamics may help ease the transition for both themselves and their children.

Technology

Chinese Memes Take Over American Social Media Amid Rising Tech Tensions

Published

23 hours ago

January 29, 2025

RTX

Despite growing tensions between the United States and China over national security and trade, Chinese internet culture is experiencing an unexpected surge in popularity among American social media users. From viral memes about industrial chemicals to an influx of U.S. users on Chinese platforms, the digital space has become an unlikely bridge between the two nations.

One of the most surprising trends of 2024 was the rise of Donghua Jinlong, a Hebei-based manufacturer of industrial glycine, an amino acid used in food production. Though an obscure company, its advertisements on TikTok unexpectedly went viral, transforming the brand into an internet sensation. American users, dubbing themselves “glycine girlies,” embraced the meme, creating influencer-style content about a product they had no actual use for.

Diana R., the creator behind the popular meme account CitiesbyDiana, explained the phenomenon. “We spent an entire month pretending we were buying industrial chemicals from China and making videos as if it were a luxury brand,” she said. The meme became so widespread that it was covered by major publications, including The Washington Post and The New Yorker. Donghua Jinlong even played along, sending merchandise to online creators.

TikTok Ban Sparks Migration to RedNote

The viral fascination with Chinese memes coincides with a new wave of American users flocking to RedNote (Xiaohongshu), China’s version of Instagram. This sudden migration was triggered by the brief implementation of a TikTok ban over national security concerns, before President Donald Trump granted the platform a 75-day reprieve.

In just a few days, around three million Americans joined RedNote, integrating into a platform with 300 million predominantly Chinese users. The result was an unexpected cultural exchange, as users swapped jokes, shared memes, and even helped each other with homework.

American internet users have long speculated about what lies beyond China’s “Great Firewall”, which restricts access to many Western social media platforms. But RedNote has emerged as one of the few Chinese apps accessible overseas, allowing U.S. users to engage with Chinese netizens in a way that was previously rare.

A Cultural Exchange Beyond Politics

Even as U.S. leaders push for restrictions on Chinese tech companies, internet culture appears to be bridging the geopolitical divide. One of the most popular viral phrases to emerge from RedNote is “you swan, he frog,” a Chinese idiom originally used to describe relationships with mismatched expectations. After being posted by an American influencer, it quickly spread across English-speaking social media, applied to everything from celebrities to politicians.

The rise of Chinese memes in the U.S. reflects a growing curiosity about Chinese internet culture, despite political narratives urging division. Jianqing Chen, an East Asian languages and cultures researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, believes social media plays a crucial role in fostering connections between everyday citizens. “Grand political narratives lose their power at the level of everyday interaction,” he said. “Personal engagement online allows people to see beyond tensions and recognize shared human experiences.”

Even amid discussions of trade wars and national security threats, social media continues to show that humor—and memes—transcend borders.

Technology

DeepSeek’s Rise Shakes AI Industry, Sends Shockwaves Through US Tech Sector

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

RTX

A new AI app from China, DeepSeek, has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, markets, and the prevailing belief in American dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). The app’s meteoric rise has raised questions about the future of the AI sector, as well as the cost-effectiveness of AI development.

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen referred to the launch of DeepSeek as AI’s “Sputnik moment,” drawing comparisons to the Soviet Union’s launch of the Sputnik satellite, which triggered the space race. Over the weekend, DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app on Apple’s US App Store, and by Monday, it was already having a profound effect on the markets. The app’s launch sparked a massive sell-off of major tech stocks, including a 17% plunge in the share price of AI chipmaker Nvidia, which lost nearly $600 billion in market value — the largest drop in US stock market history, according to Bloomberg.

What has stunned Silicon Valley is the claim by DeepSeek’s developers that the app was built for just $5.6 million — a fraction of the billions spent by AI giants like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. While OpenAI spent $5 billion in 2023 alone, DeepSeek’s developers suggest that this low cost could signal a breakthrough in AI development, potentially disrupting the established industry.

In a growing sense of disbelief, many in the tech world have been left questioning DeepSeek’s viability and the accuracy of its financial claims. Some analysts have speculated that the app’s success could indicate a shift in how AI is developed and delivered, with lower costs and fewer resources than previously thought necessary. DeepSeek’s models reportedly use open-source software and existing technology, which has led some to speculate that its use of Nvidia’s H800 chips may have been facilitated by stockpiling during the past years.

The development has also spurred concerns about US dominance in the sector, as the country has long assumed its control over high-end chips and data centers gave it an advantage in the AI race. However, China’s sudden emergence as a serious player with DeepSeek has led many to reconsider the global balance of power in AI.

Billionaire Sam Altman of OpenAI, who has largely stayed quiet on the matter, did comment late on Monday, acknowledging DeepSeek’s “impressive” performance. While Altman reaffirmed OpenAI’s position as a leader in AI, he welcomed the competition, calling it invigorating.

DeepSeek’s arrival has left many observers unsure of what the future holds for US semiconductor giants and raised broader questions about the long-term implications of AI development. With this new development, China has flexed its muscles in the AI sector, making clear that the race for dominance is far from over, and the US may no longer have a clear upper hand.

Technology

What We Can Learn From Communities That Carry Heavy Loads

Published

3 days ago

January 27, 2025

RTX

In rural Vietnam, farm workers carry loads that often exceed their body weight, walking miles daily with impressive ease. Their secret lies in the use of springy bamboo poles, which allow them to adjust their gait so that the weight oscillates with their strides. According to a study, this technique reduces the effort required to lift the load by about 18%.

While the bamboo poles play a key role, years of physically demanding labor have also made these workers exceptionally strong. For most people, carrying such heavy loads is unimaginable, but the methods and strength of these farm workers offer lessons for building strength and resilience in daily life.

Strength has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Evidence of early weightlifting competitions can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and China, with records of resistance lifting as early as 557 BCE. In modern times, weightlifting has evolved into an Olympic sport, showcasing feats like Georgian weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze’s record-breaking 267kg clean and jerk at the 2021 World Weightlifting Championships.

While such extreme displays of strength may be beyond reach for most, strength training offers tangible benefits for everyone. Regular strength training improves health and mobility, particularly in older adults, and is associated with lower mortality rates from conditions like cancer and heart disease. Research also suggests that strength training can benefit mental health, boosting overall well-being.

Developing the capacity to carry heavier loads starts with building muscle, particularly in the core and auxiliary muscles that stabilize the body. “Our bodies are adapted to carrying our own body mass, but adding extra weight requires consistent strength training to grow your load-carrying muscles,” explains Jeffrey Ackerman, a teaching professor of mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.

However, muscle size alone doesn’t guarantee strength. Training muscle activation—learning to maximize the efficiency of muscle use—is equally important. Experts caution against jumping straight into heavy lifting. Instead, they recommend focusing on proper technique and gradually increasing weights over time to build strength safely and effectively.

The lessons from Vietnam’s farm workers and other strength-building practices worldwide highlight the remarkable adaptability of the human body. With the right techniques and consistent effort, many of us can develop the strength to carry more—both physically and metaphorically.