Rare Gene Mutation Keeps People Alert on Less Sleep
Scientists find a genetic mutation that allows a mother and daughter to feel fine on six hours of sleep "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man stupid and blind in the eyes," quips a character in the science fiction story "Ender's Game." But scientists have now found a mother and daughter whose rare genetic mutation allows them to wake up refreshed on just six hours of sleep -- two hours less than the rest of the family requires. The 69-year-old mother and 44-year-old daughter usually hit the sack around 10 p.m., and get up around 4 and 4:40 a.m., respectively. Both women have a genetic mutation which affects the regulation of circadian rhythms, or the body's natural clock. Discovery News reports that researchers previously bred mice and fruit flies with the same mutation, and with similar results in needing less sleep. That experience runs...