SLEEP & JCSM rise to the top of Google Scholar Metrics
Among 13 publications focused on circadian rhythms and sleep, the journal SLEEP ranks first according to Google Scholar Metrics five-year h-index and h-median scores. Google Scholar Metrics provide an easy way to quickly gauge the visibility and influence of scholarly publications. Some consider Google Metrics to be more accurate than the traditional impact factor in measuring how a journal is influencing its field.
Exploring sleep and memory in children and adults
Recent articles in Nature Neuroscience have brought attention to the relationship between sleep and memory. A study published online this week shows that children showed greater gains in explicit sequence knowledge after sleep than adults when sleep followed implicit training on a motor sequence.
Study finds that insufficient sleep affects gene expression
This week a new study published online ahead of print in PNAS found that one week of insufficient sleep alters gene expression in human blood cells. “It's an indication that sleep disruption or sleep restriction is doing more than just making you tired,” principal investigator Derk-Jan Dijk, PhD, told the Guardian.
NIA requests proposals to study health and longevity at older ages
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites proposals for R01 research project grants (PA-13-125), R03 small grant programs (PA-13-123) and R21 exploratory/developmental research grants (PA-13-124) to study regional and international differences in health and longevity at older ages.
States selected to receive $300M in state innovation model design
Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that 25 states will be awarded nearly $300 million for a state innovation program that will help states design and test new multi-payer payment and delivery models for their Medicaid and CHIP programs.
NIH institute directors will determine distribution of sequester cuts
The directors of NIH's 27 institutes and centers will be charged with determining how to distribute cuts under sequestration, should they take effect, announced NIH Director Francis Collins.
Health care industry, federal agencies prepare for mandated spending reductions
The health care industry is bracing itself for some of the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect March 1, as a deal to avert the sequester remains out of reach. The automatic cuts involve nearly $1 trillion in across-the-board reductions, including a 2 percent reduction to Medicare reimbursement rates.
AASM thanks members who donated to the AASM PAC at the Winter Course
The AASM would like to thank our members who donated to the AASM Political Action Committee (AASM PAC) at the Winter Course
PQRS incentive deadline: March 14
The deadline to submit for your 2012 PQRS incentives is March 14, 2013. Be sure to receive your incentive by using the easy solution to PQRS reporting through CECity’s PQRIwizard—only $225!
Learn legal and clinical DME guidelines at the AASM Spring Course
During this one-and-a-half-day course, physicians and their support staff will learn the clinical and practical guidelines associated with providing durable medical equipment (DME) to patients at the AASM Spring Course: Implementing DME in Your Practice.
Two weeks left to submit SLEEP 2013 late-breaking abstracts
The APSS is now accepting late-breaking abstract submissions for presentation at SLEEP 2013. Late-breaking abstracts should include high quality emerging data found between December 2012 and March 2013. Submissions are accepted from Tuesday, February 19 through Friday, March 15, 2013.
Membership section chair call for nominations
The AASM invites members to apply to serve as steering committee chairs for their primary membership section. Sections provide a forum for members with focused interests to share those interests, discuss ideas, stimulate research and recommend programs that promote education through the AASM.
Adult sleepwalking is serious condition that impacts health-related quality of life
A new study found that adult sleepwalking is a potentially serious condition that may induce violent behaviors and affect health-related quality of life.
Download the AASM Scoring Manual app on your iPhone or iPad
The AASM is proud to announce that the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: Rules, Terminology and Technical Specifications Version 2.0 is now available all iOS devices. By downloading the app through the iTunes App Store, you will be able to view the entire AASM Scoring Manual on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
A little bit of exercise can go a long way to improve sleep and wellness
While exercise can be an important contributor to your sleep health, a growing body of research suggests that you don’t need a high intensity, grueling workout to sleep better. Even small amounts of routine physical activity may improve your sleep and overall well-being. This is good news for the many Americans who are failing to exercise regularly. According to the CDC, about 25 percent of U.S. adults report no leisure-time physical activity.
Research notes: 5 surprising facts about exercise and sleep
Exercise can be an important contributor to your sleep health. Overall, people tend to sleep better when their lifestyle includes some physical activity. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that recent research has revealed some surprising aspects about the relationship between exercise and sleep.
Application for Approved OCST Suppliers
Companies that perform technical functions associated with the provision of out of center sleep testing services can apply for the designation of Approved OCST Supplier. The program is intended to help sleep centers select a provider that meets the AASM accreditation standards, while ensuring that the board certified sleep medicine physician remains at the center of care. For more information, view the recently adopted Out of Center Testing Policy Statement. Download the Approved OCST Supplier application to apply.
Study may help distinguish older adults with insomnia from good sleepers
A study in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine sought to to identify the optimal quantitative thresholds that differentiate older adults with insomnia from good sleepers.
Application deadline for Physician Scientist Training Award is Feb. 25
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation is accepting applications for the Physician Scientist Training Award, which supports research training for physicians who wish to pursue careers as physician scientists in sleep medicine.
Study of insomnia finds a new predictor for suicidal thoughts
Last week ABC news reported on a new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine that examined the relationship between insomnia and suicidal thoughts. AASM member W. Vaughn McCall, MD, explained to ABC that this relationship may be mediated by dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs about sleep as well as nightmares. In a story by My Health News Daily that was featured on FOXnews.com, McCall added that the focus of his current study is to explore how this understanding may provide a new target for treatment and suicide prevention.
Republicans reject Senate Democrats’ proposal to avoid sequester cuts
Republicans rejected a proposal by Senate Democrats to replace the sequestration cuts with alternative spending cuts and tax increases. Recent events suggest that a compromise will not be reached before the sequester takes effect on March 1.
House unveils proposals to permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula
Recently, proposals have been unveiled on Capitol Hill that would eliminate Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. On February 6, Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Joe Heck, DO (R-NV) reintroduced H.R. 574, the Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act, which permanently repeals the SGR, provides positive updates for four years, and tests a variety of new payment models to provide options for physicians across medical specialties, practice types, and communities.
White House releases final essential health benefits rule
The Obama administration issued a final rule outlining the 10 broad categories of essential health benefits that most health insurance plans must offer in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, health plans in state exchanges must provide coverage for 10 categories of benefits, such as maternity care, prescription drugs and preventive care.
Federal government will run state exchanges in 26 states
The Washington Post recently reported that the federal government will run health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 26 states, while seven states will partner with the federal government and 17 states and the District of Columbia will run their own exchanges.
Congratulations new fellow member of the AASM!
Fellow status in the AASM is a unique honor which recognizes special competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field. We are pleased to welcome Maryann Deak, MD, FAASM as a new Fellow Member.