US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds

By Marina Dunbar

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s

teenagers are sleeping less than ever before. The findings showed a consistent decline in sleep

across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with

only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night.

“Some barriers to sleep faced by teens have existed across generations, such as the

increased homework and extracurricular demands that come with high school, social pressures

to stay up late with peers, and jobs,” said Rachel Widome, lead author on the study.

The greatest impact was seen among older adolescents. Sleep time steadily declines as

teens age, while both sleep duration and feelings of getting enough rest drop significantly from

early adolescence to later teen years.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from Monitoring the Future, a long-running

national survey representing more than 400,000 US students in grades eight, ten and twelve

from 1991 through 2023. Participants responded to two primary questions: how often they slept

at least seven hours per night and how often they believed they were getting enough rest.

Insufficient sleep contributes ____ everyday exhaustion and inhibited functioning, while

also being linked ____ longer-term issues such as mental health problems, struggles in school

and chronic illnesses later in adulthood.

While surging screen time may seem like the obvious culprit, the root cause may

point ____ deeper feelings of social isolation and burnout. Recent high school student-led

research showed that roughly two-thirds of California teens reported experiencing burnout and

anxiety. The same research suggested that around a quarter of students believe they only have

enough time to meet basic needs, such as sleep, eating and hygiene, two days a week or less.

Jolie Delja, executive director of Aim Youth Mental Health, said that the respondents

and the chance to learn and practice coping skills like breathing and mindfulness during calm

“connected this directly ____ relentless academic pressure.” “They asked for time to slow down,

and coping tools that already help them manage stress, including getting more sleep.”

moments, not just crisis ones,” Delja said. “Schools and communities do not need to invent

entirely new solutions. They need to give students more time and space for the people, activities

Studies have also shown that teens who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their

peers tend to have sharper mental skills and score better on cognitive tests.

Although researchers say there is no single nationwide fix, they point to broader structural

approaches that could help large groups of adolescents. One approach that the researchers

suggest is to delay high school start times to 8.30 am or later. “Earlier starts are in direct conflict

with preset rhythms of adolescent circadian biology,” Widome said.

“A nation of sleep-deprived adolescents is not inevitable,” she added. “We should embrace

a culture of sleep, where sleep is actually valued and where we commit to enacting policies and

other interventions that promote healthy sleep for everyone.”

(Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/15/teens-get-less-sleep-study – text specially adapted for this test).

US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds

By Marina Dunbar

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s

teenagers are sleeping less than ever before. The findings showed a consistent decline in sleep

across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with

only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night.

“Some barriers to sleep faced by teens have existed across generations, such as the

increased homework and extracurricular demands that come with high school, social pressures

to stay up late with peers, and jobs,” said Rachel Widome, lead author on the study.

The greatest impact was seen among older adolescents. Sleep time steadily declines as

teens age, while both sleep duration and feelings of getting enough rest drop significantly from

early adolescence to later teen years.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from Monitoring the Future, a long-running

national survey representing more than 400,000 US students in grades eight, ten and twelve

from 1991 through 2023. Participants responded to two primary questions: how often they slept

at least seven hours per night and how often they believed they were getting enough rest.

Insufficient sleep contributes ____ everyday exhaustion and inhibited functioning, while

also being linked ____ longer-term issues such as mental health problems, struggles in school

and chronic illnesses later in adulthood.

While surging screen time may seem like the obvious culprit, the root cause may

point ____ deeper feelings of social isolation and burnout. Recent high school student-led

research showed that roughly two-thirds of California teens reported experiencing burnout and

anxiety. The same research suggested that around a quarter of students believe they only have

enough time to meet basic needs, such as sleep, eating and hygiene, two days a week or less.

Jolie Delja, executive director of Aim Youth Mental Health, said that the respondents

and the chance to learn and practice coping skills like breathing and mindfulness during calm

“connected this directly ____ relentless academic pressure.” “They asked for time to slow down,

and coping tools that already help them manage stress, including getting more sleep.”

moments, not just crisis ones,” Delja said. “Schools and communities do not need to invent

entirely new solutions. They need to give students more time and space for the people, activities

Studies have also shown that teens who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their

peers tend to have sharper mental skills and score better on cognitive tests.

Although researchers say there is no single nationwide fix, they point to broader structural

approaches that could help large groups of adolescents. One approach that the researchers

suggest is to delay high school start times to 8.30 am or later. “Earlier starts are in direct conflict

with preset rhythms of adolescent circadian biology,” Widome said.

“A nation of sleep-deprived adolescents is not inevitable,” she added. “We should embrace

a culture of sleep, where sleep is actually valued and where we commit to enacting policies and

other interventions that promote healthy sleep for everyone.”

(Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/15/teens-get-less-sleep-study – text specially adapted for this test).

US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds

By Marina Dunbar

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s

teenagers are sleeping less than ever before. The findings showed a consistent decline in sleep

across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with

only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night.

“Some barriers to sleep faced by teens have existed across generations, such as the

increased homework and extracurricular demands that come with high school, social pressures

to stay up late with peers, and jobs,” said Rachel Widome, lead author on the study.

The greatest impact was seen among older adolescents. Sleep time steadily declines as

teens age, while both sleep duration and feelings of getting enough rest drop significantly from

early adolescence to later teen years.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from Monitoring the Future, a long-running

national survey representing more than 400,000 US students in grades eight, ten and twelve

from 1991 through 2023. Participants responded to two primary questions: how often they slept

at least seven hours per night and how often they believed they were getting enough rest.

Insufficient sleep contributes ____ everyday exhaustion and inhibited functioning, while

also being linked ____ longer-term issues such as mental health problems, struggles in school

and chronic illnesses later in adulthood.

While surging screen time may seem like the obvious culprit, the root cause may

point ____ deeper feelings of social isolation and burnout. Recent high school student-led

research showed that roughly two-thirds of California teens reported experiencing burnout and

anxiety. The same research suggested that around a quarter of students believe they only have

enough time to meet basic needs, such as sleep, eating and hygiene, two days a week or less.

Jolie Delja, executive director of Aim Youth Mental Health, said that the respondents

and the chance to learn and practice coping skills like breathing and mindfulness during calm

“connected this directly ____ relentless academic pressure.” “They asked for time to slow down,

and coping tools that already help them manage stress, including getting more sleep.”

moments, not just crisis ones,” Delja said. “Schools and communities do not need to invent

entirely new solutions. They need to give students more time and space for the people, activities

Studies have also shown that teens who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their

peers tend to have sharper mental skills and score better on cognitive tests.

Although researchers say there is no single nationwide fix, they point to broader structural

approaches that could help large groups of adolescents. One approach that the researchers

suggest is to delay high school start times to 8.30 am or later. “Earlier starts are in direct conflict

with preset rhythms of adolescent circadian biology,” Widome said.

“A nation of sleep-deprived adolescents is not inevitable,” she added. “We should embrace

a culture of sleep, where sleep is actually valued and where we commit to enacting policies and

other interventions that promote healthy sleep for everyone.”

(Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/15/teens-get-less-sleep-study – text specially adapted for this test).

US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds

By Marina Dunbar

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s

teenagers are sleeping less than ever before. The findings showed a consistent decline in sleep

across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with

only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night.

“Some barriers to sleep faced by teens have existed across generations, such as the

increased homework and extracurricular demands that come with high school, social pressures

to stay up late with peers, and jobs,” said Rachel Widome, lead author on the study.

The greatest impact was seen among older adolescents. Sleep time steadily declines as

teens age, while both sleep duration and feelings of getting enough rest drop significantly from

early adolescence to later teen years.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from Monitoring the Future, a long-running

national survey representing more than 400,000 US students in grades eight, ten and twelve

from 1991 through 2023. Participants responded to two primary questions: how often they slept

at least seven hours per night and how often they believed they were getting enough rest.

Insufficient sleep contributes ____ everyday exhaustion and inhibited functioning, while

also being linked ____ longer-term issues such as mental health problems, struggles in school

and chronic illnesses later in adulthood.

While surging screen time may seem like the obvious culprit, the root cause may

point ____ deeper feelings of social isolation and burnout. Recent high school student-led

research showed that roughly two-thirds of California teens reported experiencing burnout and

anxiety. The same research suggested that around a quarter of students believe they only have

enough time to meet basic needs, such as sleep, eating and hygiene, two days a week or less.

Jolie Delja, executive director of Aim Youth Mental Health, said that the respondents

and the chance to learn and practice coping skills like breathing and mindfulness during calm

“connected this directly ____ relentless academic pressure.” “They asked for time to slow down,

and coping tools that already help them manage stress, including getting more sleep.”

moments, not just crisis ones,” Delja said. “Schools and communities do not need to invent

entirely new solutions. They need to give students more time and space for the people, activities

Studies have also shown that teens who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their

peers tend to have sharper mental skills and score better on cognitive tests.

Although researchers say there is no single nationwide fix, they point to broader structural

approaches that could help large groups of adolescents. One approach that the researchers

suggest is to delay high school start times to 8.30 am or later. “Earlier starts are in direct conflict

with preset rhythms of adolescent circadian biology,” Widome said.

“A nation of sleep-deprived adolescents is not inevitable,” she added. “We should embrace

a culture of sleep, where sleep is actually valued and where we commit to enacting policies and

other interventions that promote healthy sleep for everyone.”

(Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/15/teens-get-less-sleep-study – text specially adapted for this test).

US teens getting less sleep than ever, new report finds

By Marina Dunbar

A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health shows that today’s

teenagers are sleeping less than ever before. The findings showed a consistent decline in sleep

across every age category. The latest figures revealed record-low sleep levels for all groups, with

only 22% of older adolescents saying they slept at least seven hours each night.

“Some barriers to sleep faced by teens have existed across generations, such as the

increased homework and extracurricular demands that come with high school, social pressures

to stay up late with peers, and jobs,” said Rachel Widome, lead author on the study.

The greatest impact was seen among older adolescents. Sleep time steadily declines as

teens age, while both sleep duration and feelings of getting enough rest drop significantly from

early adolescence to later teen years.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from Monitoring the Future, a long-running

national survey representing more than 400,000 US students in grades eight, ten and twelve

from 1991 through 2023. Participants responded to two primary questions: how often they slept

at least seven hours per night and how often they believed they were getting enough rest.

Insufficient sleep contributes ____ everyday exhaustion and inhibited functioning, while

also being linked ____ longer-term issues such as mental health problems, struggles in school

and chronic illnesses later in adulthood.

While surging screen time may seem like the obvious culprit, the root cause may

point ____ deeper feelings of social isolation and burnout. Recent high school student-led

research showed that roughly two-thirds of California teens reported experiencing burnout and

anxiety. The same research suggested that around a quarter of students believe they only have

enough time to meet basic needs, such as sleep, eating and hygiene, two days a week or less.

Jolie Delja, executive director of Aim Youth Mental Health, said that the respondents

and the chance to learn and practice coping skills like breathing and mindfulness during calm

“connected this directly ____ relentless academic pressure.” “They asked for time to slow down,

and coping tools that already help them manage stress, including getting more sleep.”

moments, not just crisis ones,” Delja said. “Schools and communities do not need to invent

entirely new solutions. They need to give students more time and space for the people, activities

Studies have also shown that teens who go to bed earlier and sleep for longer than their

peers tend to have sharper mental skills and score better on cognitive tests.

Although researchers say there is no single nationwide fix, they point to broader structural

approaches that could help large groups of adolescents. One approach that the researchers

suggest is to delay high school start times to 8.30 am or later. “Earlier starts are in direct conflict

with preset rhythms of adolescent circadian biology,” Widome said.

“A nation of sleep-deprived adolescents is not inevitable,” she added. “We should embrace

a culture of sleep, where sleep is actually valued and where we commit to enacting policies and

other interventions that promote healthy sleep for everyone.”

(Available at: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/15/teens-get-less-sleep-study – text specially adapted for this test).

The James Webb Space Telescope has just captured the first direct measurement of a black hole

By Space Daily Editorial Team

The official ESA Webb announcement on 27 May 2026 and two papers report the first

direct mass measurement of a supermassive black hole in the first billion years after the Big

Bang. The object sits at the heart of a small red galaxy called Abell2744-QSO1, seen as it was

roughly 700 million years after the Big Bang. The mass comes out at 50 million times the mass

of the Sun. The galaxy around it is so faint that the central object accounts for around two-thirds

of the total mass of the system and is more massive than all the stars in the galaxy combined.

If the measurements hold, the implications run against the standard idea of how supermassive

black holes form, which has the galaxy assembling first and the central black hole growing in

step with it.

QSO1 belongs to a class of objects called Little Red Dots, first identified by the James

Webb Space Telescope (JWST) shortly after its commissioning in 2022. These are very compact,

very red sources, common in the first billion years of cosmic history and almost entirely absent

in the local universe. Previous mass estimates for black holes in the first billion years had relied

on indirect methods, mostly calibrated against scaling relations observed in the local universe.

These methods give an answer but carry the assumption that the physics of black hole accretion

in the distant past was broadly similar to what is observed nearby. According to Space.com’s

report on the work, D’Eugenio explained the team’s concern with that approach plainly: “We

didn’t know if those assumptions really apply to the distant universe”.

The galaxy itself contains relatively few stars. According to Universe Today’s coverage of

the papers, the stellar mass is constrained to be below roughly 20 million solar masses, and

some analyses push the upper limit considerably lower. The black hole is therefore more

massive than all the stars in its galaxy combined, by at least a factor of two and possibly far

more. The authors note in the paper published in Nature that QSO1 sits about a factor of ten

above even the most extreme cases of black-hole-heavy galaxies previously identified by the

JWST. The standard picture of supermassive black hole formation has the black hole growing

alongside its host galaxy, in a feedback relationship that takes billions of years. QSO1 cannot

have formed this way. The galaxy is too small to have fed the black hole through ordinary

accretion, and the time elapsed since the Big Bang at the moment of observation is too short

for slow co-evolution to have produced this result.

The team’s preferred interpretation, presented as such rather than as a conclusion, is

that the black hole formed first and the galaxy is now assembling around it. Ignas Juodžbalis,

one of the authors of the Nature paper, said that “This is very exciting because it is evidence

for primordial black holes or direct collapse black holes, which have been theorized but not

confirmed”. What the papers establish, in a narrower and more defensible sense, is that the

standard local scaling between black hole mass and host galaxy mass does not apply in the

first billion years. Whether QSO1 is unusual among Little Red Dots, or whether the population

as a whole follows the same pattern, is the next question the Cambridge–Florence team is

pursuing.

(Available at: https://spacedaily.com/d-the-james-webb-space-telescope-has-just-captured-the-first-direct-measurement-of-a-black-hole-50-million-times-the-mass-of-the-sun-sitting-in-an-ancient-galaxy-where-it-outweighs-every-star-around-i/ – text specially adapted for this test).

The James Webb Space Telescope has just captured the first direct measurement of a black hole

By Space Daily Editorial Team

The official ESA Webb announcement on 27 May 2026 and two papers report the first

direct mass measurement of a supermassive black hole in the first billion years after the Big

Bang. The object sits at the heart of a small red galaxy called Abell2744-QSO1, seen as it was

roughly 700 million years after the Big Bang. The mass comes out at 50 million times the mass

of the Sun. The galaxy around it is so faint that the central object accounts for around two-thirds

of the total mass of the system and is more massive than all the stars in the galaxy combined.

If the measurements hold, the implications run against the standard idea of how supermassive

black holes form, which has the galaxy assembling first and the central black hole growing in

step with it.

QSO1 belongs to a class of objects called Little Red Dots, first identified by the James

Webb Space Telescope (JWST) shortly after its commissioning in 2022. These are very compact,

very red sources, common in the first billion years of cosmic history and almost entirely absent

in the local universe. Previous mass estimates for black holes in the first billion years had relied

on indirect methods, mostly calibrated against scaling relations observed in the local universe.

These methods give an answer but carry the assumption that the physics of black hole accretion

in the distant past was broadly similar to what is observed nearby. According to Space.com’s

report on the work, D’Eugenio explained the team’s concern with that approach plainly: “We

didn’t know if those assumptions really apply to the distant universe”.

The galaxy itself contains relatively few stars. According to Universe Today’s coverage of

the papers, the stellar mass is constrained to be below roughly 20 million solar masses, and

some analyses push the upper limit considerably lower. The black hole is therefore more

massive than all the stars in its galaxy combined, by at least a factor of two and possibly far

more. The authors note in the paper published in Nature that QSO1 sits about a factor of ten

above even the most extreme cases of black-hole-heavy galaxies previously identified by the

JWST. The standard picture of supermassive black hole formation has the black hole growing

alongside its host galaxy, in a feedback relationship that takes billions of years. QSO1 cannot

have formed this way. The galaxy is too small to have fed the black hole through ordinary

accretion, and the time elapsed since the Big Bang at the moment of observation is too short

for slow co-evolution to have produced this result.

The team’s preferred interpretation, presented as such rather than as a conclusion, is

that the black hole formed first and the galaxy is now assembling around it. Ignas Juodžbalis,

one of the authors of the Nature paper, said that “This is very exciting because it is evidence

for primordial black holes or direct collapse black holes, which have been theorized but not

confirmed”. What the papers establish, in a narrower and more defensible sense, is that the

standard local scaling between black hole mass and host galaxy mass does not apply in the

first billion years. Whether QSO1 is unusual among Little Red Dots, or whether the population

as a whole follows the same pattern, is the next question the Cambridge–Florence team is

pursuing.

(Available at: https://spacedaily.com/d-the-james-webb-space-telescope-has-just-captured-the-first-direct-measurement-of-a-black-hole-50-million-times-the-mass-of-the-sun-sitting-in-an-ancient-galaxy-where-it-outweighs-every-star-around-i/ – text specially adapted for this test).