Professor Russell Foster’s research has transformed our understanding of how light shapes human biology. His work identifies a third photoreceptor system in the eye — melanopsin‑containing retinal ganglion cells — that detects blue‑enriched light (~480 nm) and sends powerful signals to the brain’s circadian clock. This system regulates melatonin release,

This influential matched‑cohort study followed more than 20,000 adults and found that people prescribed common sleep medications (hypnotics) had a threefold increase in mortality risk, even when taking fewer than 18 pills per year. The analysis showed a clear dose–response pattern, with higher use linked to greater risk. Several widely

This gold‑standard meta‑analysis pooled data from 25 prospective cohort studies and 1.3 million adults to understand how sleep duration relates to mortality. The findings reveal a clear U‑shaped relationship: both short sleep (<6 hours) and long sleep (>8–9 hours) are linked to higher all‑cause mortality. The lowest risk sits consistently