Effectiveness of Melatonin Questioned

New research published in the British Medical Journal has cast doubt on the effectiveness of melatonin as a treatment for jetlag and disturbed sleep.

Researchers from the University of Alberta at Edmonton analysed a number of published studies into the effectiveness of melatonin.

According to this meta-analysis:

"Our review shows that melatonin does not affect either sleep onset latency or sleep efficiency in people with jet lag or people with shiftwork disorder"

Although melatonin did help people with secondary sleep disorders to get more sleep, the effect was a tiny ten minutes extra for an eight hour sleep period.

The researchers stress that they are not making any treatment recommendations, simply presenting an analysis of the data.

Bed Bugs Invade Australia

Reuters reports that Australia is suffering from an invasion of bed bugs.

The pest problem is part of a global resurgence of bed bugs, however Australia seems to be suffering especially badly. Some pest controllers have reported a rise in incidents of up to %1000. By comparison, reports in the US for 2004 showed a rise of 20%.

The bed bug invasion is estimated to be costing the Australian tourist industry arouns $US75 million a year.