Sleep to Remember

If you can't remember your PIN or the names of people you meet, try sleeping on it. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that some shut-eye improved recall of memories made during the day. A group of college students was asked to memorize a series of word sounds; some students were tested for their recall after being awake for 12 hours, others after 12 hours of slumber. The latter group was able to recall more words, leading the researchers to speculate that memories are constantly being stored and consolidated. Sleep may be a way memories are rescued.