Study: Humans Sleep Less, Better Than Other Animals
Humans need less sleep than other mammals, yet their slumber is more efficient, said researchers at Duke University in North Carolina.
In their study, the scientists researched sleep patterns of hundreds of animals. They discovered humans sleep for shorter periods of time compared to other animals.
The study also concluded that a human's sleep is higher quality. A deeper stage of sleep, called rapid eye movement sleep, or REM, makes up 25 percent of a human's sleep. In primates like lemurs or monkeys, REM sleep does not reach the five percent mark.
'Humans are unique in having shorter, higher quality sleep,' said David Samson, a study co-author.
Sam son's research team found that humans can prosper with an average of seven hours of sleep a day. Other primates need as many as 14 to 17 hours of sleep.
Samson said human sleep habits evolved during prehistoric times. Human ancestors moved from sleeping in trees to sleeping on the ground. Better sleeping habits resulted in better sleep in a shorter amount of time.
词汇解析
1.better than 好于；高于
For all your explanation, I understand no better than before.
尽管你做了解释，我还是不懂。
2.patterns of 类型；形态
They like new patterns of family life.
他们喜欢新的家庭生活方式。
3.hundreds of 数以百计的
Money to the extent of hundreds of thousands was set in motion.
流通的金钱达几十万金元之多。
4.stage of ...阶段
At present, China is still on the initial stage of socialism.
现在, 中国仍然处在社会主义的初级阶段。
