Explore the mystery of sleep

Why do we sleep? And what does sleep have to do with memory, trauma, and our emotions?

• Fred Vigeant
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Fred Vigeant is WITF's Director of Programming and Promotions for TV and Radio. Fred manages the schedules for our radio and television platforms. He also analyzes audience research and manages the public affairs program Smart Talk. Previously, Fred was at WRVO in Oswego, NY for 12 years serving in various roles including Program Director and before that Operations Manager. Fred graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego with a B.A. in Mass Communications and Broadcasting.

From fruit flies to whales, virtually every animal sleeps. But why?

Why do we need to spend nearly a third of our lives in such a defenseless state?

Scientists are peering more deeply into the sleeping brain than ever before, discovering just how powerful sleep can be, playing a role in everything from memory retention and emotional regulation to removing waste from our brains.

Watch NOVA Wednesday December 2 at 9:30pm on WITF. Watch episodes of NOVA on-demand through the PBS Video app and through our website.  Older episodes are only available to WITF Passport members. Learn more…

Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.

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