33 MD for December 16, 2008

Researchers have identified new genes that play a role in obesity. The gene variants increase a person's appetite. Each variant had a minor contribution to weight gain, but when someone had multiple mutations, it added up to 10 extra pounds. The two studies are published in the journal, "Nature Genetics." Researchers say there are likely several more genes that increase the risk for obesity, and more studies are needed.

Getting a good night's sleep may really be the best way to fight a cold. Researchers at Stanford University infected fruit flies with two types of bacteria at different times of the day or night. They found those infected at night were more likely to survive. Experts say this backs previous evidence that the immune system can better fend off illness when the body is resting.

In other medical news, it's called the "Wake Up on Time" pill and its makers say you take it at bedtime to wake up refreshed and ready for the day. Many of us start our day just like Bob Hall, hitting the snooze button, hating to get out of bed. But Hall says these pills are turning his mornings around.

"It just seemed like a Godsend to me."

The Wake Up on Time pill boasts it can beat the clock and wake you up before your alarm clock. Hall says they've worked on his mornings for months now.

"Oh they're a lot better. They're a lot better 'cause I wake up a little bit. I won't say normal, but my mind works a little bit better. I just have a lot better mornings than I used to."

The pill's inventor, Cathy Beggan, is a mother too. With three young kids, she credits a combination of caffeine and vitamin B for getting her children to school on time.

"But the key to the wake up on time is the special coating that delays the release of the ingredients. After the coating dissolves and the ingredients are released into your system, you start to feel really good and ready to wake up."

The directions say you're supposed to take two pills 7 hours before you want to wake up in the morning, but sleep expert, Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, says he doubts the pills will work.

He says, "There's no replacement for sleep, no pill, no elixir."

Dr. Schwartz says two cups of coffee before bed could do what these pills claim to.

"That being said caffeine can actually disturb your sleep. However, if it was truly time release so it had its release closer to the time of the waking, sure it might wake you up just like a cup of coffee. I don't think vitamins in this would be able to do anything special."

The pills cost about $30 a bottle.