The moon accused of causing sleepless nights

Scientists claim that the moon may prevent people from sleeping.

A new study conducted in Argentina discovered that our sleep pattern changes during the lunar cycle and people tend to spend less time snoozing in the nights leading up to a full moon.

The study was also conducted on college students in the United States which revealed similar findings.

Professor Horacio de la Iglesia, from the National University of Quilmes, said: "We see a clear lunar modulation of sleep, with sleep decreasing and a later onset of sleep in the days preceding a full moon.

"And although the effect is more robust in communities without access to electricity, the effect is present in communities with electricity, including undergraduates at the University of Washington."