Promoting adequate sleep in adolescent night owls aligns adolescents' biology with their educational requirements. School systems aren't designed for youngsters who sleep late and get up late, or "night owls," which may help explain why this group of teenagers is more prone to depression.

Now, researchers at UC San Francisco have found a way to help these kids adjust to their natural sleep-cycle rhythms while still fulfilling their school responsibilities. The findings are a welcome sign for adolescents with depression, who are more likely than most to report staying up late.