NewsIs it bad to stay up late? A study found being a night owl can increase mortalityApril 10, 2018 Bustle A new study led by Northwestern University researchers suggests that people who tend to be night owls when it comes to sleep have a higher mortality risk. Counter to the findings, Bustle quoted Dr. Katie Sharkey on other possible reasons people could be sleeping later. According to Dr. Sharkey, circadian rhythms shift over the span of a lifetime.