Making Time for Science Chronobiology might sound a little futuristic - like something from a science fiction novel, perhaps-butit's actually a field of study that concerns one of the oldest processes life on this planet has ever known: short-term rhythms oftime and their effect on flora and fauna This can take many forms, Marine life, for example, is influenced by tidal patterns.After-dinner espressos are becoming more of a tradition - we have the ltalians to thank for that - but to prepare for a good night's sleep we are better off putting the brakes on caffeine consumption as early as 3 p.m. With a seven-hour half-life, a cup of coffee containing 90 mg of caffeine taken at this hour could still leave 45 mg of caffeine in your nervous system at ten o'clock that evening It is essential that, by the time you are ready to sleep, your body is rid of all traces.- keeping in synch with our body clock is important.