It is curious when you phrase it this way. Sleep that is not aligned with the majority of the population associated with death rates not aligned with the majority. ;)

As the other poster said, this is not a surprise to the authors, so I don't need this as a criticism of it. Just like the amusing rephrasing.

Huh, interesting indeed. I didn't think of it that way.

I go to sleep at 00:00 and wake up at 07:30 so that makes me rather happy :)

I read somewhere your body likes natural 1.5h increments. I've found if I hit those numbers my days and nights go much better. I always slept 9h/night until recently. Now I mix in the occasional 7.5 hour night to no detriment. Even do 4.5 and 6.0 when necessary (early flights/etc).

...and, if I understood their tables correctly, use of tranquilizers (benzodiazepines, etc.) is associated with significantly greater risk.

doesn't that have a lot of confounding factors though? e.g. such difficulties getting to sleep medication is needed, or willingness to medicate (rather than change behavior/environment) etc.

Does this take it into account of the possibility that people who sleep longer than 8hrs probably has other unhealthy habits, like lack of exercise etc..

Your question can be answered by reading the other comments here.