Journal of Physiological Anthropology

Circadian phase advances in children during camping life according to the natural light-dark cycle

Vol. 41, Article number: 42 (2022)
Taisuke Eto, Shingo Kitamura, Kana Nishimura, Kota Takeoka, Yuki Nishimura, Sang-il Lee, Michihiro Ohashi, Akiko Shikano, Shingo Noi & Shigekazu Higuchi

It is known that the circadian rhythm phase in adults can be advanced in a natural light-dark cycle without electrical lighting. However, the effect of advanced sleep-wake timing according to the natural light-dark cycle on children’s circadian phase is unclear. Authors investigated the effects of approximately 2 weeks of camping life with little access to artificial lighting on children’s circadian phasesm and  conducted an exploratory examination on the effects of wake time according to natural sunrise time on the manner of the advance of their circadian phases.

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Biocultural intersections: stressors, adaptability, allostasis, frailty, and aging

Vol. 40 Article number: 33 (2022)
Douglas Crews 

Editorial introduction  to the new article collection "Biocultural Intersections: Stressors, Adaptability, Allostasis, Frailty & Aging" by the collection guest editor.

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Go to Article Collection
 "Biocultural Intersections: Stressors, Adaptability, Allostasis, Frailty & Aging".

Journal of Physiological Anthropology Best Reviewer Award 2021 is awarded to:

・ Hiromitsu Kobayashi (Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University, Japan)
・ Kazuhiko Arima (Nagasaki University, Japan)

For more information, please visit the award page.

Special Issue: Sleep and Circadian rhythm: Adaptation to environment

Collection Editors
Shigekazu Higuchi Kyushu University, Japan
Monique K Lebourgeois  University of Colorado Boulder, USA

Physiological anthropology is the study of human adaptability to the environment and its diversity. This collection focuses on sleep and biological rhythms across the lifespan. Although sleep is one of the basic physiological needs of humans, many people in modern society have various problems with sleep. Sleep deprivation not only causes daytime sleepiness and reduced work efficiency but also leads to various long-term health problems. These sleep problems are also caused by circadian rhythm disturbances. Humans have circadian rhythms adapted to the natural light-dark cycle, but artificial lighting at night is known to adversely affect sleep and circadian rhythms. In addition, although humans are a diurnal species, night shifts and shift work, which are essential in modern society, have a significant impact on circadian rhythms and sleep. There are also effects from the use of the Internet and media devices. Behavioral restrictions due to unexpected spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, can also affect sleep. Thermal and noise environments also affect sleep. Furthermore, there are individual differences not only in the effects of the environments but also in sleep and circadian rhythms themselves such as evening and morning preferences. Mechanisms underlying individual differences in sleep and circadian rhythms include various factors such as growth, aging, photoperiod, and genetics. Cultural differences also exist. These characteristics have been clarified through both laboratory experiments and field studies.

This collection includes the following topics:

• Light environment and sleep/circadian rhythms
• Thermal environment and sleep/circadian rhythms
• Night and shift work and sleep/circadian rhythms
• COVID-19 and sleep/circadian rhythms
• Individual differences in sleep/circadian rhythms
• Genetic factors and sleep/circadian rhythms
• Sleep/circadian rhythms and health
• Submission is open from 1 February through 30th June 2023. 

All submissions will be thoroughly peer-reviewed. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines section for detailed information on preparation of manuscripts, or contact editorial office for questions. 
State on the cover letter that the paper is for the Special issue, "Sleep and Circadian rhythm: Adaptation to environment" and select relevant issue topic when making submission.

Article Processing Charge (APC): Special discounted APC price (approximaterly half the list price) will be applied to the papers accepted for this collection. 

In order to securely identify the submisison for this issue, authors are requested to contact in advance to: sleep-and-rhythm@jpa-eb.net

Journal of Physiological Anthropology (JPA) is the official journal of the Japan Society of Physiological Anthropology. JPA is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that publishes research on the physiological functions of modern mankind, with an emphasis on the physical and bio-cultural effects on human adaptability to the current environment.
Click here to read full Aims and Scope of JPA

Journal of Physiological Anthropology publishes special issues and collection of papers on the select topics of recent interest within the scope of the journal. See the list of article collections and special issues here. 

Legacy content

Articles published in Journal of Physiological Anthropology since 1996 (volume 15) are open access and fully accessible from the following link.

In 2023, Article Processing Charge to publish Journal of Physiological Anthropology is £1040.00/$1490.00/€1240.00. 

JSPA is supporting members publishing with JPA as the first author of the article. Please contact the Administration Office or visit the Society website for further information.