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Sleep and Circadian rhythm: Adaptation to environment

Call for papers: submission due 30th June 2023

Special issue in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology

sleep © Myriams-Fotos on Pixabay






Guest editor
Shigekazu Higuchi, Kyushu University, Japan
Monique K Lebourgeois,  University of Colorado Boulder, USA
Raymond Najjar, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore

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 information
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.

This collection will be published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology in late 2023.

Article Processing Charge (APC): Special discounted APC price (approximaterly half the list price) will be applied on request to the papers accepted for this collection. please contact editorial office for further information.

General queries and APC discount request: sleep-and-rhythm@jpa-eb.net


There are currently no articles in this collection.