Journal of Physiological Anthropology

Recent updates on cold adaptation in population and laboratory studies, including cross-adaptation with nonthermal factors

Vol. 44, Article number: 7 (2025)

Hitoshi Wakabayashi, Hiroyuki Sakaue & Takayuki Nishimura  

This review aims to update our understanding of human cold adaptation. First, an overview of the thermoregulatory response to cold is provided, with some recent updates in human brown adipose tissue (BAT). Variation in BAT activity and multiorgan contributions to cold-induced thermogenesis were introduced. Researchers found that individuals with less BAT activity rely more on shivering to compensate for less non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). 

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Human dispersal into East Eurasia: ancient genome insights and the need for research on physiological adaptations

Vol. 44, Article number: 5 (2025)

Steven Abood & Hiroki Oota 

The origins of Homo sapiens have shifted from the "Multiregional Evolution" model to the "Out of Africa" theory over the past 30 years. Key evidence supporting this change includes hominin brain expansion, mitochondrial DNA insights, and next-generation sequencing of Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes, revealing some interbreeding with non-African Homo sapiens. Studies of early human migration routes to East Eurasia suggest adaptation to colder climates, lower light, and food scarcity. Ongoing genetic and epigenetic research is crucial for understanding human origins and migration, particularly in relation to East Asia.

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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

In 2025 Article Processing Charge (APC) to publish Journal of Physiological Anthropology is £1140.00/$1690.00/€1390.00 

Journal of Physiological Anthropology is the official journal of the Japanese Society of Physiological Anthropology.
The Society offers partial sponsorship of Journal’s APC for its members publishing papers in this journal as the first author. 

Member authors are able to request this support during the post-acceptance process. There is no need to submit institution code at the time of manuscript submission.  During submission please 'agree to pay APC list price' to proceed, and request for discount afterwards.

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Journal of Physiological Anthropology Best Reviewer Award 2023 is awarded to:

・ Loh Ping Yeap (Kyushu University, Japan)

・ Dominika Kanikowska (Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland)

For more information, please visit the award page.

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.