Human Variation : From the Laboratory to the Field

Unique in its approach, this work updates our understanding of human variation by employing both laboratory and field perspectives. Written by a team of scientists, it reviews the way we examine and analyze human variation with special reference to genetics, growth and development, and physiology. In describing the main factors influencing human variation, it delves into environmental plasticity, lifestyle, and heritability of characteristics. A significant part of the focus is on methodology and analytical techniques, detailing field and laboratory approaches, and looking at how the two perspectives complement each other.

The transition in anthropological and biomedical research methods over the past 50 years, from anthropometric and craniometric measurements to large-scale microarray genetic studies has resulted in continued revision of opinions and ideas relating to the factors and forces that drive human variation.

Human Variation:From the Laboratory to the Field brings together the contributions of 22 scientists working in four continents to identify and address challenges imposed by variability. It reviews the way we examine and analyze human variation, paying specific attention to genetics, growth and development, and physiology. In presenting new evidence and findings, it also discusses current developments in methodology and analytical techniques, detailing both field and laboratory approaches, and looking at how the two perspectives complement each other.

In bridging that gap between laboratory trials and studies of the human in context, this book covers a number of interesting research areas including —

• Human adaptation to natural and artificial light, including variations in circadian photosensitivity and effects of light on GI activity
• Cold tolerance and lifestyle in modern society
• Genetics of body weight and obesity
• Human adaptability to emotional and intellectual mental stresses
• Geography, migration, climate, and environmental plasticity as contributors to human variation
• Impact of natural environmental stressors including pollution on physiological and morphological processes

This book is the latest volume in a series of works from the Society for the Study of Human Biology (SSHB), which for half a century has advanced and promoted research in the biology of human populations in all of its branches including human viability, genetics, human adaptability, and ecology, and evolution. It holds two scientific meetings a year. This volume represents work presented during its most recent gathering.