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Niclou A, Sarma M, Levy S, Ocobock C. To the extreme! How biological anthropology can inform exercise physiology in extreme environments. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 284:111476. [PMID: 37423419 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The fields of biological anthropology and exercise physiology are closely related and can provide mutually beneficial insights into human performance. These fields often use similar methods and are both interested in how humans function, perform, and respond in extreme environments. However, these two fields have different perspectives, ask different questions, and work within different theoretical frameworks and timescales. Biological anthropologists and exercise physiologists can greatly benefit from working together when examining human adaptation, acclimatization, and athletic performance in the extremes of heat, cold, and high-altitude. Here we review the adaptations and acclimatizations in these three different extreme environments. We then examine how this work has informed and built upon exercise physiology research on human performance. Finally, we present an agenda for moving forward, hopefully, with these two fields working more closely together to produce innovative research that improves our holistic understanding of human performance capacities informed by evolutionary theory, modern human acclimatization, and the desire to produce immediate and direct benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Niclou
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America. https://twitter.com/fiat_luxandra
| | - Mallika Sarma
- Human Space Flight Lab, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America. https://twitter.com/skyy_mal
| | - Stephanie Levy
- Department of Anthropology, CUNY Hunter College, New York, NY, United States of America; New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY, United States of America. https://twitter.com/slevyscience
| | - Cara Ocobock
- University of Notre Dame Department of Anthropology, Notre Dame, IN, United States of America; Eck Institute for Global Health, Institute for Educational Initiatives, University of Notre Dame, United States of America.
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Alba DM. One journal to bring them all, and in the fossils bind them. J Hum Evol 2023; 174:103306. [PMID: 36516733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2022.103306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David M Alba
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, c/ Columnes s/n, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
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Ocobock C, Niclou A, Loewen T, Arslanian K, Gibson R, Valeggia C. Demystifying mentorship: Tips for successfully navigating the mentor-mentee journey. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 34 Suppl 1:e23690. [PMID: 34664346 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality mentorship is crucial for long-term success in academia and overall job satisfaction. Unfortunately, formal mentorship training is lacking, and there is little recourse for failed mentor-mentee relationships. METHODS We performed a literature review to understand the current state of mentorship research with a focus on: (1) what mentorship is and why it is important for success; (2) establishing mentor-mentee relationships; and (3) the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion. RESULTS From the literature review, we compiled a number of mentorship recommendations for individuals, departments, institutions, and professional associations. These recommendations focus on building a mentorship network, establishing formalized mentorship training, how to build a productive and mutually beneficial mentor-mentee relationship, and instituting a system of mentorship accountability . CONCLUSION We hope that by centralizing this information and providing a list of resources and actionable recommendations we inspire and encourage others to make meaningful changes in their approach to mentorship to create a more kind, caring, and equitable environment in which to conduct our work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Ocobock
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.,Eck Institute for Global Health and the Institute for Educational Initiatives, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Alexandra Niclou
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Tisa Loewen
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kendall Arslanian
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rebecca Gibson
- Department of Anthropology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Department of Anthropology, American University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Claudia Valeggia
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Freed B, Hillman S, Shantikumar S, Bick D, Dale J, Gauly J. The impact of disasters on contraception in OECD member countries: a scoping review. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2021; 26:429-438. [PMID: 34126834 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1934440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Review evidence is lacking about how contraception is affected by severe social disruption, such as that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the impact of natural and man-made disasters on contraception in OECD member countries. METHODS Manual searches and systematic searches in six electronic databases were conducted with no language restrictions. All articles were screened by at least two researchers. The data were analysed thematically. RESULTS 108 articles were included. Most focussed on the Zika virus outbreak (n = 50) and the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 28). Four key themes were identified: importance of contraception during disasters, impact of disasters on contraceptive behaviour, barriers to contraception during disasters and ways of improving use of contraception during disasters. Despite efforts to increase access to contraception including by transforming ways of delivery, barriers to use meant that unmet need persisted. CONCLUSIONS To prevent adverse health outcomes and reduce health costs as a result of failure to have access to contraception during disasters, there is a need to intensify efforts to remove barriers to use. This should include increasing access and information on methods of contraception and their side effects (e.g., menstrual suppression) and making contraception freely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Freed
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sarah Hillman
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Debra Bick
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jeremy Dale
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Julia Gauly
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Fuentes A. Biological anthropology's critical engagement with genomics, evolution, race/racism, and ourselves: Opportunities and challenges to making a difference in the academy and the world. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2020; 175:326-338. [PMID: 33098091 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Biological anthropology can, and should, matter in the Anthropocene. Biological anthropologists are interested in human biology and the human experience in a broader ecological, evolutionary, and phylogenetic context. We are interested in the material of the body, the history of the body, and interactions of diverse bodies, communities, ecologies, and evolutionary processes. However, the cultural realities of bodies, histories, communities, livelihoods, perceptions, and experiences are as central to the endeavor and inquiry of biological anthropology as are their material aspects. Biological anthropology is a constant dialectic between the cultural and the biological. In this essay, I argue that Biological Anthropology has much to offer, a history to contend with, and a future that matters. To illustrate this, I highlight theoretical and methodological issues in genomics, evolutionary theory and connect them to the study of Race and Racism to emphasize specific arenas where Biological Anthropology has a great capacity, and a strong obligation, to play a central role. However, Biological Anthropology also has substantive internal issues that hinder our ability to do the best possible science. If we are to live up to our potential and make a difference in the 21st century we need to ameliorate our structural shortcomings and expand our voice, and impact, in academic and public discourse. The goal of this perspective is to offer suggestions for moving us toward this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Fuentes
- Department of Anthropology, 123 Aaron Burr Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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Clancy KB, Davis JL. Soylent Is People, and WEIRD Is White: Biological Anthropology, Whiteness, and the Limits of the WEIRD. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANTHROPOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anthro-102218-011133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
WEIRD populations, or those categorized as Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic, are sampled in the majority of quantitative human subjects research. Although this oversampling is criticized in some corners of social science research, it is not always clear what we are critiquing. In this article, we make three interventions into the WEIRD concept and its common usage. First, we seek to better operationalize the terms within WEIRD to avoid erasing people with varying identities who also live within WEIRD contexts. Second, we name whiteness as the factor that most strongly unites WEIRD research and researchers yet typically goes unacknowledged. We show how reflexivity is a tool that can help social scientists better understand the effects of whiteness within the scientific enterprise. Third, we look at the positionality of biological anthropology, as not cultural anthropology and not psychology, and how that offers both promise and pitfalls to the study of human variation. We offer other perspectives on what constitutes worthy and rigorous biological anthropology research that does not always prioritize replicability and statistical power, but rather emphasizes the full spectrum of the human experience. From here, we offer several ways forward to produce more inclusive human subjects research, particularly around existing methodologies such as grounded theory, Indigenous methodologies, and participatory action research, and call on biological anthropology to contribute to our understanding of whiteness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn B.H. Clancy
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;,
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Jenny L. Davis
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA;,
- American Indian Studies Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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Wilson EK. Women's experiences in early physical anthropology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2019; 170:308-318. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Ramsay MS, Teichroeb JA. Anecdotes in Primatology: Temporal Trends, Anthropocentrism, and Hierarchies of Knowledge. AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aman.13295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm S. Ramsay
- Department of Anthropology and School of the EnvironmentUniversity of Toronto Toronto ON Canada M5S 2S2
| | - Julie A. Teichroeb
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Toronto Toronto ON Canada M5S 2S2
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada M1C 1A4
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Martin MA. Biological Anthropology in 2018: Grounded in Theory, Questioning Contexts, Embracing Innovation. AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aman.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Setchell JM, Gordon AD. Editorial: Editorial Practice at the International Journal of Primatology: the Roles of Gender and Country of Affiliation in Participation in Scientific Publication. INT J PRIMATOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-018-0067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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12
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Lynn CD, Howells ME, Stein MJ. Family and the field: Expectations of a field-based research career affect researcher family planning decisions. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203500. [PMID: 30192836 PMCID: PMC6128561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Field-based data collection provides an extraordinary opportunity for comparative research. However, the demands of pursuing research away from home creates an expectation of unburdened individuals who have the temporal, financial, and social resources to conduct this work. Here we examine whether this myth of the socially unencumbered scholar contributes to the loss of professionals and trainees. To investigate this, we conducted an internet-based survey of professional and graduate student anthropologists (n = 1025) focused on the challenges and barriers associated with developing and maintaining a fieldwork-oriented career path and an active family life. This study sought to determine how (1) family socioeconomic status impacts becoming an anthropologist, (2) expectations of field-based research influence family planning, and (3) fieldwork experiences influence perceptions of family-career balance and stress. We found that most anthropologists and anthropology students come from educated households and that white men were significantly more likely to become tenured professionals than other demographic groups. The gender disparity is striking because a larger number of women are trained in anthropology and were more likely than men to report delaying parenthood to pursue their career. Furthermore, regardless of socioeconomic background, anthropologists reported significant lack of family-career balance and high stress associated with the profession. For professionals, lack of balance was most associated with gender, age, SES, tenure, and impacts of parenting on their career, while for students it was ethnicity, relative degree speed, graduate funding, employment status, total research conducted, career impact on family planning, and concern with tenure (p < .05). Anthropology bridges the sciences and humanities, making it the ideal discipline to initiate discussions on the embedded structural components of field-based careers generalizable across specialties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Lynn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Michaela E. Howells
- Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Max J. Stein
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
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Passalacqua NV. Are careers in biological anthropology sustainable? AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 166:772-776. [PMID: 29607490 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas V Passalacqua
- Anthropology and Sociology Department, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723
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Antón SC, Malhi RS, Fuentes A. Race and diversity in U.S. Biological Anthropology: A decade of AAPA initiatives. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 165 Suppl 65:158-180. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ripan S. Malhi
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
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