This book is the first in a new series entitled ''Advances in Circadian
Physiology." Our aim in this and subsequent volumes is to document and
critically analyze the state of knowledge on biological clocks,
circadian rhythms and their applications to human health, safety,
performance and productivity. In the past twenty years, scientists have
uncovered an elegant system of biological clocks in the brain that
govern the daily rhythms of sleep and alertness, hormone levels and
temperature and a myriad other aspects of body function. From the first
identification of the suprachiasmatic biological clock in the early
1970s, this field of research has exploded in information and
implication. These biological clocks, so perfectly attuned to the pace
of a bygone era, are the root cause of the human fatigue, error,
accidents and reduced productivity precipi- tated by the
around-the-clock challenges of today's industry and society. Research on
these clocks offers the promise of fundamental solutions which can help
the human race adjust physiologically to the technology-paced world we
have created.