Topics and Trends in Most Cited Physiological and biochemical adaptations Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Physiological and biochemical adaptations research in the Class of 2026?

Research in physiological and biochemical adaptations is increasingly focused on thermal limits. The Class of 2026 highlights a sharp rise in studies on heat waves and temperature optimums, while generalized topics like osmoregulation and ecotoxicology declined, reflecting an urgent shift toward modeling extreme environmental stress.

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Updated September 14, 2026

At a glance

Field
Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
3,472
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Oxidative stress, heat stress, thermal tolerance, transcriptomics
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
23–45
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved September 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 3,472
4518m citations

A lethal mitonuclear incompatibility in complex I of natural hybrids

Benjamin M Moran et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-023-06895-8

Benjamin M. Moran, Molly SchumerStanford University, United States

mitonuclear incompatibilityComplex Iswordtail fishhybrid incompatibilityreproductive barriersembryonic lethalitymitochondrial proteomeAllele-specific expressionnon-additive genetic interactionsaccelerated evolutionintrogressionthree-gene incompatibilitynaturally hybridizing speciescomplex I functionprotein-protein interactionsgenetic architectureinterspecific hybrids
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#2 of 3,472
3818m citations

Metabolic loads and the costs of metazoan reproduction

Samuel C Ginther et al.Science202410.1126/science.adk6772

Samuel C. GintherMonash University, Australia

Metabolic stressenergy costs of reproductiondirect reproductive costsindirect reproductive costsenergy content of offspringmammalsEctothermsviviparityOviparitylactationReproductive investmentTotal energy expenditurebearing costs
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#3 of 3,472
3518m citations

Effects of chronic cold stress and thermal stress on growth performance, hepatic apoptosis, oxidative stress, immune response and gut microbiota of juvenile hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × A. schrenkii ♂)

Tianyu Liu et al.Fish & Shellfish Immunology202410.1016/j.fsi.2024.110078

Tianyu Liu, Peiyu Zhang, Haiyan LiuHebei Normal University, China

Cold stressHeat stresshybrid sturgeonAcipenser baeriiAcipenser schrenkiigrowth performancehepatic apoptosisOxidative stressimmune responseGut microbiomejuvenile fishliver pathologymicrobiome analysisstress physiology
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#5 of 3,472
3218m citations

Oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide disrupts zebrafish visual development by altering apoptosis, antioxidant and estrogen related genes

Febriyansyah Saputra et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-64933-5

Mitsuyo Kishida, Shao‐Yang HuKumamoto University, Japan

Hydrogen peroxidezebrafish embryosvisual developmentOxidative stresseye to body length ratiooptomotor responseretinal apoptosisGlutathionepax6αpax6βtp53casp3baxbcl2αSuperoxide dismutasecatgpx1aestrogen receptorscyp19a1acyp19a1b
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#6 of 3,472
3218m citations

The toxicity effects of imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos on oxidative stress and blood biochemistry in Cyprinus carpio

Mahdi Banaee et al.Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology202410.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109979

Mahdi BanaeeBehbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Iran

imidaclopridchlorpyrifosOxidative stressblood biochemistryCommon carppesticide toxicityneonicotinoid insecticideorganophosphate insecticideEcotoxicologyBiochemical biomarkers
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#7 of 3,472
3018m citations

Drosophila immune cells transport oxygen through PPO2 protein phase transition

Mingyu Shin, Eunji Chang, Daewon Lee et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07583-x

Jiwon ShimHanyang University, South Korea

Drosophila crystal cellshaemocytesProphenoloxidase 2 (PPO2)PPO2 protein phase transitionPPO2 crystalline structurestracheal systemoxygen transportcopper-dependent oxygenationpH-dependent crystal dissolutioncarbonic anhydraseHypoxia responsearthropod haemocyaninlarval burrowing behaviorinternal oxygen homeostasismyeloid-like immune cellscopper-binding mutanthaemocyte traffickingnormoxic conditionsrespiratory organ exposure
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#8 of 3,472
3018m citations

Antifreeze proteins and surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals for designing anti-freezing conductive hydrogel sensors

Liangjiu Bai et al.Carbohydrate Polymers202410.1016/j.carbpol.2024.123056

Liangjiu Bai, Hou ChenLudong University, China

Antifreeze proteinscellulose nanocrystalssurface modificationconductive hydrogelanti-freezing hydrogelFlexible sensorsFreeze toleranceice recrystallization inhibitionnanocellulose reinforcementcold-tolerant materialshydrogel conductivitycryoprotectioncomposite hydrogels
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#9 of 3,472
2818m citations

Physiological and transcriptomic analysis provides new insights into osmoregulation mechanism of Ruditapes philippinarum under low and high salinity stress

Tao Liu et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173215

Hongtao Nie, Zhongming HuoDalian Ocean University, China

Ruditapes philippinarumOsmoregulationSalinity stressTranscriptomicsPhysiological responsesSalinity tolerancegene expression profilingStress responseMarine bivalves
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#11 of 3,472
2618m citations

Variation in temperature of peak trait performance constrains adaptation of arthropod populations to climatic warming

Samraat Pawar et al.Nature Ecology & Evolution202410.1038/s41559-023-02301-8

Samraat Pawar, Paul J. Huxley, Lauren J. CatorImperial College London, United Kingdom

Thermal adaptationClimate warmingarthropod populationsTemperature optimumlife-history traitsjuvenile developmentadult fecundityjuvenile mortalityadult mortalityReproductive investmentlife-history trade-offsadaptive capacityThermal performance curvesLatitudinal temperature gradientsTrait-based modelsEvolutionary constraint
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#12 of 3,472
2618m citations

Effects of saline and alkaline stresses on the survival, growth, and physiological responses in juvenile mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

Yan Li et al.Aquaculture202410.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741143

Qifang LaiEast China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China

Siniperca chuatsiSalinity stressAlkalinity stressjuvenile fishSurvival rategrowth performancePhysiological responsesSalinity toleranceAlkalinity toleranceOsmoregulationStress adaptation
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#13 of 3,472
2618m citations

Effects of Temperature and Light on Microalgal Growth and Nutrient Removal in Turtle Aquaculture Wastewater

Xiaosong Tian et al.Biology202410.3390/biology13110901

Longzao LuoChongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering, China

Desmodesmus sp. CHX1turtle aquaculture wastewaterTemperature optimumlight intensityphotoperiodmicroalgal growth kineticsAmmonia detoxificationNitrite/nitrate removaltotal phosphorus removalProtein accumulationLipid accumulationbiomass accumulationnutrient removal efficiencyMicroalgae supplementationsingle-factor experimentadaptation periodlogarithmic growth phasestable growth period
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#14 of 3,472
2518m citations

Hidden impacts of ocean warming and acidification on biological responses of marine animals revealed through meta-analysis

Katharina Alter, Juliette Jacquemont et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47064-3

Katharina AlterRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Netherlands

meta-analysisocean warmingocean acidificationmarine fishmarine invertebratescalcificationsurvivalMetabolismabsolute change metricdirectional change metricdeviation from reference valuesPhysiological responsesreproductive responsesbehavioral responsesdevelopmental responsesclimate driver intensity levelsecological shiftsfitness proxiesspecies-specific responsesecosystem structure and processes
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#15 of 3,472
2418m citations

A systematic map of studies testing the relationship between temperature and animal reproduction

Liam R. Dougherty et al.Ecological Solutions and Evidence202410.1002/2688-8319.12303

Liam R. DoughertyUniversity of Liverpool, United Kingdom

temperature exposureanimal reproductionReproductive potentialfecunditygamete traitsgonad traitspopulation fitnessextinction risksystematic mapinsectsreptilesamphibiansnon-arthropod invertebratesHeat shock responseCold stressTemperature fluctuationlife stage exposuretaxonomic biasgeographical sampling bias
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#16 of 3,472
2418m citations

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)-mediated lactate generation promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension

Daiqian Wu, Shuo Wang et al.Journal of Translational Medicine202410.1186/s12967-024-05543-7

Zhen Zhang, Xingbing LiThe Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, China

lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)Lactate accumulationpulmonary vascular remodelingpulmonary hypertensionpulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs)Akt signaling pathwayHypoxiaright ventricular dysfunctionLDHA knockdownSugen/hypoxia mouse modelmonocrotaline (MCT)-induced rat modelchronic hypoxia-induced mouse modelLDHA inhibitorMetabolic adaptationcell proliferationcell migrationright heart catheterization
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#17 of 3,472
2418m citations

Heatwave responses of Arctic phytoplankton communities are driven by combined impacts of warming and cooling

Klara K E Wolf et al.Science Advances202410.1126/sciadv.adl5904

Klara K. E. WolfUniversity of Hamburg, Germany

Marine heatwavesArctic phytoplanktonstable warmingHeat wavesprimary productivityphytoplankton physiologyMicrobial community compositioncool phase impactswarm phase impactsTemperature fluctuationPhysiological responsescompositional shiftsArctic marine ecosystemsclimate change experimentsphytoplankton assemblagesproductivity responsestemporal dynamicsecosystem services
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#18 of 3,472
2418m citations

Two-stage evolution of mammalian adipose tissue thermogenesis

Susanne Keipert, Michael J Gaudry et al.Science202410.1126/science.adg1947

Susanne Keipert, Michael J. Gaudry, Martin JastrochStockholm University, Sweden

brown adipose tissueBAT thermogenesisUncoupling protein 1marsupialseutherian mammalsnonthermogenic UCP1 variantbeige adipose tissuetranscriptomic BAT signatureancestral sequence reconstructiontherian ancestorcommon eutherian ancestortwo-stage evolutionprethermogenic stageCold stressHeat stressmammalian body temperature regulation
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#19 of 3,472
2318m citations

Comprehensive analysis of histophysiology, transcriptome and metabolome tolerance mechanisms in black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) under low temperature stress

Yue Wang et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172318

Zhiwei ZhangShanghai Ocean University, China

Acanthopagrus schlegeliiCold stressCold tolerance mechanismshistophysiologyTranscriptomicsMetabolomicsIntegrated multi-omicsHeat stressGene expressionMetabolic adaptationTissue-specific responsesStress responseTeleost fishAquaculture species
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#20 of 3,472
2318m citations

Warmer environmental temperature accelerates aging in mosquitoes, decreasing longevity and worsening infection outcomes

Jordyn S Barr et al.Immunity & Ageing202410.1186/s12979-024-00465-w

Julián F. HillyerVanderbilt University, United States

Anopheles gambiaeThermal conditionsphysiological agechronological agesenescence accelerationEctothermsClimate change impactsbacterial infectionEscherichia coliMicrococcus luteushemocoelic infectioninfection intensityimmune senescenceThermal mortalitylongevity declinetemperature-age interactionmalaria mosquito vectorinsect thermal biology
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Physiological and biochemical adaptations

What Stressors Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 in physiological and biochemical adaptations is overwhelmingly defined by research into organismal responses to extreme temperatures and physiological distress. Oxidative stress is the most prominent topic, appearing in 20% of the top papers, closely followed by heat stress (18%) and thermal tolerance (14%). These dominant themes reflect a strong focus on how organisms cope with challenging environmental conditions. Advanced methodologies like transcriptomics and metabolomics are heavily utilized to untangle these complex adaptation mechanisms at a molecular level. Overall, the leading research emphasizes understanding biological resilience in the face of shifting thermal environments and physiological demands.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Research Priorities Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The transition to the Class of 2026 reveals a sharp pivot toward extreme climate impacts and specific thermal metrics. Concepts like temperature optimum and heat waves saw dramatic rises, surging from near invisibility in the previous year to prominent positions in the top literature. Similarly, the study of thermal performance curves saw a threefold increase, highlighting a drive to quantify precisely how organisms perform across temperature gradients. Conversely, more generalized physiological topics like osmoregulation, thermal acclimation, and ecotoxicology experienced significant declines, dropping by half compared to the previous year. This shift suggests a concentrated movement toward modeling immediate, severe climate stressors rather than broader physiological acclimation.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Physiological and biochemical adaptations Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/physiological-and-biochemical-adaptations/2026. Accessed 2026-10-24.

Methodology
Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459