According to a Colorado University at Boulder study, women have more types of bacteria on the palms of their hands. The study used powerful gene-sequencing techniques to look at the types of bacterial found on the skin of 51 study participates.

"The sheer number of bacteria species detected on the hands of the study participants was a big surprise, and so was the greater diversity of bacteria we found on the hands of women," said CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Noah Fierer.

The greater diversity on women's hands could be due to a number factors including: 

• The use of cosmetics and different types of lotions.
• Men’s skin tends to be slightly more acidic.
• There are differences in oil as sweat production between the sexes.

Here are some more interesting results from the study.

• 4,700 different bacteria species were identified across the 102 hands studied.
• Only five species were shared among all 51 participants.
• As far as bacteria are concerned the left and right hands are two different worlds. They only shared 17 percent of the same bacteria types. This might have to do with one hand being dominant and touching more surfaces.
• The richness of bacteria types on the palm was three times higher than that found on the forearm and elbow.
• The total diversity of hand bacteria appears to match or exceed levels of bacteria colonizing other parts of the body, including the esophagus, the mouth and lower intestine.
• After handwashing some groups of bacteria were less abundant, while others were more abundant. The overall levels of bacterial diversity didn’t change. "The vast majority of bacteria are non-pathogenic, and some bacteria even protect against the spread of pathogens," said Assistant Professor Rob Knight who was one of the studies co-authors.  "From a public health standpoint, regular hand washing has a very positive effect."

Comments (2)

ruthy said:

	No way. I don't believe women have more different kind of bugs then men. It simply doesn't make sense. Men are messier than women. I know I have brothers and a dad.
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November 14, 2008
Votes: +0

MisterT said:

	... Girls have cooties. This proves it.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 16, 2008
Votes: -2