Oestrogen 'boosts male research'

The research was carried out at Bath University

Male scientists are good at research because of above average levels of the female hormone oestrogen, a study says.

The survey, conducted on male academics at Bath University, found they had high levels of the chemical, which aids analytical skills.

The scientists tended to have longer index fingers than other men, indicating high oestrogen levels.

Oestrogen causes the right side of the brain - responsible for spatial and analytical skills - to develop.

Testosterone levels

Psychology lecturer Dr Mark Brosnan studied 100 male and female academics at the university.

He said: "In the general population, men typically have higher levels of testosterone than women, but the male scientists at the University of Bath have lower testosterone levels than is usual for men.

"This research now suggests that lower than average testosterone levels in men lead to spatial skills that can give a man the ability to succeed in science.

"Other research in the past also suggested that an unusually high level of testosterone can do the same thing by encouraging the development of the right hemisphere."

Dr Brosnan said that the lack of women working in science was a mystery.

He said: "Science has been male-dominated in the past and this may be putting women off entering it, even though they are able to."