The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Current affairsNewsScience, Health & Technology

Smartphones reflect owners’ microbial world

Smartphones reflect owners’ microbial world
29 June 2014
Federica Marsi
Avatar
Federica Marsi
29 June 2014

Smartphones collect a large part of the bacteria present on our body, a study reveals.

The University of Oregon sequenced the DNA of microbes found on the index fingers and thumbs of 17 people and took swabs of each of their smartphones, with the intent of verifying whether phones effectively are our closest possessions.

The study, published in Peer J journal, has provided a scientific proof of the symbiotic relationship we have developed with our phones, to the extent that they microbiologically resemble us.

Results showed more than 82% of the most common bacteria found on the participants’ fingers were also found on their phones.

By touching the device – an average of 150 times a day – phone users leave their bacterial “fingerprints” on the screen. The most common ones are the three bacteria typically found in the mouth and on human skin: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Corynebaterium. Interestingly, women were found to be more strongly connected to their phones than men.

Researchers believe with the help of this project phones could now be used to find out whether a person has been exposed to certain bacteria or to monitor health in a non-invasive way.

Real-time sequencing technology could be used to screen health-care workers’ phones – rather than the people themselves – to verify whether certain pathogens are being carried in and out of the medical facility.

Although phones carry most of our bacteria, researchers say there is yet “no proof” that these items could present a higher infection risk compared to other possessions.

The human body is populated by trillions of micro-organisms living in the gut, mouth and skin. Bacteria can have harmful effects but are also extremely useful, especially in the digestion process.

Federica Marsi

Related Itemscommon bacteriasmartphone

More in Current Affairs

Women of Ireland have rolled over for long enough: The 8th and the long walk to abortion rights

Emma Kiely
Read More

Changes to expect during menopause

The editorial unit
Read More

Why Equity Linked Savings Schemes is a preferred tax saving?

The editorial unit
Read More

How the world’s top designers would rebrand political parties

The editorial unit
Read More

Royal baby furore: Proof that the British monarchy is still popular?

Eoin O’Sullivan-Harris
Read More

World Mental Health Day 2018: Raising awareness and combating stigma

The editorial unit
Read More

Seven political personalities you should know about

The editorial unit
Read More

Donald Trump: An enemy of the arts?

The editorial unit
Read More

Trump’s fortune: Where did the money come from?

The editorial unit
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Netflix Walking Tour: From Bridgerton to The Crown, a free walking tour through the filming locations
    Cinema & Tv
  • St Vincent at the Hammersmith Apollo
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Minions: The Rise of Gru
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Terminal List
    ★★★★★
    amazon
  • Baymax!
    ★★★★★
    disney
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • St Vincent at the Hammersmith Apollo
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Netflix Walking Tour: From Bridgerton to The Crown, a free walking tour through the filming locations
    Cinema & Tv
  • Africa Fashion at the V&A
    ★★★★★
    Art
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

NASA flying saucer test for Mars mission successful
Sir James Munby wants to allow couples quick divorce at Register Office