Jezebel: bacteria

Bath & Body Works

Margaret — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EDT

Researchers found bacteria builds up in showerheads, then aerosolized particles are inhaled while bathing. For healthy people, the bacteria is harmless, but it can be reduced by running the water for 30 seconds/using a metal showerhead. [NYTimes, Image via Flickr.]

Sex On The Beach Spreads Disease

Anna N. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:40:00 EDT

Thinking of having sex on the beach or in the pool this summer? Watch out! Pools can dissolve condoms, and sand could give you a UTI. Instead, have sex in a sterile room while wearing a biohazard suit. [LiveScience]

Mutant Bacteria Bio-Fabric To Change Lives, Take Over World

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:20:00 EDT

Scientists in San Diego say they have developed a process for making genetically modified E. coli bacteria consume sugar and "excrete" the key ingredient in spandex. This is how it starts! [Technology Review]

Germophobes Be Warned

Intern Katy — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:40:00 EDT

Scientists have begun mapping the 1,000 species of bacteria living on the human skin in efforts to better understand healthy epidermis. Apparently, the forearm is teeming with an average of 44 different types of bacteria, while the armpit is a "lush rain forest" of microscopic life. [NationalGeographic & ScienceNow]

Return To Oz!

Sadie — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:20:00 EDT

Meet the world's first wig purifier. It's futuristic and creepy and scored with heroic music and we want one. [Youtube via BoingBoing]

Women Can Add Filthy Hands & Bad Teeth To Their Other Body Woes

Dodai — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Commuters at train stations in the UK had their hands analyzed by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as part of the first Global Handwashing Day, reports The Independent. In London, 21% of women had fecal bacteria on their hands, compared to only 6% of men. Oh, sure the bacteria were "all from the gut" and do not necessarily cause disease, but the statistics do indicate that hands have not been washed properly and that women have filthier hands than men.

What the hell? Pair this with the news from Live Science that women are more likely than men to suffer from bad teeth , and you've gotta wonder: Why do women have so much to worry about, health-wise?

I remember going to the drugstore recently and it seemed that all of the items I dumped at the register magnified something that was "wrong" with me: My conditioner was specially made for "dry" and "damaged" hair; my deodorant was "extra" strength; I had not lotion but "intensive body moisture" with "healing" properties; the toothpaste I needed was fortified with "whitening" ingredients for my yellowed teeth and even my tampons were "ultra" absorbent for my tsunami-like menstrual flow.

As for the dirty hands, the UK study doesn't offer much explanation as to why women's were filthier than men's. (One commenter posits: "They have longer nails, that's why.") But the bad teeth can be blamed on hormonal and dietary changes related to higher pregnancy rates. "Women eat more frequently during pregnancy because of having a smaller stomach," says anthropologist John Lukacs. Also, women may produce less saliva during pregnancy. It's an "acid challenge for teeth." Either way: Don't we already have enough to worry about? Excuse me while I go find my waterless hand sanitizer.

Why (Some) Women Don't Scrub Up As Well As Men [Independent]
Why Women Have Bad Teeth [Live Science]

Elle "Genius" Fellow Explains Secret Of Acne Science Stuff! Sorta...

Moe — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:40:00 EDT

Elle's Beauty Genius Awards are...well, I was going to call them the MacArthur "Genius" Fellowships of beauty, but look here — the magazine actually just went ahead and called them the "Nobel Prizes" of Beauty, which pretty much takes the wind out of my faux-hubristic sails. Anyway! It's an invaluable spread filled with the collected wisdom of 25 hairstylists, makeup artists, colorists, dermatologists, cosmetic dentists representing the "brightest stars" in the business of Making You Beautiful, and I am here because I wanted to share with you the explanation of Facialist and "former chemist" Mady Shany, healer of Hollywood's A-Listiest acne problems, as to why you should switch up your skin care products every three or four months. "Bacteria figures out what you are using to kill it and becomes immune to ingredients." Wait, really? So...these breakouts...they're like a mild superbug?? Is the advent of Purel and hormone-treated beef making our skin stay uglier later?

Could this somehow explain why people in countries with more isolated food systems have such great skin?? (Not that I know, I'm just speculating. Uhhhh, hm.) The thing is, most acne fighting products aren't really going after bacteria at all. It seems like the point of most of them is to dry out the face and/or heal inflammation. I don't know, of course; I am no genius. But, you know, it sort of just occurred to me; for presenting us with so goddamn many words per month on skin care, these magazines have not taught us, like, anything about our skin. Do you think they figure that "remember to invest in a whole new regimen every three months or so" is all we need to know?