Scientists studied the ratio of index to ring finger in tens of thousands of men and women across 41 countries.
-19, the researchers looked at existing data from an online survey on the average 2D:4D measures of 103,482 men and 83,366 women from 41 countries. They also drew on—or the proportion of people who died from the number known to have the disease—as reported by the World Health Organization on April 21, as well as deaths by gender collated by Global Health 50/50 from 16 countries.
The team found a link between high digit ratio, which suggests low exposure to testosterone in the womb, and severe-19 and high mortality rates in men. In other words, men with longer ring fingers appeared to have a lower risk of dying or having severeIt's not clear what could explain this association. For instance, in general, males have a less robust immune response than females and are more susceptible to infectious diseases, the authors explained. This has led to the idea that testosterone could negatively affect the immune system, but at the same time too strong a response may also lead to a fatalinvade our cells, with what is known as its spike protein binding to an enzyme in our bodies called ACE2. This may explain why children are less likely to fall seriously ill, as they are-pubescent. But on the other hand, as men age testosterone levels decrease, and ACE2 is expressed more in females than men."Paradoxically," the authors wrote, the expression of ACE2 correlates negatively with death from COVID-19.-19, and high mortality in males," the team wrote, and h"A strong positive association between male 2D:4D and mortality may provide a-19 susceptibility and identify those for whom it would be advisable to exercise social distancing," they argued. However, the team acknowledged the study was limited. For example, the authors were comparing data across nations and rates of testing for-19 can vary greatly, with some largely focusing on hospital patients who are generally the most seriously ill. This can skew case fatality rates between countries.-19 severity consider patients. If there is a strong positive correlation with disease severity in men, the measurement of 2D:4D [...] may be of prognostic use for the severity ofthe findings are interesting, but they have limited use for tackling the pandemic.:"I don't think anyone should consider themselves safer from-19. Everyone should be following the relevant government guidance for their country and stay at home and/or practice social distancing when advised to do so. "Moreover, everyone should be washing their hands 6 to 10 times per day, regardless of the length of their ring finger." Pacey said the most obvious limitation of the study is that the analysis is based on country-level data on digit ratio rather than measures from people who died ofPacey also expressed concern that the analysis was done in the midst of the pandemic when final case numbers and death rates in each country are unknown. "However, the authors of this paper should be applauded for their lateral thinking in coming up with this analysis. There may well be something interesting here about how our adult immune system functions as a function of, honorary senior lecturer in virology at the U.K.'s University of Kent, told
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