There is one more reason why women are the better sex.

A team of scientists, led by Dr. Claude Libert from Ghent University in Belgium, claim women have a stronger resistance towards infection and trauma, as well as a better immune system and resistance to cancer.

"Statistics show that in humans, as with other mammals, females live longer than males and are more able to fight off shock episodes from sepsis, infection or trauma," the Telegraph quoted Dr Libert as saying.

"This is due to the X-chromosome which in humans contains ten percent of all microRNAs detected so far in the genetic code. The roles of many remain unknown but several X-chromosome-located strands of microRNA have important functions in immunity and cancer," he says.

Libert's team suggests that the biological mechanisms of the X-chromosome have a strong impact on an individual's genes, known as genetic imprinting, which supplies the female with an immunological advantage.

"We believe this immunological advantage is due to the silencing of X-linked genes by these microRNAs. Gene silencing and inactivation skewing are known mechanisms which affect X-linked genes and may influence X-linked microRNAs in the same way," says Dr. Libert.

Genetic silencing, therefore, leaves males at an immunological disadvantage as a male has only one X-chromosome. However, the Y-chromosome contains fewer genes. So, if the genes involved in immunity are silenced maternally, the male is left with no compensating genetic information.

The research focused on MicroRNAs which are tiny strains of ribonucleic acid that alongside DNA and proteins make up the three major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life.

Cancer