North Carolina State University Study Finds 1400 Bacteria Strains in Human Belly Butt

Illusion · #1 07-10-2011, 11:28 PM

THERE are 1400 strains of bacteria lurking in human belly buttons, some of which may have never been seen before, a new study has revealed.

The Belly Button Biodiversity study, by North Carolina State University, asked 95 volunteers to allow a team of microbiologists to take swabs from inside their navels.

And their results may just inspire you to spend a few more minutes scrubbing yours tomorrow morning.

Although researchers found some 1400 strains, 80 per cent were identified as from 40 fairly common species of bacteria, mainly harmless skin dwellers.

But the amount of belly button bacteria present on volunteers varied depending on how well they scrubbed their navels.

New Scientist journalist Peter Aldhous washes regularly and, as a result, no bacterial colonies were found in his belly button.

But fellow science writer Carl Zimmer was hosting at least 53 species, some of which had a surprising provenance, only having been found in soil in Japan.

The team asked volunteers to place long cotton swabs in their navels and twist them around three times. They then placed the swabs in vials and grew the bacteria in cultures.

Once the cultures grew big enough, they were photographed and their DNA was extracted for comparison to known bacteria.

Faline · #2 07-11-2011, 05:51 AM

Ambersweet · #3 07-26-2011, 01:53 AM

i admit i giggled at the title cause it cut off. belly butt ^^

makes ya wonder. what bout the people who have outties rather than innies?

nihilissimo · #4 07-26-2011, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illusion

Oh shit so much bactria... (PAUSE... LOOK) O.O ........... again what were you saying?

Ambersweet · #5 07-26-2011, 02:02 AM

maybe thats why belly buttons smell like lint traps.... so says my 2 year old nephew. what a riot.

NaTaS · #6 07-26-2011, 05:19 AM

well, I'm off for another shower.

DollHead · #7 07-26-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illusion

But fellow science writer Carl Zimmer was hosting at least 53 species, some of which had a surprising provenance, only having been found in soil in Japan.

candymosh · #8 07-26-2011, 10:32 AM

I wonder if they were bored when they decided to swab each others bellies

**kellyhound** · #9 07-27-2011, 04:08 PM

doesn't surprise me )

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