Hand gels falter

From Orlando, Fla., at the American Society for Microbiology meeting

Alcohol-based gels may not effectively eliminate from people’s hands a type of virus that causes millions of cases of diarrhea worldwide each year, say researchers.

Such hand sanitizers are rising in popularity because of their convenience, says Christine Moe of Emory University in Atlanta. Unlike washing with soap and water, using these gels doesn’t require rinsing or drying one’s hands.