BETWEEN THE LINES: LIFE ISN'T EASY FOR LEFTIES IN A RIGHT-HANDED WORLD

More often than not, scientists find rather unusual things to study. But I was pleased to read the findings of a nine-year British study released this week.

Unlike the bizarre studies correlating a link between accident deaths and running red lights or the higher birth rate among fruit flies taking hormone supplements, this study had some relevance for me.

A team of researchers from Keele University in England found that left-handed people don't die at a younger age than their right-handed counterparts. For years this has been the common belief -- and as a lefty, I am glad for the latest news update.

Over the years, several studies comparing the lives of left- and right-handed people have been completed. Most agreed that right-handed people live longer than lefties.

One theory suggested lefties were more prone to accidents, thus causing their untimely deaths. Another theory said that lefties weren't fit for survival, so therefore they were more immune to disease and early death.

Although I disagree that I am more likely to die sooner than a right-handed person, I can understand why this theory was so popular. It's not easy being a left-handed person in a right-handed world.

Some really simple tasks for right-handed people prove to be extremely difficult for southpaws.

A simple thing like using a pair of scissors is a quick method of determining left- or right-handedness. And for many lefties, using left-handed scissors is a must. (Left-handed scissors are the only thing specifically designed for me that I cannot use.)

Computer keyboards also pose a few problems. I'd like the number keypads to be on the left side, not the right. And the mouse is a whole other issue. It used to drive my co-workers in Florida crazy when I would switch the mouse from the right to left side of the computer.

I'm the only left-handed person working in the newsroom, so I don't change the computer mice just out of politeness. But the thought has crossed my mind.

And if you hold to theories, I'm the only person in my right mind. That is, if you believe that the left side of the body is controlled by the right side of the brain. And who really knows for sure?

There have been plenty of famous lefties -- Albert Einstein, Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin to name a few -- who could argue the point.

I tried my hand at golfing recently in a company scramble. But again I was the only lefty on the course. And finding left-handed women's golf clubs in this city is not easy.

The simple fact is the majority of the world is right-handed, and most objects and tools are designed with them in mind.

Until manufacturers invented reversible viewfinders on video cameras, using one was awkward for me. I still have problems with sewing machines. And the temperature controls and radio dials in a car are on the opposite side of where I'd like them to be.

But I'm used to being in the minority. Even among lefties, men outnumber women 2-1. My uncle Jimmy is the only other left-handed relative I have.

But at least now I know I have a fighting chance, according to the latest study. That is until another such scientific study is released.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.