This is it - women's immunity gene!

The research, led by Claude Libert from Ghent University in Belgium, linked women's robust health with microRNAs, encoded on the X chromosome.

MicroRNAs are tiny strains of ribonucleic acid, that with DNA and proteins, comprises three major molecules underlying all known forms of life.

"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," said Libert, the journal BioEssays reports.

"We believe this is due to the X chromosome which in humans contains 10 percent of all microRNAs detected so far in the genome," Libert said.

"The roles of many remain unknown, but several X chromosome-located strands of microRNA have important functions in immunity and cancer," Libert said.

Libert's team suggests that mechanisms of the X chromosome have a strong impact on an individual's genes, known as genetic imprinting, which gives an immunological advantage to females, according to a Ghent statement.