Researchers in the U.S. encourage the public to fist bump since this transmits fewer bacteria than shaking hands or high-fiving.

Fist bumping first appeared in the U.S.in the 1940s as a greeting among biker gangs in the southwest.

Bikers waiting for a go signal at traffic lights can't make a proper handshake due to the riding stance. Bikers, therefore, bump their closed fists to quickly greet a fellow rider.

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David Whitworth, one of the researchers, said that the adoption of this cooler means of greeting could reduce transmission of infectious diseases among individuals.

He said it's unlikely that a no-contact greeting could supplement a handshake but for the sake of improving public health, he encourages the adoption of the fist bump.

Whitworth and his colleagues performed trials to determine an alternative greeting that will transmit fewer germs.

Researchers had a greeter wear a sterile glove that was then be put into a container full of germs.

After drying the glove, the greeter exchanged a handshake, a fist bump and a high-five with another person also wearing a sterile glove.

The receiving gloves were then immersed in a solution that allowed researchers count the number of bacteria transferred during contact.

Researchers found that nearly twice as many bacteria were transferred during handshakes compared to high fives and even fewer bacteria were transferred during fist bumps.  

Researchers are hopeful  this new finding can lessen the spread of harmful bacteria in everyday life.