Martin Bobak, an epidemiologist at University College London, who carried out the research, suggests it is a lifestyle argument.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Is beer less fattening than wine?

"Mohawk Guy, " whose real name is Bobak Ferdowsi, has become famous for his look during the rover landing last week.

CNN: Mars rover mission's 'Mohawk Guy' inspires Obama

Lower educated people tend to drink more beer while the higher educated tend to drink more wine, said Mr Bobak.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Is beer less fattening than wine?

Bobak Ferdowsi, a flight director who changed his hair style for every milestone in the mission, had buzzed the sides of his head and dyed it with stars and stripes.

NEWYORKER: The Martian Chroniclers

It's the sort of mix of appreciation and amusement that can only happen on the modern Web, evoking memories of insta-famous folks, from frustrated flight attendant Steven Slater to NASA "Mohawk Guy" Bobak Ferdowski to Lydia Callis, the hyper-animated sign-language interpreter for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who found Web fame during Superstorm Sandy.

CNN: Why the Web loves Cleveland hero Charles Ramsey

It's the sort of mix of appreciation and amusement that can only happen on the modern Web, evoking memories of insta-famous folks, ranging from frustrated flight attendant Steven Slater to NASA "Mohawk Guy" Bobak Ferdowski to Lydia Callis, the hyper-animated sign-language interpreter for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who found Web fame during Superstorm Sandy.

CNN: Why the Web loves Cleveland hero Charles Ramsey