I think Hugh Laurie is HAWT!

My preferred type in men is dark hair (dark brown or black) and brown eyes, preferably with beard and mustache. I also like a lot of hair on the arms, chest, etc. This current trend in males to shave their chests is yuck to me! I also prefer men who are not heavily muscled, especially in the upper body. I kind of like the emaciated, sunken chest look. But I like well muscled thighs and calves. I have medium brown hair and brown eyes, so there goes the opposite theory!

I am familiar with the scientific study that is being discussed here. The genetic difference that people are mentioning maps to the HLA type (Human Leukocyte Antigen, also known as MHC or Major Histocompatibility Locus). This is a complex genetic locus containing many genes and is extremely variable from one person to the next. The purpose of these genes is to present antigens on the surface of our cells. These help our body determine self from non-self (pathogens invading our body). The theory goes that it is good to be as variable as possible at this locus to enable a population to survive epidemics, disease, and such. It also helps prevent inbreeding. In addition, the female is thought to somehow favor mates different from her at the HLA. The study referred to in this thread is one in which male college students were asked to wear a T-shirt for several days, so it was good and saturated with their scent. Then the T-shirts were given to female college students to smell, and they picked their favorites. They then typed the guys and ladies at their HLA locus and discovered that women preferred men who are different at the HLA. It is not known exactly how people can smell the difference. But the HLA affects many cells in our body so it is conceivable that cells displaying different antigens could give off a different odor. I'm just guessing here. I have not heard of any pheromone genes located in the HLA. I think this study has been repeated many times. Here is some references:
Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference 3

I hope they paid those poor girls a lot of money to smell the stinky T-shirts!