[klipt]

As I understand it, in Asia (and maybe Northern Europe too?) there is less of a stigma against women in science, so the gender ratio in these fields is more balanced.

In America though science is seen as 'nerdy' and most girls are discouraged from being nerds. So women in science are a minority who constantly feel defensive and overwhelmed by attention from men.

[Udo]

You're probably right. I remember when I was in med school in Germany, the gender ratio was something like 70-30 women, and in the hard sciences seminars it was also at least equal.