I don't think there's any difference.
I met many boys who only do one thing at one time (not that they are unable to),
and my dad always emphasizes that concentration and attention is very important
so I think that's how men think: they should concentrate on one thing only.
I think this is not a problem of can or cannot, but should or should not
Men think they should not do multi-task at the same time so they appear to be weaker in this aspect.
That's how I think XD
I've read this news too.
But it seems that women are better in this research just because men are usually not good at one of the tasks in the experiment.
Also, some psychologists suggest that human brain has different components (well, sth like that, i forget the correct wordings)
so you can watch TV and listen to music at the same time (one uses eyes and another uses ears),
listen to music and do homework (one uses ears and another uses eyes)
because they are using different parts of your brain.
I think (ya, just think) that's the secret of multi-tasking and I think there will be no big difference between brains of men and women.
The statement may be able to be explained in this way:
Men (who usually go out to work) have fewer opportunities to do multi-tasks. While sitting in the office they only have to concentrate on their own work, unless they play games on the Net or sth. Women (who have a larger proportion than men to stay at home) are exposed to more opportunies multi-tasking. For example, they cook and chat on the phone at the same time (like my mum), sweep the floor and listen to music and watch TV and sing a song, meet a friend and chat with them and walk to the supermarket and check which one is the cheapest and count the correct number of banknotes etc.
OK I know that's quite a strange logic because more women are going out to work and men do not necessarily stay in office. But that's how I view this statement. Maybe this stereotype create this view.