Dryer compared to paper towels, I was (maybe not clearly enough) comparing using an air dryer to leaving your hands wet. The linked study seems to underline the importance of any form of drying multiple times.

The study also doesn't seem to be as conclusive to me as you're making it out to be. It suggests paper towels might be preferred, but it's not like you should skip the air dryer because it multiplies bacteria and blows them all over the place.