Wrinkle arises in soggy hand studies
Experiment bucks finding that ridges help fingers grasp
By Beth Mole
Scientists have lost their grip on understanding why fingers wrinkle when soaked in water. An independent research group was unable to reproduce the finding that the wrinkles improve handling of wet, slippery objects.
Last year, researchers had 20 adults handle dry or wet glass marbles and lead weights with plump or pruney fingers (SN: 2/9/13). Volunteers transferred the objects from one container through a slot and then into another container. Wrinkled fingers allowed the study volunteers to move wet objects 12 percent faster than dry and plump fingers could.