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Scientists Wonder What Fingerprints Are For
Hugh Pickens writes "The BBC reports that scientists say they have disproved the theory that fingerprints improve grip by increasing friction between people's fingers and the surface they are holding. Dr Roland Ennos designed a machine which enabled him to measure the amount of friction generated by a fingerprint when it was in contact with an acrylic glass at varying levels of pressure. The results showed that friction levels increased by a much smaller amount than had been anticipated, debunking the hypothesis that fingerprints provide an improved grip. Ennos believes that fingerprints may have evolved to grip onto rough surfaces, like tree bark; the ridges may allow our skin to stretch and deform more easily, protecting it from damage; or they may allow water trapped between our finger pads and the surface to drain away and improve surface contact in wet conditions. Other researchers have suggested that the ridges could increase our fingerpads' touch sensitivity."
It's obvious fingerprints were designed by our creator to help the Police catch murderers.
I also love how they never counterweight their centrifuges.
Agreed. I'm not a scientist and to me the answer is as obvious as it is to you.
It is clearly a case of aliens genetically modifying the species to easily identify individuals; we do the same in tagging wildlife.
Sorry.
I'll get my coat.
In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
Hi 120795, I'm 939458. It's very nice to meet you.
Can I bum a sig?
Yes we did. The better you can hold your glass, the more alcohol you are able to drink. The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to end up with some ugly girl who also was able to drink herself unconscious.
Now imagine that you would drop your glass before you are at that point. You would never be drunk enough to go with THAT girl and she won't go home with YOU.
Without fingerprints, we would be extinct by now.
Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
Picking your nose seems like a good enough reason.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Other than that they serve no other purpose, like wasps.
Hey, if it weren't for WASPs, who would shop at The Gap or Banana Republic? Who would buy purse-sized dogs? And who would keep psychotherapists and badminton set manufacturers in business?
Stop-Prism.org: Opt Out of Surveillance
Perhaps they helped attract mates?
Naturally ribbed, err... fingers, for her pleasure?
When information is power, privacy is freedom.
Fingerprints would probably evolve away within a few generations if people didn't need the increased friction on the iPod click wheel.