Fingerprint grip theory rejected (BBC)

[DrewWilson]

Scientists say they have disproved the theory that fingerprints improve grip by increasing friction between people's hands and the surface they are holding.

Nobody is sure of the exact function of fingerprints, but improved grip has long been a favoured theory.

However, in a series of tests to measure friction between a finger and a piece of acrylic glass, it was debunked by a University of Manchester team.

The study appears in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

More... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8093134.stm)

I didn't know that was theory.

[mountain_rage]

Scientists say they have disproved the theory that fingerprints improve grip by increasing friction between people's hands and the surface they are holding.

Nobody is sure of the exact function of fingerprints, but improved grip has long been a favoured theory.

However, in a series of tests to measure friction between a finger and a piece of acrylic glass, it was debunked by a University of Manchester team.

The study appears in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

More... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8093134.stm)

I didn't know that was theory.

The theory is just proving that fingerprints don't help in gripping smooth surface. Since when is a smooth surface like acrylic glass found in nature? The headlines in news articles always mislead on scientific research.