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Pruney fingers in water aren't caused by skin absorbing water—it's an active nervous system reflex (www.oddlyclear.com)
submitted 8 hours ago by to c/science@lemmy.world
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Common myth: skin wrinkles in water because of osmosis/swelling.

Reality: it is an active, involuntary vasomotor response. The nervous system constricts blood vessels under the skin to form ridges—acting like tire treads to channel away water and improve grip on wet objects. Patients with severed median nerves don't wrinkle at all.

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[–] 31 points 8 hours ago (9 children)

So theoretically there might be a possibility to acquire an ability to wrinkle myself at will? Cool!

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  • [–] 36 points 7 hours ago (3 children)

    ability to wrinkle myself at will

    That's gotta be the shittiest superpower...

    "I'm Superman! I fly at supersonic speed!"
    "I'm Aquaman! I breathe underwater!"
    "I'm Wrinkleman! I camouflage as a giant scrotum!"

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  • [–] 13 points 8 hours ago

    Future genetically enhanced super-soldiers: bulging bicepses lined with testosterone ampules, merciless eyes with sclera flooded red, and permanently wrinkled butt cheeks, for better grip of course.

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  • [–] [S] 6 points 8 hours ago

    Haha, unfortunately it's strictly controlled by the autonomic nervous system (same system as goosebumps and pupil dilation), so voluntary control is locked out. Would make a wild party trick though!

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