Gripping reason for wrinkly skin

Scientists claim to have found a reason why fingers submerged in water develop wrinkles.

The skin changes after being in water to improve grip on wet objects, researchers from Newcastle University suggest.

The study compared the results of people taking objects out of water with and without the prune-like skin formation.

Dr Tom Smulders, writing in Biology Letters, said: "Going back in time, this wrinkling could have helped with gathering food from wet vegetation or streams … it may have meant our ancestors were able to get a better footing in the rain."