BOISE, Idaho- Science never sits still. What was valid yesterday may not be tomorrow. Case in point: the cause of "pruney" fingers. Scientists have long thought that fingers (and toes) wrinkle when immersed in water because of osmosis. Osmosis is a process in which water moves from an area of low salt concentration to an area of high salt concentration through a semipermeable membrane. When fingers get wet, they absorb water through osmosis and the absorbed water gives them a pruney appearance.
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