Incredible images show how people born with six fingers feel better in their daily tasks

People who have six fingers on each hand may have difficulty buying gloves, but new research shows they are better than others with many tasks.

The researchers discovered that robot manufacturers should consider giving six fingers to their creations.

In one study, two people, a German mother and her son, each with six fingers in their hand, were assigned various physical tasks.

They discovered that they could perform many tasks, such as tying a lace with one hand rather than two.

In one study, two people, a German mother and her son, each with six fingers in their hand, were assigned various physical tasks. They discovered that they could perform many tasks, such as tying a lace (photo), with one hand rather than two.

The disease, called polydactyly, is quite common. It affects about one in 700 people. It is usually considered a congenital anomaly and is removed.

But scientists say their findings "present an argument for the preservation of toes or excess fingers … if they are well-trained and functional".

The latest research from the University of Freiburg and Imperial College examined whether having an extra finger placed an extra burden on the brain.

They found that this was not the case and that the brain adapted to the extra workload.

Far from being a problem, a series of tests showed that the extra digit meant greater capacity for activities such as tying laces, turning pages of books, and playing video games with a lot of buttons.

Professor Etienne Burdet, of the Department of Bioengineering of Imperial, who conducted the study in Germany and Switzerland, said: "The fingers and toes in excess are traditionally considered a congenital anomaly no one has thought of studying their real utility. "

The research, published in Nature Communications, studied two people – a 52-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son – who both have six fingers on each of their hands, with an extra finger well formed between thumb and thumb. the indexes.

The latest research from the University of Freiburg and Imperial College examined whether having an extra finger placed an extra burden on the brain. They found that this was not the case – and that the brain adapted to the extra workload

The authors say the findings could serve as a model for developing artificial limbs and fingers to develop our natural movement abilities. For example, giving a surgeon control of an additional robotic arm could allow him to function without an assistant.

Although additional finger control required additional work for the brain, both subjects had no obvious cognitive discomfort.

Professor Burdet stated, "The individual polydactyl brain was well suited to controlling extra workload and even had extra finger areas.

"It's amazing that the brain has the ability to do so apparently without borrowing resources elsewhere."

The authors say the findings could serve as a model for developing artificial limbs and fingers to develop our natural movement abilities.

For example, giving a surgeon control of an additional robotic arm could allow him to function without an assistant.

Professor Carsten Mehring of the University of Friborg added: "Perhaps we could exploit the brain resources demonstrated in this study to make this possible".