We already know that every human has a unique fingerprint, but it turns out that we may have individual tongue prints too. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland recently used artificial intelligence to analyze 3-D scans of the small buds that cover human tongues, known as papillae. There are hundreds of papillae on each tongue, some of which hold our taste buds while others let our tongues sense texture, friction, lubrication, and touch. During this study, scientists found that they could determine someone’s gender and age with up to 75 percent accuracy by studying a single papilla. Although further study is needed, the findings suggest that papillae could act as unique identifiers, experts say. The results could also help explain why certain people prefer certain foods, possibly leading to the creation of healthier—but still tasty—alternatives to fatty or sugary foods, notes senior study author Rik Sarkar. “Imagine being able to design food customized to the conditions of specific people and vulnerable populations,” he says, “and thus ensure they can get proper nutrition whilst enjoying their food.”