Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
Next time you’re caught in the rain, thank your eyelashes for keeping your vision clear.
Experiments with human eyelashes and eyelash-mimicking fibers pinpoint several features that help fling water away from the eyes, researchers from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences report December 20 in Science Advances.
The exterior of an eyelash, or cuticle, acts like a “micro-ratchet,” the researchers report. Water can flow easily from root to tip but not in the opposite direction, thanks to scales that overlap like shingles on a roof. When the scientists dipped loose eyelashes in water and pulled them out again, more force was required to move the eyelash when the water was working against the ratchet than when going with it. And by dripping water on loose eyelashes, the researchers showed that the hairs are hydrophobic, meaning that water beads up on them and tends to roll off.
input[type=”radio”].svelte-wecxzz{display:none}.payment-option-wrapper.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz{display:flex;flex:1 0 28%;width:100%}.payment-option-wrapper.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz:only-child{max-width:325px}.box-container.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz{display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1 1 0;width:0;text-align:center}.inner-box.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz{border:var(–zf-payment-options-border);border-radius:var(–zf-payment-options-borderRadius);background-color:var(–zf-payment-options-bgColor);height:100%;display:flex;flex-direction:column}.box-container.highlighted.svelte-wecxzz .inner-box.svelte-wecxzz{border-top-left-radius:0;border-top-right-radius:0}.box-container.svelte-wecxzz .box-content.svelte-wecxzz{flex-grow:1;padding:30px 20px;margin:0 10px;overflow:hidden}.box-container.svelte-wecxzz .styled-box-content.svelte-wecxzz{color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}
.box-container .styled-box-content h1,
.box-container .styled-box-content h2,
.box-container .styled-box-content h3,
.box-container .styled-box-content p,
.box-container .styled-box-content span
{color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.payment-options-container .box-container .styled-box-content button{color:#fff;background-color:var(–zephr-color-action-main);border-width:calc(var(–zephr-button-borderWidth) * 1px);border-color:var(–zephr-color-action-tinted);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-button-borderRadius) * 1px);font-size:var(–zf-button-fontSize)}.payment-options-container .box-container .styled-box-content button:hover{background-color:var(–zephr-color-action-tinted);border-color:var(–zephr-color-action-tinted)}.payment-options-container .box-container .box-content img{max-width:210px;height:auto}.box-top.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz{height:40px}.box-container.highlighted.svelte-wecxzz .box-top.svelte-wecxzz{color:var(–zf-payment-options-highlighted-color);background-color:var(–zf-payment-options-highlighted-bgColor);position:relative;border:var(–zf-payment-options-border);border-bottom-width:0;border-radius:var(–zf-payment-options-borderRadius);border-bottom-left-radius:0;border-bottom-right-radius:0;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center}.box-container.highlighted.svelte-wecxzz .box-top .box-top-text.svelte-wecxzz{font-weight:bold}.box-container.svelte-wecxzz .box-bottom.svelte-wecxzz{min-height:60px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;padding:20px 0 30px;margin:0 30px}.button-sub-text.svelte-wecxzz.svelte-wecxzz{margin-top:10px}
.payment-options-container.svelte-15oxdku{flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:var(–zf-payment-options-fontSize);width:100%;color:var(–zf-payment-options-color);line-height:18px;padding:31px 0 20px;display:grid;justify-content:space-evenly;justify-items:center;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(300px, 1fr));gap:13px}@media(max-width: 340px){.payment-options-container.svelte-15oxdku{grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr))}}
.zephr-form-error-message-min-height.svelte-719cfr{min-height:1.1em}.zephr-form-error-message.svelte-719cfr{color:var(–zephr-color-warning-main);font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);margin-top:0.5em;position:relative;margin-left:1.2em;margin-right:1.2em}
.zephr-form-input-inner-container.svelte-127vcsp{position:relative}.zephr-form-input-full-width.svelte-127vcsp{width:100%}.zephr-form-input.svelte-127vcsp{width:100%;display:block;height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);padding-left:8px;font-size:var(–zf-input-fontSize);border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);transition:border-color 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;outline:0;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);background-color:var(–zf-input-bgColor);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-input.svelte-127vcsp::placeholder{color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-input-checkbox.svelte-127vcsp{width:auto;height:auto;margin:8px 5px 0 0;float:left}.zephr-form-input-radio.svelte-127vcsp{position:absolute;opacity:0;cursor:pointer;height:0;width:0}.zephr-form-input-color[type=”color”].svelte-127vcsp{width:50px;padding:0;border-radius:50%}.zephr-form-input-color[type=”color”].svelte-127vcsp::-webkit-color-swatch{border:none;border-radius:50%;padding:0}.zephr-form-input-color[type=”color”].svelte-127vcsp::-webkit-color-swatch-wrapper{border:none;border-radius:50%;padding:0}.zephr-form-input.disabled.svelte-127vcsp,.zephr-form-input.disabled.svelte-127vcsp:hover{border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);background-color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.zephr-form-input.error.svelte-127vcsp{border:1px solid var(–zephr-color-warning-main)}
.zephr-form-input-label.svelte-vnzoa4.svelte-vnzoa4{margin-top:10px;display:block;line-height:30px;font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-input-label.svelte-vnzoa4.svelte-vnzoa4:first-child{margin-top:0}.zephr-form-input-label.svelte-vnzoa4 span.svelte-vnzoa4{display:block}
.svelte-fa-base{height:1em;overflow:visible;transform-origin:center;vertical-align:-0.125em}.svelte-fa-fw{text-align:center;width:1.25em}.svelte-fa-pull-left.svelte-bvo74f{float:left}.svelte-fa-pull-right.svelte-bvo74f{float:right}.svelte-fa-size-lg.svelte-bvo74f{font-size:1.33333em;line-height:0.75em;vertical-align:-0.225em}.svelte-fa-size-sm.svelte-bvo74f{font-size:0.875em}.svelte-fa-size-xs.svelte-bvo74f{font-size:0.75em}.spin.svelte-bvo74f{animation:svelte-bvo74f-spin 2s 0s infinite linear}.pulse.svelte-bvo74f{animation:svelte-bvo74f-spin 1s infinite steps(8)}@keyframes svelte-bvo74f-spin{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}}
.svelte-fa-layers.svelte-1sinijc{display:inline-block;position:relative}.svelte-fa-layers.svelte-1sinijc .svelte-fa{position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;top:0;margin:auto;text-align:center}.svelte-fa-layers.svelte-1sinijc .svelte-fa-layers-text{position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;transform:translate(-50%, -50%)}.svelte-fa-layers.svelte-1sinijc .svelte-fa-layers-text span{display:inline-block}.svelte-fa-pull-left.svelte-1sinijc{float:left}.svelte-fa-pull-right.svelte-1sinijc{float:right}.svelte-fa-size-lg.svelte-1sinijc{font-size:1.33333em;line-height:0.75em;vertical-align:-0.225em}.svelte-fa-size-sm.svelte-1sinijc{font-size:0.875em}.svelte-fa-size-xs.svelte-1sinijc{font-size:0.75em}
.container.svelte-1x0c3df{display:inline-block;height:auto}.svelte-fa-size-lg.svelte-1x0c3df{font-size:1.33333em;line-height:0.75em;vertical-align:-0.225em}.svelte-fa-size-sm.svelte-1x0c3df{font-size:0.875em}.svelte-fa-size-xs.svelte-1x0c3df{font-size:0.75em}
.zephr-form-password-match.svelte-11tz5c7.svelte-11tz5c7{margin:20px 0;justify-content:center}.zephr-form-password-match.svelte-11tz5c7 ul.svelte-11tz5c7{padding-left:0;margin:0}.zephr-form-password-requirement.svelte-11tz5c7.svelte-11tz5c7{display:flex;align-items:center;color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted);font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);min-height:20px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-password-requirement-icon.svelte-11tz5c7.svelte-11tz5c7{margin-right:10px;font-size:15px}
.zephr-form-password-progress.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8{display:flex;margin-top:10px}.zephr-form-password-bar.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8{width:100%;height:4px;border-radius:2px}.zephr-form-password-bar.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8:not(:first-child){margin-left:8px}.zephr-form-password-requirements.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8{margin:20px 0;justify-content:center}.zephr-form-password-requirements.svelte-1b6w0g8 ul.svelte-1b6w0g8{padding-left:0;margin:0}.zephr-form-password-requirement.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8{display:flex;align-items:center;color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted);font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);min-height:20px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-password-requirement-icon.svelte-1b6w0g8.svelte-1b6w0g8{margin-right:10px;font-size:15px}
.apple-pay-button{display:inline-block;-webkit-appearance:-apple-pay-button;-apple-pay-button-type:pay;width:440px;max-width:100%;height:45px;margin-top:20px}.apple-pay-button-black{-apple-pay-button-style:black}#google-pay-button.svelte-1acsmhs{width:440px;max-width:100%;height:45px;margin-top:20px}
#braintree-dropin-container.svelte-z7jd27{margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em}
#stripe-element.svelte-1lhuc6b{margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:1em;border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);padding:1em}#stripe-element.svelte-1lhuc6b iframe:focus{outline:none !important}
#stripe-mobile-pay-button.svelte-1t95nqv{width:440px;max-width:100%;height:45px;margin-top:20px}
.spinner-container.svelte-1isq5k3{text-align:center;padding:2em}
#zuora_payment.svelte-cf8b5h{margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em}.zuora-disabled-iframe-container.svelte-cf8b5h .z_hppm_iframe{pointer-events:none;opacity:0.3}
#payment-element.svelte-1oygrrs{margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);padding:1em}
.check-image.svelte-12ljnq4{height:1.2em;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:0.5em}.zephr-form-success-message.svelte-12ljnq4{color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);display:inline-block}
.zephr-form-verification-resend-link-container.svelte-b6r3ph{margin-bottom:2em}.zephr-form-verification-resend-link.svelte-b6r3ph,.zephr-form-verification-resend-text.svelte-b6r3ph{float:right;position:absolute;padding-right:2px;padding-top:0.5em;padding-left:0.5em;font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);right:0}.zephr-form-verification-resend-link.svelte-b6r3ph{cursor:pointer;color:var(–zf-link-color)}
.zephr-form-custom-text.svelte-12fdogm{margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main)}
.zephr-form-checkbox.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{position:absolute;opacity:0;cursor:pointer;height:0;width:0}.zephr-form-checkbox-label.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{display:flex;align-items:center;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-checkmark.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;height:23px;width:23px;background-color:#fff;border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:6px;margin-right:12px;cursor:pointer}.zephr-form-checkmark.checked.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{border-color:var(–zephr-color-action-main)}.zephr-form-checkmark.checked.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32:after{content:””;position:absolute;width:6px;height:13px;border:solid var(–zephr-color-action-main);border-width:0 2px 2px 0;transform:rotate(45deg);top:3px;left:8px;box-sizing:border-box}.zephr-form-checkmark.disabled.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.zephr-form-checkmark.disabled.checked.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32:after{border:solid var(–zephr-color-background-tinted);border-width:0 2px 2px 0}.zephr-form-checkmark.error.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32.svelte-eyzg32{border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-color-warning-main)}.zephr-form-checkbox.svelte-eyzg32:focus-visible+.zephr-form-checkbox-label.svelte-eyzg32>.zephr-form-checkmark.svelte-eyzg32{outline:2px solid var(–zephr-color-action-main);outline-color:-webkit-focus-ring-color}
.zephr-form-input-radio.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv{position:absolute;opacity:0;cursor:pointer;height:0;width:0}.zephr-form-radio-label.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv{display:flex;align-items:center;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-radio-dot.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv{display:block;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;height:23px;width:23px;background-color:#fff;border:1px solid #ebebeb;border-radius:50%;margin-right:12px;cursor:pointer}.checked.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv{border-color:var(–zephr-color-action-main)}.checked.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv:after{content:””;position:absolute;width:17px;height:17px;background:var(–zephr-color-action-main);border-radius:50%;top:2px;left:2px}.disabled.checked.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv:after{background:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.error.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv.svelte-17rnpjv{border:1px solid var(–zephr-color-warning-main)}.zephr-form-input-radio.svelte-17rnpjv:focus-visible+.zephr-form-radio-label.svelte-17rnpjv>.zephr-form-radio-dot.svelte-17rnpjv{outline:2px solid var(–zephr-color-action-main);outline-color:-webkit-focus-ring-color}
.zephr-form-input-error-text.svelte-1f2hwm0{color:var(–zephr-color-warning-main);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-input-select.svelte-1f2hwm0{display:block;appearance:auto;width:100%;height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);font-size:var(–zf-input-fontSize);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily);border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid
var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);transition:border-color 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;outline:0;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);background-color:var(–zf-input-bgColor);padding:10px}.zephr-form-input-select.unselected.svelte-1f2hwm0{color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.zephr-form-input-select.error.svelte-1f2hwm0{border-color:var(–zephr-color-warning-main)}.zephr-form-input-textarea.svelte-1f2hwm0{display:block;min-height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);min-width:100%;max-width:100%;background-color:var(–zf-input-bgColor);border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid var(–zephr-input-borderColor);border-radius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);transition:border-color 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);font-size:var(–zf-input-fontSize);font-weight:300;padding:16px 8px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily);outline:0}.zephr-form-input-textarea.svelte-1f2hwm0::placeholder{color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-input-slider-output.svelte-1f2hwm0{margin:13px 0 0 10px}
.zephr-form-link.svelte-1mdtotm{margin:10px 0;color:var(–zf-link-color);text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-link-disabled.svelte-1mdtotm{color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);cursor:not-allowed;text-decoration:none}.zephr-form-link-no-underline.svelte-1mdtotm{text-decoration:none}
.zephr-form-reset-link-container.svelte-11qigta{min-height:2.5em}.zephr-form-link-message.svelte-11qigta{margin:10px 0 10px 20px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}
.zephr-form-reset-link-container.svelte-11qigta{min-height:2.5em}.zephr-form-link-message.svelte-11qigta{margin:10px 0 10px 20px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}
.zephr-form-google-icon.svelte-155mfls{width:20px}
.zephr-form-social-sign-in.svelte-18a7qws{align-items:center}.zephr-form-social-sign-in-button.svelte-18a7qws{width:100%;min-height:55px;padding:15px;color:#000;background-color:#fff;box-shadow:0 0 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);border-radius:10px;font-size:17px;display:flex;align-items:center;cursor:pointer;margin-top:20px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-social-sign-in-button.svelte-18a7qws:hover{background-color:#fafafa}.zephr-form-social-sign-in-icon.svelte-18a7qws{display:flex;justify-content:center;margin-right:30px;width:25px}
.zephr-form-promo-input-container.svelte-19l6fte{flex:0.6}.zephr-form-promo-activate-line.svelte-19l6fte{display:flex;cursor:pointer;min-height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);margin:1em 1.2em;font-size:var(–zf-payment-summary-fontSize);line-height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);color:var(–zf-link-color)}.zephr-form-promo-line.svelte-19l6fte{display:flex;min-height:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 1px);margin:1em 1.2em}.zephr-form-addon-line.svelte-19l6fte{display:flex;padding-top:1em;padding-bottom:1em;margin-left:1.2em}.zephr-form-summary-prorate-disclaimer.svelte-19l6fte{padding-top:0.25em;padding-left:1em;color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted)}.zephr-form-summary-charge-description.svelte-19l6fte{color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted)}.zephr-form-charge-line.svelte-19l6fte{display:flex;padding-top:1em;margin-left:1.2em;padding-left:1em}.zephr-form-summary-line-right.svelte-19l6fte{margin-left:auto;margin-right:1.5em;text-align:right}.zephr-form-summary-line-left.svelte-19l6fte{margin-left:10px}.zephr-form-summary-promo-middle.svelte-19l6fte{position:relative;top:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * 0.5px)}.zephr-form-summary.svelte-19l6fte{border:var(–zf-payment-summary-border);border-radius:var(–zf-payment-summary-borderRadius);padding-top:1em;padding-bottom:1em;font-size:var(–zf-payment-summary-fontSize);margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1.5em;color:var(–zf-payment-summary-color);background-color:var(–zf-payment-summary-bgColor)}.zephr-form-summary.svelte-19l6fte:first-child{margin-top:0}.zephr-form-summary-title.svelte-19l6fte{margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1.2em}.zephr-form-summary-price-line.svelte-19l6fte{font-weight:bold;padding-left:1em;padding-top:1em}.zephr-form-summary-line.svelte-19l6fte{display:flex}.zephr-form-summary-price-line-upper.svelte-19l6fte{border-top:var(–zf-payment-summary-border);margin-top:1em}.zephr-form-summary-line-title.svelte-19l6fte{flex:0 0 65%;margin-left:1.2em}.zephr-form-summary-line-price.svelte-19l6fte{flex:1;text-align:right;margin-right:1.5em}
.zephr-form-divider-container.svelte-1ni5n6w{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin:1.5em 0}.zephr-form-divider-line.svelte-1ni5n6w{height:1px;width:50%;margin:0 5px;background-color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted)}.zephr-form-divider-line-complete.svelte-1ni5n6w{height:1px;width:100%;margin:0 5px;background-color:var(–zephr-color-text-tinted)}.zephr-form-divider-text.svelte-1ni5n6w{margin:0 12px;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);font-size:14px;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily);white-space:nowrap}
.zephr-form-login-link.svelte-1bpa3mq.svelte-1bpa3mq{margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;text-align:center}.zephr-form-login-link.svelte-1bpa3mq>a.svelte-1bpa3mq{color:var(–zf-link-color);margin-left:0.25em}
.zephr-form-account-code-container.svelte-ctt9he{margin-top:1.5em}
.zephr-form-invitation-container.svelte-yy7ok3{border:1px solid;margin:1.5em 0;padding:20px;color:var(–zephr-color-text-main)}.zephr-form-invitation-title.svelte-yy7ok3{margin-bottom:20px;font-weight:bold;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form-invitation-email.svelte-yy7ok3{display:flex;align-items:center}.zephr-form-invitation-input-container.svelte-yy7ok3{flex-grow:1}.zephr-form-invitation-success-message.svelte-yy7ok3{margin-top:0.5em}
.subscription-option-product-label{margin-bottom:5px;margin-top:0}.subscription-option-wrapper.svelte-1ecrab7{display:flex;flex:1 0 28%;width:100%;max-width:400px}.subscription-option-wrapper.svelte-1ecrab7:only-child{max-width:325px}.subscription-option-box{display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1 1 0;width:0}.info-row.svelte-1ecrab7{margin-top:7px;margin-bottom:7px}.info-label.svelte-1ecrab7{display:inline;margin-right:10px}.info.svelte-1ecrab7{display:inline}hr.svelte-1ecrab7{border-width:1px 0px 0px;margin:5px 5px;border-color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.inner-box.svelte-1ecrab7{border:var(–zf-payment-options-border);border-radius:var(–zf-payment-options-borderRadius);background-color:var(–zf-payment-options-bgColor);height:100%;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;padding:20px 20px;margin:0 10px;overflow:hidden}.change-disabled-label.svelte-1ecrab7{margin-top:15px}
.subscription-options-container.svelte-1nzbr4y{flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:var(–zf-payment-options-fontSize);width:100%;color:var(–zf-payment-options-color);line-height:18px;padding:31px 0 20px;display:grid;justify-content:space-evenly;justify-items:center;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(300px, 1fr));gap:13px}@media(max-width: 340px){.subscription-options-container.svelte-1nzbr4y{grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr))}}
.subscription-list-item.svelte-1wg9q7{font-family:var(–zephr-typography-body-font), var(–zephr-typography-body-fallbackFont);color:var(–zephr-color-text-main)}hr.svelte-1wg9q7{border-width:1px 0px 0px;margin:20px 0px;border-color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.inactive.svelte-1wg9q7{text-decoration:line-through}h3.svelte-1wg9q7{margin:0 0 20px}.inner-box.svelte-1wg9q7{display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;padding:30px 20px;margin:0 10px;overflow:hidden;min-width:300px}
.subscriptions-list-container.svelte-ewgdz9{margin-top:15px}
.event-link-wrapper{margin-top:10px}.float-right.svelte-12vtv9v{float:right;margin-top:calc(var(–zephr-input-height) * -1px + 5px)}
.bold-label.svelte-121zkre label{font-weight:bold}.read-only-input.svelte-121zkre{border:none;background:none;color:#333;cursor:default;outline:none;flex-grow:1;margin-right:10px;margin-top:15px}.zephr-form-relative-container.svelte-121zkre{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%}.update-link{white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.75em}
.bold-label.svelte-121zkre label{font-weight:bold}.read-only-input.svelte-121zkre{border:none;background:none;color:#333;cursor:default;outline:none;flex-grow:1;margin-right:10px;margin-top:15px}.zephr-form-relative-container.svelte-121zkre{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%}.update-link{white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.75em}
.zephr-form-ro-attribute{display:flex;align-items:center;height:50px;justify-content:flex-start}.zephr-form-ro-attribute-label{margin-right:10px;&:after {
content: “: “;
}}
hr.svelte-4jb3ht{border-width:1px 0px 0px;margin:20px 0px;border-color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.session-container.svelte-4jb3ht{padding:15px;display:flex;flex-direction:column}.device-title.svelte-4jb3ht{font-weight:bold;font-size:1.2em;margin-bottom:10px}.current-device.svelte-4jb3ht{color:#777;font-size:0.9em;margin-left:10px}.login-time.svelte-4jb3ht,.browser.svelte-4jb3ht,.country.svelte-4jb3ht{margin-bottom:10px;font-size:0.9em}
.sign-out-all.svelte-1gdzu2p{color:#0073e6;cursor:pointer;font-size:1em;margin:20px 0;text-align:center}.sign-out-all.svelte-1gdzu2p:hover{text-decoration:underline}
.table.svelte-1b6aeft.svelte-1b6aeft{display:grid;grid-template-columns:0.7fr 1.4fr 1fr 0.6fr}.table-head.svelte-1b6aeft.svelte-1b6aeft{display:contents}.table-row.svelte-1b6aeft.svelte-1b6aeft{display:contents}.table-head.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft{font-size:13px;padding:13px 10px 10px;border-bottom:1px solid var(–zephr-color-background-tinted)}.table-row.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft{font-size:14px;height:60px;padding:0 10px;border-bottom:1px solid var(–zephr-color-background-tinted);display:flex;align-items:center}.table-head.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft:first-child,.table-row.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft:first-child{padding-left:0}.table-head.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft:last-child,.table-row.svelte-1b6aeft>div.svelte-1b6aeft:last-child{padding-right:0}.taxes.svelte-1b6aeft.svelte-1b6aeft{color:var(–zephr-color-background-tinted);white-space:pre;font-size:small}
.zephr-form-content.svelte-1g2h5zh{padding:var(–zf-container-padding);background-color:var(–zf-container-bgColor);border:var(–zf-container-border);border-radius:var(–zf-container-borderRadius)}.zephr-payment-options-content.svelte-1g2h5zh{background-color:transparent;border:none;border-radius:0}.zephr-form-max-width.svelte-1g2h5zh{max-width:var(–zf-container-maxWidth);margin:auto}.close-button-container.svelte-1g2h5zh{text-align:right;width:100%;margin-bottom:15px}.close-button.svelte-1g2h5zh{cursor:pointer;display:inline;padding:7px;min-width:32px;min-height:32px;border-radius:16px;margin:1px}
.zephr-form{–zf-root-fontSize:16px;–zf-root-fontFamily:var(–zephr-typography-body-font), var(–zephr-typography-body-fallbackFont);–zf-container-maxWidth:440px;–zf-container-padding:20px;–zf-container-margin:20px auto;–zf-container-border:none;–zf-container-borderRadius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);–zf-container-color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);–zf-container-bgColor:var(–zephr-color-background-main, transparent);–zf-subtext-fontSize:12px;–zf-link-color:#6ba5e9;–zf-input-fontSize:var(–zf-root-fontSize);–zf-input-bgColor:var(–zephr-color-background-main, transparent);–zf-button-fontSize:calc(var(–zephr-button-fontSize, 16) * 1px);–zf-button-color:#fff;–zf-password-valid-color:#7bcb7f;–zf-password-invalid-color:#c4c4c4;–zf-payment-options-fontSize:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);–zf-payment-options-color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);–zf-payment-options-bgColor:var(–zf-container-bgColor);–zf-payment-options-border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid var(–zephr-input-borderColor);–zf-payment-options-borderRadius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px);–zf-payment-options-highlighted-color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);–zf-payment-options-highlighted-bgColor:var(–zephr-color-accent-main);–zf-payment-summary-fontSize:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);–zf-payment-summary-color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);–zf-payment-summary-bgColor:var(–zf-input-bgColor);–zf-payment-summary-border:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderWidth) * 1px) solid var(–zephr-input-borderColor);–zf-payment-summary-borderRadius:calc(var(–zephr-input-borderRadius) * 1px)}.zephr-form.svelte-1ta1qs8{color:var(–zf-container-color);margin:var(–zf-container-margin);font-size:var(–zf-root-fontSize);font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}.zephr-form *{box-sizing:border-box}:where(.zephr-form) button{text-transform:unset;overflow:visible;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily, unset);font-size:var(–zf-root-fontSize, unset);line-height:unset;margin:unset;padding:unset;border:unset;background:unset;&:hover, &:focus-visible {
border: unset;
background: unset;
}}.zephr-form-disabled-div{pointer-events:none;opacity:0.8}.zephr-form-relative-container{position:relative}.zephr-form-flex-container{display:flex}.zephr-form-input-inner-button{cursor:pointer;position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);right:5px;padding:10px 5px}.zephr-form-input-inner-text{color:var(–zephr-color-text-main);font-size:var(–zf-subtext-fontSize);font-weight:bold;font-family:var(–zf-root-fontFamily)}
]]>
a {
color: white !important;
}
.zephr-form-button {
background-color: #d4441f !important;
text-transform: uppercase !important;
font-weight: 900 !important;
letter-spacing: 0.075em;
font-size: 1.2em !important;
border: 2px solid black !important;
}
.zephr-form {
border: 1px solid #ffcccb;
background-image: url(“https://preprod.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/astro.jpg”);
background-size: cover;
background-position: left top;
background-image:url(“https://www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cta_background_webb-tarantula-neb.jpg”);
padding: 20px;
padding-top: 40px;
}
.zephr-form {
–zf-container-bgColor: none;
–zf-container-maxWidth: 900px;
}
.zephr-form-input {
font-size: 1.5rem !important;
font-family: monospace !important;
filter: drop-shadow(black .1rem .1rem 5px);
}
.zephr-form-error-message {
background-color:white;
padding:5px;
font-weight:bold
}
.zephr-form-input::placeholder {
font-family: “Courier New” !important;
color: #999 !important;
}]]>
Eyelashes approximate a shape called a brachistochrone, a curve that minimizes the time it takes to get from point A to B under the force of gravity. Using arrays of nylon fibers with similar dimensions and elasticity as eyelashes, the researchers compared fibers in the shape of a brachistochrone with fibers that were straight or curved in another shape. The droplets slid fastest off the brachistochrone.
Known to guard against dust, eyelashes haven’t been recognized for their water-wicking superpower (SN: 2/24/15). In addition to helping out in a rainstorm, the effect could come into play when bathing, sweating or crying. Beauty treatments could mess with this ability, however. Mascara can make eyelashes attract water instead of repelling it, the scientists note, and curling the lashes alters their shape.
Questions or comments on this article? E-mail us at feedback@sciencenews.org | Reprints FAQ
Physics writer Emily Conover has a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago. She is a two-time winner of the D.C. Science Writers’ Association Newsbrief award.
Happy Holidays from Science News!
This season, we’re especially grateful for you—our readers. Whether you’re a STEM professional, curious about science, technology, and medicine, or a student in one of the nearly 6,000 high schools we serve, you are at the heart of everything we do.
As we look ahead to the new year, your support makes all the difference. Make a donation today to help us continue bringing science to life for millions of readers.
Together, we can spark curiosity and inspire discovery for generations to come.
Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season,
The Science News Team
