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Published online 28 September 2005 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news050926-10
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Water walkers surf on the edge
Insects harness surface tension to climb out of ponds.
Navigating your way out of a puddle might not sound like a challenge, but to a tiny insect it is akin to scaling an extremely steep and slippery mountain. Two mathematicians have outlined exactly how little insects manage this feat: they turn surface tension to their advantage and 'surf' up the edge with scarcely any effort.
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