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Cleopatra's Eyeliner: Peeper Health Keeper
A study in the journal Analytical1 Chemistry finds that the black eyeliner worn by ancient Egyptians may have had properties that helped ward2 off eye-damaging bacterial3 infections. Cynthia Graber reports
When you picture ancient Egyptian beauties such as Queen Nefertiti or Cleopatra, they’re probably wearing dramatic black eyeliner. Ancient Egyptians believed that eye makeup4 had properties bestowed5 by the gods protected the wearers from illness. Modern scientists determined6 that the makeup contains often-harmful lead, so they discounted any beneficial effects. But according to research published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, the eye makeup may indeed have prevented disease.
Scientists analyzed7 52 different samples from ancient Egyptian makeup found at the Louvre. They identified four different lead-based substances, two of which were man-made, not natural. They then applied8 the substances to a culture of human cells. And the cells experienced a 240 percent increase in the production of nitric oxide9, which is known to jump start the immune system.
The ancient marshy10 Nile would have hosted many eye disease–causing bacteria. Application of the makeup may have revved11 up cells’ immunity12 and protected against infection. The chemical compounds were no doubt used initially13 based on appearance. But then wearers noticed they weren’t getting eye infections. The gods got praised, but it was ancient chemists who deserved the credit.
1 analytical | |
adj.分析的;用分析法的 | |
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2 ward | |
n.守卫,监护,病房,行政区,由监护人或法院保护的人(尤指儿童);vt.守护,躲开 | |
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3 bacterial | |
a.细菌的 | |
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4 makeup | |
n.组织;性格;化装品 | |
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5 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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7 analyzed | |
v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 );分解;解释;对…进行心理分析 | |
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8 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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9 oxide | |
n.氧化物 | |
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10 marshy | |
adj.沼泽的 | |
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11 revved | |
v.(使)加速( rev的过去式和过去分词 );(数量、活动等)激增;(使发动机)快速旋转;(使)活跃起来 | |
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12 immunity | |
n.优惠;免除;豁免,豁免权 | |
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13 initially | |
adv.最初,开始 | |
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