Universal shape of scaling functions in turbulence

Using a novel device that enables the real-time measurement of high-order structure functions in turbulence with superior statistical accuracy, we study the shape of the structure function at scales where it is influenced by viscosity. The experiments on a variety of laboratory turbulent flows demonstrate that this shape is universal. We argue that it reflects a fundamental property of multifractals: multiscaling. We present accurate experimental scaling functions ¿(p) and, finally, comment on the nature of the skewness of the distribution function of velocity increments by comparing transverse and longitudinal distribution functions.