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Last word

51¶¯Âþ's popular Last Word series gives readers the opportunity to answer each other's questions about everyday science phenomena, from the shape of scones to the evolutionary history of toenails. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com

Pink flowering pelargonium turning red.

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Why did a piece of pink geranium make red flowers after breaking off?

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Four cheerful female friends having fun on summer road trip

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Which is more efficient when cooling a car, A/C or windows? (Part 2)

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2A65AYC Woman stroking her Pet dumbo rat

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Given the impact of cats, why don’t we domesticate more rats? (Part 2)

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JANUARY 9, 2014: The vibrant magentas and blues in this Hubble image of the barred spiral galaxy M83 reveal that the galaxy is ablaze with star formation. The galactic panorama unveils a tapestry of the drama of stellar birth and death. The galaxy, also known as the Southern Pinwheel, lies 15 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgement: W. Blair (STScI/Johns Hopkins University) and R. O'Connell (University of Virginia) NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA?s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. ...more Date Created:2017-12-08 Center:GSFC Keywords: spiral galaxy M83 Albums: Test Creator:NASA Goddard Location:Greenbelt, MD

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What would happen to a galaxy if the black hole at its centre left?

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dasha Petrenko/imageBROKER/Shutterstock (13916956bb) Gym woman doing push up exercises with dumbbells. Strong brunette female doing crossfit workout Various 23afbhbada

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This week’s new questions

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Issue no. 3458 published 30 September 2023

New Scientist issue 3458 cover
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