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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

R1D8PY Silverback western lowland gorilla sitting down to eat at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. (USA)

Last Word

Could aliens work out if a human or an ape built the tomb they lie in?

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Kecskemet, Hungary - August 28, 2021: Leonardo C-27J Spartan. Military transport plane at air base. Air force flight operation. Aviation and aircraft. Air lift. Military industry. Fly and flying.; Shutterstock ID 2126430722; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

This week’s new questions

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2GFT7TJ Ichthyosaur swimming in the ocean, extinct marine reptile from Early Triassic to Late Cretaceous, 3d paleoart rendering

Last Word

How did marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs breathe?

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Close up of glass of a freshly prepared gin and tonic with lemon slices and spoon on the counter.; Shutterstock ID 482388439; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

Why do ice cubes for my gin and tonic often shatter in the mould?

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2JF72KW Digital hands reaching each other, artificial intelligence creativity concept

Last Word

This week’s new questions

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2HMRRGF Madrid, Spain - March 6th, 2021: Isidore of Seville statue at National Library of Spain, Madrid. Medieval Spanish scholar

Last Word

Once life is established, is intelligence inevitable? Part 2

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FY9W05 International Space Station and astronaut in outer space over the planet Earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Last Word

This week’s new questions

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Blue-naped parrot, Tanygnathus lucionensis, colorful parrot, native to Philippines. Green parrot with red beak and light blue rear crown sitting on twig isolated against dark green jungle background.; Shutterstock ID 1911703984; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

Why didn’t green fur evolve among mammals?

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Man looks to a huge brain. Mental capacity, cognitive processing, and human interaction. This is a 3d render illustration; Shutterstock ID 2341475275; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

Would your brain run out of storage space if you could live forever?

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2BE3Y6H Bedding and sheets are freshly laundered and are hanging out to dry on a washing line in residential back garden.

Last Word

Why does a duvet bag up all the other items in the washing machine?

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Builder or carpenter working on the roof - silhouette with strong back light; Shutterstock ID 84416038; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

This week’s new questions

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Close up of an augmented reality (AR) sand table, an advanced technology to create a learning tool for students.; Shutterstock ID 1857112591; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Last Word

As average sea levels rise, will map heights need to be recalculated?

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