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We all know the aim to "pursue efforts" to keep global warming to 1.5°C is a lost cause. Your article asks whether the new target should be 1.7°C, 2°C or even stay at 1.5°C, but with a new meaning. None is the right target. It should be 1°C( 26 July, p 8 ). To set …

The majority of climatologists have, since at least the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, been well aware of climate change – that it is real, happening now and mainly a consequence of human activity. Nations, political leaders, businesses and many individuals have widely ignored the warnings. Why does anybody think this will change? It won't, or …

For governments to officially accept that 1.5°C is no longer achievable and that a higher limit must be set would almost certainly have negative consequences. Any excuse to relax decarbonisation efforts or to continue business as usual will result in greater climate catastrophes and is unacceptable.

Further to Clive Bashford's letter about doing isometric exercises in bed – I do that, too, but concentrate on my left side as, during the day, I do a fair amount of physical work using my right side( Letters, 6 July ).

When it comes to body clocks, researchers should investigate the phenomenon of "second sleep", or biphasic sleep. This is fairly well-known historically and among some anthropologists. It seems to have been relatively common and widespread at a time when people's daily rhythms were largely determined by the sun and when bright indoor lighting was unavailable …

I've had myalgic encephalomyelitis for 26 years, so what wonderful news to hear that there might be a way to confirm it genetically. Hopefully, funding will allow further research into this( 16 August, p 10 ).

In connection with matrilineal societies, I saw an interesting variant in Vanuatu. Basically, young men and women relate to their mother and her siblings. You might think this would lead to some sort of matriarchy, but that appears not to be the case( 2 August, p 40 ). For example, the making and drinking of …

It is no surprise to me that napping during the day by pre-schoolers doesn't significantly impair education, reduce nighttime slumber or lead to involuntary insomnia in parents. That such research is required might baffle those who lead a traditional Mediterranean lifestyle( 26 July, p 18 ). Perhaps we should take a leaf out of our …

You report that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could be a nocebo effect for some people. I have for several decades relied on the opposite effect from what I call my "placebo tablets". They keep me IBS symptom-free despite having only a few Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, along with minerals and vitamins( 2 August, p 17 ).

As a child, I asked my father: what is infinity? He said that it was the length of the Forth Bridge as experienced by a mouse. He was an engineer. I have always found that definition most satisfactory( 9 August, p 28 ).