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Letters archive

Join the conversation in 51¶¯Âþ's Letters section, where readers can share their thoughts and opinions on articles and see responses from experts and enthusiasts across a range of science topics. To submit a letter, please see our terms and email letters@newscientist.com


16 April 2025

A tale of microdosing weight-loss drugs

From Nic Marks, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

I have been a classic middle-class microdoser when it comes to the weight-loss drug Wegovy. For nine months, I took 0.5 milligrams a week (instead of the recommended maintenance dose of 2.4 mg) and lost over 20 kilograms. It was amazing. However, I became increasingly grumpy, so I decided to stop for a while. Ten …

16 April 2025

On the idea of storing carbon by rewilding (1)

From Richard Jefferys, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK

It is suggested that rewilding with large herbivores could sequester a lot of carbon in soil. But does this work long-term? I worry that soil contains a host of bacteria that love to degrade carbon to carbon dioxide. And ruminant herbivores, among the rewilding animals suggested, emit a lot of methane. ( 29 March, p …

16 April 2025

On the idea of storing carbon by rewilding (2)

From Cheryl Hillier, Cribyn, Dyfed, UK

Finally, an acknowledgement of the power of nature to absorb/build carbon – but will we allow it to? Growing in monocultures at the expense of everything else poses the greatest threat to biodiversity, food and water security and resilience to flood, fire and drought. If we stop and devote all farmland to sustainable practices, all …

16 April 2025

Can new maths help us with quantum collapse?

From John Bell, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK

Your article on the mathematical breakthrough bringing together three sets of equations relating to particles and fluids ends with a line saying that the implications of the work aren't yet understood. With the techniques being grounded in Richard Feynman's work on quantum field theory, and with the obvious parallels with particles vs fluids and waves, …

16 April 2025

From truly ancient folk myths to bible stories

From Bryn Glover, Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire, UK

I was particularly struck by the idea in Laura Spinney's article that some folk myths may date back as far as 60,000 years when, it is believed, a few Homo sapiens individuals made their way out of Africa. I have often wondered whether the tale of Moses crossing the Red Sea had its origins in …

16 April 2025

Fighting fatigue isn't always possible

From Lyn Williams, Neath, West Glamorgan, UK

An important point regarding bodily energy levels is missed. If things aren't going well in our lives, we will feel depressed. The level of which will depend on how bad the situation is. In this state we feel tired and maybe want to sleep more than usual. We can't feel full of energy while like …

16 April 2025

Possibly the oldest code in the known universe

From Steve Field, Ashford, Kent, UK

I have a theory that the oldest computer code is found in the program on which our simulated universe runs. Glitches caused by incompatible code lead to some unexplained events commented on in your pages. Minor glitches include mislaying 95 per cent of the universe and incompatibility of relativity and quantum physics. Major ones include …

16 April 2025

For the record

When iron and sulphur occur in "reduced form", they have gained electrons ( 29 March, p 18 ).

23 April 2025

We give cows their own medicine cabinet

From Iain Gordon, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

I read with interest your interview with Jaap de Roode on self-medication in animals. My research focuses on domestic livestock self-medicating against gut parasites using medicinal plants. De Roode mentions that farm animals lack a varied diet for better health. At Lincoln University's Integral Health Dairy Farm in New Zealand, we introduced woodland strips with …

23 April 2025

Uncertainty in science is a great source of joy

From Byron Rigby, Melbourne, Australia

Your review of Adam Kucharski's book Proof refers to "truth" and "truth-seeking" in science. I don't know if Kucharski's book uses these terms much, but perhaps it should be added that indisputable truth isn't available in science, and that seeking evidence for something is less important than seeking evidence against it. Nowhere is this better …

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