Ìý
If you wrote a word on a ball of string, then unravelled it, how challenging would it be to decipher the word?
Howard Owens, Exeter, Devon, UK
Advertisement

We hear about the overload of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but what percentage of this comes from human exhalation?
Paul Gallagher, Devizes, Wiltshire, UK
To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.