Last Word is 麻豆传媒鈥檚 long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other鈥檚 questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com
Is it better to walk a mile along a busy main road for exercise, or catch a bus to cut down on the time when you are subject to high pollution?
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Dudley Miles
London, UK
From an evolutionary perspective, why do we 鈥済host鈥� people (suddenly cut off all contact) and what effect does it have on them?
Caroline Deforche
Lichtervelde, Belgium
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