Âé¶¹´«Ã½

This week’s new questions

Why do people appear younger and better-looking in a mirror than in a photograph? Are humans the only animals that cry? If so, why?
Shutterstock/Max4e Photo

Why do people appear younger and better-looking in a mirror than in a photograph? John Healey
Semaphore, South Australia

Amazing Aerial/Alamy

Are humans the only animals that cry? If so, why?
Ray Smith,
Guyra, New South Wales, Australia

Last Word is Âé¶¹´«Ã½â€™s long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other’s 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

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.

The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude) to write either questions or answers is forbidden, and any submissions found to have been written using AI tools will be withdrawn.

Terms and conditions apply.

Topics: Last Word