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Last word

Â鶹´«Ã½'s popular Last Word series gives readers the opportunity to answer each other's questions about everyday science phenomena, from the shape of scones to the evolutionary history of toenails. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com

2GYH6HN Irkutsk, Russia - July 28, 2021 Barber shop street advertisement, mannequin head with bushy beard

Last Word

This week’s new questions

Regulars

2B5DJY0 Row of homemade jars of jam for sale on the market counter.

Last Word

What is the optimal amount of water to clean a glass jar?

Regulars

A 3D illustration of the now debunked competing conspiracy theory that the Earth is flat, as it appears from land, rather than spherical. Earth texture maps courtesy of NASA.gov; Shutterstock ID 1240127368; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other:

Last Word

What would the horizon and landscape look like on a disc-shaped world?

Regulars

Issue no. 3585 published 7 March 2026

Â鶹´«Ã½ issue 3585 cover
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