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This week’s new questions

What is the best way, and the best sort of knife to use, to minimise the amount of crumbs when slicing bread, particularly wholemeal? And why does being tickled make us laugh, when it is just a feeling on our skin?

7 February 2024

HFRCEK Knife slicing wholegrain bread

imageBROKER.com GmbH & Co. KG/Alamy

What is the best way, and best knife to use, to minimise crumbs when slicing bread, particularly wholemeal?

Peter Slessenger,

Reading, Berkshire, UK

Father, laugh and black man tickle son, have fun and enjoy happy quality time together in Jamaica home. Family bonding, child love and playing African people, youth kid or papa tickling laughing boy; Shutterstock ID 2276430563; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock/PeopleImage​s.com - Yuri A

Why does being tickled make us laugh, when it is just a feeling on our skin?

Wyn Hamilton-Wright (7 years old),

Bristol, 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.

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