Âé¶¹´«Ã½

This week’s new questions

What are the evolutionary advantages of being able to grow a beard? Why do people scrunch up their eyes when they want to see more clearly?

4 March 2026

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

Alexey Emelyanov/Alamy

What are the evolutionary advantages of a man being able to grow a beard?

John Grant
Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

 

Playful close-up of a young woman with braids, making a funny face while squinting under the bright sun. Great for capturing spontaneous and joyful expressions. Without makeup; Shutterstock ID 2506375553; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other:

Eugene Vishnya/Shutterstock

Why do people scrunch up their eyes when they want to see more clearly? It seems to be counterintuitive.

Peter O’Connor
London, UK

Last Word is Âé¶¹´«Ã½’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.

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.

Terms and conditions apply.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop