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Carissa Wong mentions face rolling and facial massage as alleged ways of boosting our lymphatic system. I use an electric razor to shave each day, which seems to replicate her description of what one might do with a jade rolling pin( 25 October, p 28 ). Because I am quite vigorous with my use of …

I have for many years used chilli powder as a (not very effective) cat repellent. But some chilli powders contain salt, which kills the plants. And, except this year, the rain eventually washes it away from the paths. So the ginger bruiser next door that ignores the ultrasound just turns its nose up at me( …

The problem for me with Vlatko Vedral's beautiful new vision of reality is that all theories about the world in which we find ourselves are created by observers proposing ideas. Examination of those ideas by other observers (i.e. the use of the scientific method) winnows them to those that pass the tests ( 1 November, …

I agree with Vedral that space and time don't exist, but I don't believe we can explain reality in any meaningful way without particles because, for any sentient organism, reality is its understanding of itself and anything outside itself as perceived by its senses. It may be argued that atoms and subatomic particles are minute …

Further to your exploration of the wide variety of ideas about consciousness, biological consciousness is the only one we know exists. It is most likely to have come from an evolutionary process that involves reaction to stimuli, which allows entities to find energy sources. As such, levels of awareness in the biological world range from …

I cannot believe we are still debating consciousness. For self-preservation, we must be conscious of where we are and what's happening around us. Our sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch etc. all help us survive any danger that might threaten us. We must be conscious, therefore, when we use these senses. It seems to …

To reduce the problem of old satellites releasing pollution when they burn up in the atmosphere, it should be internationally mandated that every satellite keeps enough reserve fuel to move it into a designated "capture orbit". Small rocket drones could refuel still functioning satellites if needed using universal connectors or collect them for delivery to …

I read James Wong's article on the use of capsaicin to deter mammals from damaging gardens with great interest. Recent development where I live has resulted in an overpopulation of eastern meadow voles. I noticed that these voles have been happy to eat the accessible parts of jalapeño peppers in the raised vegetable beds in …

In 1965, I started postgraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During a presentation on a new degree programme in bioengineering, the speaker apologised that a short course in biology would be required, saying that it was trivial for engineers to pick up the biology basics, but, of course, you couldn't expect a biologist …

The nanodiscs in a new kind of e-paper reflect light and each one's brightness can be varied by a brief electrical pulse that places ions inside the disc (1 November, p 12).