This week’s new questions
Why hasn’t evolution reintroduced gills in the land-based mammals that returned to the sea? And what is the fastest way to empty a full jug of water?
Why haven't marine mammals retained gills despite returning to the ocean? Why have land mammals that returned to sea not developed gills once again? John Bailey, from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK inquires. When emptying a jug of water, is tipping it upside down or pouring at a specific angle the quickest method? Dennis Leister, residing in Rockville, Maryland, USA asks.
"Last Word," New Scientist's ongoing feature, invites readers to respond to each other's inquiries, spanning everyday life's minutiae to the fantastical and improbable. To pose or submit a query, email lastword@newscientist.com. Questions must be scientific inquiries about commonplace happenings, and both questions and replies should be succinct.
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Written by urgent.news from New Scientist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
