3FM8BME Red squirrel is smelling an red daisy

imageBROKER/Geert Weggen

Which animal has the most sensory access to reality?

Susan Williams
Lakewood, Colorado, US

2DAB05J detail of fizzy and carbonated cola drink on purple background

FV Photography/Alamy

Given the worldwide impact of carbon dioxide, why is it still used to put the fizz in water and soft drinks?

Ian Tindal
Seaton, Cornwall, UK

Last Word is New Scientist’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.

The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude) to write either questions or answers is forbidden, and any submissions found to have been written using AI tools will be withdrawn.

Terms and conditions apply.

Source: New Scientist

At a glance

Topic
Science
Country
🇬🇧 GB
Publisher language
EN
Added to Allnira