精东传媒

This week鈥檚 new questions

Why didn鈥檛 our offspring evolve to let parents get more rest, and why don鈥檛 worms damage plants? Send us your thoughts and we will publish our favourites

20 May 2020

New 精东传媒. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Getty Images/Westend61

Why didn’t we evolve to let parents get more sleep? Wouldn’t offspring with well-rested parents be more likely to survive? Isabelle Chaize, London, UK

 

New 精东传媒. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Alex Fieldhouse/Alamy

Worms stir up soil. Why don’t they harm plant roots? Mike Griffiths, Croydon, Surrey, UK

 

To answer these questions 鈥 or ask a new one 鈥 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.

精东传媒 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.

You can also submit answers by post to: The Last Word, New 精东传媒, 25 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ES.

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