NewScientist The Last Word - Tag 'technology' details

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Ride the curves Why are velodromes shaped the way they are? What's the science involved?Specifically, why do they have such high curves, especially as hardly any cyclists seem to venture up there, and why do they have sloping straights? Also, what are the different coloured lines on the track for?Brian Porter, London, UK(Image: Santac, Wikimedia Commons)
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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-03-11 17:01:00

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Categories: Human Body, Technology.

Tags: human body, unanswered, domestic science, technology.

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Rain imminent

During the Monaco Grand Prix, I was watching the drivers battle with the damp conditions when the commentator said that rain was expected at the track in 6 minutes. How can forecasting be so accurate? If such technology is available, why isn't it offered to the public? Incidentally, the rain didn't arrive on this occasion, but was predicted with such confidence that presumably the forecasting must be accurate most of the time.Derek Bolon, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, UK

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-02-18 17:00:01

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Categories: Weather , Technology.

Tags: domestic science, technology, weather.

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Why do geese need so much fat? As part of Christmas dinner this year I cooked a tasty goose. I was astounded at the amount of fat that poured off it during cooking. Why do geese need so much fat? Debora MacKenzie, Brussels, Belgium (Image: markmiller, stock.xchng)
Editorial status: In magazine. (no votes) There are 14 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-02-11 18:01:02

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Last edited on: 2009-09-29 11:23:55

Categories: Domestic Science, Animals.

Tags: animals, technology, domesticscience.

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Partial recall

Sometimes during a quiz, we know that we know the answer to a question even though we can't bring it immediately to mind. How?Here's an example. Question one: what is the capital of France? I immediately know that the answer is Paris. Question two: what is the capital of Uzbekistan? I immediately know that I do not know the answer. Question three: what is the capital of Portugal? I know that I have the answer in my brain, but I can't quite remember it. Then, as the answer is read out, I agree that it is Lisbon.In some cases, for hours afterwards I know that I know the answer to something but can't recall it. So how is it that I can know that I know the answer to a question but, despite that, still cannot retrieve that piece of information?Alan Rae, London, UK(Image: klsa12, stock.xchng)

(2 votes) average rating:4.5

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-02-04 18:02:01

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Categories: Human Body.

Tags: human body, unanswered, technology.

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What caused this frozen mug of water to form this thistle-like pattern?

I wanted to chill a mug of water so placed it in the freezer, but then forgot about it and it froze solid.

When I removed the block of ice from the mug it contained the most amazing thistle-like pattern of what seemed like canals of air (pictured). None of these canals extended to any outside surfaces. What happened?

Brian Barnes, Somerset West, South Africa

Editorial status: In magazine.

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-02-04 18:00:09

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Last edited on: 2009-10-21 14:36:25

Categories: Domestic Science, Technology.

Tags: technology, humanbody, domesticscience.

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Why does methi, or fresh fenugreek, make your breath and body smell? The Last Word has told us why garlic makes your breath and body smell, but I want to know why the spice methi, or fresh fenugreek, has a similar, possibly stronger, effect. Nikki Bedi, BBC Radio Asian Network, UK (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Editorial status: In magazine. (no votes) There are 6 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-01-21 18:02:00

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Last edited on: 2009-10-21 14:39:05

Categories: Domestic Science, Human Body.

Tags: technology, humanbody, domesticscience, planetearth.

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Altered images

Driving along in the car the other day, my four-year-old son asked why things that were closer to us were moving faster than those further away. What should I tell him?Milton Inverdale, London, UKThanks for a vast number of answers to this question, many of which were probably more suited to undergraduate level than to a four-year-old. However, one notable group of wags insisted on sidestepping the answer at all costs.Among these was the inevitable "Ask your mother", from Tony Turner of Tuross Head, New South Wales, Australia.Stephen McIntosh of Hull, UK, suggested: "You are far too intelligent for a four-year-old... have a lolly."More encouraging was the answer from Dave Oldham of Northampton, UK, who offered: "If you can ask a question like that at four years of age it won't be many more years before you can explain it to me."And congratulations to Peter Gosling of Farnham, Surrey, UK, for his unashamedly literal view of the world. His advice was: "I think you should tell your son that it is illegal for him to be driving at four years old." - Ed

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-01-21 18:01:00

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Categories: Transport.

Tags: technology, transport, planet earth.

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Blow hole What is the purpose of the small hole halfway down the outside shell of a Bic ballpoint pen? Frank Horseman, Derby, UK
Editorial status: In magazine. (1 vote) average rating:5 There are 50 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2008-12-10 18:02:00

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Last edited on: 2009-08-12 14:42:00

Categories: Domestic Science, Technology.

Tags: technology, humanbody, domesticscience.

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A matter of timing

When I use a stopwatch to time events, I know that the accuracy of the result is subject to my ability to stop the watch at the correct instant. I am also aware that I must often be at least a few hundredths of a second out.Before the advent of electronic timing, world records such as those in athletics or swimming were measured with manual stopwatches. How accurate were these timings? Was more than one watch used and how did officials ensure they were as accurate as possible?Alan Mann, Truro, Cornwall, UK(Image: Daino_16, stock.xchng)

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2008-12-03 18:02:01

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Categories: Human Body, Technology.

Tags: human body, unanswered, domestic science, technology, plants.

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Why would people's hair stand on end when out for a walk? Walking along the breakwater at Berwick-upon-Tweed in north-east England recently, my granddaughter and her mother noticed their hair was standing on end (see photo, above left). It started to rain soon afterwards, but there was no thunder or lightning that day. What was happening?Richard Turner, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
Editorial status: In magazine. (1 vote) average rating:5 There are 16 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer