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This week’s new questions

What has been the most successful animal ever? And why does pressing our fingers together in water increase the resistance in water, when the total surface area is the same?

28 September 2022

Portrait of white cat with crown on head sitting on bed, Namibia.

Sigi Kolbe/Getty Images

What has been the most successful animal ever?

Derek Johnson,

Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK

person aged group doing water aerobics in a swimming pool during a spa treatment; Shutterstock ID 167286806; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock/Pixinoo

My water aerobics instructor says to press my fingers together to increase resistance. The total surface area is the same with fingers open or closed, so why does it make a difference?

Mary Jo McMullen,

Tuscon, Arizona, US

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…

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