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This week’s new questions

What percentage of material from my body 40 years ago remains as part of today’s me? And in which direction in the sky did the big bang take place?

2 November 2022

CX3N1D three 3 old men friends talking arguing discuss

Peter Cavanagh/Alamy

I am 65. Assuming that I still weigh what I did at 25 (I wish!), what percentage of material from 40 years ago remains as part of me today?

Pat Sheil,

Sydney, Australia

T4AEYJ Stellar explosion shining in deep space, cosmic star blast in Universe. High resolution galaxy background.

titoOnz/Alamy

In which direction in the sky did the big bang take place 13.8 billion years ago?

John Miller,

Ruthin, Denbighshire, UK

To answer this question – or ask a new one – visit newscientist.com/lastword. Terms and conditions apply.

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…

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