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This week’s new questions

I fill a bucket with water from a tank by gravity, but what happens to the gravity? And birds seem to have quicker reaction times than humans, so is their brain processing speed faster than ours?

22 February 2023

MXMH8X colorful water drop splash

Peter Bocklandt/Alamy

I fill a bucket with water from a tank by gravity, but what happens to the gravity?

Paul Leese,

Gqeberha, South Africa

little hungry birds Tits on the bird feeder eating fat; Shutterstock ID 588202970; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Shutterstock / Bachkova Natalia

Watching birds in the garden, their reaction times and alertness suggest that their brain processing speed is quicker than ours. Is this correct?

Colin Horwood,

Salthouse, Norfolk, UK

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…

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