This week’s new questions

Many things in the universe spin, so could the universe itself be spinning? And why can I only remember words that I know how to pronounce?

3 May 2023

Galaxy - Elements of this Image Furnished by NASA; Shutterstock ID 1716207277; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: - — M.Aurelius/Shutterstock

So much in the universe spins. Could the universe itself be spinning?

Murray Lang,

Perth, Western Australia

Close up to the dictionary definition of Phlegmatic; Shutterstock ID 1188169102; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: - — Shutterstock/Contimis Works

When I read a word that I don’t know how to pronounce, I can’t remember it. Why do I need to be able to pronounce a word for my brain to recall it?

Fay Davies,

Bury, Greater Manchester, UK

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

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