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This week’s new questions

Is it more sustainable to flush a tissue or put it in the bin? And why do humans pat animals on the head?

7 June 2023

Someone throwing rubbish in bin. rubbish bin. Trash.

Jim Collins/Getty Images

Is it more sustainable to flush a tissue or put it in the bin?

Sam (12), Lucy (10) and Grace (8) Liubinskas

Sydney, Australia

A diver catches an octopus underwater

AshleyWiley/Getty Images

Why do humans pat animals on the head? I know we do it with cats and dogs, but I recently saw footage of a diver trying to pat an octopus.

Peggy Sellers,

York, 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…

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