Very Interesting – July-August 2019

P

sychologists have found that faces we rate as attractive tend to be

highly symmetrical, and the positioning of their features – such as

the distance between the eyes – tends to be very ‘average’ (that is, it

reflects the average of all the different configurations seen in the wider

population). Even tiny babies prefer to look at average and symmetrical

faces, which suggests an innate preference. It’s not known for sure why

we’re attracted to these kinds of faces, but two theories are that facial

symmetry somehow signals good health, and that average faces are

attractive because they feel familiar.

What makes someone

objectively beautiful?^

Abdul Reddy, Cape Town

T

oilet paper is made from short cellulose fibres, which is why it

tears so easily. In water, those fibres quickly come untangled

and form a thin sludge that’s easily carried by the water flow in the

sewage system. By the time it reaches the sewage treatment plant,

most of the toilet paper has completely disintegrated, and goes

straight to the sludge digester tanks to be broken down into

compost, along with the actual poop. Anything more robust than

toilet paper, such as flushable wipes, doesn’t break down, though,

and has to be removed using a system of mesh filters, before going

for landfill or incineration.

What happens to toilet paper?

Nina Van Jaarsveld, Polokwane

GETTY IMAGES

I

t depends on the brand of honey you buy.

Most supermarket honey is imported, and

farming methods overseas, particularly in China,

may be weakening the honey bees’ immune

system. Buying local, non-blended honey is

much better since small-scale producers have a

vested interest in preserving the health of their

hives. But the real threat to bees comes from

habitat loss, not honey harvesting. Planting wild

flowers in your garden and buying organic

vegetables (to reduce pesticide use, which can

poison bees) makes a much bigger difference.

Am I helping or hindering the bee

population by eating honey?

Amy Sanders, Mooi River

Love honey? Plant

lots of wild flowers

so the bees can

help keep your

toast smothered in

the sticky stuff.

Q&A

Questions & Answers

Got questions you’ve been carrying

around for years? Very Interesting

answers them! Mail your questions

to [email protected]

A There are around

16,000 species of

bees.

A Queen bees were

known as king bees

until 1660, when

Dutchman Jan

Swammerdam

dissected a number of

them and discovered

ovaries.

Q

&

A

FLASH