New Scientist - USA (2021-12-18)

B In mathematics, the ham
sandwich theorem states that,
given n measurable objects in
n-dimensional Euclidean space,
it is possible to divide all of them
in two halves with a single
(n – 1)-dimensional hyperplane.
In other words, if you make a
sandwich from bread, butter
and ham, you will always be
able to slice it to share all three
ingredients equally
C In mathematics, the ugly
duckling theorem is an

argument showing that, if

you assume a finite number

of properties combinable

by logical connectives and

a finite number of objects,

any two different objects

share the same number of

(extensional) properties. In

other words, a duckling is just

as similar to a swan as two

swans are to each other

12 Emotional eating

A People feel angrier about

inequality after eating hummus

B People find disgusting

ideas more palatable after

consuming ginger

C People become more

interested in science after

drinking tomato juice

13 Directionally challenged

A Honeybees prefer to turn right

B Honeybees always fly west

when they first leave the hive

C Honeybees sometimes hitch

rides on dragonflies

14 Extraordinary orifices

A Spiders can shoot cyanide

out of their eyes

B Humans release alcohol

through their ears

C Pigs can breathe oxygen

through their rectums

15 Quantum weirdnesses

A In quantum physics, entangled

particles transmit information

faster than the speed of light

B In quantum physics, the

exact position and momentum

of a particle can’t be deduced

simultaneously

C In quantum physics, “virtual”

particles can pass between

parallel universes

16 Life on other planets?

A Astronomers have spotted

“ogres” in the lakes on Saturn’s

moon Titan

B Astronomers have spotted

“leprechauns” in craters on Mars

C Astronomers have spotted

“elves” in Jupiter’s skies

17 Dishonest males

A Lying men release volatile

chemicals that smell like maple

syrup

B Lying men mimic the body

language of the person they

are lying to

C Lying men only look to one side

18 Astronaut animals

A A tortoise has been to space

B A pig has been to space

C A porcupine has been

to space

B 1

B 2

C 3

A 4

B 5

A, B and C 6

B 7

C 8

A 9

A 10

A, B and C 11

B 12

A 13

B and C 14

B 15

C 16

B 17

A 18

A and B 19

B 20

A 21

B 22

Quiz compiled by New Scientist staff

19 My mistake

A The pratfall effect means

that people will like you more

if they see you making mistakes

B The spotlight effect means

that your mistakes aren’t noticed

by others as much as you think

C The Johnson effect mean that

the more mistakes you make, the

less likely you are to admit them

20 Amphibious applications

A In the 1950s, people used toad

slime to treat their wounds

B In the 1950s, people used frogs

as pregnancy tests

C In the 1950s, people used newts

to help diagnose whooping cough

21 Molecular mischief

A Chemists have discovered

that they could make novel

molecules by throwing known

molecules against the wall

B Chemists have discovered that

they could make new molecules

by having known molecules

partially digested by a mongoose

C Chemists have discovered that

they could make new molecules

by singing Harry Belafonte songs

to known molecules

22 Computer says what!?

A A wormhole has been created

inside a quantum computer

B A time crystal has been created

inside a quantum computer

C A quantum tunnel has been

created inside a quantum

computer

Answers

18/25 December 2021 | New Scientist | 69