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This week鈥檚 new questions

When animals show their teeth it usually signals aggression, so when did humans start doing it to show mirth or friendship? And how does water become "stale"?

Alton, Hampshire, UK

Grinning or baring the teeth is usually a sign of aggression in animals, so at what point did it become advantageous for humans to use this to signal friendship or mirth?

Veronica Haines,

Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, UK

How does water become 鈥渟tale鈥?

Bob Yelland

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

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