# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1084 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1085 --- ## [Why do fruits & vegetables have so much potassium, and so little sodium](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fruits-vegetables-have-so-much-potassium-and-so-little-sodium/724485)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fruits-vegetables-have-so-much-potassium-and-so-little-sodium/724485 "2015-07-08T15:36:48Z")
Do fruits and vegetables have potassium for a different reason than animals? If mammals need potassium & sodium for, among other things, keeping their nerves in balance do fruits and vegetables need them for a totally di… --- ## [Posting gruesome pictures on Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-gruesome-pictures-on-facebook/724061)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-gruesome-pictures-on-facebook/724061 "2015-07-08T13:40:42Z")
The spokesman for the Egyptian Army has an official Facebook account. In the last 24 hours or so, they published a series of pictures that show the dismembered and charred bodies of ISIS fighters who were killed in fight… --- ## [Constant Mist coming from Trees...what's happening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constant-mist-coming-from-trees-whats-happening/724417)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constant-mist-coming-from-trees-whats-happening/724417 "2015-07-08T12:28:36Z")
I just moved to the mission district in San Francisco. On my street there are numerous unremarkable trees (not sure what type, can post photos if it’s helpful). For reasons that are entirely beyond my comprehension I h… --- ## [Why no more domestic (USA) air mail rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-domestic-usa-air-mail-rates/724508)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-domestic-usa-air-mail-rates/724508 "2015-07-08T11:44:43Z")
Many years ago, there were domestic air mail rates. If you didn’t opt for air mail, it would presumably travel by ground, and as a result, somewhat slower. But at some point, probably 1970s or so, domestic air mail rat… --- ## [New employer's health care plan more costly, any other options?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-employers-health-care-plan-more-costly-any-other-options/724477)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-employers-health-care-plan-more-costly-any-other-options/724477 "2015-07-08T04:32:00Z")
Please don’t give me some political answer about Obama care or get on a soapbox about your feelings, I’m simply trying to figure out if this is worth pursing. OK, changing employers and this is causing a change in healt… --- ## [Shrimp showing up in containers of water set outside after a heavy rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrimp-showing-up-in-containers-of-water-set-outside-after-a-heavy-rain/724525)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrimp-showing-up-in-containers-of-water-set-outside-after-a-heavy-rain/724525 "2015-07-08T04:20:38Z")
I used to notice this in my old pool years ago-after a heavy rain, I’d go back out a day or so later, and see some small (and usually dead) shrimp in the pool. I just noticed some in my cat’s outside water dish-again, a… --- ## [Can operating system software or the disk itself change the date of all/any of its actions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-operating-system-software-or-the-disk-itself-change-the-date-of-all-any-of-its-actions/724421)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-operating-system-software-or-the-disk-itself-change-the-date-of-all-any-of-its-actions/724421 "2015-07-08T03:55:21Z")
Reading about some sophisticated dating fraud in the Carolingian era (St. Martin), and then later thinking about Hillary, it occurred to me: First, how hard is it to alter, after-the-fact, the file-creation or -modifica… --- ## [Brits-how widespread was yesterday's minute of silence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-how-widespread-was-yesterdays-minute-of-silence/724225)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-how-widespread-was-yesterdays-minute-of-silence/724225 "2015-07-08T00:03:47Z")
Yesterday, Britain officially observed a one-minute moment of silence, in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Tunisia. How was it marked, and how widespread was the observance? I found only two youtube cli… --- ## [What was the legal status of the Confederate flag, legit or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-legal-status-of-the-confederate-flag-legit-or-not/724129)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-legal-status-of-the-confederate-flag-legit-or-not/724129 "2015-07-07T23:22:38Z")
The SCOTUS has ruled that the CSA was never a independent country, just the US in a state of rebellion and the succession was illegal. There are points on both sides of this but the victors write the history so there we… --- ## [Is there a stronger profile than a cone ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-stronger-profile-than-a-cone/724307)
**Author:** [@Bones\_Daley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bones_Daley)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-stronger-profile-than-a-cone/724307 "2015-07-07T21:40:34Z")
Imagine a metal truncated cone, ( I believe “frustum” is the mathematical term) spun on a lathe from sheet metal. The top of the cone is solid, continuous, not hollow. The wide end, the base, is of course open. If you … --- ## [What happens to election donations when a candidate drops out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-election-donations-when-a-candidate-drops-out/724409)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-election-donations-when-a-candidate-drops-out/724409 "2015-07-07T20:31:38Z")
Let’s say Hillary Clinton suffers a health problem and has to drop out of the race. What happens to the millions of dollars in campaign donations she has collected? does it get returned to the donors? Can she “will” i… --- ## [5 of 8 planets in our solar system have gravity apx 1 G. Reason?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-of-8-planets-in-our-solar-system-have-gravity-apx-1-g-reason/724388)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-of-8-planets-in-our-solar-system-have-gravity-apx-1-g-reason/724388 "2015-07-07T20:26:57Z")
Venus Earth Saturn, Uranus & Neptune all have have gravity in the general range of 1 G. Is there a known reason or theory for why a majority of planets seemed to ‘mature’ at this level? and vastly different types of pla… --- ## [Did NASA totally scrap the Helios program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nasa-totally-scrap-the-helios-program/724469)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-nasa-totally-scrap-the-helios-program/724469 "2015-07-07T17:46:09Z")
This was an autonomous, solar-powered aircraft intended to be a prototype for “atmospheric satellites” which would orbit at high altitudes. The Helios prototype crashed in the Pacific during testing. Was the whole prog… --- ## [Why do mosquitoes seem to stop biting me late at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mosquitoes-seem-to-stop-biting-me-late-at-night/724480)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mosquitoes-seem-to-stop-biting-me-late-at-night/724480 "2015-07-07T17:31:39Z")
I know some people get bitten by mosquitoes more than others, and I’m one of the people who they seem to find particularly tasty. But I’ve noticed on nights when I’ve stayed outside and toughed out the initial onslaught,… --- ## [Why so sticky at the beach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-sticky-at-the-beach/724195)
**Author:** [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-sticky-at-the-beach/724195 "2015-07-07T15:00:02Z")
A couple days ago, we spent a day at the beach. It rained heavily when we first arrived, but we were getting wet anyway so we went out in it and had fun. Later, we both put on a sunscreen that’s a dry-to-the-touch spra… --- ## [Which is correct: speedometer or sat-nav?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-correct-speedometer-or-sat-nav/724173)
**Author:** [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-correct-speedometer-or-sat-nav/724173 "2015-07-07T14:32:50Z")
My sat-nav consistently reports that my car is going 4-5 mph slower than my car’s speedometer. This is not the case when the car is stationary (both then reliably report that it is not moving), but as soon as I’m going 2… --- ## [Best glue for bookbinding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-glue-for-bookbinding/46741)
**Author:** [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-glue-for-bookbinding/46741 "2000-12-21T23:59:15Z")
I purchased a paperback book for a friend on eBay, and the cover came loose from the contents a few days after I received it. I’ve tried a whole bunch of glues to keep it together and nothing seems to work. Can someone g… --- ## [Can I print my own checks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-print-my-own-checks/724361)
**Author:** [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-print-my-own-checks/724361 "2015-07-07T11:28:25Z")
We’re running low on checks, and the bank (through a third-party) will gladly sell me 200 checks for the low, low price of $54 plus $23 for shipping. I seem to recall that any document which lists the payee’s name, the … --- ## [Are women's thighs usually bigger than men's thighs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-womens-thighs-usually-bigger-than-mens-thighs/585615)
**Author:** [@Troubles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troubles)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-womens-thighs-usually-bigger-than-mens-thighs/585615 "2015-07-07T11:20:57Z")
I ask because I’ve noticed that my thighs are pretty big in comparison to most men’s thighs (they’re 21 inches around at their thickest). Is this par for the course or an aberration? --- ## [Mul-TIM-it-er, or MUL-tee-mee-ter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mul-tim-it-er-or-mul-tee-mee-ter/724271)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mul-tim-it-er-or-mul-tee-mee-ter/724271 "2015-07-07T04:41:03Z")
Growing up, ‘multimeter’ was pronounced ‘mul-TIM-it-er’. Nowadays it seems I only hear it pronounced ‘MUL-tee-mee-ter’. Dictionary-dot-com has the former pronunciation, and Youtube has the latter one. Granted, the You… --- ## [I can't seem to post any comments on Facebook. Suggestions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-seem-to-post-any-comments-on-facebook-suggestions/724443)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-seem-to-post-any-comments-on-facebook-suggestions/724443 "2015-07-07T03:32:23Z")
I can’t seem to be able to access the “Write a Comment” window, I see it. I place my cursor in it, but I can’t edit it. This just happened tonight. I just updated my profile picture; is that related? Thoughts? --- ## [How did the ladybug survive and should I be concerned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-ladybug-survive-and-should-i-be-concerned/724368)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-ladybug-survive-and-should-i-be-concerned/724368 "2015-07-07T02:53:41Z")
My in-laws gave me some corn out of their garden about a week ago. It’s been sitting in my refrigerator since then. Today, I decided to cook it in the microwave. Since my fridge thermostat doesn’t work really well, there… --- ## [When did "archeology" begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-archeology-begin/724036)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-archeology-begin/724036 "2015-07-06T23:18:25Z")
Nowadays it’s a big sport, even university degrees. Lots of interest in the past. Were the ancient Greeks at it as well? The Egyptians before the christian era? When did this start? Or has it always been? --- ## [How do animals keep their teeth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animals-keep-their-teeth/724329)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-animals-keep-their-teeth/724329 "2015-07-06T19:03:59Z")
Humans have to perform fairly regular oral hygiene in order to keep their teeth healthy throughout their lives, but animals can’t visit the dentist. What do they do that allow them to keep their teeth? Or do they have … --- ## [Is the Earth Going to Just (Yikes!) STOP Some Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-going-to-just-yikes-stop-some-day/723850)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-going-to-just-yikes-stop-some-day/723850 "2015-07-06T18:46:21Z")
According to this article (and many others, I’m sure), the earth’s rotation is slowing down, bit by bit, each day. So tomorrow/today (June 30, 2015 \[if you’re reading this in the future\]), there will be a “leap second”. … --- ## [Declaration of Independence Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declaration-of-independence-question/710643)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declaration-of-independence-question/710643 "2015-07-06T18:41:51Z")
Did King George III ever see a copy of the US Declaration of Independence? We know that copies were sent to Britain, but that doesn’t mean the King ever saw one. --- ## [What is this facility in China? (from google maps)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-facility-in-china-from-google-maps/693003)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-facility-in-china-from-google-maps/693003 "2015-07-06T18:10:47Z")
While planning my conquest of Asia…I mean browsing the web I came across this facility on google maps and was wondering what exactly it is, it seems to be irrigation of some kind but its frikken huge, practically visible… --- ## [Salami sandwiches and hot weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salami-sandwiches-and-hot-weather/724389)
**Author:** [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salami-sandwiches-and-hot-weather/724389 "2015-07-06T17:11:48Z")
For as long as I can remember, I’ve regularly had salami sandwiches during my lunch break. I typically pack them at 7 in the morning and eat them at 12 so that means that there’re out of the fridge for 5 hours or so. Not… --- ## [The hold on Supreme Court decisions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hold-on-supreme-court-decisions/724003)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hold-on-supreme-court-decisions/724003 "2015-07-06T16:48:06Z")
As those who follow US political news know, gay marriage is still not implemented nationwide because we are currently in a 25-day period in which the losers are permitted to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider their ruli… --- ## [Wimbledon on-court temperatures - valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wimbledon-on-court-temperatures-valid/723883)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wimbledon-on-court-temperatures-valid/723883 "2015-07-06T16:21:44Z")
It is hot here in SW London - certainly hotter than we are used to and due to get hotter tomorrow. We have had shade temperatures of \> 30 celsius / 86 Fahrenheit which is not that common here. Just a few miles away at th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1083) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1085)