# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1124 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1125 --- ## [International Yellow T-shirt Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-yellow-t-shirt-day/718844)
**Author:** [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-yellow-t-shirt-day/718844 "2015-04-30T14:01:53Z")
Back in the olden times B.I. (before internet) I was a high school student in Winnipeg, during the 80s,and every year we had the above noted. Why has been lost to the mists of time, but I do have a button from that time … --- ## [How does air get into kelp air bladders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-air-get-into-kelp-air-bladders/718868)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-air-get-into-kelp-air-bladders/718868 "2015-04-30T14:00:50Z")
These structures form underneath the surface of the water. They’re called air bladders and maybe they do have air in them, but if the gas is air, where did it come from? Or, if it’s some other gas, where did that gas c… --- ## [Explain this joke involving a Derbyshire accent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-involving-a-derbyshire-accent/718878)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-involving-a-derbyshire-accent/718878 "2015-04-30T12:32:06Z")
Could someone please explain this joke which apparently involves a Derbyshire accent? I assume the guy who got on the train is asking the other passengers if they have a match, to which they respond in the negative. B… --- ## [Debunk - Brain Cells do not reproduce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-brain-cells-do-not-reproduce/240922)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-brain-cells-do-not-reproduce/240922 "2015-04-30T11:06:30Z")
I’ve always heard that brain cells do not reproduce and that once you lose brain cells, they dont grow back. You have a set amount of brain cells and you’ll eventually start losing them, but you wont gain any back. I’ve… --- ## [Gluten and Multiple Sclerosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluten-and-multiple-sclerosis/650058)
**Author:** [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gluten-and-multiple-sclerosis/650058 "2015-04-30T09:03:48Z")
What is the connection between gluten and multiple sclerosis? Is it a reasonable conclusion for MS patients to go gluten free? It does appear there is some link, but I don’t know enough about this paper to judge how ou… --- ## [Will the India Plate Be Destroyed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-india-plate-be-destroyed/718598)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-india-plate-be-destroyed/718598 "2015-04-30T08:56:38Z")
Reading about the recent earthquake, I’ve read statements that the India plate is being pushed under the Asian plate by tectonic processes. Does that mean that the India plate will be destroyed by being submerged under … --- ## [Where is the ammo coming from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-ammo-coming-from/718835)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-ammo-coming-from/718835 "2015-04-30T02:08:25Z")
I was educated to believe that modern wars cannot be fought without munitions. That includes civil wars, insurgencies or plain old country vs. country. Therefore this thread. There have probably been classic guerrilla s… --- ## [Is there any way to process coffee or brewing for a clear, colorless brew?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-process-coffee-or-brewing-for-a-clear-colorless-brew/659405)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-process-coffee-or-brewing-for-a-clear-colorless-brew/659405 "2015-04-30T01:44:16Z")
See subject. And still have it taste like coffee. Extra credit for mouth feel. Not that anybody would drink it. Crystal Pepsi and all that. --- ## [In smoking studies what have they done to establish a causal relationship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-smoking-studies-what-have-they-done-to-establish-a-causal-relationship/718644)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-smoking-studies-what-have-they-done-to-establish-a-causal-relationship/718644 "2015-04-30T01:02:11Z")
All of the statistics on smoking I have ever seen are just stats related to the population as a whole and do not establish a purely causal relationship between smoking and negative health outcomes. I believe, and from m… --- ## [is Moore's law slowing down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-moores-law-slowing-down/591723)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-moores-law-slowing-down/591723 "2015-04-29T21:05:31Z")
I bought an i7 930 not too long after they were out. Since they were already a a midish range filler there really wasn’t too much of a ‘best thing available’ premium anyway. I can’t find the receipt of when exactly I g… --- ## [How sterile is urine really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-sterile-is-urine-really/718551)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-sterile-is-urine-really/718551 "2015-04-29T20:14:11Z")
I have read that fresh urine is sterile, but how sterile is stale urine? For example if someone was to put fresh urine in a jar for a couple days would it start to grow harmful bacteria? --- ## [Material fire safety and thermal properies of a (plastic) foam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-fire-safety-and-thermal-properies-of-a-plastic-foam/718828)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-fire-safety-and-thermal-properies-of-a-plastic-foam/718828 "2015-04-29T20:03:22Z")
A follow-on from this thread. I have some foam in an area that might get warm. I’ve asked about fire safety and been sent a page in Chinese. The version translated by Google is here. Basically I want to know the thermal … --- ## [Beats headphones have constant static](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beats-headphones-have-constant-static/718614)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beats-headphones-have-constant-static/718614 "2015-04-29T15:13:59Z")
Is this normal? I don’t remember it from my cheaper over-the-ear headphones in past years. If it’s unavoidable, the owner can live with it. Just wondering if there’s anything to be done for it. --- ## [Translation request: Chinese to English.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-request-chinese-to-english/718708)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-request-chinese-to-english/718708 "2015-04-29T15:05:21Z")
I’ve asked about the fire / thermal properties of some foam and have been sent this page in Chinese. Unfortunately, I can’t read Chinese. Can some kind Doper please translate it for me? Searching using the Roman text has… --- ## [Were Tyrannosaurus Rex's forearms useless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-tyrannosaurus-rexs-forearms-useless/717020)
**Author:** [@Tron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tron)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-tyrannosaurus-rexs-forearms-useless/717020 "2015-04-29T14:33:15Z")
It seems this question must have been asked before but I can find no reference to it. Were Tyrannosaurus Rex’s forearms useless? I’ve seen reports running the gamut from useless to useful for holding up dinner. What’s… --- ## [For the last time: why qualify a "direct descendant"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-last-time-why-qualify-a-direct-descendant/718540)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-last-time-why-qualify-a-direct-descendant/718540 "2015-04-29T09:21:20Z")
What’s an “indirect descendant” anyway, your brother’s or your uncle’s descendants? --- ## [What is the significance of the frequency 1420Mhz in astronomy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-of-the-frequency-1420mhz-in-astronomy/718674)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-significance-of-the-frequency-1420mhz-in-astronomy/718674 "2015-04-29T07:13:16Z")
I was reading up on the Wow! signal today and there was a decent amount made of how the signal was very close to the hydrogen line. I read on another article how the hydrogen line can be used to map the galaxy. How d… --- ## [Where to buy Silicon Bronze Brads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-silicon-bronze-brads/718767)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-buy-silicon-bronze-brads/718767 "2015-04-29T05:04:16Z")
I’ve been search around for Silicon Bronze brads for my pneumatic bradder but can’t find any. The size is C1 and C Brads (16GA and 18GA) of various lengths. I can find Silicon Bronze staples in shorter lengths for shipb… --- ## [Is there any way to undo a “not guilty” verdict by a jury in a criminal trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-undo-a-not-guilty-verdict-by-a-jury-in-a-criminal-trial/718300)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-undo-a-not-guilty-verdict-by-a-jury-in-a-criminal-trial/718300 "2015-04-29T02:39:49Z")
When a defendant is found to be not guilty by a jury in criminal trial, he is acquitted for good, meaning: he would now be free to admit that he actually did commit the crime and he can even brag about the fact that he g… --- ## [Have there ever been any successful lone wolf vigilantes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-ever-been-any-successful-lone-wolf-vigilantes/718695)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-there-ever-been-any-successful-lone-wolf-vigilantes/718695 "2015-04-29T01:50:29Z")
I know vigilante groups (death squads, lynch mobs, off duty police squads, etc) have been successful at getting their targets. Have lone vigilantes (someone like the comic book superheros) ever been successful at fightin… --- ## [Any one good with Wordpress out there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-one-good-with-wordpress-out-there/718740)
**Author:** [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-one-good-with-wordpress-out-there/718740 "2015-04-29T01:04:25Z")
I have a blog I use in Wordpress, and I’m having no luck finding a solution to this problem - I posted it to the Wordpress forums, and the question sank like a stone. I have the Contact Form set up in my blog, and it wo… --- ## [Plants take in uranium from both the soil and air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plants-take-in-uranium-from-both-the-soil-and-air/718719)
**Author:** [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plants-take-in-uranium-from-both-the-soil-and-air/718719 "2015-04-28T23:28:24Z")
Are there any plants that uptake uranium from either the soil and/or air for use in bioremediation? --- ## [Commissioned officers in the Army and the Navy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commissioned-officers-in-the-army-and-the-navy/718668)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commissioned-officers-in-the-army-and-the-navy/718668 "2015-04-28T22:20:47Z")
In the “Horatio Hornblower” books, as well as Melville’s “White Jacket” and “Billy Budd,” most of the wooden sailing ships had commissioned officers of only two ranks, the captain and the lieutenants. The USS United Sta… --- ## [Question about NASA fly-through video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-nasa-fly-through-video/718475)
**Author:** [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-nasa-fly-through-video/718475 "2015-04-28T22:12:23Z")
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope (launched April 24 1990), NASA released yet another incredible image along with a very cool animated 3D fly-through video. Link to space.com article The vi… --- ## [Two mobile phones with the same number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mobile-phones-with-the-same-number/718516)
**Author:** [@JessaeChan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessaeChan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mobile-phones-with-the-same-number/718516 "2015-04-28T21:14:22Z")
I know that after being de-activated for so long mobile numbers get ‘recycled’ but I’ve recently had an issue with a number that’s been in my phone for years. So I tried to call a friend three times yesterday, every tim… --- ## [Teeth whitening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeth-whitening/718626)
**Author:** [@jhimmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jhimmichael)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teeth-whitening/718626 "2015-04-28T19:28:35Z")
Are there any solution in teeth whitening without going to a dentists?is there any toothpaste or tooth brush that whitens teeth in a minute or at ones used? --- ## [Are swords as pointless a melee weapon as they seem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-swords-as-pointless-a-melee-weapon-as-they-seem/718560)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-swords-as-pointless-a-melee-weapon-as-they-seem/718560 "2015-04-28T18:38:43Z")
I’d invite discussion in both historical context and modern context(obviously against the same class of weapon, not an AK47). They are large, bulky, and require two much of an opening to use. I’d be willing to bet in no… --- ## [How much of the universe's mass has been converted into massless particles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-universes-mass-has-been-converted-into-massless-particles/718525)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-universes-mass-has-been-converted-into-massless-particles/718525 "2015-04-28T18:33:41Z")
How much mass has the universe lost as energy since First Light? Energy is the by-product of nuclear fusion. This is usually expressed as photons. Other nuclear reactions produce other massless products like neutrinos. … --- ## [Is it impossible for any poison to kill a person in less than 2 minutes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-for-any-poison-to-kill-a-person-in-less-than-2-minutes/717706)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-for-any-poison-to-kill-a-person-in-less-than-2-minutes/717706 "2015-04-28T17:57:43Z")
As I understand it, death by poisoning, even the fastest-acting toxins, follows this pathway: First, the heart shuts down and blood stops circulating. Breathing may stop around this time. Then, the brain cells die of o… --- ## [What doesn't ISIS attack Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-doesnt-isis-attack-israel/718663)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-doesnt-isis-attack-israel/718663 "2015-04-28T17:26:42Z")
I was looking at a map over the weekend and had somehow forgotten that Syria bordered Israel… although I certainly know about the Golan Heights. Since ISIS is battling al-Assad it seems they could use Syria as a springb… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1123) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1125)