# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=31 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 32 --- ## [New lossless heat preservation process developed(heat storage for years)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lossless-heat-preservation-process-developed-heat-storage-for-years/1022921)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2025, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lossless-heat-preservation-process-developed-heat-storage-for-years/1022921 "2025-09-13T05:27:11Z")
ok sorry I had to abbreviate the title somewhat … its NEARLY lossless. Were this on YT, I’d chalk it up to the perpetuum mobile /flatearthers crazy bunch… but here is the news-article: https://science.orf.at/stories/3… --- ## [Does knitting use the same topology as nail binding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-knitting-use-the-same-topology-as-nail-binding/1022991 "2025-09-13T00:55:53Z")
I guess there are a variety of “stitches” one can knit, and perhaps that’s true of nailbinding. But are there fabrics whose topology could have been produced by either one? (Don’t need answer fast.) @MrDibble ? --- ## [Mayflower Voyage Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayflower-voyage-question/1022950)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mayflower-voyage-question/1022950 "2025-09-11T22:27:48Z")
I play a trivia game, and the answer to the question today kind of surprised me. It had to do with the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower and why it was diverted to Massachusetts from its original destination. I answered corre… --- ## [Horrible Crash in Austin; need a cite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-crash-in-austin-need-a-cite/1022814)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-crash-in-austin-need-a-cite/1022814 "2025-09-11T21:44:26Z")
Over here is the only link I have to anything concerning a recent wrong-way crash near Austin, Texas. Four people were killed. I find it remarkable that even local newspapers sometimes do not remark on such crashes. My … --- ## [Are porn actors really this stupid or is this just a bit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-actors-really-this-stupid-or-is-this-just-a-bit/542054)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-porn-actors-really-this-stupid-or-is-this-just-a-bit/542054 "2025-09-11T16:45:00Z")
I guess the theme would be “casting couch porn.” The scenario is usually something to the effvect of : They are interveiwing a girl, asking her all the basic questions and then basically they get her naked and have a g… --- ## [What is the approximate cost for the name change from "Department Of Defense" to "Department Of War"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-approximate-cost-for-the-name-change-from-department-of-defense-to-department-of-war/1022834)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2025, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-approximate-cost-for-the-name-change-from-department-of-defense-to-department-of-war/1022834 "2025-09-11T09:45:33Z")
Buildings, signs, letterheads, business cards, websites etc.? --- ## [Is there a name for this polygon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-polygon/1022604)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-polygon/1022604 "2025-09-10T00:23:21Z")
Picture a circle. Put a point inside it. Draw two lines from the point at an acute angle out to the circle’s perimeter. You have a shape that’s similar to a triangle but with two straight lines and one curved line. Basi… --- ## [Removing a Chain-Link Fence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-chain-link-fence/1022789)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2025, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-chain-link-fence/1022789 "2025-09-10T00:18:22Z")
I am in the preliminary (or the “Thinking it through”) stage. I have watched a couple of videos on the subject. I have questions. How do I know for sure the fence is mine to remove? I presume that in the chain-link part… --- ## [Windows 11 where is the search box that was in the lower left corner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-where-is-the-search-box-that-was-in-the-lower-left-corner/1022426)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-where-is-the-search-box-that-was-in-the-lower-left-corner/1022426 "2025-09-09T15:24:32Z")
I had to buy a new computer which has Win11, I was using Win 10. Where is the search box on the task bar where you could search for things like Control Panel, etc. I used to right click and get the shutdown menu. What ha… --- ## [How is a trust maintenance fee calculated in this scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-trust-maintenance-fee-calculated-in-this-scenario/1022877)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2025, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-trust-maintenance-fee-calculated-in-this-scenario/1022877 "2025-09-09T09:08:49Z")
If a treasury bond is placed in a trust, and the trust charges a maintenance fee based on a percentage of assets, which asset is the fee based on? The value of the bond? The earned interest after taxes? The earned inter… --- ## [So did Nebraska systematically spoof its COVID numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-nebraska-systematically-spoof-its-covid-numbers/1022819)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2025, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-nebraska-systematically-spoof-its-covid-numbers/1022819 "2025-09-09T04:44:42Z")
I was just reading this paper and there are several references to Nebraska as an outlier in its COVID death rate: We also conducted robustness checks where we exclude the state of Nebraska, as there appear to be incons… --- ## [Any clue what a passing score is on the ASCP Phlebotomy Test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-clue-what-a-passing-score-is-on-the-ascp-phlebotomy-test/537065)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-clue-what-a-passing-score-is-on-the-ascp-phlebotomy-test/537065 "2025-09-08T16:19:27Z")
My wife has taken the pre-test for this: http://www.ascp.org/pdf/ExaminationContentGuidelinesPBT.aspx She got 76% of the questions right. Her instructors in phlebotomy never told her what the passing % is. It’s nowhe… --- ## [Another "identify that carnival ride" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-identify-that-carnival-ride-question/1021671)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-identify-that-carnival-ride-question/1021671 "2025-09-08T02:34:36Z")
Prompted by this question, What is this carnival attraction called?: I’m thinking of a ride I was on in the mid-1970s. Passengers sit inside small barrels (big enough for three or four kids sitting inside, on a circul… --- ## [Facebook Messenger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger/1022785)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-messenger/1022785 "2025-09-07T01:30:21Z")
I was able to delete the FB Messenger App on my iPhone. Can I delete FB Messenger on my PC? If so how? Thx --- ## [Do we have the technology, and the time, to send a probe to the interstellar object](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-the-technology-and-the-time-to-send-a-probe-to-the-interstellar-object/1022692)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-the-technology-and-the-time-to-send-a-probe-to-the-interstellar-object/1022692 "2025-09-06T19:52:55Z")
Suppose there was a nonzero chance, backed up by scientific evidence, that this 31/Atlas was an alien spacecraft. If so, would we have enough time, and technology, to get a probe to it to take pictures and gather other d… --- ## [Could a modern fighter takeoff vertically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-modern-fighter-takeoff-vertically/1022771)
**Author:** [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-modern-fighter-takeoff-vertically/1022771 "2025-09-06T18:05:39Z")
If you could stand modern fighters (F-35, F-16, F-22, Sukhoi Su-57, etc.) on it’s tail, could it take-off vertically? I’m thinking no. It would just fall over. Or dance across the runway. You would have to support i… --- ## [National Guard in cities: what instructions do troops get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725 "2025-09-06T17:38:12Z")
They’re supposed to walk around (with loaded rifles?). What else are they told to do, if anything? What are they told they’re authorized to do? If someone throws something at them, have they been told how they’re allowed… --- ## [Another polygon question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750 "2025-09-06T17:17:15Z")
Many of the smaller common and even not so common polygons have (Greek?) names that describe them. But if you “invent” a new polygon do you get to name it? Obviously you don’t really invent a polygon since all of them ex… --- ## [How are some foods able to give me diarrhea so quickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-some-foods-able-to-give-me-diarrhea-so-quickly/157973)
**Author:** [@Talking\_Meat\_Puppet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talking_Meat_Puppet)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-some-foods-able-to-give-me-diarrhea-so-quickly/157973 "2025-09-06T11:27:29Z")
First post here, and it’s a juicy one. OK, so I have noticed a trend. When I eat at Chinese Buffet, I get bad diarrhea about 20 minutes after the meal is over. At Mongolian BBQ, I get bad diarrhea about 45 minutes aft… --- ## [US Passport Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passport-questions/509435)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passport-questions/509435 "2025-09-06T11:26:15Z")
I will be using my passport this winter, and on checking it I see that it will expire 10/2010. I have a few questions that perusal of the various passport web pages have not answered. When my passport is scrutinized b… --- ## [Ending sentences with 'yet'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-sentences-with-yet/955226)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-sentences-with-yet/955226 "2025-09-06T03:50:28Z")
The guy who gives traffic reports on our local NPR affiliate seems to end every other sentence with ‘yet’, or include it in his sentences. ‘Traffic is slow getting into Seattle yet, due to wet roads.’ ‘There’s a collis… --- ## [Counting years that don’t start on January 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-years-that-don-t-start-on-january-1/1022537)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-years-that-don-t-start-on-january-1/1022537 "2025-09-05T20:46:14Z")
In some formal contexts, it is common to refer to dates not only by the Gregorian calendar but also by a count of years starting from a certain event. For instance, American presidential proclamations are dated by the ye… --- ## [Question about new home solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-new-home-solar-system/1019164)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-new-home-solar-system/1019164 "2025-09-05T19:14:12Z")
We are getting a solar system installed on our new house. 9000kwh. It’s not a battery system, it feeds it back into the grid and we get credits. Should bring our electric bill down to nothing. Each panel has it’s own in… --- ## [Do we know all the rocks there are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-all-the-rocks-there-are/1018569)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-all-the-rocks-there-are/1018569 "2025-09-05T10:43:30Z")
What’s the most recent new type of rock that was discovered? Are there types of rocks out there waiting to be discovered, whether on Earth or elsewhere? Could any of them have exotic or useful properties? Are there theor… --- ## [US losing population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-losing-population/1017904)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-losing-population/1017904 "2025-09-05T02:20:42Z")
Any demographers out there? How likely it is that the US will lose population this year? Next year I’m pretty sure the population will go down, but I’m not so sure about this year. Explanation time: here’s the Worldomet… --- ## [Fitness rebounders/mini trampolines springs vs bungee cords](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-rebounders-mini-trampolines-springs-vs-bungee-cords/1022763)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-rebounders-mini-trampolines-springs-vs-bungee-cords/1022763 "2025-09-05T01:10:59Z")
TLDR: 2 manufacturers claim springs are better for anyone worried about their (old) joints, while AI search and everyone else thinks bungee cords are better (lower impact). How does the claimed science (linked) stand up? … --- ## [Irish pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-pronunciation/1020115)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-pronunciation/1020115 "2025-09-04T22:38:13Z")
It’s no secret that we Americans can have difficulty pronouncing some Irish names. I just saw a list of Irish names and their pronunciations and I noted that Caoimhe is pronounced Kee-va, Meabh is Mayv, Naomh is Neev, Si… --- ## [Help with astrophotography telescope problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-astrophotography-telescope-problem/1022693)
**Author:** [@Vlad\_Igor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Igor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-astrophotography-telescope-problem/1022693 "2025-09-04T21:02:35Z")
So, I have an older Nikon D5700 and bought a t-mount (no lens, just an attachment ring and tube) to take pictures with it through my Celestron NexStar 130SLT telescope. I’d be happy with photos of recognizable celestial … --- ## [How do medevac helicopters work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-medevac-helicopters-work/1021728)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-medevac-helicopters-work/1021728 "2025-09-04T05:55:03Z")
Children’s Hospital in Oakland has a rooftop helicopter pad, and occasionally copters arrive there. It’s a mystery how the system could work. Firstly, the scene of the car crash. Who decides to call in a copter, instead… --- ## [Crash tests with humans: what's the record for g's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722 "2025-09-03T20:41:54Z")
The Wikipedia article on John Paul Stapp says he has the record, 46 g, but maybe that’s just the record for facing forward? The question arises looking at Aviation Week 2 June 1958 p23, which says “an Air Force captain” … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=32)