# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=358 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 359 --- ## ["Impossible Bottle." How is it made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-bottle-how-is-it-made/854385)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-bottle-how-is-it-made/854385 "2020-05-29T03:02:50Z")
There’s a guy in the UK who sells (what he calls) “Impossible Bottles.” The bottle contains a deck of cards, or a padlock and a deck of cards. Here is a video of it. The mystery is how he inserts the objects into the bot… --- ## [Did "New World" foods cause any widespread GI issues after global distribution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-new-world-foods-cause-any-widespread-gi-issues-after-global-distribution/854322)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-new-world-foods-cause-any-widespread-gi-issues-after-global-distribution/854322 "2020-05-28T18:17:26Z")
Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, corn, cocoa, etc. are now staples of cuisine all over the world. But these foods were unknown to the rest of the world prior to the “discovery” of North and South America. I would expect th… --- ## [How can I prove silver without a hallmark is pure silver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-prove-silver-without-a-hallmark-is-pure-silver/671706)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-prove-silver-without-a-hallmark-is-pure-silver/671706 "2013-10-25T00:49:00Z")
This is probably the best deal on silver anywhere: http://www.providentmetals.com/500-troy-ounces-999-fine-silver-shot.html However, they don’t recommend it as an investment because it isn’t hallmarked. But, i think i… --- ## [What does a Keurig do differently when you press the "strong" button?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-keurig-do-differently-when-you-press-the-strong-button/854431)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-keurig-do-differently-when-you-press-the-strong-button/854431 "2020-05-28T15:43:35Z")
So, I’ve had one of these for a couple of years, and I always press the “strong” button, and it does taste pretty strong. Not as strong as an auto drip when I load the filter, but strong enough. The only thing I can thin… --- ## [Home central air conditioner: Return path?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-central-air-conditioner-return-path/854479)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-central-air-conditioner-return-path/854479 "2020-05-28T15:31:00Z")
I just turned on the central AC at my apartment for the first time since moving in, and it’s not very cold. Someone is coming to take a look soon, but in the meantime, I’m just trying to understand their design and how t… --- ## [CBD Oil - Cannabidiol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbd-oil-cannabidiol/825793)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbd-oil-cannabidiol/825793 "2018-12-10T10:24:21Z")
Apparently while I wasn’t looking the state of Indiana legalized the sale of cannabidiol a.k.a. CBD oil. Near as I can tell, this is not legal on the Federal level. For those few of you who may not know, this is an oil… --- ## [List of countries where China has heavily invested and holds political clout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-countries-where-china-has-heavily-invested-and-holds-political-clout/854591)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-countries-where-china-has-heavily-invested-and-holds-political-clout/854591 "2020-05-28T14:33:11Z")
I was googling the subject but came up with very little. Is there such a list readily available? --- ## [Question about an Ant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-ant/854603)
**Author:** [@Mr.Bobcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Bobcat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-an-ant/854603 "2020-05-28T14:32:42Z")
I noticed these tiny ants in my house. They are so small you can hardly see them, they are super fast. They can see you when you try to kill them with your finger, they dodge your finger. When I kill them they smell li… --- ## [Do Spanish speakers do anything to Spanish words to make them sound more English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-spanish-speakers-do-anything-to-spanish-words-to-make-them-sound-more-english/854073)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-spanish-speakers-do-anything-to-spanish-words-to-make-them-sound-more-english/854073 "2020-05-28T14:25:01Z")
I’m thinking of the opposite of what is common in English to make words sound more Spanish. Usually, this is done by adding an “o” to the end of a word or prefixing the word with an “el” or “la”. Among Spanish speakers,… --- ## [Can I back up AutoCAD from a 32 bit version of Windows 10 and restore it to a 64 bit version?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-back-up-autocad-from-a-32-bit-version-of-windows-10-and-restore-it-to-a-64-bit-version/854477)
**Author:** [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-back-up-autocad-from-a-32-bit-version-of-windows-10-and-restore-it-to-a-64-bit-version/854477 "2020-05-28T12:42:49Z")
I have an old copy of AutoCAD that I would like to run again. It works fine on the 32 bit version of windows. But - we are all moving to 64 bit versions of windows - and beyond. So, I am thinking I could backup my Aut… --- ## [Can ISS (space station) operate with nobody on board?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-iss-space-station-operate-with-nobody-on-board/854575)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-iss-space-station-operate-with-nobody-on-board/854575 "2020-05-28T12:18:57Z")
In the remote case someone got CV up there would they bring everyone back? Or do they have to leave 1 person there at all times? --- ## ["997 American soldiers died fighting in Vietnam on their first day in the country"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/997-american-soldiers-died-fighting-in-vietnam-on-their-first-day-in-the-country/854550)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/997-american-soldiers-died-fighting-in-vietnam-on-their-first-day-in-the-country/854550 "2020-05-28T09:49:08Z")
Saw this on the internet (so it must be true!), but is this even possible? Were soldiers sent in harm’s way on day one? It doesn’t say they were killed in combat with the VC, maybe it was a helicopter crash or even a jee… --- ## [Does GPS speed takes altitude into account and finding the slope of a hill ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-gps-speed-takes-altitude-into-account-and-finding-the-slope-of-a-hill/854446)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-gps-speed-takes-altitude-into-account-and-finding-the-slope-of-a-hill/854446 "2020-05-28T09:28:18Z")
I have seen the car speedometer and the GPS speed (Waze) differ when going up or down a steep hill. Is this real ? If it’s real, can you estimate the slope of a straight road that goes up a hill by : Theta (angle of in… --- ## [Aviation Inquiry: Pilot and Co-pilot Required?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aviation-inquiry-pilot-and-co-pilot-required/854542)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aviation-inquiry-pilot-and-co-pilot-required/854542 "2020-05-28T02:18:37Z")
A good friend is a small aircraft pilot. Small aircraft are commonly piloted by one person with no co-pilot. We got into a discussion about business jets. During the discussion I offered the opinion that if I owned a Gul… --- ## [Household radiator boiler controls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-radiator-boiler-controls/854463)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/household-radiator-boiler-controls/854463 "2020-05-28T01:09:20Z")
I had to have a new boiler installed this past winter. It was expensive but I’m glad it’s out of the way. However, now that warm weather has arrived, there’s a problem. The boiler keeps kicking on\*, even thought the u… --- ## [What percentage of a man's genes comes from each grandparent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-a-mans-genes-comes-from-each-grandparent/854510)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-a-mans-genes-comes-from-each-grandparent/854510 "2020-05-27T23:58:37Z")
Especially the ones which could influence the mind, personality. Do I understand correctly that a man would have no X chromosome elements from his paternal grandmother? --- ## [What happens to the second stage in a Falcon 9 crewed launch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-second-stage-in-a-falcon-9-crewed-launch/854522)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-second-stage-in-a-falcon-9-crewed-launch/854522 "2020-05-27T22:53:43Z")
I assume it burns up, but I’m having trouble finding the information. I know at one time they looked into returning that as well as the first stage for reuse, but I think they gave up on it. So, my assumption is that i… --- ## [Grammar question about possessives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-about-possessives/854499)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-about-possessives/854499 "2020-05-27T22:50:25Z")
I just came across this caption (more or less) in an Atlantic Magazine article about Philip Roth: A sketch drawn by a friend of the artist’s It’s hard to believe such an august publication would let a blatant error sli… --- ## [Can a 1 amp trickle charger fully charge a car battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-1-amp-trickle-charger-fully-charge-a-car-battery/854560)
**Author:** [@Squallous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squallous)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-1-amp-trickle-charger-fully-charge-a-car-battery/854560 "2020-05-27T21:39:25Z")
Presuming that the car battery is otherwise good, functional, holds a charge, etc. , in theory a 1 amp trickle charger (battery tender, drip charger) intended for a motorcycle battery should be able to fully charge a car… --- ## [Graduating high school a year early?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduating-high-school-a-year-early/854543)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graduating-high-school-a-year-early/854543 "2020-05-27T21:02:14Z")
I see some top BB recruits graduate HS a year early. How does that happen? Extra classes online? I can see graduating in Dec. if the school uses the block system where each class is 1 semester. But 2 semeste… --- ## [Is there a educational foundation that supports independent online educational creators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-educational-foundation-that-supports-independent-online-educational-creators/854564)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-educational-foundation-that-supports-independent-online-educational-creators/854564 "2020-05-27T20:38:04Z")
I watch a lot of educational videos on YouTube, and the people that can afford to run their channels full-time without another job to support themselves have a variety of sources of income, such as money directly from Yo… --- ## [NASA: what's the difference between launch suits and EVA suits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-whats-the-difference-between-launch-suits-and-eva-suits/854546)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-whats-the-difference-between-launch-suits-and-eva-suits/854546 "2020-05-27T19:33:05Z")
If the weather holds, this afternoon we’ll be launching astronauts from Florida for the first time since 2011. I saw on the news last week that they’ll be wearing spiffy new suits for the launch. Which got me to wonder… --- ## [Why do baby animals & young humans eventually stop engaging in rough play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-baby-animals-young-humans-eventually-stop-engaging-in-rough-play/854529)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-baby-animals-young-humans-eventually-stop-engaging-in-rough-play/854529 "2020-05-27T19:04:48Z")
A friend online has a pair of 6-week-old kittens that she’s been fostering since birth and has decided to adopt with their mom. She posts a lot of videos of the kittens and they pounce on each other and wrestle a lot, to… --- ## [How often do people who renounced their U.S. citizenship get their visitor visas rejected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-people-who-renounced-their-u-s-citizenship-get-their-visitor-visas-rejected/853884)
**Author:** [@greenpurple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenpurple)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-people-who-renounced-their-u-s-citizenship-get-their-visitor-visas-rejected/853884 "2020-05-27T17:23:04Z")
As a form of retaliation and especially when it’s perceived that the renunciation was done for tax reasons. --- ## [Passenger ship terminal buildings....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-ship-terminal-buildings/854292)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passenger-ship-terminal-buildings/854292 "2020-05-27T15:54:33Z")
During the heyday of trans-Atlantic ocean crossings, many shipping lines had their own piers in New York. With the exception of the Chelsea Piers (which gradually became obsolete when they couldn’t hold the new, longer … --- ## [question about the CARES act and unemployment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-cares-act-and-unemployment/854526)
**Author:** [@cmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmore)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-cares-act-and-unemployment/854526 "2020-05-27T15:48:45Z")
the determination for eligibility for help from the PUA (pandemic unemployment assistance) in my state does not include situations explained in info I’m finding on the DOL’s (dept of labor) website. specifically this - … --- ## [How important is an accurate family medical history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-an-accurate-family-medical-history/854213)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-an-accurate-family-medical-history/854213 "2020-05-27T15:46:57Z")
I know a couple that have a child. The child is only biologically related to one of them. They do not plan on telling the child that. When the child grows up and lists family medical history, they will provide inaccurate… --- ## [Would electric dog/cat nail trimmers work on parakeet talons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-electric-dog-cat-nail-trimmers-work-on-parakeet-talons/854216)
**Author:** [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-electric-dog-cat-nail-trimmers-work-on-parakeet-talons/854216 "2020-05-27T15:30:02Z")
Buying a gift for a friend, and want to make sure it’ll work before purchasing. Thanks. --- ## [Unemployment fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-fraud/854108)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-fraud/854108 "2020-05-27T13:30:30Z")
Yesterday I received a letter from the Employment Security Department (‘unemployment office’) with information about my claim. Since I never made a claim, I went to the ESD website and filed a fraud report. Don’t you n… --- ## [Do kitty cats control purring or is it involuntary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kitty-cats-control-purring-or-is-it-involuntary/854476)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2020, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-kitty-cats-control-purring-or-is-it-involuntary/854476 "2020-05-27T11:47:13Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m sitting here petting our kitty as he’s purring away. I’m just wondering, Is his purring something he consciously controls or is it involuntary? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=357) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=359)