# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=499 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 500 --- ## [Immigration from the isles of Langerhans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-from-the-isles-of-langerhans/827838)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-from-the-isles-of-langerhans/827838 "2019-01-18T22:50:52Z")
\, made me wonder just how big the Ku Klux Klan is nowadays anyway. I learned the SPLC says it has 5000-8000 members. That’s about 0.0002% of the U.S. population. It crossed my mind that you could prob… --- ## [Bringing peanuts on an airplane and personal liability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-peanuts-on-an-airplane-and-personal-liability/827759)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-peanuts-on-an-airplane-and-personal-liability/827759 "2019-01-18T19:58:12Z")
Suppose I bring a bag of Planters Peanuts on a plane with me, and someone has an allergic reaction and dies. Can I be held responsible? (Of course, this could apply on any form of public transportation - train, bus, ferr… --- ## [How do financial traders take vacations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-financial-traders-take-vacations/827887)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-financial-traders-take-vacations/827887 "2019-01-18T17:37:18Z")
Bloomberg has a story of a trader who lost $80M while on Christmas vacation and hasn’t been back to work since. Which makes me wonder what the typical protocol is for traders when they take vacation. The possibilities I… --- ## [Phone getting hot = bad battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-getting-hot-bad-battery/827953)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-getting-hot-bad-battery/827953 "2019-01-18T16:03:29Z")
So, I have a 2 1/2 year old android - Galaxy Samsung 7. It gets hot (in a non-predictable way), and it gets slow - usually when it’s hot. A phone repair shop owner (where I was checking out for potential cases) said th… --- ## [Help Safely Insulating Cat Nook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-safely-insulating-cat-nook/827570)
**Author:** [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-safely-insulating-cat-nook/827570 "2019-01-18T14:14:28Z")
Hope someone can help, or has better suggestions. There’s an open square concrete nook under the stairs by my house, about 4’ on all sides and 3’ off the ground. We leave food in there daily for the poor feral cats. W… --- ## [Scannable Morse Code Circles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scannable-morse-code-circles/827789)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scannable-morse-code-circles/827789 "2019-01-18T14:07:28Z")
As you may have noticed from my avatar, I’m a bit into QR codes. Recently here in Beijing, a type I’ve never seen before has been popping up at many stores. It looks like straight lines of Morse code (- – - – --, for exa… --- ## [Geographical origins of fruit and vegetables](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-origins-of-fruit-and-vegetables/827851)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geographical-origins-of-fruit-and-vegetables/827851 "2019-01-18T09:15:09Z")
I read a while back that the apple originated in the mountains of Central Asia, which is where its wild ancestor grows. With the wide variety of European-grown apples today, and the mental image of medieval monks brewing… --- ## [If we can't go to other solar systems, can we bring them to us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-cant-go-to-other-solar-systems-can-we-bring-them-to-us/827843)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-cant-go-to-other-solar-systems-can-we-bring-them-to-us/827843 "2019-01-18T04:38:05Z")
Of course I don’t mean literally put an exoplanet in orbit around Earth, what I mean is, what are the theoretical limits on how much we can learn about exoplanets from the comfort of Earth or near Earth orbit? Right now … --- ## [Dark Matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter/827910)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-matter/827910 "2019-01-18T03:24:18Z")
Based on the science shows I watch, it seems that most contemporary astronomers believe that dark matter exists. The current estimate is that there is over 5 times more dark matter than regular matter in the universe. … --- ## [Cedar fence question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cedar-fence-question/827899)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cedar-fence-question/827899 "2019-01-18T01:54:26Z")
I am building a cedar fence. After a few years, these fences become battered by weather and the UV rays of the sun. I doubt that there is any finish which will provide more than a temporary protection from these processe… --- ## [What was South Asian cuisine like before the Columbian Exchange ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-south-asian-cuisine-like-before-the-columbian-exchange/827721)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-south-asian-cuisine-like-before-the-columbian-exchange/827721 "2019-01-17T23:58:26Z")
Peppers are such a key ingredient in South Asian cuisine. But peppers came from the New World in the Columbian Exchange. So what was South Asian cuisine like before peppers arrived? --- ## [Performance metrics for toll collectors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/performance-metrics-for-toll-collectors/827805)
**Author:** [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/performance-metrics-for-toll-collectors/827805 "2019-01-17T23:35:20Z")
I was wondering what, if any, the performance metrics for toll collectors are. I mean, how can performance be measured, other than if it is particularly poor? --- ## [How Many Years Do Postal Stamps Stay Sticky?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-years-do-postal-stamps-stay-sticky/827942)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-years-do-postal-stamps-stay-sticky/827942 "2019-01-17T22:33:16Z")
I am thinking of stocking up on forever postage stamps before the rate increase but don’t want to end up having to stick stamps on envelopes with glue. --- ## [Cat worming tablets - alternatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914)
**Author:** [@Sstylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sstylon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-worming-tablets-alternatives/827914 "2019-01-17T22:03:19Z")
After giving those to my 6 today - there is no way I am ever going to do it again. Who in their right mind thought of those tablets? The size of them, the way cats hate it? Surely there has to be some other way of worm… --- ## [How does Trump run his Facebook page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-trump-run-his-facebook-page/827943)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-trump-run-his-facebook-page/827943 "2019-01-17T22:02:00Z")
Hoping this is kept non-political; it’s GQ: With his Twitter, it’s a piece of cake, he just pulls his phone out and tweets. But his official Facebook page (the one with 25 million followers) is another level of complexi… --- ## [Why did they set up a mini-TSA check point at my gate after we already went through the TSA check?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-set-up-a-mini-tsa-check-point-at-my-gate-after-we-already-went-through-the-tsa-check/827756)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-set-up-a-mini-tsa-check-point-at-my-gate-after-we-already-went-through-the-tsa-check/827756 "2019-01-17T20:03:54Z")
Flying out of O’Hare this past weekend. Arrive to the gate to be told that they were moving the gate down a few. Okay, no problems. Happens all the time. Then things were delayed and they said something about a medical … --- ## [Are federal courts operating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-federal-courts-operating/827245)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-federal-courts-operating/827245 "2019-01-17T18:36:55Z")
Are federal courts operating? In November, my wife was notified of federal jury duty for the 2nd half of January. Assuming the Trump impasse is not resolved, will she serve? --- ## [Ways to be energetic on low-cal diet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-be-energetic-on-low-cal-diet/827936)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-be-energetic-on-low-cal-diet/827936 "2019-01-17T17:50:01Z")
If I’m trying to lose fat–i.e. consume fewer calories than I burn–but (naturally) feel less energetic and more lazy because my body is no longer telling me “Oh boy, food!!! Let’s go burn this s\*\*\* off!!!”, what are some … --- ## [What's a good method for getting a lingering garlic aftertaste out of your mouth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-method-for-getting-a-lingering-garlic-aftertaste-out-of-your-mouth/827892)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-method-for-getting-a-lingering-garlic-aftertaste-out-of-your-mouth/827892 "2019-01-17T15:06:33Z")
Monday evening, I made a pasta sauce with garlic in it for my spaghetti dinner. The middle of the night, as I was sleeping, I felt that dead-animal taste slowly creep into my mouth. By the time I woke up, it was unbeara… --- ## [Anti-inflammatories: cures or suppressants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-inflammatories-cures-or-suppressants/805396)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-inflammatories-cures-or-suppressants/805396 "2017-12-27T21:41:00Z")
Not sure if this is GQ or IMHO - it’s a technical question that probably has a definitive answer, but it relates to an actual situation. Which is that a few weeks ago I gradually developed some sort of ongoing pain in m… --- ## [Corn Stove Carbon Monoxide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-stove-carbon-monoxide/478937)
**Author:** [@Madgolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madgolf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corn-stove-carbon-monoxide/478937 "2008-12-28T12:22:58Z")
When burnt in a fireplace, why do many other common natural grown things emit carbon monoxide but corn does not? What is the kicker component for releasing monoxide versus dioxide that corn kernels lack? I know corn rel… --- ## [Can a billionaire buy land in Canada or Greenland and from his own country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-billionaire-buy-land-in-canada-or-greenland-and-from-his-own-country/827230)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Erudite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Erudite)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-billionaire-buy-land-in-canada-or-greenland-and-from-his-own-country/827230 "2019-01-17T09:14:07Z")
Can a billionaire buy land in Canada or Greenland and from his own country? --- ## [Asleep with eyes open](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asleep-with-eyes-open/827777)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asleep-with-eyes-open/827777 "2019-01-17T08:27:43Z")
Dogs and cats sleep with their eyes open. Why don’t humans? --- ## [Funding for government operations outside the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funding-for-government-operations-outside-the-us/827897)
**Author:** [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funding-for-government-operations-outside-the-us/827897 "2019-01-17T06:54:33Z")
Is the current US federal government shutdown a unique feature or do other countries also lack temporary funding measures to cover situations where a budget is not passed on schedule? I know the Canadian standard proced… --- ## [Has TSA screening at US airports stopped a single terroristic plot since its establishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tsa-screening-at-us-airports-stopped-a-single-terroristic-plot-since-its-establishment/827429)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-tsa-screening-at-us-airports-stopped-a-single-terroristic-plot-since-its-establishment/827429 "2019-01-17T00:37:22Z")
As asked in the thread title? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk --- ## [Ants, round six and they keep coming back.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-round-six-and-they-keep-coming-back/827319)
**Author:** [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-round-six-and-they-keep-coming-back/827319 "2019-01-16T22:14:10Z")
Sometime around mid or late November I noticed ants in one of our basement bathrooms. Not many, but within a couple of days they started to increase. Though a first time for this room, we had numerous, frustrating issu… --- ## [Help me identify this car (old roadster with three windshield wipers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-car-old-roadster-with-three-windshield-wipers/827837)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-car-old-roadster-with-three-windshield-wipers/827837 "2019-01-16T17:21:46Z")
Sean Connery in a Japanese TV commercial for tires, driving what looks like a 1930s or 40s era roadster, not unlike a Bugatti or Mercedes of that time period…along with this classic body shape it’s also distinguished by … --- ## [Furloughed workers and no second jobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furloughed-workers-and-no-second-jobs/827587)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furloughed-workers-and-no-second-jobs/827587 "2019-01-16T14:32:49Z")
Apparently, furloughed federal workers are not permitted to get outside employment while they are not getting paid. What is the logic behind the rule? Potential conflict of interest? Are the rule-enforcers also furloughe… --- ## [Changing a tire on a locked car.....Alarm question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-tire-on-a-locked-car-alarm-question/827795)
**Author:** [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-a-tire-on-a-locked-car-alarm-question/827795 "2019-01-16T14:07:49Z")
I need to change a tire for a lady friend while her car is at work. 2010 Nissan Maxima. I read something about some cars having “shock sensors” to prevent easy theft. This car may not be new enough for that, not sure. … --- ## [Why no diacriticals in English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-diacriticals-in-english/827696)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-diacriticals-in-english/827696 "2019-01-16T05:52:58Z")
Accent marks for the uninitiated. Almost every language that uses the Roman alphabet has diacriticals on at least some of the vowels to help guide you in the pronunciation. French and Spanish, a lot closer to Latin tha… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=498) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=500)