# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=665 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 666 --- ## [Straight Dope Guru needed - I need input on contrversial drug treatment issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-guru-needed-i-need-input-on-contrversial-drug-treatment-issues/798537)
**Author:** [@dirt\_road\_diva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirt_road_diva)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-guru-needed-i-need-input-on-contrversial-drug-treatment-issues/798537 "2017-10-11T23:25:02Z")
I am at the end of my Certified Addiction Counseling course and have to come up with a controversial issue related to drug abuse TREATMENT for a final paper. I am so burnt out from work, school, and family…my creative si… --- ## [Jonas Salk, Polio and Submicroscopic Objects.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jonas-salk-polio-and-submicroscopic-objects/798549)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jonas-salk-polio-and-submicroscopic-objects/798549 "2017-10-11T23:11:31Z")
This question may sound silly, or at least redundant. But how on earth did Jonas Salk discover the Polio vaccine in the 1950’s? Viruses are Submicroscopic. So you certainly can’t see them, at least with an ordinary micr… --- ## [Did Loyalists ever tar and feather patriots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-loyalists-ever-tar-and-feather-patriots/798504)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-loyalists-ever-tar-and-feather-patriots/798504 "2017-10-11T22:59:57Z")
Hi Did Loyalists ever tar and feather patriots? I haven’t read of any cases of it. If the loyalists never engaged in it, why not? I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Utensils vs cutlery - Need some clarifications.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utensils-vs-cutlery-need-some-clarifications/798287)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utensils-vs-cutlery-need-some-clarifications/798287 "2017-10-11T22:30:17Z")
Today during dinner with friends, we were eating at a restaurant. The waiter forgot to give us knives and forks so I asked for some ‘utensils’. My friend corrected me and said it should be cutlery and I had used the wr… --- ## [USPS returning mail addressed "Heirs of (so and so)". Is it a coincidence or rule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-returning-mail-addressed-heirs-of-so-and-so-is-it-a-coincidence-or-rule/798597)
**Author:** [@juntjoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/juntjoo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-returning-mail-addressed-heirs-of-so-and-so-is-it-a-coincidence-or-rule/798597 "2017-10-11T21:39:59Z")
I haven’t paid enough attention to notice if it is every single mail piece(small business marketing) I mail out that is addressed this way but I suspect it is. Anyone know the rules for the recipient? I know I can mail… --- ## [Lovers and losers- Is this a scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-and-losers-is-this-a-scam/751879)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovers-and-losers-is-this-a-scam/751879 "2017-10-11T21:19:18Z")
A local radio station often plays an ad saying that you can win a free stay at the Plaza hotel in Las Vegas, and free tickets to see the Lovers or Losers game show, but it requires a $150 deposit which will be refunded w… --- ## [How did Kabocha Squash get to Cambodia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-kabocha-squash-get-to-cambodia/798438)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-kabocha-squash-get-to-cambodia/798438 "2017-10-11T21:08:03Z")
While recently googling the history of Kabocha Squash (because what else are you going to do on a Monday night? :slight\_smile: ) I came across this fact: In classic Wikipedia style this misses the most important det… --- ## [Controversial Dove ad in its entirety?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-dove-ad-in-its-entirety/798360)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-dove-ad-in-its-entirety/798360 "2017-10-11T18:48:48Z")
Dove’s Facebook ad showing a black woman transforming into a white woman has generated a lot of criticism and comment. Some comments state that the ad goes on to show an Asian woman, presumably whom the white woman turns… --- ## [Apple Music, iTunes Match? Something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-music-itunes-match-something-else/798563)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-music-itunes-match-something-else/798563 "2017-10-11T18:29:18Z")
Right now I can listen to anything on my iPhone that I’ve purchased from the iTunes Store without downloading it or syncing it. It would be nice to have my entire 10,000 track iTunes database available in this way. BUT… --- ## [Reconciling the age of the universe to time being relative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-the-age-of-the-universe-to-time-being-relative/797476)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-the-age-of-the-universe-to-time-being-relative/797476 "2017-10-11T16:53:01Z")
I’m sure some version of this question has been asked on these boards, but here it goes… I’m having trouble reconciling two theories in physics that most experts appear to agree on, at least according to the PBS Space T… --- ## [If not Columbus, who?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-columbus-who/798484)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-columbus-who/798484 "2017-10-11T15:11:34Z")
Ok, lets say for some reason Christopher Columbus had not “discovered” America. How long would it have been before someone else had? With all the groups who had already been here (Vikings, Welsh, Africans, Chinese, oth… --- ## [How far is that from me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-is-that-from-me/798427)
**Author:** [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-is-that-from-me/798427 "2017-10-11T12:09:28Z")
Is there a way to find out how far, as the crow fly’s, some place is from me? Google Maps seems to only shows driving distance. No point to point distance. Thanks:) --- ## [A question about DNA and genes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-dna-and-genes/798524)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-dna-and-genes/798524 "2017-10-11T05:51:49Z")
So I’ve looked at a number of sites about this but I can’t find an answer to this. I’ve learned that a gene is a part of DNA, but what I can’t determine is if there is a fixed unit of DNA (eg all DNA “units” comprise 24 … --- ## [Domesticating large wild cats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domesticating-large-wild-cats/797969)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domesticating-large-wild-cats/797969 "2017-10-11T05:17:20Z")
I have been wondering if any researchers have done a Bobcat/Lynx/Cougar etc counterpart to the Russian fox domestication study conducted post-WWII. In this study, Russian geneticist Dmitry K. Belyaev led a selective bre… --- ## [Yes or no? If a person is coughing, that means they are NOT choking.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-or-no-if-a-person-is-coughing-that-means-they-are-not-choking/798348)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-or-no-if-a-person-is-coughing-that-means-they-are-not-choking/798348 "2017-10-11T05:09:09Z")
Got into an argument with someone earlier…which lead me to getting into another argument with someone afterwards about the same thing. Put simply: If a person is able to cough, that means that are, for sure–100 percent–… --- ## [What's that indentation in your lower neck called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-indentation-in-your-lower-neck-called/76706)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-that-indentation-in-your-lower-neck-called/76706 "2017-10-11T04:19:17Z")
That spot right above where your collar bones and sternum come together, what is that called? --- ## [1) Legal weapons in US states ca. 1790? 2) Which arms were possessed by the Army but not citizens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-legal-weapons-in-us-states-ca-1790-2-which-arms-were-possessed-by-the-army-but-not-citizens/798487)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-legal-weapons-in-us-states-ca-1790-2-which-arms-were-possessed-by-the-army-but-not-citizens/798487 "2017-10-11T04:04:40Z")
See queries. Re query 1: Admittedly, jurisprudence after Sept. 25, 1789 was not advanced in dealing with these Federal issues, but by then even the states and their respective militias would have a long legal case-law … --- ## [Foundling birth certificates (Ontario, Canada)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundling-birth-certificates-ontario-canada/797181)
**Author:** [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foundling-birth-certificates-ontario-canada/797181 "2017-10-11T01:50:00Z")
In Ontario, if a baby is abandoned, their parents can’t be determined, and they’re made a crown ward, what is written in their registration of birth (and on their birth certificate) as far as who their parents are and wh… --- ## [The Spanish Spoken On Univision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spanish-spoken-on-univision/798162)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spanish-spoken-on-univision/798162 "2017-10-11T01:40:53Z")
Univision is headquartered in New York, where the majority of the Spanish-speaking population is of Puerto Rican descent. Similarly, it has production facilities in the Miami area, where Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominica… --- ## [Can oil prevent static?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-oil-prevent-static/798528)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-oil-prevent-static/798528 "2017-10-11T01:25:58Z")
I know water prevents static, but if I were to rub oil into the inside of a hat, would it prevent static? Static as in static electricity, static shocks, static charges, static cling and etc. --- ## [A real estate question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-estate-question/798344)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-real-estate-question/798344 "2017-10-11T01:09:14Z")
I’m googling as you read this, and we will consult our realtor and lawyer too. Just hoping for answers from you as well. We put an offer on a house. In doing so, we signed a realtor representation agreement with langu… --- ## [Why do we have weather that comes from different directions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-weather-that-comes-from-different-directions/798328)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-have-weather-that-comes-from-different-directions/798328 "2017-10-10T22:56:25Z")
(I am in Wisconsin, USA) When looking at the weather channel, storm systems ALWAYS come towards us in a southeastern direction. I assumed this was either because of the Earth’s rotation or the jet stream. However, all … --- ## [Well known nineteenth century scientist who lost his memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-known-nineteenth-century-scientist-who-lost-his-memory/798511)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-known-nineteenth-century-scientist-who-lost-his-memory/798511 "2017-10-10T22:06:29Z")
This is what I know of him. It was a male. He was a prominent scientist. His memory totally failed when he was still middle aged (he’d start a sentence and not know how to end it). I think his wife had to take care of… --- ## [Metallurgy and Alloys: Interstitial vs substitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metallurgy-and-alloys-interstitial-vs-substitutional/716653)
**Author:** [@dunkleosteus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dunkleosteus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metallurgy-and-alloys-interstitial-vs-substitutional/716653 "2017-10-10T21:22:38Z")
I’ve done a bit of research into alloys, how they form and what they are. I’ve come across two terms, insterstitial and substitutional, when classifying alloys. My understanding is that substitutional alloys are characte… --- ## [What do Military snipers do about smoke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-military-snipers-do-about-smoke/798428)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-military-snipers-do-about-smoke/798428 "2017-10-10T17:31:58Z")
Many reports say smoke alarms gave away the Mandalay Bay shooter’s position. I hadn’t thought about a room filling with modern gunpowder smoke. That could be a problem for military snipers. Hey! That room up there has… --- ## [Do we know what happened to man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-what-happened-to-man/798131)
**Author:** [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-what-happened-to-man/798131 "2017-10-10T16:23:16Z")
More and more news articles are pushing homo sapien’s existence further and further back in time. And it can be easily demonstrated that our advancement in the past 75-150 years are following a geometric (if not logarith… --- ## ["And if you like it, then you're really in trouble." Famous quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-if-you-like-it-then-youre-really-in-trouble-famous-quote/798497)
**Author:** [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-if-you-like-it-then-youre-really-in-trouble-famous-quote/798497 "2017-10-10T16:14:59Z")
I have a vague recollection of a comment made about some dangerous drug(s). Maybe about cocaine. The point of the comment was to discourage people from even trying the substance. It went something like this: “If it tu… --- ## [What kind of mushrooms are these?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-mushrooms-are-these/798357)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-mushrooms-are-these/798357 "2017-10-10T15:20:10Z")
These extremely large mushrooms have just popped up in my back yard in Jakarta, Indonesia. (The bill that is next to the one in the first photo is about the same size as a US dollar bill. That’s my \[adult female average … --- ## [1815--Mt Tambora Eruption & the Global Cooling--Fatalities From Famine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1815-mt-tambora-eruption-the-global-cooling-fatalities-from-famine/798403)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1815-mt-tambora-eruption-the-global-cooling-fatalities-from-famine/798403 "2017-10-10T15:14:22Z")
The 1815 volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora caused three years of global cooling, year-round Winter, & World-wide famine. How many died in that famine? --- ## [Sales tax and manufacturer's "rebates/savings"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sales-tax-and-manufacturers-rebates-savings/798485)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sales-tax-and-manufacturers-rebates-savings/798485 "2017-10-10T14:46:50Z")
I recently bought an item from CostCo’s website. The item was listed at $300, but included an “$80 manufacturer’s savings,” so the final price ends up being $220. Sort of. In the end, CostCo’s website charged me sales… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=664) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=666)