# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=697 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 698 --- ## [US Interstate mile markers, how are they determined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstate-mile-markers-how-are-they-determined/792043)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstate-mile-markers-how-are-they-determined/792043 "2017-07-28T16:16:42Z")
TLDR: how can they assign (ending) mile markers when parts of the route have not been planned? Around the turn of the century, we started to build a large highway (I-540) to loop within most of Wake County. As you can i… --- ## [Addiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addiction/790139)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/addiction/790139 "2017-07-28T14:55:29Z")
(general disclaimer: kids, don’t do drugs) Heroin is considered one of the most addictive drugs. I keep seeing info like: “The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that nearly one-fourth (23 percent) of people who… --- ## [Who was the most influential woman in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-influential-woman-in-wwii/792256)
**Author:** [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-influential-woman-in-wwii/792256 "2017-07-28T03:59:36Z")
See topic. I’ve read quite a lot of WWII history but when I thought up this question I couldn’t think of anybody. --- ## [How does artificial gravity work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-artificial-gravity-work/791942)
**Author:** [@EddieD2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddieD2017)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-artificial-gravity-work/791942 "2017-07-28T03:47:32Z")
You know how in realistic science-fiction (realistic as in obeying the accepted laws of physics), books and films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, space stations simulate gravity by rotating? Basically they are shaped lik… --- ## [Test for dog to see if they get along with cats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-for-dog-to-see-if-they-get-along-with-cats/792290)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-for-dog-to-see-if-they-get-along-with-cats/792290 "2017-07-28T03:11:48Z")
I have a 6 year old Aussie shepherd mix. He is pretty shy but likes to cuddle. Is there a way to find out if he would get along with a cat? Someone told me there is a way to test but I don’t know how to do the … --- ## ["impossible" ring puzzle in Japan: would a topologist figure it out in no time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-ring-puzzle-in-japan-would-a-topologist-figure-it-out-in-no-time/792204)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-ring-puzzle-in-japan-would-a-topologist-figure-it-out-in-no-time/792204 "2017-07-27T23:30:04Z")
The puzzle involves getting a ring on one side of a roped trestle to the other.The 10-minute vid is cute as an amateur, physicist, and one other savant take whacks at it until it is solved by a member (chief?) of the Ja… --- ## [Authority if the British Prime Minister](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-if-the-british-prime-minister/791986)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-if-the-british-prime-minister/791986 "2017-07-27T21:26:51Z")
I am reading Churchill’s History of the Second World War. While PM, he is unable to forbid the Admiralty from sending a convoy with much needed tanks to Malta on the longer journey around Cape Horn rather than across t… --- ## [Police Cams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-cams/792004)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-cams/792004 "2017-07-27T21:07:09Z")
Why do police have to turn their body cams on before an incident? Why not record the entire duty shift? I know the tech exists to allow it. Wouldn’t it make more sense to record everything an officer does? Put a butt… --- ## [Is an enlisted man allowed to defend himself against a senior officer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-enlisted-man-allowed-to-defend-himself-against-a-senior-officer/792115)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-enlisted-man-allowed-to-defend-himself-against-a-senior-officer/792115 "2017-07-27T20:44:07Z")
So this thread and this fake news story gave me a random thought. What could an enlisted soldier do if he is the victim of an unprovoked physical attack by the commander in chief, or any other senior officer? I realize… --- ## [How to get someone to burp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-someone-to-burp/159586)
**Author:** [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-someone-to-burp/159586 "2017-07-27T19:56:12Z")
My boyfriend has a strange condition that affects him every so often. There is a stabbing pain in his abdomen and a pressure in his chest. He’s been to many doctors and none of them can figure out what causes it or hav… --- ## [Diagnose my electrical problem (SOLVED)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-my-electrical-problem-solved/792282)
**Author:** [@newme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newme)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnose-my-electrical-problem-solved/792282 "2017-07-27T19:47:01Z")
I started writing this while waiting at my house, with the electrician, for the power company to pull my meter. The problem was solved before I could post this, so I will spoil the ending. This is in the US, 240/120V… --- ## [What is this sticker sheet called, so I can buy some?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-sticker-sheet-called-so-i-can-buy-some/687220)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2014, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-sticker-sheet-called-so-i-can-buy-some/687220 "2014-04-29T10:38:30Z")
I can’t find the right search terms to get Yahoo or Google to show me where to buy gloss sticker sheets with easily broken cuts on the back, spaced every inch or so. I have a client I… --- ## [How do prisoners shave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-prisoners-shave/792190)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-prisoners-shave/792190 "2017-07-27T19:04:48Z")
Hello Everyone, I was just wondering how prisoners shaved. More to the point: razors. I’m assuming that the guards don’t just hand or razors to everyone. Is each prisoner taken to the bathroom and handed a razor, wa… --- ## [Nervous Breakdowns (in teens?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nervous-breakdowns-in-teens/792269)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nervous-breakdowns-in-teens/792269 "2017-07-27T17:46:55Z")
I’ve known several people who’ve had what’s been described as nervous breakdowns while in their teens. In all the cases I’m thinking of, I’ve known them before the breakdowns and afterwards, but these are not people I’m … --- ## [Which human bred plant is the most genetically different from the original ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-human-bred-plant-is-the-most-genetically-different-from-the-original/791626)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-human-bred-plant-is-the-most-genetically-different-from-the-original/791626 "2017-07-27T17:26:39Z")
Apples, Mangoes, Rice , Corn, Pot, Pears … have all been selectively “bred” (not sure if that’s the right word in the plant context) by humans for centuries. Which plant has the most DNA different from the original plan… --- ## [Would passenger dirigibles be feasible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-passenger-dirigibles-be-feasible/574939)
**Author:** [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-passenger-dirigibles-be-feasible/574939 "2017-07-27T15:26:14Z")
The Hindenburg class zeppelin could carry 50 passengers and included a dining room, public lounge, smoking lounge, and restaurant. The Graf Zeppelin even had individual passenger cabins with restrooms and two beds. Wit… --- ## [Paying a bill without touching it??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-a-bill-without-touching-it/791327)
**Author:** [@Quarter\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quarter_Girl)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-a-bill-without-touching-it/791327 "2017-07-27T13:59:08Z")
We have a heating and air company. Here’s the deal, we had a long-time customer that would pay with a check or cash and she would always put it on a plate, even a paper plate, and hand the plate to our service tech. She … --- ## [Does a medical condition need to affect less than 50% of the population to be considered a disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-medical-condition-need-to-affect-less-than-50-of-the-population-to-be-considered-a-disease/792189)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-medical-condition-need-to-affect-less-than-50-of-the-population-to-be-considered-a-disease/792189 "2017-07-27T13:03:39Z")
I was watching a video by an anti aging researcher, he claimed getting fda support to study treatments for aging was difficult because you can’t call something a disease if it affects more than 50% of the public and sinc… --- ## [Privately Owned Dams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privately-owned-dams/792227)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/privately-owned-dams/792227 "2017-07-27T12:30:44Z")
Was listening to the radio and a story came over about this dam in Wisconsin. This guy purchased the dam from the city back in 1985. Fast forward to 2017, he is being sued left and right, he isn’t letting enough water in… --- ## [Are there any accounts of the lives of hemerodroi (day runners) in ancient Greece?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-accounts-of-the-lives-of-hemerodroi-day-runners-in-ancient-greece/791812)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-accounts-of-the-lives-of-hemerodroi-day-runners-in-ancient-greece/791812 "2017-07-27T07:41:28Z")
Hi I’m trying to find out something about the daily lives of hemerodroi/hemrodromes? in Ancient Greece.I’d prefer to focus on real people as opposed to semi-historical ones (at best) like Pheidippides. What would have b… --- ## [Are these rabbits really fighting and why do the chickens care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-rabbits-really-fighting-and-why-do-the-chickens-care/791951)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-rabbits-really-fighting-and-why-do-the-chickens-care/791951 "2017-07-27T07:18:29Z")
See subject: 2 chickens break up rabbit fight! - YouTube It reminds me a little of when the “fun police” arrive, when a third dog breaks up (by wanting to get into it) a fake wrestle of two other dogs playing. But I do… --- ## [Catamarans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catamarans/792086)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catamarans/792086 "2017-07-27T06:40:43Z")
What made modern catamarans possible? The idea was stolen from Pacific islander’s outriggers, as I understand it. The idea seems obvious. Why weren’t there large, commercial catamarans until the present era? --- ## [Is non-spaced-based GPS possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-non-spaced-based-gps-possible/792053)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-non-spaced-based-gps-possible/792053 "2017-07-27T05:25:52Z")
If we accepted some loss of accuracy and coverage, would it be possible to have GPS-positioning without making use of satellites? If so, how might such a system work? --- ## [How do women in poverty become obese?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123 "2017-07-27T04:02:14Z")
How do women in poverty afford to eat enough food to become obese? I notice that homeless people, both men and women (though mostly men) are very skinny. However, people that can barely afford to have some place to live… --- ## [QR code on phone or webpage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-on-phone-or-webpage/792110)
**Author:** [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-on-phone-or-webpage/792110 "2017-07-27T00:40:44Z")
Google has not been my friend on this. I need to access a QR code, but I can’t scan it. The reason I can’t scan it is it’s ON MY PHONE and my camera can’t scan my own screen. Is there a way to read a QR code that exists… --- ## [How do police identify all the different license plates available today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742 "2017-07-27T00:23:21Z")
It used to be that each state had a single color scheme for its license plates, with the name of the state prominently visible. The color combinations and fonts were pretty recognizable to anyone who did much driving. No… --- ## [What's eating my mom's data?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-eating-my-moms-data/792154)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-eating-my-moms-data/792154 "2017-07-26T22:39:21Z")
My mom has always had trouble with computers, and so a couple of weeks ago, we went and got an Android tablet for her, in the hopes that it would be a simpler way to get e-mail. The tablet is associated with my sister’s… --- ## [Electrical - Auto - GFI problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-auto-gfi-problem/779965)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-auto-gfi-problem/779965 "2017-02-17T17:41:38Z")
Friend drove his Nissan Leaf to my house and was going to leave it on charge while we went golfing. Plugged the adapter in (I have only 120v in the garage, car can use 120 slowly but 220v charges much faster). The Leaf h… --- ## [Did the President decline the mantle of "leader of the free world?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-president-decline-the-mantle-of-leader-of-the-free-world/792191)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-president-decline-the-mantle-of-leader-of-the-free-world/792191 "2017-07-26T20:21:51Z")
Lately, on the SDMB, I have seen numerous posts about the president’s public and quasi-public\* behavior and statements, many of which decry the behavior/statement as being less than what one should have a right to expect… --- ## [Can you tell vegetarians from skeletal remains and who were the first vegetarians ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-vegetarians-from-skeletal-remains-and-who-were-the-first-vegetarians/792143)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-vegetarians-from-skeletal-remains-and-who-were-the-first-vegetarians/792143 "2017-07-26T17:36:32Z")
The question is wrt to Humans and for the sake of this question let’s define vegetarians as non meat eaters. Since we know that humans eating meat (and bone marrow) was a crucial factor in the evolution of the large huma… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=696) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=698)