# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=997 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 998 --- ## [Basic Heat Transfer: Conduction Thru a Wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-heat-transfer-conduction-thru-a-wall/738829)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-heat-transfer-conduction-thru-a-wall/738829 "2015-11-30T17:30:18Z")
This is a very basic heat transfer question for any technical-minded person: One of the latest things with today’s dishwashers is to have a stainless steel lining (forming the inside of the dishwasher). The salesmen cl… --- ## [Mechanical question: air pressure (gasket failure) and engine power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-question-air-pressure-gasket-failure-and-engine-power/737901)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanical-question-air-pressure-gasket-failure-and-engine-power/737901 "2015-11-30T17:10:48Z")
I have mentioned the problems of my '92 Ford Taurus GL (3.8 engine) a few times, lately, on this board. One matter a mechanic told me about was the apparent wear on the head gasket (it’s a V-6 and thus has two), which ha… --- ## ["I'd hit that raw": how long has that been around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-hit-that-raw-how-long-has-that-been-around/738799)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-hit-that-raw-how-long-has-that-been-around/738799 "2015-11-30T16:59:29Z")
It was explained by a friendly assistant at a vape shop–and they ought to know, I guess–that it was the name of an e-juice that she refused to carry, because it was gross for her to have to say it to customers. Did I mi… --- ## [New particle? Half-life of some isotopes differ depending on Sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-particle-half-life-of-some-isotopes-differ-depending-on-sun/581577)
**Author:** [@smileycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smileycat)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-particle-half-life-of-some-isotopes-differ-depending-on-sun/581577 "2015-11-30T16:50:08Z")
This is my first post here. I have some questions. Well, let me explain. First, I found this article about how scientists at Purdue and Stanford used decay data from the Brookhaven lab to make their conclusion. I also … --- ## [Missing girls and the One Child Policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-girls-and-the-one-child-policy/737870)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-girls-and-the-one-child-policy/737870 "2015-11-30T15:51:48Z")
So I was looking at the Chinese census data out of curiosity, since I wanted to guess how many “missing girls” and missing babies in general were not born or disappeared due to the One Child Policy. First of all, the st… --- ## [Are there any firearms that can be loaded by pushing a bullet down the barrel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-firearms-that-can-be-loaded-by-pushing-a-bullet-down-the-barrel/738787)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-firearms-that-can-be-loaded-by-pushing-a-bullet-down-the-barrel/738787 "2015-11-30T15:46:44Z")
Obviously, muskets can be loaded this way since that’s the only way to load them. But, excluding firearms which are designed to be loaded via the barrel, what would happen if you did this to other guns like a glock or a … --- ## [Effect of high humiidity on standard AAA batteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-high-humiidity-on-standard-aaa-batteries/739014)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-high-humiidity-on-standard-aaa-batteries/739014 "2015-11-30T09:54:26Z")
I know humidity is ‘bad’ for household AAA batteries, but what exactly would or does happen? --- ## [Converting Foreign Currency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-foreign-currency/738883)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-foreign-currency/738883 "2015-11-30T09:26:15Z")
I had an uncle who absolutely insisted I buy VND as the currency would sky rocket in the near future. After doing some research I’m not convinced, but I thought what the hell and bought $20 worth which is about 400,000 … --- ## [Why does a muscle insertion farther away from a joint as in a chimp's offer it stronger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-muscle-insertion-farther-away-from-a-joint-as-in-a-chimps-offer-it-stronger/738815)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-muscle-insertion-farther-away-from-a-joint-as-in-a-chimps-offer-it-stronger/738815 "2015-11-30T08:49:49Z")
Hi I was looking up comparisons between human and ape anatomy and strength. The insertion of a chimp’s biceps farther away from the joint is given as one reason why they are 3-5 times stronger than humans. Why does the … --- ## [Apartment key questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apartment-key-questions/739002)
**Author:** [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apartment-key-questions/739002 "2015-11-30T04:40:27Z")
We live in an 8-plex. Each unit only has one key. These keys open the front gate, the common laundry room and the door to each unit. How is it that everyone’s key does not open all the units? --- ## [Canada to allow gay Syrian refugees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-to-allow-gay-syrian-refugees/738996)
**Author:** [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-to-allow-gay-syrian-refugees/738996 "2015-11-30T03:42:44Z")
The Canadian government has decided to allow single male refugees to apply to come to Canada if they can identify as gay, bi or transgender. Huh? Wtf! Now I can understand somewhat their reasoning for this decision, b… --- ## [Green spackle purpose vs blue spackle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-spackle-purpose-vs-blue-spackle/739003)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-spackle-purpose-vs-blue-spackle/739003 "2015-11-30T02:37:51Z")
I was told that the pre-made green spackle was for doing drywall, and the pre-made blue was for skim coating that is sold at Home Depot. The thing is, the green bucket has printed on it All Purpose, while the Blue has Du… --- ## [Buick Design Motifs: Full width Back Lights-When Used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buick-design-motifs-full-width-back-lights-when-used/738967)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buick-design-motifs-full-width-back-lights-when-used/738967 "2015-11-30T02:09:55Z")
I remember Buick sedans of the 1960s had tail lights that extended the whole width of the car. I always liked this look-what model years used it? --- ## [Mac users, how do I get my header, and dock back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-users-how-do-i-get-my-header-and-dock-back/738777)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-users-how-do-i-get-my-header-and-dock-back/738777 "2015-11-29T22:36:35Z")
Hello. Every time I reboot, the header (with the time, app, battery WiFi, etc) and the dock disappears. I have to move the cursor in the area for it to appear. I would like them to be there all the time. I have click… --- ## [Indigenous Peoples Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indigenous-peoples-question/738677)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indigenous-peoples-question/738677 "2015-11-29T19:58:37Z")
When the Europeans first traveled to North America did the indigenous people living there have domesticated dogs? --- ## [What is the difference between premeditation and intent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-premeditation-and-intent/738822)
**Author:** [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-premeditation-and-intent/738822 "2015-11-29T15:04:22Z")
I understand that the difference in many jurisdictions between 1st degree murder and 2nd degree murder is that 1st degree murder includes both intent and premeditation on the part of the perpetrator, while 2nd degree in… --- ## [How were bingo cards numbered...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-bingo-cards-numbered/738915)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-bingo-cards-numbered/738915 "2015-11-29T14:31:34Z")
…before the advent of computers? And the balls too? --- ## [Transferring a title](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-a-title/738917)
**Author:** [@Thelittleredcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thelittleredcar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-a-title/738917 "2015-11-29T13:14:26Z")
Hi everyone, This isn’t your normal question about car titles, at least I don’t think. A little less than a year ago I bought my very first car. A lot of s–t happened inside that time frame: I was still in the worst dep… --- ## [Suicide jumpers always take off their glasses -- really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-jumpers-always-take-off-their-glasses-really/151411)
**Author:** [@Hokienautic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokienautic)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-jumpers-always-take-off-their-glasses-really/151411 "2015-11-29T08:15:40Z")
I’ve seen an ad for the first season of CSI on TNN, and one of the shows apparently deals with a jumper. The investigator says in the commercial that it wasn’t a suicide because “look – eyeglasses. Jumpers take off their… --- ## [What is a "Men's Spa" in the Context of an Adult Bookstore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330)
**Author:** [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-mens-spa-in-the-context-of-an-adult-bookstore/595330 "2011-09-10T20:24:15Z")
My wife, her parents, and I were driving today and saw an adult bookstore that also had a sign that said, “Men’s Spa”. None of us had ever heard the phrase before and we got to wondering what such a place might be, espe… --- ## [Front End Vibration Cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-end-vibration-cause/738764)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-end-vibration-cause/738764 "2015-11-29T05:41:29Z")
Never had any front end vibration till now. A month ago, i replaced the front tires-they were pretty worn. All was well…till last week…I now have a vibration at 58 MPH. The odd thing, if I speed up to 62 and above, the v… --- ## [Any planet, or the moon, where a jetpack would be practical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-planet-or-the-moon-where-a-jetpack-would-be-practical/738569)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-planet-or-the-moon-where-a-jetpack-would-be-practical/738569 "2015-11-29T05:32:49Z")
For our space explorers once we figure out how to get them there. Due to lower gravity of mars, the moon, lets throw in Pluto also and ignore how cold it is and how far, would a jet pack be a practical means of getting … --- ## [A Glass that CAN NOT BE KNOCKED OVER](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666)
**Author:** [@Kamakiri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamakiri)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glass-that-can-not-be-knocked-over/705666 "2015-11-29T02:38:29Z")
I am at my wits’ end. The people who make vessels for the rest of us to drink from seem to do their absolute flaming best to make them so unstable – with all that ice at the top, how stable can a glass be? OR if not tha… --- ## [Why do the Chinese call themselves "the black-haired people"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-chinese-call-themselves-the-black-haired-people/320066)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-chinese-call-themselves-the-black-haired-people/320066 "2015-11-29T02:16:24Z")
I’ve read in various places that from ancient times, the Chinese have referred to themselves as “the black-haired people.” Why? I would assume that if a people adopt an epithet for themselves, the point would be to dis… --- ## [Is there ever a legit reason for looking down the barrel of a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-ever-a-legit-reason-for-looking-down-the-barrel-of-a-gun/738706)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-ever-a-legit-reason-for-looking-down-the-barrel-of-a-gun/738706 "2015-11-28T16:30:07Z")
Down the business end, that is, James May demonstrates. Are there any legitimate reasons whatsoever where you should look down the gun barrel or is factually accurate to say that you should never look down the barrel fro… --- ## [Who are the riders of San Francisco cable cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-riders-of-san-francisco-cable-cars/727390)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-riders-of-san-francisco-cable-cars/727390 "2015-11-28T15:51:10Z")
This question just occurred to me, more-or-less out of nowhere. What proportion of San Francisco Cable Car riders are regular local commuters, versus tourists? The cable cars are an archaic obsolete relic, yet are assi… --- ## [What, exactly is a Moonraker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025 "2015-11-28T15:40:14Z")
I know that in the James Bond film of that name, it was the name of the space shuttle. However, the word must have existed prior to the movie. The theme song says: “Just like the Moonraker knows all his dreams will come … --- ## [(Aesthetic) Question about metals.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582)
**Author:** [@Bakero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakero)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582 "2015-11-28T13:58:35Z")
What is it that gives metals that smokey look? Is it the finish? A B Thanks. --- ## [Lithium iron batteries and Motorcycles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lithium-iron-batteries-and-motorcycles/738410)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lithium-iron-batteries-and-motorcycles/738410 "2015-11-28T08:13:52Z")
Anybody use a Lithium Iron battery in their motorcycle? I’m having starting issues. When warm it literally starts by touching the start button. Colt weather is a bitch. The bike likes one hard start with the choke of… --- ## ["Attempted manslaughter" - does such a crime exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempted-manslaughter-does-such-a-crime-exist/616272)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2015, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempted-manslaughter-does-such-a-crime-exist/616272 "2015-11-28T04:30:18Z")
I was reading the Wikipedia article on mob boss John Gotti and came across a statement there that he once received a four year sentence for “attempted manslaughter”. In fact, a cite is given for that assertion (and refer… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=996) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=998)