Straight Dope Archive

Is steel from scuttled German warships valuable because it isn’t contaminated with radioactivity?
By Cecil Adams
December 10, 2010
Does turning down the thermostat at night save energy?
By Cecil Adams
December 3, 2010
Is semen an antidepressant?
By Cecil Adams
November 26, 2010
What's the deal with Japanese tentacle porn?
By Cecil Adams
November 19, 2010
Does using a gasoline-powered lawn mower produce as much pollution as driving an SUV 300 miles?
By Cecil Adams
November 12, 2010
Is radiation from the new airport security scanners endangering my health?
By Cecil Adams
November 5, 2010
Do pink ribbon campaigns against breast cancer do any good?
By Cecil Adams
October 29, 2010
In 1776, why didn't soldiers use bows and arrows instead of muskets?
By Cecil Adams
October 22, 2010
Can storm glasses predict the weather?
By Cecil Adams
October 15, 2010
Did loose lips actually sink any ships?
By Cecil Adams
October 8, 2010
Has auto AC been improved so much it’s no longer an energy sink?
By Cecil Adams
October 1, 2010
Is grass-fed beef better for you than grain-fed beef?
By Cecil Adams
September 24, 2010
What's up with these pairs of ticks I keep finding? And how do I get rid of them?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Doug
September 21, 2010
Do fat people get that way because of a hormone condition?
By Cecil Adams
September 17, 2010
Are androids possible?
By Cecil Adams
September 10, 2010
Why do you soon feel hungry again after eating Chinese food? Or do you?
By Cecil Adams
September 3, 2010
Can a nuclear plant withstand a direct hit by a tornado?
By Cecil Adams
August 27, 2010
Will alcohol in cupcakes make you drunk?
By Cecil Adams
August 20, 2010
Did the railroads leave Oklahoma because it wouldn't allow liquor sales on trains?
By Cecil Adams
August 13, 2010
Why must you alternate plus and minus when inserting batteries?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Rico
August 10, 2010
Did the Australian army once wage war on emus?
By Cecil Adams
August 6, 2010
What's the origin of nautical terms like "jibe," "tack," etc.?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by Matt Craver
August 3, 2010
Can binaural beats improve your mood?
By Cecil Adams
July 30, 2010
Is it possible to land a punch at 2,000 pounds per square inch?
By Cecil Adams
July 23, 2010
Do microwave ovens kill bacteria?
By Cecil Adams
July 16, 2010
Is "clean coal" really clean?
By Cecil Adams
July 9, 2010
Will working the graveyard shift put you in one sooner?
By Cecil Adams
July 2, 2010
How does the earth's rotation affect the path of a bullet?
By Cecil Adams
June 25, 2010
Did nature clean up most of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
By Cecil Adams
June 18, 2010
Can brainwaves be detected in lime Jell-O?
By Cecil Adams
June 11, 2010
What secret technology is DARPA hiding from us?
By Cecil Adams
June 4, 2010
Why does a blow to the testicles cause nausea? Why aren't they better protected?
By Cecil Adams
May 28, 2010
Did Native Americans cut off the noses of adulterous wives?
By Cecil Adams
May 21, 2010
How much flatulence would it take to become airborne?
By Cecil Adams
May 14, 2010
How accurate are police sketches of suspected criminals?
By Cecil Adams
May 7, 2010
Can rock music cook eggs?
By Cecil Adams
April 30, 2010
How accurate are lie-detector tests?
By Cecil Adams
April 23, 2010
How did bedbugs make a comeback?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Doug
April 20, 2010
Is the GPS satellite system collapsing? Plus: Does 2X the sunscreen = 2X the SPF?
By Cecil Adams
April 16, 2010
Will special paint keep my house cooler in summer?
By Cecil Adams
April 9, 2010
Why do coroner's reports take so much longer to prepare than medical test results?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Hawkeye
April 6, 2010
Do U.S. leaders perform satanic rituals at Bohemian Grove?
By Cecil Adams
April 2, 2010
Is peak phosphorus the next global crisis?
By Cecil Adams
March 26, 2010
Do bees poop in their honey?
A Straight Dope Staff Report by SDSTAFF Doug
March 23, 2010
Are some dogs racist?
By Cecil Adams
March 19, 2010
Is exposure to small amounts of radiation beneficial?
By Cecil Adams
March 12, 2010
Can coconut juice be used as blood plasma? Plus: Are oil space heaters more efficient?
By Cecil Adams
March 5, 2010
Why do babies run a fever when teething — or do they?
By Cecil Adams
February 26, 2010
Is paying attention to the air quality index crazy? How bad is smoking for the environment?
By Cecil Adams
February 19, 2010
Does the Myers-Briggs personality assessment really tell you anything?
By Cecil Adams
February 12, 2010
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