Nobody really knew how it froze, not sure if they do yet.
Also it freezes faster from being boiling hot then being at room temperature.
It depends what is already disolved in it as to whether other things will dissolve -- some things disolve better in solutions than they do pure water.
I can't recall the others but there are lots of things which are weird about DHMO.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Sun 4 Dec 2011, 17:16, 1 reply)

Faster, yes as in rate of cooling.
Quicker? No.
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Sun 4 Dec 2011, 20:33, closed)

I meant quicker.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect
If I could be arsed I'd find a reference from a journal or some such but the Wikipedia article will suffice since you can google more yourself if you don't beleive me.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Sun 4 Dec 2011, 21:10, closed)

does that definitely only happen with water, though?

( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Sun 4 Dec 2011, 22:09, closed)

To be honest I've not thought to look.
It's still damn weird though even if there is another liquid which behaves in a similar manner.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Sun 4 Dec 2011, 22:13, closed)

It is possible to contrive the situation, yes.
I'm familiar with the concept, but it only works if the conditions are just right.
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Mon 5 Dec 2011, 0:12, closed)

It is still damn strange though, don't you think?

(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Mon 5 Dec 2011, 0:40, closed)