# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=83 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 84 --- ## [Apricot Seeds Fight Cancer Bootcamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apricot-seeds-fight-cancer-bootcamp/554975)
**Author:** [@gurulis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurulis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apricot-seeds-fight-cancer-bootcamp/554975 "2010-09-25T05:23:59Z")
When I was a kid in Poland, we all ate apricot seeds, apple seeds, black walnuts, all sorts of forest mushrooms, wild blueberries, etc. to survive. I started eating these things as soon as I started walking with 5 young… --- ## [Turkeys Drowning in the Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkeys-drowning-in-the-rain/554950)
**Author:** [@Kai\_Reddtail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kai_Reddtail)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkeys-drowning-in-the-rain/554950 "2010-09-25T04:21:06Z")
I’ve seen this one a lot, and I’d like to help put it to rest once and for all with this fact added: Turkeys are prey animals. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads to give them a wider range of vision t… --- ## [Ball lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-lightning/554814)
**Author:** [@tomld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomld)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-lightning/554814 "2010-09-24T11:10:29Z")
I have witnessed ball lightning along with my wife. 3 years ago in August we returned home to oklahoma city from a trip to texas. we were unpacking the car parked in our driveway. it was late afternoon. Very humid and lo… --- ## [more on ticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-ticks/554064)
**Author:** [@magpye100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpye100)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-ticks/554064 "2010-09-23T21:02:34Z")
I live in New York State, where deer ticks and Lyme disease are a big problem. According to the local state park head ranger, deer ticks actually cement their heads into the skin and so the slow steady pull doesn’t work,… --- ## [Contrail conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrail-conspiracy/554730)
**Author:** [@dadums](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dadums)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contrail-conspiracy/554730 "2010-09-23T15:32:49Z")
I do not remember the particulars, but after 9/11 and there was not any air traffic, some lab did a test. If I remember correctly, they found the earth was warmer since there were no contrails. --- ## [Spinning ticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-ticks/554454)
**Author:** [@catsaway9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsaway9)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spinning-ticks/554454 "2010-09-23T13:26:16Z")
My dog picked up a tick a few months ago, so naturally I went online to see what to do and found the usual methods - matches, fingernail polish, oil, hot sauce, pulling with tweezers, etc. My husband tried matches and oi… --- ## [Typewriters from left handed stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typewriters-from-left-handed-stuff/554746)
**Author:** [@johnnymiami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnymiami)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typewriters-from-left-handed-stuff/554746 "2010-09-23T12:22:31Z")
The original typewriters were always jamming as people began typing faster and faster, as the striking mechanisms would overlap. The querty board was supposed to make the really fast ones slow down. It didn’t work howeve… --- ## [In Spanish surnames, why is the 2nd-to-last surname the "real" name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-spanish-surnames-why-is-the-2nd-to-last-surname-the-real-name/554233)
**Author:** [@PaddyC88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaddyC88)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-spanish-surnames-why-is-the-2nd-to-last-surname-the-real-name/554233 "2010-09-21T20:15:34Z")
From the column: I don’t know in Spanish-speaking nations over in South America, however I know for a fact (Family) that in Spain (Europe) the woman keeps her full name after marriage and no change is made so her name … --- ## [Alcoholic Cupcake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholic-cupcake/550844)
**Author:** [@DORFMONT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DORFMONT)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2010, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholic-cupcake/550844 "2010-09-20T09:43:00Z")
Thanks for warning me that there is still alcohol in whatever has been cooked. I have a condition called hypoglycemic shock that occurs whenever I come in contact with alcohol. A small amount accidentally ingested will l… --- ## [New Math, New New Math....WTF????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-math-new-new-math-wtf/552182)
**Author:** [@BrruceDeitrickPrice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrruceDeitrickPrice)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-math-new-new-math-wtf/552182 "2010-09-19T18:22:44Z")
Your explanation of New Math seems okay to me, but I still want to know one thing. Do you feel that the people behind New Math, etc. were sincere? That they really believed that their methods would work? Personally, I’… --- ## [Use of the word "toxin"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-toxin/553882)
**Author:** [@ibelost1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ibelost1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-toxin/553882 "2010-09-17T19:30:36Z")
Dear Sir: The use of the word toxin in your article is inappropriate. DDT is not a toxin. Although it may be toxic at certain concentrations and to certain species it is not, to my knowledge, produced by any organism… --- ## [A question about Brontosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-brontosaurus/554083)
**Author:** [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-brontosaurus/554083 "2010-09-17T17:55:02Z")
In the recent column , regarding the Brontosaurus ,Cecil’s says I thought that Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus are the same genus. Am I mistaken ? . --- ## [Dinosaurs are so big ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaurs-are-so-big/553707)
**Author:** [@mahmood48142](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mahmood48142)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaurs-are-so-big/553707 "2010-09-17T16:04:10Z")
Is it due to the moon. As moon is constantly going backward. So may be it is nearer at the time of dinosaurs and its gravity was effecting them. --- ## [Why do worms crawl on the sidewalk after it rains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-worms-crawl-on-the-sidewalk-after-it-rains/553922)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2010, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-worms-crawl-on-the-sidewalk-after-it-rains/553922 "2010-09-17T10:50:45Z")
Courtesy link Did you do this on purpose, Ed? Or whoever decides on the order of columns? Because we just had a thread about this subject in GQ. --- ## [Androids (not the phones)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/androids-not-the-phones/553599)
**Author:** [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/androids-not-the-phones/553599 "2010-09-15T20:33:21Z")
Hmmm. An entire column on androids with no mention of Data or Blade Runner. Rosie the Robot, an android? Makes me wonder if CA really did his homework on this one. Oh, the link: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read… --- ## [28 Day MAJOR Contradiction!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/28-day-major-contradiction/553838)
**Author:** [@GarryOwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GarryOwen)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/28-day-major-contradiction/553838 "2010-09-15T18:11:01Z")
You Sir, contradict yourself from the get-go. The following is the EXACT quote from your very own explanation. \> \> \> \> Numa also added two new months, January and February, to the end of the year. Since the Romans thoug… --- ## [John Wayne Cancer and The Conquerer cast update?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-wayne-cancer-and-the-conquerer-cast-update/553733)
**Author:** [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-wayne-cancer-and-the-conquerer-cast-update/553733 "2010-09-15T11:54:07Z")
Cecil’s column on John Wayne’s cancer was written in 1984. Anybody have updated statistics for the correlation of death/cancer affecting the cast and crew? --- ## [La Transrodización \[Comment on Staff Report on "rods," mysterious insects on video\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-transrodizacion-comment-on-staff-report-on-rods-mysterious-insects-on-video/553700)
**Author:** [@Leopoldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leopoldo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-transrodizacion-comment-on-staff-report-on-rods-mysterious-insects-on-video/553700 "2010-09-14T16:54:19Z")
Put your consideration the following research based on observation of the phenomenon known as ROD. There is a second part that I’m developing to complement this first study of the phenomenon. In broad terms what is alr… --- ## [uses for alum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-alum/548790)
**Author:** [@salamandurman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salamandurman)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-alum/548790 "2010-09-13T07:23:59Z")
I had open wounds on my lower legs because of some bacterial infections.My doctors tried all they knew for over a year to kill the infection,but nothing they did would end my misery…So I asked my Grandmother for HELP. Th… --- ## [Lenten fasting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lenten-fasting/460710)
**Author:** [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lenten-fasting/460710 "2010-09-11T20:50:36Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlent.html First, I commend Bricker on another excellent SDSAB article. My wife, who could now be considered a lapsed Catholic, had been under the impression that seafood was allowed… --- ## [Mating behavior of the mantis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mating-behavior-of-the-mantis/552966)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mating-behavior-of-the-mantis/552966 "2010-09-10T23:14:58Z")
Re:mantis mating habits it is noted that some of the mating behavior is attributable to laboratory conditions. There was a TV show long ago showing the female biting the head of the male during mating. It was later repor… --- ## [Bedbugs are back?...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-are-back/538697)
**Author:** [@Harvey\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_B)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-are-back/538697 "2010-09-10T20:10:05Z")
This was quite an interesting story – see the full Straight Dope staff report here. Having researched this elsewhere, I’ve heard that another reason that many attribute to the bedbug resurgence is the greater amount of … --- ## [Chinese Puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-puzzle/552492)
**Author:** [@challkhmc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/challkhmc)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-puzzle/552492 "2010-09-10T19:18:37Z")
Cecil conducted exhausted research why some people are hungry soon after eating Chinese food. Unfortunately, he missed one of the obvious explanations - it’s not the rice, not the potatoes, it’s the chop sticks! --- ## [Tornado-proofing nuclear power plants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-proofing-nuclear-power-plants/551659)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-proofing-nuclear-power-plants/551659 "2010-09-07T21:26:49Z")
Great column. I’ve often wondered about this. --- ## [Did John Wayne ever serve in the military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-ever-serve-in-the-military/552421)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2010, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-wayne-ever-serve-in-the-military/552421 "2010-09-06T08:14:13Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/332/did-john-wayne-ever-serve-in-the-military An earlier discussion thread, including a link to Cecil’s somewhat more pungent 1998 column, “Was John Wayne a draft dodger?”: Duke … --- ## [Update to Cecil's column on the British Royals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-to-cecils-column-on-the-british-royals/502187)
**Author:** [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-to-cecils-column-on-the-british-royals/502187 "2010-09-06T05:19:47Z")
Cecil’s column on the Prince of Wales and other assorted members of the United Kingdom’s royal family has fallen a bit out of date since 1976, especially the last paragraph regarding Princess Anne. Just to provide a lis… --- ## [The MSG Connection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-msg-connection/552494)
**Author:** [@AargleZymurgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AargleZymurgy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-msg-connection/552494 "2010-09-05T01:58:20Z")
I’m honestly surprised this wasn’t even mentioned. MSG was a commercial product in Japan starting around 1909. MSG is one of those “Generally Recommended as Safe” food additives. Basically, consuming a lot isn’t going… --- ## [the putative half-hour](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-putative-half-hour/552479)
**Author:** [@penny21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penny21)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-putative-half-hour/552479 "2010-09-04T18:14:32Z")
Your attention to the glycemic index of rice versus potato is perhaps misplaced. Much longer times of digestion and hence satiety are achieved via proteins and fats. Thus a diet high in fat and protein would take more … --- ## [Binaural Beats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binaural-beats/551813)
**Author:** [@PaulM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulM)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2010, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binaural-beats/551813 "2010-09-02T10:00:03Z")
Anyone who’s ever tuned a guitar by harmonics is familiar with this phenomenon. Two slightly out-of-tune tones will produce a wah-wah-wah effect to the ear. Tuning one or the other string to slow and then eliminate thi… --- ## [Alternate plus and minus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-plus-and-minus/551907)
**Author:** [@CEMX86SD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CEMX86SD)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-plus-and-minus/551907 "2010-08-30T16:28:24Z")
I think that Cecil missed answering Brad McKown’s question by a bit. While the “Batteries 101” was correct and instructive, Brad’s question was why the batteries are alternated. Cecil answer the electrical answer to th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=82) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=84)