# Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=92 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 93 --- ## [More Data for "Flush Effect"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-data-for-flush-effect/531780)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-data-for-flush-effect/531780 "2010-03-09T09:24:08Z")
…as first examined in Cecil’s column 'Did New York water pressure drop due to toilet flushing after the Super Bowl?" The water utiity in Edmonton, Alberta (EPCOR) published a graph showing water consumpsion during the r… --- ## [Why is a raven like a writing desk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/531772)
**Author:** [@Saijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saijin)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/531772 "2010-03-08T22:16:25Z")
Here’s a couple of ideas–they both require feathers (writing quill) to fly (freedom), or they both have the last word as in the raven being a messenger from the other side, and our ability to always say with finality wha… --- ## [Why does hair turn gray comment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-hair-turn-gray-comment/529184)
**Author:** [@xxxFishxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xxxFishxxx)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-hair-turn-gray-comment/529184 "2010-03-06T23:18:09Z")
Your answer to the Why does hair turn gray? question leads me to another question. If hair graying is due to melanin decreases over time, shouldn’t the same happen with skin color as well? By that same train of thought, … --- ## [Speaking of treadmills, read this.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-treadmills-read-this/343042)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-treadmills-read-this/343042 "2010-03-06T06:02:05Z")
The plane on the treadmillwill too take off. Ahem. I and many others had it right all along. --- ## [frozen humans shattering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-humans-shattering/527781)
**Author:** [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-humans-shattering/527781 "2010-03-05T22:36:17Z")
Thanks for an intersting column about freezing flesh with liquid nitrogen. Just thought I’d mentioned that liquid nitrogen isn’t quite as cost-prohibitive as Cecil thinks. I did a science fair project in middle school … --- ## [Let's get with the program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-with-the-program/531433)
**Author:** [@Danlb0y](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danlb0y)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-with-the-program/531433 "2010-03-05T20:37:34Z")
I think the question concerning why the old social security cards warn that the card should not to be used as a general ID was a good question. It is your social security account number and I have always been perplexed … --- ## [Adults teeth too.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-teeth-too/530524)
**Author:** [@magpye100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magpye100)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-teeth-too/530524 "2010-03-05T16:43:50Z")
Seems to me that new light could be shed on the fever/teething connection by studying people whose third molars are erupting. Do they report fever associated with the eruption of teeth? --- ## [Catching fish mislabelling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catching-fish-mislabelling/531209)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catching-fish-mislabelling/531209 "2010-03-04T21:50:20Z")
In Cecil’s column from January 29th of this year, at http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2920/followup , Cecil quotes Jacquet and Pauly as saying: Well, guess what! The folks over at Agilent Technologies have jus… --- ## [Hypercarotenemia...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypercarotenemia/531332)
**Author:** [@ammr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ammr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypercarotenemia/531332 "2010-03-04T21:34:02Z")
If you’ve ever seen a baby that has eaten alot of sweet potatoes or carrots, they too wil be ‘orange’. My husband drinks large amounts of carrot juice daily & he too has what is called hypercarotenemia. Which literally m… --- ## [Nazi lampshades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-lampshades/530222)
**Author:** [@blaxuan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blaxuan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nazi-lampshades/530222 "2010-03-03T20:47:19Z")
Hi peeps. I would just like to say that I thought Cecil’s column on the issue of Nazi lampshades made of human skin was a bit of a letdown, both in terms of its conclusions and its thoroughness. This is the column I’m … --- ## [Calling African-American dog owners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-african-american-dog-owners/530126)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-african-american-dog-owners/530126 "2010-03-03T16:57:28Z")
Delicate subject here. In this thread: … we asked for reports of dogs who were hostile to certain categories of people, to see if there were any basis to the belief that dogs preferentially have it in for black people… --- ## [Attributing a pediatric fever to teething](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attributing-a-pediatric-fever-to-teething/530614)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attributing-a-pediatric-fever-to-teething/530614 "2010-03-03T16:37:04Z")
In this column, Cecil discusses teething-associated fever in response to a parent apparently told the only cause found for a temp of 103.4F was “teething.” Since it’s unlikely a competent ED physician would attribute a … --- ## [Who's Trippin' Down the Streets of That \[Windy\] City](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-trippin-down-the-streets-of-that-windy-city/530877)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-trippin-down-the-streets-of-that-windy-city/530877 "2010-03-02T13:55:36Z")
Cecil’s column about the origins of the nicknames Big Apple and the Windy City cries out for any more recent updatings, so I’m starting a thread to put findings in. But one thing just astounded me. And no, it wasn’t som… --- ## [Subsonic Sound and Hitler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsonic-sound-and-hitler/530417)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsonic-sound-and-hitler/530417 "2010-03-01T21:15:25Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/243/does-subsonic-sound-cause-acute-anxiety Is it true that Hitler utilized subsonic sound during his speeches to induce a feeling of unease in the listeners when he talked about… --- ## [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/238/if-you-eat-too-many-carrots-will-you-turn-orange](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/http-www-straightdope-com-columns-read-238-if-you-eat-too-many-carrots-will-you-turn-orange/530192)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/http-www-straightdope-com-columns-read-238-if-you-eat-too-many-carrots-will-you-turn-orange/530192 "2010-02-27T05:42:23Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/238/if-you-eat-too-many-carrots-will-you-turn-orange A twelve year old girl in Phoenix about '68-'70 killed herself with carrot juice \[Probably, there may have been other complic… --- ## [Replacing brain volume](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-brain-volume/529604)
**Author:** [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-brain-volume/529604 "2010-02-25T09:55:01Z")
In this column Cecil discusses what happens when surgeons remove part of the brain. In essence he is correct, the brain’s “natural juices” fill up the dead space. However, this rarely happens within the time frame of an … --- ## [Garbage Island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garbage-island/509295)
**Author:** [@echowit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echowit)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garbage-island/509295 "2010-02-25T00:57:55Z")
Here is a link to a pretty interesting site, I wasn’t necessarily a rabid oceanophile but I followed this for several days and found myself hooked (Pun recognized and left in intentionally). Link to Staff Report: Why… --- ## [Do "corona discharge" devices alleviate asthma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-corona-discharge-devices-alleviate-asthma/530240)
**Author:** [@mezmeriseu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mezmeriseu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-corona-discharge-devices-alleviate-asthma/530240 "2010-02-24T15:37:29Z")
This pertains to an answer by Cecil on September 10, 1999. In the answer as to whether corona dischsrge devices alleviate asthma: As part of my graduate studies at the Australian National University in 1981 and 1982, I c… --- ## [Gaining Weight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaining-weight/529612)
**Author:** [@draight\_sope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/draight_sope)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaining-weight/529612 "2010-02-23T22:05:13Z")
Cecil, I must disagree with you that one should emphasize upper body exercises over lower body. First, it is clear that the largest skeletal muscles are in your legs, therefore, working those muscles will not only offer … --- ## [i have a question...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question/529873)
**Author:** [@hellobello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellobello)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question/529873 "2010-02-22T21:12:58Z")
So this is about asking the ouija board a question you already know the answer to and your hand will involuntarily move to the right answer. so my friend and i tried it a long time ago and it said i was going to get ma… --- ## ["Pact with the devil" column](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566)
**Author:** [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566 "2010-02-22T21:08:14Z")
Excellent piece, Jillgat. Seems to me to be a good summary of past events. I really enjoyed it. (Wish Pat could read it!) link --- ## [Is paying attention to the air quality index crazy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paying-attention-to-the-air-quality-index-crazy/529621)
**Author:** [@The\_Holg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Holg)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paying-attention-to-the-air-quality-index-crazy/529621 "2010-02-22T14:23:31Z")
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2923/is-paying-attention-to-the-air-quality-index-crazy I think Cecil didn’t quite address the actual question, at least as I understand it. Sure, there’s no doubt that bad air i… --- ## [Rolling big airplanes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-big-airplanes/526996)
**Author:** [@DrifterToo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrifterToo)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-big-airplanes/526996 "2010-02-21T02:24:51Z")
Cecil, you are a God, but in this case you are in error. It’s called a barrel roll because the plane flies a spiral inside a huge imaginary barrel. There is no more stress on the plane than there is during normal flig… --- ## [piggy bank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piggy-bank/529078)
**Author:** [@bwasow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bwasow)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piggy-bank/529078 "2010-02-18T19:30:23Z")
We are in Mexico, where I bought a lovely ceramic animal made by indigenous craftspeople. I think it is a pig. It has a coin slot. Your story is very Anglo-Saxon focused. Could the idea of a ceramic pig to hold coin… --- ## [Vitamin C](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-c/529045)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vitamin-c/529045 "2010-02-18T15:59:25Z")
From this post Some of you might be aware of the Cochrane Collaboration, which conducts systematic reviews of previous studies into various medical questions. They take steps to remove (or at least identify) poor quali… --- ## [Fending off attackers using martial arts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933)
**Author:** [@Neur0mancer\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neur0mancer_1)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933 "2010-02-18T05:30:49Z")
In his June 19th column, Cecil wrote: “However, the more interesting observation is that, of the cases I dug up, 60 percent of those who used martial arts to smack down an attacker (even if only temporarily) were blind … --- ## [I can't gain weight - is my metabolism too fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-gain-weight-is-my-metabolism-too-fast/529040)
**Author:** [@psythe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psythe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-gain-weight-is-my-metabolism-too-fast/529040 "2010-02-18T01:06:04Z")
From this topic Cecil writes: Well, yes, for a given definition of healthy. Although the most commonly used equation (Harris-Benedict) to determine BMR assumes that all bodies are the same, a newer equation, the Katc… --- ## [What is Grog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grog/528382)
**Author:** [@generic39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/generic39)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grog/528382 "2010-02-16T03:17:02Z")
In a large part of the South Pacific, grog refers to Kava, the mildly narcotic drink made from the roots and stems of piper methisticum, a relative of the black pepper that graces our dinner tables. I’ve encountered the … --- ## ["Snert" - almost, not quite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snert-almost-not-quite/386349)
**Author:** [@poshmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poshmonkey)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snert-almost-not-quite/386349 "2010-02-14T23:57:17Z")
Having been somewhat of a no-life AOL/Internet In General geek (yes, admittedly) I ran across this Straight Dope article - "What is a “snert”? Describing the term as an insult is vaguely correct, usually though people … --- ## [Are there more balding women these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-balding-women-these-days/528557)
**Author:** [@Taxidriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taxidriver)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2010, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-balding-women-these-days/528557 "2010-02-14T10:59:41Z")
That’s a tricky one! I strongly suspect the stats would be skewed by the change in attitude/shame about reporting such a condition (i.e., a woman in the 1940s would be much more reticent to report her condition and might… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/comments-on-cecils-columns-staff-reports/7.md?page=93)