# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1029 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1030 --- ## [Re magnetic fields is there any intensity level that is harmful to the human body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-magnetic-fields-is-there-any-intensity-level-that-is-harmful-to-the-human-body/371603)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-magnetic-fields-is-there-any-intensity-level-that-is-harmful-to-the-human-body/371603 "2015-10-04T12:45:53Z")
Or are we completely non-magnetic? --- ## [Questions about economics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-economics/733161)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-economics/733161 "2015-10-04T05:12:12Z")
The dynamics behind adding wealth to an economy? Suppose a country has $1,000,000 to start off. They build a mine and start pulling out gold that they sell to other countries. They use that money to open farms, and store… --- ## [I donated $25 to a U.S. Presidential candidate. How many viewers does that reach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-donated-25-to-a-u-s-presidential-candidate-how-many-viewers-does-that-reach/733387)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-donated-25-to-a-u-s-presidential-candidate-how-many-viewers-does-that-reach/733387 "2015-10-04T02:23:04Z")
Assuming that my $25 goes into television advertisement for the campaign, how many viewers will that reach on average? --- ## [Dinosaur extinction - hot or cold ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-extinction-hot-or-cold/733391)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinosaur-extinction-hot-or-cold/733391 "2015-10-04T00:28:31Z")
Scientists can’t seem to come to a definitive conclusion about whether dinosaurs where killed by a global firestorm after an impact event, or by the nuclear winter style cold that followed it? Which is it ? --- ## [Grosvenor silverplate by community](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grosvenor-silverplate-by-community/733381)
**Author:** [@Susan\_Muldowney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susan_Muldowney)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grosvenor-silverplate-by-community/733381 "2015-10-03T23:44:55Z")
Does anyone know when the grosvenor pattern was discontinued? I know it was made starting in 1921 but I don’t know when it was discontinued. Please respond. --- ## [Were most of the Shooters Virgins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-most-of-the-shooters-virgins/733424)
**Author:** [@IndianStones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IndianStones)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-most-of-the-shooters-virgins/733424 "2015-10-03T22:17:28Z")
I think they were --- ## [Were Most of the Shooters Virgins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-most-of-the-shooters-virgins/733418)
**Author:** [@IndianStones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IndianStones)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-most-of-the-shooters-virgins/733418 "2015-10-03T21:47:17Z")
Well were they? If yes, then it’s all women’s fault for being so attracted to sociopaths. --- ## [Do NATO planes buzz the Russians ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nato-planes-buzz-the-russians/733013)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nato-planes-buzz-the-russians/733013 "2015-10-03T18:00:54Z")
Lot’s of news in recent times about Russian planes buzzing European NATO airspace, do NATO planes do the same thing to the Russians? Internet searches don’t give much on this. --- ## [HIPPAA and Background Checks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hippaa-and-background-checks/733356)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hippaa-and-background-checks/733356 "2015-10-03T17:10:32Z")
I’ve often heard that HIPPAA regulations create problems when it comes to backgrounds checks associated with firearm purchases. How much of a stumbling block is HIPPAA? --- ## [Is live NFL football blacked out on all cell phone apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-live-nfl-football-blacked-out-on-all-cell-phone-apps/733375)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-live-nfl-football-blacked-out-on-all-cell-phone-apps/733375 "2015-10-03T15:47:31Z")
I have AT&T U-Verse and cell phone service and travel a lot. So I was delighted to find the U-Verse app (like other providers) allows you to use your service on the go. But last Sunday I went to watch CBS and Fox NFL a… --- ## [Would it be legal for a pharmaceutical co. to withhold a cancer cure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-legal-for-a-pharmaceutical-co-to-withhold-a-cancer-cure/732769)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-legal-for-a-pharmaceutical-co-to-withhold-a-cancer-cure/732769 "2015-10-03T15:34:25Z")
Let’s say a drugs company comes up with a one shot jab for a type of cancer. However, they figure they could make more money by patenting it, keeping it under lock and key, and continuing to sell the sort drugs we curren… --- ## [Seat belts on school busses. Why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belts-on-school-busses-why-not/732886)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belts-on-school-busses-why-not/732886 "2015-10-03T14:26:31Z")
Logic (because they are not used) dictates that seat belts in school busses are not helpful, if not more dangerous. What is it about their usage that makes this so? --- ## [When did global warming start becoming a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-global-warming-start-becoming-a-problem/733170)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-global-warming-start-becoming-a-problem/733170 "2015-10-03T13:30:06Z")
Even though the world has been warming since the 1800s, when would you say climate change became noticeable? My guess would be the 1980s when people started talking about it, and in a major way probably when the El Nino … --- ## [Should I use Rid-X for my septic system or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-rid-x-for-my-septic-system-or-not/492605)
**Author:** [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-rid-x-for-my-septic-system-or-not/492605 "2015-10-03T12:37:47Z")
I just had my septic system pumped. I hadn’t used Rid-X, but the guy said he could tell it had been used. It could have been the previous owner. He said You shouldn’t use Rid-X. Obviously, the company that makes it w… --- ## [Salt causing heart palpitations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-causing-heart-palpitations/733105)
**Author:** [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-causing-heart-palpitations/733105 "2015-10-03T07:09:26Z")
Is it possible that excessive salt (like that of really salty McDonald’s fries) could give someone fluttery heart palpitations? --- ## [Was the inventor of the hot air balloon persecuted by the church for his discovery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-inventor-of-the-hot-air-balloon-persecuted-by-the-church-for-his-discovery/733319)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-inventor-of-the-hot-air-balloon-persecuted-by-the-church-for-his-discovery/733319 "2015-10-03T02:05:18Z")
A colleague just related this story and I was skeptical (his telling was he was specifically prosecuted for breaking the law of gravity). The wiki page on Bartolomeu de Gusmão implies that such a story exists (specifica… --- ## [Is schizophrenia a form of autism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-schizophrenia-a-form-of-autism/733018)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-schizophrenia-a-form-of-autism/733018 "2015-10-02T21:55:48Z")
What I understand about both illnesses, they seem very similar to me. The social withdrawal, the dissociate view of the world, the tendency for delusions of grandiosity, the high suicide rate. What are the differences ex… --- ## [how long do landmines remain dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-landmines-remain-dangerous/733261)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-do-landmines-remain-dangerous/733261 "2015-10-02T21:55:47Z")
Land mines left behind long after a conflict is over continue to be a problem all around the world. But my specific technical question is about how long a landmine continues to be dangerous after it’s been deployed. I … --- ## [What happens if you rig the microwave to run with the door open?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-rig-the-microwave-to-run-with-the-door-open/732975)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-rig-the-microwave-to-run-with-the-door-open/732975 "2015-10-02T21:05:01Z")
Say you were able to MacGyver the microwave to bypass the safety features and run with the door open, what would happen? Three mile island? How unsafe would it be to be in the same room while it was operating? Over wh… --- ## [What does it mean to "stagger one's appearance"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-stagger-ones-appearance/733123)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-stagger-ones-appearance/733123 "2015-10-02T19:17:53Z")
Hi, What does it mean to “stagger one’s appearance”? It appears to mean to alter one’s appearance, but I haven’t found any definition matching the use of the word “stagger” to it usage below. I look forward to your fee… --- ## [Will 1.2 mm thick plastic shrink with a heat gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-1-2-mm-thick-plastic-shrink-with-a-heat-gun/732230)
**Author:** [@CT\_Damsel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CT_Damsel)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-1-2-mm-thick-plastic-shrink-with-a-heat-gun/732230 "2015-10-02T18:37:36Z")
My house is old and the windows are 3’x5.5’ inside. Previous years I have covered them inside with window insulation kits. This year I can not find any that are large enough.\* I found 4 packs of outdoor storm window kit… --- ## [So, you find your car is in the process of being towed.......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-find-your-car-is-in-the-process-of-being-towed/733099)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-you-find-your-car-is-in-the-process-of-being-towed/733099 "2015-10-02T18:13:40Z")
Say you parked your car in a wrong place and after running errands you find that there are people who are attaching your car to a tow truck, or, just about to attach your car to a tow truck. Do you still have the legal … --- ## [Li-ion Emergency jump start kit Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/li-ion-emergency-jump-start-kit-q/733063)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/li-ion-emergency-jump-start-kit-q/733063 "2015-10-02T17:54:38Z")
I just got a emergency jump start kit off of Amazon for about $50 and gave it a test by removing one battery cable and using this to start my car. Well it did crank a bit slower then normal but did start and run entirel… --- ## ['Need(s) \[past tense\]'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-s-past-tense/733183)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-s-past-tense/733183 "2015-10-02T16:30:04Z")
A windshield commercial has an actor (or actual employee) say ‘If your windshield needs fixed…’, and I just saw this post regarding an ultralight: ‘Does the fabric need replaced??’ Is this ‘need(s) \[past tense\]’ constru… --- ## [How do you identify a pyramid scheme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-identify-a-pyramid-scheme/733237)
**Author:** [@MmeRose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MmeRose)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-identify-a-pyramid-scheme/733237 "2015-10-02T15:56:20Z")
I’m burnt out at work and looking for a change, so I started looking into “nonclinical medical jobs”. I found a few organizations including the American Academy of Insurance Medicine (AAIM.org). They say that you can w… --- ## [Slightly different meanings between “It’s all very well” and “It’s all well and good”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-different-meanings-between-it-s-all-very-well-and-it-s-all-well-and-good/733231)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-different-meanings-between-it-s-all-very-well-and-it-s-all-well-and-good/733231 "2015-10-02T14:34:41Z")
I was wondering how these two similar-looking expressions actually have nuances of meaning? In the following five separate examples, which of the two expressions would you choose to use? Many thanks. Man A: Change is a… --- ## [What is the least powerful fission explosion possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-powerful-fission-explosion-possible/614592)
**Author:** [@Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Christopher_Robin_Davies)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-powerful-fission-explosion-possible/614592 "2015-10-02T14:31:31Z")
I know there is a concept in nuclear weapons called critical mass in which a certain amount of weapons-grade fissionable material is needed for a nuclear explosion. I know that such explosions are measured in terms of ki… --- ## [What is lightning like in nebulae?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-lightning-like-in-nebulae/733149)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-lightning-like-in-nebulae/733149 "2015-10-02T14:06:05Z")
Thanks, Rob --- ## [Does Shining a light up the nose helps Alzheimers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-shining-a-light-up-the-nose-helps-alzheimers/733202)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-shining-a-light-up-the-nose-helps-alzheimers/733202 "2015-10-02T13:40:36Z")
A company, Vielight, is claiming (citing numerous journal studies) that intranasal photobiomodulation (aka shining a light up your nose) can radically improve outcomes in Alzheimers patients. “This is Rudy, he is 74 yea… --- ## [Do people on welfare have babies just to get more money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-on-welfare-have-babies-just-to-get-more-money/616530)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-on-welfare-have-babies-just-to-get-more-money/616530 "2015-10-02T13:28:08Z")
I’d actually like to have some factual numbers, such as how much someone gets per child and how much the average child costs to raise. I’m in a FB discussion and someone wrote (after others said the same thing) “…people… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1028) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1030)