# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1051 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1052 --- ## [How did every animal develop with the same basic system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-every-animal-develop-with-the-same-basic-system/729375)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-every-animal-develop-with-the-same-basic-system/729375 "2015-09-01T16:08:27Z")
Hello Everyone, Does anyone else find it strange that practically all animals have the same basic system. Brain, lungs, cns, heart, stomach, etc. How did this happen? Does this give support to intelligent design,… --- ## [Math question about the path formed by following a gradient](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-about-the-path-formed-by-following-a-gradient/729552)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-question-about-the-path-formed-by-following-a-gradient/729552 "2015-09-01T15:55:44Z")
What is the name of the line (or curve) that connects the points corresponding to the maximum (or minimum) values of the gradient. I doubt that’s clear, so let me give two examples: If you are atop a mountain (assume… --- ## [How loud is 20 dBA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-loud-is-20-dba/429327)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2007, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-loud-is-20-dba/429327 "2007-12-09T10:18:50Z")
How loud is 20 dBA? -FrL- --- ## [Traffic crash scenario: who is at fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-crash-scenario-who-is-at-fault/729525)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-crash-scenario-who-is-at-fault/729525 "2015-09-01T14:01:33Z")
For reference, here’s an edited Google-Map view of the screwiest intersection in Ann Arbor, where Green Road (from the east) and Dhu Varren Road (from the west) both feed into Nixon Road (running north-south). Believe i… --- ## [What might a DIYer want with a jar of mercury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-a-diyer-want-with-a-jar-of-mercury/729406)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-a-diyer-want-with-a-jar-of-mercury/729406 "2015-09-01T14:00:57Z")
At least that’s what I think it is --Liquid silvery stuff, way too heavy for its size to be any normal water based thing. I’m still dealing with stuff left in my parent’s house, and that was one of the recent finds, a n… --- ## [Limits to Growth model - solar power price decrease ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-to-growth-model-solar-power-price-decrease/729550)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-to-growth-model-solar-power-price-decrease/729550 "2015-09-01T11:34:41Z")
Did the 1972 Limits to growth model include the exponentially decreasing price of PV energy ? Did it model solar energy at all, or does it not take these things into account ? --- ## [Could a Victrola's needle follow the groove in a warped record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-victrolas-needle-follow-the-groove-in-a-warped-record/729426)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-victrolas-needle-follow-the-groove-in-a-warped-record/729426 "2015-09-01T11:23:50Z")
Modern turntables have counter-weighted tone arms and stand a reasonable chance of staying with a record even if it has some warping. But while watching season 1 of Carnivale (finally), I’ve seen several instances of som… --- ## [Could Barack Obama Serve as Joe Biden's Running Mate (VP)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-barack-obama-serve-as-joe-bidens-running-mate-vp/728800)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-barack-obama-serve-as-joe-bidens-running-mate-vp/728800 "2015-09-01T10:09:34Z")
Not a serious question in that I know it would never happen, but from a Constitutional perspective, is it possible and legal for him to do so in 2016? Don’t feel like researching it, and I’m sure someone here knows the … --- ## [Life on the Moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-moon/729395)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-the-moon/729395 "2015-09-01T04:43:26Z")
I am curious, now that water has been discovered on the Moon, why has there been no effort to send a mission to grab a test tube of the stuff and see whats in it? We seem to be focusing on water vapor shooting out of a m… --- ## [To trap rats, or not to trap rats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-trap-rats-or-not-to-trap-rats/729542)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-trap-rats-or-not-to-trap-rats/729542 "2015-09-01T04:05:58Z")
I live in Southern California and roof rats/tree rats are an occupational hazard. I generally ignore them unless they get into the house or garage, but a couple weeks ago two of them ran across the patio while we were e… --- ## [Firefox for ipad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-for-ipad/728985)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-for-ipad/728985 "2015-09-01T04:03:00Z")
So I’m thinking of switching from safari (which came loaded on my device, iPad mini retina screen) to Firefox. But when I go to the App Store there seems to be a confusing array of Firefox ish apps, some sync, and other … --- ## [How is a massive particle (W boson) emitted by the decay of a smaller one (quark)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-massive-particle-w-boson-emitted-by-the-decay-of-a-smaller-one-quark/648354)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-massive-particle-w-boson-emitted-by-the-decay-of-a-smaller-one-quark/648354 "2015-09-01T01:50:01Z")
In The Particle at the End of the Universe about the hunt for the Higgs boson, it says W bosons are roughly as massive as a zirconium atom. It also says a down quark can emit a W\[sup\]-\[/sup\] boson and turn into an up qua… --- ## [Has any technique or treatment formerly labeled as "woo" been later determined to be valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-technique-or-treatment-formerly-labeled-as-woo-been-later-determined-to-be-valid/643638)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-technique-or-treatment-formerly-labeled-as-woo-been-later-determined-to-be-valid/643638 "2015-09-01T00:09:23Z")
I often hear, from woo proponents, that the science just hasn’t caught up yet to their particular favored practice. So has the science actually caught up to anything labeled as woo, and now it’s considered valid? Or is… --- ## [Why do foreign troops get training so often ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-foreign-troops-get-training-so-often/728998)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-foreign-troops-get-training-so-often/728998 "2015-09-01T00:08:51Z")
I’m watching regular stories on TV about Western troops being sent to train soldiers in the Middle East, Africa or whatever. Is this basic training, or things like how to line up for a building entry, how to shoot strai… --- ## [Can I drink my daily water all at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-drink-my-daily-water-all-at-once/729433)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-drink-my-daily-water-all-at-once/729433 "2015-08-31T23:53:22Z")
I am told that one should drink from 1/2 ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight a day. Okay. What I’m wondering is if it’s okay to drink it, well, not all at once, but maybe in two sittings. In other wo… --- ## [Cremation ashes interred in several different locations, or more...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cremation-ashes-interred-in-several-different-locations-or-more/729384)
**Author:** [@Jesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cremation-ashes-interred-in-several-different-locations-or-more/729384 "2015-08-31T23:46:09Z")
Okay, so people can have ashes shot into space, spread at sea, blowing in the wind, or soon, if not already, 3d printed into a smaller version of their former selves… My question though, is about peoples ashes that are … --- ## [Real horse and other animal genital size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-horse-and-other-animal-genital-size/238183)
**Author:** [@pessimisticgrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pessimisticgrace)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-horse-and-other-animal-genital-size/238183 "2015-08-31T23:33:19Z")
I’m curious as to the um… male genitalia size of different animals. I’ve heard different people say horses are 3 feet long or 5 feet long or “not much bigger than us.” What’s the deal? How large is a horse’s cough? How l… --- ## [IC Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ic-question/729548)
**Author:** [@Potestas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potestas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ic-question/729548 "2015-08-31T23:19:51Z")
What is the standard policy for the intelligence community in dealing with an agent/employee of the intelligence community (US citizen) who goes off the radar and rogue? Is there anything about this in the public domain… --- ## [The aftermath of the Tinjian explosions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-the-tinjian-explosions/729505)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-the-tinjian-explosions/729505 "2015-08-31T22:32:52Z")
Greetings all, Have the authorities in Tinjian, or indeed Beijing, published any conclusions as to the cause of the explosions in Tinjian’s port complex on the 12th of this month? The cynic in me believes that the rath… --- ## [rolling code and garage door openers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-code-and-garage-door-openers/654545)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-code-and-garage-door-openers/654545 "2015-08-31T21:37:31Z")
My car has a built-in garage door opener transmitter that can learn the code for all (most?) garage door openers. I understand that garage door openers these days typically employ a rolling code scheme to prevent an eav… --- ## [How much hydrogen could you amass before it would form a black hole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-hydrogen-could-you-amass-before-it-would-form-a-black-hole/729540)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-hydrogen-could-you-amass-before-it-would-form-a-black-hole/729540 "2015-08-31T21:31:15Z")
If you could pile up plain hydrogen and have it overcome the solar wind generated, could you gather up enough that it would undergo gravitational collapse? Thanks, Rob --- ## [What is this thing (with pics!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-with-pics/729448)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-with-pics/729448 "2015-08-31T20:23:20Z")
It’s about 6 feet tall and made of heavy gauge steel (I think). Whole thing. Bottom detail. Thanks in advance. --- ## [Fbi statistics question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-statistics-question/729465)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-statistics-question/729465 "2015-08-31T20:18:31Z")
So today I got sucked into (willingly, I admit) debates with “false flag” nuts about the recent shootings of the reporter and camera man in Virginia. I started watching you tube videos and saw a video saying the FBI stat… --- ## [What is required to own a gun in the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-required-to-own-a-gun-in-the-u-s/729096)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-required-to-own-a-gun-in-the-u-s/729096 "2015-08-31T19:59:21Z")
I’d like to be able to engage in an informed debate about gun control. But it occurred to me that I don’t know all the facts regarding how easy or difficult it is to buy firearms in this country. So I’d like to learn a f… --- ## [Anyone know about Apache web server, php, and http 1.1 chunked-encoding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-about-apache-web-server-php-and-http-1-1-chunked-encoding/729521)
**Author:** [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-about-apache-web-server-php-and-http-1-1-chunked-encoding/729521 "2015-08-31T18:31:19Z")
Trying to run some php scripts on a new shared server account, the scripts constantly hang and timeout with no error messages. Only when running the scripts in Chrome with the web developer console up did I get a hint of… --- ## [Turning off the fluid motion effect in Microsoft Word 2013?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-off-the-fluid-motion-effect-in-microsoft-word-2013/729485)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-off-the-fluid-motion-effect-in-microsoft-word-2013/729485 "2015-08-31T18:17:25Z")
In Word 2013, when I hit Page Down, the document slides rapidly downward with an acceleration period at the beginning and a deceleration period at the end. It’s making me sick (I have a balance disorder). Is there a way … --- ## [If you filled your tires with helium would it make your car lighter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-filled-your-tires-with-helium-would-it-make-your-car-lighter/469942)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-filled-your-tires-with-helium-would-it-make-your-car-lighter/469942 "2015-08-31T17:51:48Z")
If you filled your tires with helium would it make your car lighter? Is it even possible? If so why don’t they do it? --- ## [Marines used to secure a beachhead. . .but why not in D-Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marines-used-to-secure-a-beachhead-but-why-not-in-d-day/93029)
**Author:** [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marines-used-to-secure-a-beachhead-but-why-not-in-d-day/93029 "2015-08-31T17:50:34Z")
Okay, so I was reading through this thread, which asks what the role of the U.S. Marines are. I took the gist of the thread to be that they are used for amphibious deployment. Well, this begs the question – why was the … --- ## [Possible causes of computer running hot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-causes-of-computer-running-hot/729404)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-causes-of-computer-running-hot/729404 "2015-08-31T17:27:59Z")
My cheap laptop has an AMD Phenom II P650, which I find has a Thermal Design Power rating of 35 Watts, here: PassMark - AMD Phenom II P650 Dual-Core - Price performance comparison I see that this is a Watt rating that i… --- ## [How to find an RFID (?) key fob in my house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-an-rfid-key-fob-in-my-house/729504)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-an-rfid-key-fob-in-my-house/729504 "2015-08-31T17:05:33Z")
I have a Toyota with keyless entry/start, meaning that if the key fob is in my pocket (or backpack, whatever) I can open a locked door and press the start button to operate the car. I assume this works because there’s a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1050) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1052)