# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1053 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1054 --- ## [Recourse for fogged headlight lenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recourse-for-fogged-headlight-lenses/729267)
**Author:** [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recourse-for-fogged-headlight-lenses/729267 "2015-08-29T23:12:33Z")
I didn’t want to get this thread about Headligh Restoration off topic, so I decided to do a new thread: Is there any recourse for headlight fogging? Headlights are a necessary item for safe driving, yet I have seen som… --- ## [How do slime molds anticipate periodic events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-slime-molds-anticipate-periodic-events/729332)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-slime-molds-anticipate-periodic-events/729332 "2015-08-29T22:17:49Z")
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jan/071 Searching has turned up several pop sci articles that tell me that slime molds can anticipate periodic events. But I can’t find anything that explains how they do so. Do we just … --- ## [Cheese rind - not a food question yet.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheese-rind-not-a-food-question-yet/729111)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheese-rind-not-a-food-question-yet/729111 "2015-08-29T21:56:29Z")
A year or two ago we bought a wedge of a fine hard cheese and the rind was too hard to enjoy eating so I took a piece of it out to a bird feeder. Birds didn’t care for it so I tossed it in an empty flower pot. After man… --- ## [France, Switzerland and Amnesty International (in 1989).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-switzerland-and-amnesty-international-in-1989/728813)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-switzerland-and-amnesty-international-in-1989/728813 "2015-08-29T21:28:01Z")
True story. It was 1989. And I was just fresh out of high school. And for my birthday, I got the world almanac. Interesting time, the late 80’s. We didn’t have the internet yet, at least in a wide-spread way. So I guess… --- ## [For fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fair/729184)
**Author:** [@lk122232](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lk122232)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fair/729184 "2015-08-29T21:10:51Z")
For fair. I heard this many times from older people but have no idea what it really means. anybody have the answer --- ## [How did the term anchor baby even come into being?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-term-anchor-baby-even-come-into-being/728598)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-term-anchor-baby-even-come-into-being/728598 "2015-08-29T20:50:07Z")
And it just won’t die no matter how many times it is debunked, and I’ve even seen a nonsensical reversal from the other side with stuff like “US deports US citizen baby” when they really mean the parents chose not to aba… --- ## [What Would prevent Us From Buildinga Nuclear Bomb Pulse-Jet Rocket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-prevent-us-from-buildinga-nuclear-bomb-pulse-jet-rocket/729164)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-prevent-us-from-buildinga-nuclear-bomb-pulse-jet-rocket/729164 "2015-08-29T16:46:16Z")
As far as i can see, if we are to have manned exploration of space (beyond the moon), our present chemical rockets won’t do. They are too expensive, too dangerous, and too slow. The idea of using nuclear bombs to propel … --- ## [Flaw in the measurements of light deflection confirming General Relativity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaw-in-the-measurements-of-light-deflection-confirming-general-relativity/729175)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaw-in-the-measurements-of-light-deflection-confirming-general-relativity/729175 "2015-08-29T14:26:34Z")
I’m in no way disputing the validity of general relativity, but just curious about one small aspect: the putative confirmation of the bending of light around the sun during the West African eclipse of 1919. Everyone wh… --- ## [Tell me about traveling to South Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-traveling-to-south-korea/728717)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-traveling-to-south-korea/728717 "2015-08-29T14:11:49Z")
I might need to travel there on behalf of a client. Anything thing I should know concerning travel (from U.S.), culture, safety? What are the better hotels like? Anything else I should know? Thanks. --- ## [Hammers: Need help designing a good all-purpose antenna.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hammers-need-help-designing-a-good-all-purpose-antenna/728616)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hammers-need-help-designing-a-good-all-purpose-antenna/728616 "2015-08-29T13:04:33Z")
Ham Radio / SWL folk: I need advice. In this thread, I mentioned that I’d come across a 500’ spool of magnet wire. I already have a receiver I built, and one that a friend gave to me. Well, now I wanna do some listen… --- ## [Question about speed in a height as a function of time equation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-speed-in-a-height-as-a-function-of-time-equation/729113)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-speed-in-a-height-as-a-function-of-time-equation/729113 "2015-08-29T12:13:29Z")
As always - not homework. Just trying to get my head around basic math. OK, so you have an equation that models height of a projectile as a function of time. Let’s say: h(t)=-5t^2+40t+10 (h in meters; t in seconds) … --- ## [The German Synthetic Oil (WWII)-Did It Actually Harm The War Effort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-german-synthetic-oil-wwii-did-it-actually-harm-the-war-effort/728257)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-german-synthetic-oil-wwii-did-it-actually-harm-the-war-effort/728257 "2015-08-29T12:09:40Z")
I have always wondered. Germany began WWII with a very limited oil supply-apart from some small production in Hungary and Poland, Germany had only Rumania as a supplier of petroleum. Knowing this Air Marshal Goering had… --- ## [Difference between "prefecture" and "county"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-prefecture-and-county/729057)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-prefecture-and-county/729057 "2015-08-29T06:04:02Z")
Japan has a governmental unit called a “prefecture,” which is at a level somewhere between “nation” and “city.” Except Japan doesn’t call them prefectures, they call them something else; it’s English-language speakers w… --- ## [What's the etymology of "hardcore"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-etymology-of-hardcore/501977)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-etymology-of-hardcore/501977 "2015-08-29T04:50:57Z")
How long has it been in common use? Does it refer to some actual object with a hard core? And, to head off the obvious: Yes, I know the phrase “hardcore porn,” ha ha, but I’m skeptical that was the original usage. --- ## [What is the legal status of human remains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legal-status-of-human-remains/729048)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legal-status-of-human-remains/729048 "2015-08-29T02:27:04Z")
I can also recall someone claiming to own a human skull acquired through non nefarious means in real life. What happens when the authorities find one in possession of a human penis or skull or an organ in formaldehyde… --- ## [Put the roscoe on someone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-the-roscoe-on-someone/728877)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-the-roscoe-on-someone/728877 "2015-08-29T02:16:50Z")
What does it mean to ‘put the roscoe’ on someone? I know that ‘roscoe’ is slang for a gun, but I’m pretty sure from watching old movies that ‘to put the roscoe on’ means to kidnap someone. My Google-Fu is not mighty to… --- ## [What is this noise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-noise/729234)
**Author:** [@Di675](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Di675)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-noise/729234 "2015-08-29T01:15:30Z")
There is a noise in a neighboring condo that I’m hoping someone can identify. It’s a pretty loud buzzing and sort of high-pitched sound coming from something that I don’t know what it is. I’m posting a video. - YouTube I… --- ## [Constitutional question regarding equity in arrests & tickets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-question-regarding-equity-in-arrests-tickets/729182)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-question-regarding-equity-in-arrests-tickets/729182 "2015-08-29T00:31:40Z")
Let me start out by saying I originally thought this was an equal protection issue but know I’m not so sure. Is it constitutional to unequally apply laws? Not necessarily civil rights or “give everyone speeding tickets… --- ## [What is the part of food that isn't protein, carbs or fat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-part-of-food-that-isnt-protein-carbs-or-fat/728987)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-part-of-food-that-isnt-protein-carbs-or-fat/728987 "2015-08-28T23:29:59Z")
I was just looking up the nutritional info on a 4oz hot dog. It said that the fat, protein and carbs added up to about 53 grams. 4oz is about 112g. What is the other 59 grams? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Why VENUS flytrap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-venus-flytrap/728712)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-venus-flytrap/728712 "2015-08-28T23:17:12Z")
Why is a Venus flytrap a VENUS flytrap? There is nothing about a bug-eating plant that makes me look at it and think “oh, yes, Roman goddess of love!”. Seriously, these things are small, but their traps look downright … --- ## [Alliance for Patient Access / Medicare Part D](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alliance-for-patient-access-medicare-part-d/729219)
**Author:** [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alliance-for-patient-access-medicare-part-d/729219 "2015-08-28T21:54:55Z")
Today I received a mailer from something calling itself the “Alliance for Patient Access” which included a postcard that I was supposed to detach and send to my Senator in order to thank her for defending Medicare Part D… --- ## [Will the Global Positioning System survive a zombie apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-global-positioning-system-survive-a-zombie-apocalypse/727564)
**Author:** [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-global-positioning-system-survive-a-zombie-apocalypse/727564 "2015-08-28T21:04:24Z")
That is to say, without human input (uploaded data, time base corrections, satellite position control commands, etc) how long will the GPS continue to function after the fall of civilization? If you have a functioning GP… --- ## [Mistakes were made cleaning up a broken flourescent bulb, what to do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistakes-were-made-cleaning-up-a-broken-flourescent-bulb-what-to-do-now/497279)
**Author:** [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mistakes-were-made-cleaning-up-a-broken-flourescent-bulb-what-to-do-now/497279 "2009-05-23T07:52:34Z")
Mistake #1 breaking a flourescent bulb overhead while installing a light, thereby raining toxic waste down upon two people. Mistake #2 Not turning the power back on and running to the computer to research toxic waste d… --- ## [Bicycle Gears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-gears/729173)
**Author:** [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-gears/729173 "2015-08-28T18:31:59Z")
Let’s say I have a 21 gear bicycle (Three forward sprockets and 7 rear sprockets). I want to start in the lowest gear and step up through all the gears until I get to the highest gear. How do I do that? Does the exact se… --- ## [Speed limit based on 85th percentile: is it really the safest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-based-on-85th-percentile-is-it-really-the-safest/728600)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-based-on-85th-percentile-is-it-really-the-safest/728600 "2015-08-28T15:37:08Z")
I’ve read arguments by a certain organization that the safest way for a locality to set speed limits on a road is by determining the speed that 85 percent of drivers are traveling at or below. Is there any actual data t… --- ## [Large Equity Market Swings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-equity-market-swings/729075)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-equity-market-swings/729075 "2015-08-28T14:51:30Z")
Given the volatility of the US and Global stock markets over the past week one has to wonder if the people/institutions who did all of the selling last week are they same ones doing all of the buying now, or is this new … --- ## [The yellow Sun paradox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yellow-sun-paradox/728038)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yellow-sun-paradox/728038 "2015-08-28T14:04:17Z")
The yellow Sun paradox Hereis a brand new observational paradox I stumbled across today. The Sun looks overwhelmingly yellow to my eyes (and reddish at dawn and dusk). But science disagrees, and claims instead t… --- ## [Ever put stuff other than water in a Brita pitcher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-put-stuff-other-than-water-in-a-brita-pitcher/154026)
**Author:** [@blakeformayor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blakeformayor)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-put-stuff-other-than-water-in-a-brita-pitcher/154026 "2015-08-28T13:14:51Z")
I was wondering the other day what would happen if I put something other than water, like milk or a soft drink or something in my Brita pitcher and let it run through the filter. Would water come out the bottom, or woul… --- ## [Most permanent member abstentions for a UN Security Council resolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-permanent-member-abstentions-for-a-un-security-council-resolution/729151)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-permanent-member-abstentions-for-a-un-security-council-resolution/729151 "2015-08-28T09:21:58Z")
Has it ever been the case that a UN Security Council resolution was adopted with all five permanent members abstaining? The closest I have been able to find is UNSC Resolution 344, a pious resolution expressing hope for… --- ## [Tipping Point, earth's population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-point-earths-population/723436)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-point-earths-population/723436 "2015-08-28T05:34:12Z")
I am wondering if the earth’s population has reached a tipping point. What I mean by that is if all of earth’s problems with pollution, global warming, energy crisis with oil, etc., were resolved, has our population rea… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1052) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1054)