# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1091 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1092 --- ## [Third Set of Teeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-set-of-teeth/439187)
**Author:** [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-set-of-teeth/439187 "2015-06-26T03:16:46Z")
I’ve heard from time to time about someone growing a third set of teeth, but all of my internet searching yields little concrete information about it. My girlfriend seems to think that it is fairly common in advanced age… --- ## [Auto racing question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-racing-question/603644)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-racing-question/603644 "2015-06-26T01:45:44Z")
I suppose this could just as easily go in either Cafe Society or Game Room, but I figured it was probably general enough. Inspired by my recent viewing of Cars 2: Realistically, there’s no way a stock car (like Lightnin… --- ## [Another Basic Real Estate Purchase Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-basic-real-estate-purchase-question/723480)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-basic-real-estate-purchase-question/723480 "2015-06-26T00:41:54Z")
Not to hijack a similar thread, I wanted to dig a little deeper into backup offers and how they actually happen. I would of course use a licensed agent to do something like this, but I’d like to better understand the fun… --- ## [Help with tree identification, please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-tree-identification-please/723453)
**Author:** [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-tree-identification-please/723453 "2015-06-25T23:03:14Z")
I can guarantee this is not homework. Does anyone know, offhand, what kind of tree this tree is? I’ve tried using online identification keys and they have let me down badly. It’s located in California, but is a landsc… --- ## [Websites For Math Tutorials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/websites-for-math-tutorials/723448)
**Author:** [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/websites-for-math-tutorials/723448 "2015-06-25T20:53:48Z")
Mrs. Zeke has taken a job that requires her to go back to school for her power engineering class 5. Looking through the course material there is a book full of mathematical formulae and symbols and such that are well ab… --- ## [Vacuum Sealed Computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-sealed-computer/544897)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-sealed-computer/544897 "2015-06-25T20:31:15Z")
As Cecil said in one of his articles, space is a temperature sink. It seems to be the perfect way to cool a PC. So why don’t we have them? Or maybe I am just overlooking them. What obstacles are there? I know hermetica… --- ## [Spacecraft Long Term Power Source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacecraft-long-term-power-source/723442)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacecraft-long-term-power-source/723442 "2015-06-25T19:12:31Z")
I assume that when we send a spacecraft to Pluto or beyond we give it a big push at launch and use large planets to propel it into the outer reaches of the solar system. I also assume that they use either solar or nuclea… --- ## [In which areas do Australian Aboriginals live?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-areas-do-australian-aboriginals-live/723352)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-areas-do-australian-aboriginals-live/723352 "2015-06-25T19:03:50Z")
I’d like to have an idea of where Australian Aboriginals live. Do most of them live in the desert and grassland areas on this map? Australia - Wikipedia --- ## [my sump pump runs constantly; for how much longer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sump-pump-runs-constantly-for-how-much-longer/723186)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sump-pump-runs-constantly-for-how-much-longer/723186 "2015-06-25T17:11:50Z")
We’ve had a lot of heavy rain here and my house sits quite low. I replaced my sump pump about two years ago. I bought a reasonably good one. My only question is…how much longer can this thing last? It goes on about e… --- ## [Politicians ,Their lies about Gun Control Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politicians-their-lies-about-gun-control-laws/723425)
**Author:** [@katpohl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katpohl)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politicians-their-lies-about-gun-control-laws/723425 "2015-06-25T16:41:21Z")
Aren’t they lying though their pearly whites ,just trying to scare the sheepeople ? The politicians know they can not do any thing to get or keep guns away from the criminals Doesn’t this prove that ? http://e… --- ## [Why do my tires make this THWOK sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-tires-make-this-thwok-sound/723308)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-tires-make-this-thwok-sound/723308 "2015-06-25T16:13:08Z")
I have driven some miles on Interstate highways recently, and there are some areas where my tires make an annoying THWOK, THWOK, THWOK, THWOK sound. It’s clearly the pavement that causes this, but it’s not so clear what … --- ## [Term for this condition - artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-this-condition-artist/723240)
**Author:** [@sleepyrice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleepyrice)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-this-condition-artist/723240 "2015-06-25T15:13:12Z")
I came across a word, or term for when a person picks up a new art form and is highly prolific. There’s an initial phase where they produce a ton of work - an outpouring of everything they had bottled up that the new art… --- ## [Chip & PIN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-pin/723376)
**Author:** [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chip-pin/723376 "2015-06-25T13:15:23Z")
The last time my credit card was compromised (seems to happen every 6-9 months to me) my bank sent me a new chip & PIN style card. At the only businesses I’ve been to that have chip & PIN setups (WalMart and a grocery s… --- ## [Suppose Greece Defaults](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-greece-defaults/722859)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-greece-defaults/722859 "2015-06-25T06:00:50Z")
As I understand it, Greece is very heavily in debt but is currently running a “primary budget surplus”, meaning that other than payments on past debt they are taking in more money than they are paying out (see e.g. here)… --- ## [Do Hospital Doctors get Burned by No Pays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hospital-doctors-get-burned-by-no-pays/723217)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hospital-doctors-get-burned-by-no-pays/723217 "2015-06-25T01:25:43Z")
A few years ago my daughter fell off a horse and broke her clavicle. It happened at a ranch outside of town which meant they had to fly her via helicopter to the ER, after the ambulance arrived and said it was too risky … --- ## [Climate change - how unlivable is Earth thought to get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-how-unlivable-is-earth-thought-to-get/723265)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-how-unlivable-is-earth-thought-to-get/723265 "2015-06-25T00:05:43Z")
And how long is it reckoned to take? Let’s assume (and maybe we don’t have to, I dunno) the trigger has been pulled on climate change and there’s really nothing we can do about it. As I understand it, there are two imme… --- ## [New debit card, old one still has 2 years left.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-debit-card-old-one-still-has-2-years-left/723296)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-debit-card-old-one-still-has-2-years-left/723296 "2015-06-24T22:54:10Z")
I opened the mail today, and in it was a new debit card. Which surprised me a bit, since my old one is only a year old, and still has two years left. I’m going to call the tomorrow and ask, but I am a bit concerned abou… --- ## [How does the chicken pox virus "hide" in nerve cells and why don't more viruses do the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-chicken-pox-virus-hide-in-nerve-cells-and-why-dont-more-viruses-do-the-same/723153)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-chicken-pox-virus-hide-in-nerve-cells-and-why-dont-more-viruses-do-the-same/723153 "2015-06-24T22:22:07Z")
I’ve heard that shingles are caused by the dormant chicken pox virus becoming active long after you had the chicken pox. It hides from your immune system in your nerve cells, and decades later can reactivate. How does… --- ## [What happens to cemetaries when they are full?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-cemetaries-when-they-are-full/723256)
**Author:** [@Mr.Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Bill)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-cemetaries-when-they-are-full/723256 "2015-06-24T22:18:37Z")
I recently took a walk through a local graveyard. This particular cemetery seems pretty close to full - very few plots without headstones, no unused land. It got me to wondering what happens to cemeteries when they becom… --- ## [future expo in San Francisco (c. 1986) - game powered by mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947)
**Author:** [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-expo-in-san-francisco-c-1986-game-powered-by-mind/659947 "2015-06-24T21:36:54Z")
I guess this is a two part question. First of all, does any remember an Expo in San Francisco, probably around 1986, I think the Moscone Center (but I’m not sure), where all kinds of technologies from the future were pr… --- ## [Installing the "Print to PDF" Print Option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-the-print-to-pdf-print-option/723208)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/installing-the-print-to-pdf-print-option/723208 "2015-06-24T21:36:49Z")
For a home PC, how can one install the Adobe PDF printer option to print to directly to a pdf? Is it a feature of Adobe Reader, or must I purchase some upgrade of Adobe? If it is not free, is there a free option for so… --- ## [drinking ice cubes in developing countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-ice-cubes-in-developing-countries/684088)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-ice-cubes-in-developing-countries/684088 "2015-06-24T21:19:39Z")
I live in Thailand and am having a debate with other expats about whether its safe to drink ice cubes made from local tap water. I’ve done it a few times with no ill effects. They tell me I’m an idiot and am slowly poi… --- ## [Parma and flamingos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parma-and-flamingos/340397)
**Author:** [@Nickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickles)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parma-and-flamingos/340397 "2015-06-24T21:02:57Z")
I’ve lived in Parma, Ohio for about 7 years now. It’s a pretty big suburb outside of Cleveland. I realize seven years isn’t really that long, but you’d think I’d be able to figure this out by now. See, Parma seems to h… --- ## [Crossword Puzzle Anagram](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-anagram/723231)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-puzzle-anagram/723231 "2015-06-24T19:30:12Z")
Today’s crossword puzzle contains this clue: “Up-and-comers, and what the circled squares contain.” The solution is “rising stars,” but the circled letters are: l, e, g, i. r, b, e, n, e, d, a, g, e, and v. Those look… --- ## [The knowledge of the phone phreakers: anything still "useful?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knowledge-of-the-phone-phreakers-anything-still-useful/723200)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-knowledge-of-the-phone-phreakers-anything-still-useful/723200 "2015-06-24T18:14:31Z")
Back to the '70s. Are the skills of the phone phreakers of any use today, not so muck to defraud the phone company–although I’d be interested to find out when learning how to rob stagecoaches became useless after the rai… --- ## [Any gout sufferers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gout-sufferers/182511)
**Author:** [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gout-sufferers/182511 "2015-06-24T17:56:46Z")
I’ve had a sore swollen middle toe for a couple of weeks now. I first assumed that it was some kind of injury, maybe due to overextension, from walking in new sandals. I’m beginning to worry, though, that it may be gou… --- ## [Does the hot water need to be turned on for a portable dish washer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-hot-water-need-to-be-turned-on-for-a-portable-dish-washer/717712)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-hot-water-need-to-be-turned-on-for-a-portable-dish-washer/717712 "2015-06-24T16:18:49Z")
Inside our cabin upnort we have a portable dishwasher that we never ever use. Except the other day we needed to. Hooked it up to the faucet. Wife says to turn hot water on. I say turn the cold water on as the unit has a… --- ## [Jammability of military data links](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jammability-of-military-data-links/722241)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jammability-of-military-data-links/722241 "2015-06-24T16:12:35Z")
In the past, some of my questions left posters puzzled since I only gave the precise questions I wanted an answer to without mentioning the context. The double fairing question is a good example. Once I described the con… --- ## [Gravitational Time Dilation question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravitational-time-dilation-question/723282)
**Author:** [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravitational-time-dilation-question/723282 "2015-06-24T16:11:23Z")
I believe that I understand the basic concept that time flows slower inside a gravity well (\*). But in my brief internet searches, the only examples/discussions that I’ve found discuss time dilation in terms of a spot we… --- ## [Leak under hardwood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leak-under-hardwood/723307)
**Author:** [@soccrkeep1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soccrkeep1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leak-under-hardwood/723307 "2015-06-24T14:28:36Z")
I have no idea where it’s coming from. I have a 3’x4’ spot under my hardwood in my living room where water bubbles up from the joints when I step on it. This is about a foot off the wall that is an exterior wall with a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1090) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1092)