# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1106 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1107 --- ## [Do cats-and dogs, I just noticed, maybe-purposely eat grass/leaves as an emetic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-and-dogs-i-just-noticed-maybe-purposely-eat-grass-leaves-as-an-emetic/721204)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-and-dogs-i-just-noticed-maybe-purposely-eat-grass-leaves-as-an-emetic/721204 "2015-05-31T00:34:58Z")
See subject. When they have a tummy ache. --- ## [Is joining independent clauses with a comma EVER allowed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joining-independent-clauses-with-a-comma-ever-allowed/720741)
**Author:** [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joining-independent-clauses-with-a-comma-ever-allowed/720741 "2015-05-30T20:50:19Z")
My first time starting a thread! Be gentle with me. :slight\_smile: A friend of mine was recently complaining because, for some writing she is doing, she is required to use the Chicago Manual of Style. Specifically her… --- ## [What should the ratio of Men:Women be (and minumum number of each) to populate Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-ratio-of-men-women-be-and-minumum-number-of-each-to-populate-mars/720833)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-ratio-of-men-women-be-and-minumum-number-of-each-to-populate-mars/720833 "2015-05-30T20:37:05Z")
I know the Mars One project is pretty much a laughingstock here at the SDMB. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t consider it any more realistic than anyone else here. I’m merely interested in this hypothetical: Assuming a safe… --- ## [Hygiene hypothesis and helmenthic therapy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hygiene-hypothesis-and-helmenthic-therapy/721203)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hygiene-hypothesis-and-helmenthic-therapy/721203 "2015-05-30T20:14:53Z")
A few years back there was a story on this American life about how a guy cured his asthma using ring worms. The program ended with more follow up research to be conducted. What is the latest on the subject ? Have they b… --- ## [Question for Surgeons or OR Nurses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-surgeons-or-or-nurses/721078)
**Author:** [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-surgeons-or-or-nurses/721078 "2015-05-30T19:36:42Z")
So, what really happens once you are led to the OR? I had gastric bypass surgery years ago and I remember fasting from midnight, but strangely I did not have a BM that morning. I mentioned it to the nurse and she said th… --- ## [How do these aerospace cost predictions from the 1960s stand up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-aerospace-cost-predictions-from-the-1960s-stand-up/721202)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-these-aerospace-cost-predictions-from-the-1960s-stand-up/721202 "2015-05-30T18:38:11Z")
See the selection from a TRW aerospace report from 1967; the author of the blog–didn’t find his name–suggests that the data may date from 1961. Definitely a fun blog. http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=28998 (My in line URL i… --- ## [Military magazines and ammunition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-magazines-and-ammunition/720997)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-magazines-and-ammunition/720997 "2015-05-30T18:09:18Z")
Hello Everyone, I was just wondering, while in the field do soldiers discard empty magazines or do they attempt to retain them to use again? Also, when ammunition is brought to the field is it brought loose and needs… --- ## [Spanish Flu vs black plague](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-flu-vs-black-plague/721033)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-flu-vs-black-plague/721033 "2015-05-30T17:18:40Z")
Which of these two diseases was the most deadly? Seems like Spanish Flu killed a greater total number of people but there were fewer people to kill when the plague was around. Also the plague lasted many years whereas th… --- ## [Migrating from Office 2007 to Office365 as painlessly as possible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-from-office-2007-to-office365-as-painlessly-as-possible/721053)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/migrating-from-office-2007-to-office365-as-painlessly-as-possible/721053 "2015-05-30T16:50:48Z")
Over the past eight years I have made a fair amount of customizations to Office 2007, including macros, dictionary additions, dictionary exclusions, autocorrect entries, styles, and keyboard shortcuts. I can, of course, … --- ## [Tattoo sleeves and being an executive for a record company, music publisher, or a place like Harley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-sleeves-and-being-an-executive-for-a-record-company-music-publisher-or-a-place-like-harley/721201)
**Author:** [@Hossdonad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hossdonad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-sleeves-and-being-an-executive-for-a-record-company-music-publisher-or-a-place-like-harley/721201 "2015-05-30T16:25:00Z")
I have tattoo sleeves, and am a law student, but I actually don’t “regret” my tattoos though; my aspirations have always been to be an executive for a record company, music publisher, or even a place like Harley Davidson… --- ## [Assuming people or things are more professional or intricate than they are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-people-or-things-are-more-professional-or-intricate-than-they-are/721183)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-people-or-things-are-more-professional-or-intricate-than-they-are/721183 "2015-05-30T15:15:46Z")
Is there a term for this? I have tended to do this my whole life as a kind of projection I guess, I assume others must be giving as much attention and thought to something as I would. Think like people assuming police m… --- ## [ACDSee blocked (win7 help please)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acdsee-blocked-win7-help-please/720890)
**Author:** [@Puzzler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Puzzler)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acdsee-blocked-win7-help-please/720890 "2015-05-30T10:06:19Z")
Hi, I must have pressed the wrong key by mistake. And now, when I try to open a picture file using ACDSee, I get a blank page. I’ve noticed that the program’s icon now has a little “windows shield logo” attached to it. … --- ## [Francophones: Pronounce "Concierge", please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/francophones-pronounce-concierge-please/721181)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/francophones-pronounce-concierge-please/721181 "2015-05-30T08:09:48Z")
At one of my client jobs, they have a Concierge. The CEO and the Concierge pronounce the word “CON-SYER”. (short e, as in ‘bed’ and ‘ted’; you get the idea.) It irritates the effin F out of me. I think that this is some… --- ## [How high does blood sugar have to be to cause eye/nerve/extremity damage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-does-blood-sugar-have-to-be-to-cause-eye-nerve-extremity-damage/721017)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-does-blood-sugar-have-to-be-to-cause-eye-nerve-extremity-damage/721017 "2015-05-30T04:02:11Z")
How high does blood sugar have to be to cause eye/nerve/extremity damage? Would it be, say, a fasting 6.5 A1C or 100 blood glucose for several months? Ballpark figures are fine. --- ## [Engineers: Free vs. Forced Convection Rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-free-vs-forced-convection-rule/721137)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-free-vs-forced-convection-rule/721137 "2015-05-30T03:56:50Z")
Looking back over my heat transfer (for actual field applications, not homework), is it correct that for forced convection there seems to be no differentiation between a vertical hot plate and a horizontal hot plate\*? I… --- ## [Wireless carriers - how to know it will work at my house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-carriers-how-to-know-it-will-work-at-my-house/721062)
**Author:** [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wireless-carriers-how-to-know-it-will-work-at-my-house/721062 "2015-05-30T02:03:19Z")
I am new to smart phones so be kind. Here is the question I think. What is the difference between the wireless carrier and using the cell phone towers of that carrier? I have a Jitterbug cell phone. It just makes and r… --- ## [Why do some people have paradoxical reactions to depressants or stimulants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-paradoxical-reactions-to-depressants-or-stimulants/721170)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-have-paradoxical-reactions-to-depressants-or-stimulants/721170 "2015-05-30T00:56:43Z")
For most people depressants and stimulants work as advertised, for some they have the opposite effect. A depressant like an anti-histamine or GABA medication will stimulate them and wire them up. For some people stimulan… --- ## [Placenta previa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-previa/721131)
**Author:** [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placenta-previa/721131 "2015-05-30T00:47:45Z")
I’m 32 weeks pregnant. At my 20 week ultrasound, they found that my placenta was low and near my cervix. I’ve got another ultrasound scheduled for next Wednesday to see if it has moved. I also had a low placenta with … --- ## [Difference between blazer, sport coat, and suit jacket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-blazer-sport-coat-and-suit-jacket/721032)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-blazer-sport-coat-and-suit-jacket/721032 "2015-05-29T23:43:11Z")
My dress for the office is business casual; I almost never dress more formally (except for extremely rare weddings and funerals). I have an upcoming business trip that requires a blazer/sport coat. There are three coat… --- ## [Is there a difference between Arachnophobia and common Idiot Fear of Spiders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-arachnophobia-and-common-idiot-fear-of-spiders/720542)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-arachnophobia-and-common-idiot-fear-of-spiders/720542 "2015-05-29T23:14:52Z")
The Wiki page for Arachnophobia says that this phobia affects 3.5 to 6.1 percent of the population. Since far more than one in twenty of the people I have encountered in life seem to have an irrational fear of spiders, I… --- ## [Question about medicare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-medicare/721141)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-medicare/721141 "2015-05-29T20:58:40Z")
I’ve tried using the government site to find the answer, but I guess I don’t know the correct key words. My husband and I are covered under the health insurance that stayed with me after I retired from federal service. … --- ## [Editing/Proofreading flag like sic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-proofreading-flag-like-sic/721107)
**Author:** [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-proofreading-flag-like-sic/721107 "2015-05-29T19:36:45Z")
I’m reviewing a document and need to make reference to a number of quotes within it. However where it should say 56,000,000 the author has written “56,00,000”. If it was a grammatical error I’d use sic but does that wo… --- ## [Does keeping an iPhone plugged in over night hurt the battery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-keeping-an-iphone-plugged-in-over-night-hurt-the-battery/721128)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-keeping-an-iphone-plugged-in-over-night-hurt-the-battery/721128 "2015-05-29T18:20:46Z")
I’ve heard this to be the case. But I’ve also heard that the only thing to worry about is, when the phone is new, make sure you allow the initial charge to deplete all the way. So, what’s the straight dope? --- ## [When a WWI pilot shouted "CONTACT' to the ground crew just before they threw the propeller,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-wwi-pilot-shouted-contact-to-the-ground-crew-just-before-they-threw-the-propeller/721092)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-wwi-pilot-shouted-contact-to-the-ground-crew-just-before-they-threw-the-propeller/721092 "2015-05-29T17:31:12Z")
What things were contacting each other? --- ## [How is Islamic State managing to survive under constant US airfire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-islamic-state-managing-to-survive-under-constant-us-airfire/720322)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-islamic-state-managing-to-survive-under-constant-us-airfire/720322 "2015-05-29T16:53:17Z")
I mean, this isn’t Vietnam, covered with all-concealing jungles. This is Iraq and Syria, mile upon mile of open desert. From Reuters today: “Advanced in armored vehicles from Ramadi”? WTF? Why didn’t US air power take… --- ## [How many generations have had 23 pair of chromosomes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-generations-have-had-23-pair-of-chromosomes/720984)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-generations-have-had-23-pair-of-chromosomes/720984 "2015-05-29T14:58:37Z")
How many generations of Homo sp. and predecessors have had 23 pair of chromosomes? \*\*Thousands of years would convey similar information but I think generations would be more interesting. --- ## [Venomous vs. poisonous: A history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venomous-vs-poisonous-a-history/721055)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venomous-vs-poisonous-a-history/721055 "2015-05-29T13:50:40Z")
Short version: When did people start the nitpickery? It seems that for most of the 900 or so years of the history of these two words they could be used interchangeably with regard to animals that injected a toxic subst… --- ## [Name change in Australia, can a nurse sign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-change-in-australia-can-a-nurse-sign/425654)
**Author:** [@Dystinct](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dystinct)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-change-in-australia-can-a-nurse-sign/425654 "2015-05-29T14:27:23Z")
This is in regards to the changing of a name in NSW. Im looking to change my name legally (just the middle name, no drama), and i have a person close to the family who is a registered nurse. I know that registered nurs… --- ## [Keurig and disappearing water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keurig-and-disappearing-water/721073)
**Author:** [@contradancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/contradancer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keurig-and-disappearing-water/721073 "2015-05-29T13:47:09Z")
I have an older Keurig coffee maker. It doesn’t have the cup size selector. But, I use a 12-0z size mug so I put in 12 ounces and only 8 come out! Where is that water going? Does it just sit in there and then I get o… --- ## [How ancient are the oldest documents which are still classified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-ancient-are-the-oldest-documents-which-are-still-classified/665479)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-ancient-are-the-oldest-documents-which-are-still-classified/665479 "2015-05-29T13:29:27Z")
A couple of years ago, I recall reading an article in which somebody claimed that the government of the United Kingdom to this day won’t release some historical documents relating to the British involvement in the Napole… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1105) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1107)