# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1144 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1145 --- ## [Face down burial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-down-burial/715869)
**Author:** [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/face-down-burial/715869 "2015-03-26T17:07:14Z")
Other than the intention to disrespect, Is there any community or culture, past or present, who buries the dead face down, upright, or any position other than flat on the back face up? --- ## [What would happen if I shipped polar bears to Antarctica?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-shipped-polar-bears-to-antarctica/715691)
**Author:** [@dr\_zippermeyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_zippermeyer)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-shipped-polar-bears-to-antarctica/715691 "2015-03-26T16:58:44Z")
If polar bears suddenly appeared on Antarctica, what would happen? Would penguins and other local animals stood any chance against them? Or would it just lead to a swift disappearance of any sizeable local animals and su… --- ## [Cruz and Natural Born Citizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruz-and-natural-born-citizen/715812)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruz-and-natural-born-citizen/715812 "2015-03-26T16:20:51Z")
I searched this forum and GD but to my surprise I could not find a thread on this. He was born in Canada to a Cuban father and an American mother. He, therefore, is a naturalized citizen of the USA, but also of Cuba an… --- ## [plane crashes: how often does the CVR/FDR fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crashes-how-often-does-the-cvr-fdr-fail/715967)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crashes-how-often-does-the-cvr-fdr-fail/715967 "2015-03-26T15:20:39Z")
In commercial aircraft, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder are designed to survive violent crashes and post-crash fires. But surely they are not designed to survive every conceivable crash. Have their … --- ## [Getting rid of the smell of death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-smell-of-death/715944)
**Author:** [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-smell-of-death/715944 "2015-03-26T14:35:47Z")
Sad story. A family member died a few days ago in Florida. Unfortunately, his body wasn’t found until 9 days later. From the emails that I’ve received from family members, the smell is truly horrific. A number of items a… --- ## [Mars Rovers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-rovers/653531)
**Author:** [@Sizzles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sizzles)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-rovers/653531 "2015-03-26T11:48:16Z")
Curiosity’s latest press release suggests early Mars was amenable to life. What’s the next step in determining whether life existed ? Let’s suppose microbial life was ubiquitous on early Mars; could a rover detect its … --- ## [Can The Aurora Borealis Be Predicted With Any Certainty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-aurora-borealis-be-predicted-with-any-certainty/715699)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-aurora-borealis-be-predicted-with-any-certainty/715699 "2015-03-26T05:17:57Z")
Given what we know about solar flares and whatever else is involved in producing the Northern Lights, is it possible that I can schedule a flight to Barrow for a certain date and have a 90% expectation of seeing them (ba… --- ## [All humans vanish. How many other species die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-humans-vanish-how-many-other-species-die/715924)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-humans-vanish-how-many-other-species-die/715924 "2015-03-26T02:12:07Z")
I See subject. Not necessarily on an evolutionary scale, although humans-as-stepped-on-butterfly is interesting too. I’m primarily thinking fauna; I suppose there are biota galore that exit when we do. I started thinki… --- ## [Does everything in earth orbit go the same direction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everything-in-earth-orbit-go-the-same-direction/715917)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-everything-in-earth-orbit-go-the-same-direction/715917 "2015-03-26T01:15:07Z")
I got to thinking about space junk and what happened when an orbiting piece from an explosive bolt or equivalent hit a spacecraft, like the Shuttle. Okay, a fragment traveling 17,000 mph might not ever hit a Shuttle, als… --- ## [Why is a rainbow curved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-rainbow-curved/715793)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-rainbow-curved/715793 "2015-03-26T00:07:48Z")
I can understand it if it was just a straight column; light travels in a straight line from the sun to us so that’s intuitive. I can even understand it if its only a slight curve parallel to the curvature of the earth i… --- ## [What did I break on my laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-break-on-my-laptop/715184)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-break-on-my-laptop/715184 "2015-03-25T22:12:10Z")
I had a laptop that sort of mostly worked, but seemed to have some damage to the video card, which prevented it from running certain programs. I decided to try replacing the motherboard, as I understood the video card to… --- ## [Advice please about a recycling issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-please-about-a-recycling-issue/715889)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-please-about-a-recycling-issue/715889 "2015-03-25T21:49:32Z")
My town only recycles metal/aluminum. There is a private business that handles metal but no city recycling. The closest place that recycles all material is one or one and one half hours away. The town that is one and hal… --- ## [Without the Sun, Earth would float away. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-sun-earth-would-float-away-why/715910)
**Author:** [@UsingName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UsingName)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-sun-earth-would-float-away-why/715910 "2015-03-25T20:36:42Z")
Hi. I’ve read a few articles trying to understand gravity or what we know about it anyway. I might just be looking in the wrong places for my answer but the articles always only mention that the Sun is pulling our planet… --- ## [Need 2 chrome browsers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-2-chrome-browsers/715935)
**Author:** [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-2-chrome-browsers/715935 "2015-03-25T19:52:29Z")
I have a Mac and a Windows 8.1 laptop. I need to have 2 separate Chrome browsers instead of 1. What I want is different tabs on each computer for Chrome. As it is now, when I boot up the laptop, I get all the tabs that a… --- ## [What can I use besides alcohol and sugar to make crushed ice drinks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-use-besides-alcohol-and-sugar-to-make-crushed-ice-drinks/715840)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-use-besides-alcohol-and-sugar-to-make-crushed-ice-drinks/715840 "2015-03-25T18:39:33Z")
I got a ninja and it does a pretty good job of turning ice into crushed ice/shaved ice/snow. I’ve been using it to make drinks that are like frozen margaritas in consistency. When I use alcohol it works - the ice is nic… --- ## [When, exactly, do your vocal cords calcify?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-do-your-vocal-cords-calcify/715916)
**Author:** [@Hungover\_Heartthrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hungover_Heartthrob)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-do-your-vocal-cords-calcify/715916 "2015-03-25T18:24:26Z")
Specifically, I’m referring to the calcification that occurs during early adulthood, not what happens later on in life. I’m a transgendered man of 23. I’m on a 6-month waiting list to be assessed by a WPATH certified ps… --- ## [Sleep and the immune system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-and-the-immune-system/715883)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-and-the-immune-system/715883 "2015-03-25T17:29:40Z")
I am under the impression that those who study such things have concluded that sleep is somehow essential to maintaining the immune system. What goes on during sleep that makes this so? is it something that happens durin… --- ## [Magic Squares](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-squares/715671)
**Author:** [@matt12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt12)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-squares/715671 "2015-03-25T15:19:36Z")
Euler, who as I am sure you are aware was a great 18th century mathematician, came up with a 4x4 magic square that just had square numbers. Yet no one has been able to do the same with a 3x3 magic square and no one has p… --- ## [The Numbers Station Message ("Mein Fraulein" from Craigslist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-numbers-station-message-mein-fraulein-from-craigslist/359059)
**Author:** [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-numbers-station-message-mein-fraulein-from-craigslist/359059 "2015-03-25T14:11:33Z")
Has anyone else heard about this message? Someone left it (anonymously, natch) on Craigslist - the poster asked “Mein Fraulein” to call a number, which played a recorded numbers-station-esque message. You can read its b… --- ## [Speed of light? or higher question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-or-higher-question/715719)
**Author:** [@virtually\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtually_yours)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-of-light-or-higher-question/715719 "2015-03-25T14:10:35Z")
If in one day someone travels, and fifty thousand years earth time passes, what speed what that be? Tia Virtually yours, Virtually Yours --- ## [Script written for one movie franchise, used for another](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/script-written-for-one-movie-franchise-used-for-another/715926)
**Author:** [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/script-written-for-one-movie-franchise-used-for-another/715926 "2015-03-25T07:16:04Z")
Often movie studios will commission the writing of a script but ultimately decide not to use it. (Sometimes they never intended to use it in the first place.) Sometimes, when trying to come up with an idea, they’ll dig … --- ## [Roman invasions of Britain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-invasions-of-britain/715777)
**Author:** [@Phoeniciancup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phoeniciancup)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-invasions-of-britain/715777 "2015-03-25T05:13:13Z")
I am currently quite interested in this historical topic and was wondering if there are any (recorded/reliable) estimations on how many Brits from back in the days had died as a result of the Romans’ murderous campaigns … --- ## [A Gastronomic Process Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gastronomic-process-question/715914)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gastronomic-process-question/715914 "2015-03-25T03:39:46Z")
I think this has a real answer, thus it is not is Cafe Society. Many plants are minimally processed by our bodies. They go in, nutrients are extracted, and (typically) a large percentage of their mass is excreted. On th… --- ## [Viewing the Southern Cross from Key West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-the-southern-cross-from-key-west/715909)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viewing-the-southern-cross-from-key-west/715909 "2015-03-25T01:59:18Z")
Is it possible? Is it a year round thing or possible only during some months? --- ## [Size of Nucleus to rest of Atom and other questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-nucleus-to-rest-of-atom-and-other-questions/715872)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/size-of-nucleus-to-rest-of-atom-and-other-questions/715872 "2015-03-25T01:17:01Z")
When I hear statements like, the size of the Nucleus in proportion to the rest of the Atom is like the size of a soccer ball in proportion to the whole stadium… or, statements like, there are more Atoms in your fingertip… --- ## [Colors - primary vs. secondary and the rainbow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-primary-vs-secondary-and-the-rainbow/715627)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colors-primary-vs-secondary-and-the-rainbow/715627 "2015-03-25T00:53:30Z")
teaching my daughter about primary and secondary colors, something occurred to me that I never thought of before… Why is there a 7th color in the rainbow? Red, yellow and blue are the primary colors Orange, green, purp… --- ## [Media style question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-style-question/715896)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-style-question/715896 "2015-03-25T00:10:59Z")
I’ve notice the media always writes this way: Output increased to 100 from 50. Where I would write Output increased from 50 to 100. Is there any reason for this style of writing? Are they Yoda fans? --- ## [Question about old house electrical wiring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-old-house-electrical-wiring/715779)
**Author:** [@get\_lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/get_lives)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-old-house-electrical-wiring/715779 "2015-03-24T21:21:39Z")
The house I just bought is 65 years old, and has original wiring through most of the house. I just installed a new ceiling fan (replacing an old light fixture) in one room yesterday, and suddenly three of the ceiling lig… --- ## [Another Grammar Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/715785)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/715785 "2015-03-24T19:39:22Z")
“Among those who passed me…” “Among they who passed me…” “Among them who passed me…” I can think of reasons to support any of the above. “Those” being elliptical for “those people;” “they” being the co-subject of “pa… --- ## [Connecting a 12 year old computer to WiFi.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120)
**Author:** [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120 "2015-03-24T18:44:03Z")
What would I need to do to connect this computer: …to WiFi? And before anyone tells me to upgrade, I can’t, no money for it. In fact I doubt I can afford to do what it takes to connect to WiFi, but I want to know just… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1143) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1145)