# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=134 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 135 --- ## [What's a hearing aid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-hearing-aid/986740)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2023, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-hearing-aid/986740 "2023-07-09T12:16:49Z")
Nano Hearing Aids say their product is ‘a TRUE hearing aid, NOT just an amplifier.’ I thought hearing aids are amplifiers. If they’re not, then what are they? --- ## [How do people fall in the water and not resurface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-fall-in-the-water-and-not-resurface/986566)
**Author:** [@Yosh99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yosh99)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-fall-in-the-water-and-not-resurface/986566 "2023-07-08T19:08:16Z")
There have been several drownings in local lakes lately and all report that people fell in the water and never resurfaced. In once case a person fell off a platform into the water. In another, a person fell out of a bo… --- ## [Shotcrete & Landmines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotcrete-landmines/986615)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shotcrete-landmines/986615 "2023-07-08T16:53:15Z")
Has anyone tried something like sprayed concrete layers (e.g. shotcrete) as a method for dealing with landmines? Would you be able to put enough material over top to dampen their effects sufficiently? --- ## [Do people still get HIV through blood transfusions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-get-hiv-through-blood-transfusions/276508)
**Author:** [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-still-get-hiv-through-blood-transfusions/276508 "2023-07-08T16:02:31Z")
Inspired by a story told in this thread: Can lawsuits really go this far? I, and several others, were surprised that in this day and age, people are still getting HIV-tainted blood: Then Trunk “opened up a huge can … --- ## [Vampire Facials and HIV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampire-facials-and-hiv/986744)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vampire-facials-and-hiv/986744 "2023-07-08T15:24:17Z")
NBC just said someone in Albuquerque contracted HIV this year from getting a facial with their own plasma, a ‘vampire facial’ they called it. I feel sad for the patient who didnt know what questions to ask before they … --- ## [How far does a school have to accommodate parents who don't want their child taught be a particular teacher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-a-school-have-to-accommodate-parents-who-dont-want-their-child-taught-be-a-particular-teacher/986362)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-does-a-school-have-to-accommodate-parents-who-dont-want-their-child-taught-be-a-particular-teacher/986362 "2023-07-08T13:13:37Z")
Assume it’s a US public school (but I’d be interested in how this would be handled in other countries). Say a patent has unresolveble issues with a particular teacher and is adamant their do not want their child in that … --- ## [How easy is it to cut off a human penis on an unwilling individual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-cut-off-a-human-penis-on-an-unwilling-individual/732085)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-cut-off-a-human-penis-on-an-unwilling-individual/732085 "2023-07-08T03:05:36Z")
These stories in the media of penile amputation kinda puzzle me, Lorena used a knife and the unnamed Chinese woman a pair of scissors. Being male I have access to a penis, and flaccid it is very flexible and of a textur… --- ## [Can someone be court-martialed when they're no longer in the military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-be-court-martialed-when-theyre-no-longer-in-the-military/986736)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-be-court-martialed-when-theyre-no-longer-in-the-military/986736 "2023-07-08T00:20:26Z")
Say someone commits a crime in the military (such as embezzlement/theft/bribery whatever) but this doesn’t come to light until long after they’ve been (honorably) discharged from the military. If that person is a civilia… --- ## [Term for last two digits of the year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-last-two-digits-of-the-year/986711)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-for-last-two-digits-of-the-year/986711 "2023-07-07T16:53:15Z")
I remember from y2k fix programming there is a name for the last to digits of the year. for example ‘99’ from 1899 or ‘23’ from 2023.,or even ‘69’ from 169. But I cannot think of it. All I can come up with modulus ,… --- ## [ID this snake (southern Washington)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake-southern-washington/986253)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-snake-southern-washington/986253 "2023-07-07T16:30:37Z")
We spotted this snake on a hike in Washington in the Columbia Gorge. I think it’s either a western rattlesnake or a nightsnake. I’m leaning toward nightsnake because of the dark patches behind its eyes, and because every… --- ## [Bringing a human baby here from 50,000 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-a-human-baby-here-from-50-000-years-ago/986650)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2023, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-a-human-baby-here-from-50-000-years-ago/986650 "2023-07-07T11:57:15Z")
Suppose I jump into my handy dandy time machine and whirl back 50,000 years ago. I walk around a bit, pick up what seems like a healthy baby, and bring it back to 2023. Would there be any major differences between the ba… --- ## [Car wash in Reading PA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wash-in-reading-pa/986641)
**Author:** [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wash-in-reading-pa/986641 "2023-07-06T13:43:07Z")
My local car wash offers a “hot wax” and a “clear coat”. When I ask the kids working there, I can’t get a straight answer. What are they and is one better than the other? --- ## [Cotton wool phobia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-wool-phobia/165407)
**Author:** [@ChalkPit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChalkPit)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2023, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-wool-phobia/165407 "2023-07-06T12:42:56Z")
I just cannot stand touching the stuff. Is it just me ? --- ## [Where can I get a stapler for dartboards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-stapler-for-dartboards/699558)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2023, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-a-stapler-for-dartboards/699558 "2023-07-06T08:22:51Z")
My dartboards would last a lot longer if I could staple the spider back on after the staples pop out. They are special staples and I can’t seem to find a stapler that takes them. I have checked Ebay, Amazon, Rakuten, S… --- ## [Were there any instances of war crimes committed by the ROKA against the KPA during the Korean War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-instances-of-war-crimes-committed-by-the-roka-against-the-kpa-during-the-korean-war/986620)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-instances-of-war-crimes-committed-by-the-roka-against-the-kpa-during-the-korean-war/986620 "2023-07-06T04:15:56Z")
I couldn’t find any mention of ROKA atrocities against KPA during the Korean War but I vaguely remember watching a documentary years ago on the mutual cruelty both sides had visited on each other. --- ## [How can I fix this cabinet hinge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-fix-this-cabinet-hinge/986454)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-fix-this-cabinet-hinge/986454 "2023-07-05T16:52:57Z")
I’ve got this kitchen cabinet that’s very old, with a strange type of hinge I haven’t seen at the Home Depot, etc. , not exactly sure how to describe it…but the problem is this: over the years, the screw fell out and so… --- ## [Is "street sweeping" a scam to generate ticket revenue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-street-sweeping-a-scam-to-generate-ticket-revenue/542453)
**Author:** [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-street-sweeping-a-scam-to-generate-ticket-revenue/542453 "2023-07-05T16:42:28Z")
In a recent weekend trip up to Santa Monica, CA and around the beach areas of San Diego, there are signs warning you not to park on certain streets on a random day of the month (like the first Wednesday) because of ‘stre… --- ## [Does Amazon provide drivers with a specific route?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-amazon-provide-drivers-with-a-specific-route/986125)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-amazon-provide-drivers-with-a-specific-route/986125 "2023-07-05T15:25:08Z")
I was wondering how all those packages get delivered in the shortest time. Mail carriers have a specified route they drive every day but it seems an Amazon driver’s work load would be random. Do they have an application … --- ## [Help Parsing This Confusing Sentence ("36% of Utility Customers Without Power")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-parsing-this-confusing-sentence-36-of-utility-customers-without-power/986403)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-parsing-this-confusing-sentence-36-of-utility-customers-without-power/986403 "2023-07-05T13:38:06Z")
Springfield, Illinois is cleaning up from severe storms a couple of days ago. This article says that 36% of the city’s utility customers are still without power. What does that mean? Springfield has a population of, let… --- ## [Peeing in the pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peeing-in-the-pool/986079)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peeing-in-the-pool/986079 "2023-07-05T07:39:03Z")
Aside from offending my own aesthetic sensibilities am i creating any sort of health problem by peeing in my own pool? It measures 75 feet x 40 feet with an average depth of 5 feet. I estimate the quantity of urine as a… --- ## ['The Crucible' (Marine Boot Camp)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucible-marine-boot-camp/986518)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-crucible-marine-boot-camp/986518 "2023-07-05T03:15:14Z")
Near the end of marine boot camp (at week 10 of 12), recruits have to pass The Crucible. Two quesions please: About what percent of recruits fail it? What happens to failed recruits (do they start back at week one or … --- ## [I can't figure this out on my new Samsung phone (RE: downloaded app icons)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-figure-this-out-on-my-new-samsung-phone-re-downloaded-app-icons/986584)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-figure-this-out-on-my-new-samsung-phone-re-downloaded-app-icons/986584 "2023-07-04T23:30:21Z")
Didn’t really pick this phone for any reason other than my old one met and abrupt end (it had lived a good life, and didn’t suffer). I needed a new one ASAP, and it was the best I could afford (second highest price for m… --- ## [What is it? Alien Tape and Pooph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390 "2023-07-04T22:18:05Z")
We want to know how does Alien Tape work? What is it made of? And, the Pooph product. What is it made of that claims to be edible yet used to control industrial odors. (This assumes these products are what they claim to … --- ## [Trucks hauling "suicide coils."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trucks-hauling-suicide-coils/833142)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trucks-hauling-suicide-coils/833142 "2023-07-04T20:48:54Z")
I have a friend who’s an OTR trucker. He said he will haul any freight except “suicide coils.” :confused: According to him, “suicide coils” are large coils of steel that are rolled onto (and then secured to) a flatbed … --- ## [Economic results of WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-results-of-wwii/986420)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-results-of-wwii/986420 "2023-07-04T19:17:45Z")
The US became an economic power house. England did not fare so well. What of Canada, Australia and New Zealand? --- ## [What was the Afro-Eurasian Interchange like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-afro-eurasian-interchange-like/986486)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-afro-eurasian-interchange-like/986486 "2023-07-03T20:12:35Z")
We often hear much made of the Great American Interchange, where North and South America colllided and species from previously separated ecosystems became intermingled. This makes sense - it was a dramatic story, it happ… --- ## [Math Formula Needed: Calculating The Speed of Two Things Moving at Once](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-formula-needed-calculating-the-speed-of-two-things-moving-at-once/986447)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-formula-needed-calculating-the-speed-of-two-things-moving-at-once/986447 "2023-07-03T18:36:24Z")
Let’s say a person walks at 4km/hr. Let’s say at moving airport walkway moves at 4km/hr. A human walking on that walkway would be moving at — well, reason would say 8km/hr, but that seems way too simple for science/math. … --- ## [Unable to post on Facebook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-post-on-facebook/986508)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-post-on-facebook/986508 "2023-07-03T15:54:19Z")
One of my wife’s cousins has a birthday today. She clicked on the notification ('It’s \[cousin\]‘s birthday today. Write something to \[cousin\].’) and a new tab opened up. Whenever she clicks on any post, a new tab open… --- ## [Any landscaping experts? French drain / dry well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-landscaping-experts-french-drain-dry-well/967700)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-landscaping-experts-french-drain-dry-well/967700 "2023-07-03T15:31:25Z")
The back corner of my yard floods every time we get any sort of rain. That area is a bit lower than the rest of the yard (and the neighbors’ yards), so it is obvious why it happens. We hired a landscaper, with good refe… --- ## [ANyone Familiar With MS Teams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-ms-teams/986504)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-familiar-with-ms-teams/986504 "2023-07-03T14:03:04Z")
My group uses MS Teams for various purposes, but I’m puzzled about one feature: We post files for the group to update. How can we all update the same file at the same time? I did not think that was possible. (Or, maybe i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=133) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=135)