# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=150 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 151 --- ## [Is breathing stuffy air bad for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breathing-stuffy-air-bad-for-you/982420)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breathing-stuffy-air-bad-for-you/982420 "2023-04-10T01:29:48Z")
Or is it just unpleasant? --- ## [Eyes and light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyes-and-light/982396)
**Author:** [@Amber13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amber13)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2023, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyes-and-light/982396 "2023-04-09T12:36:38Z")
All people see light with their eyes open and all people see darkness when they close their eyes,why do people see light with their eyes open and darkness when they close their eyes? --- ## [Do I understand this rule about "overspent" flexible spending accounts correctly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-understand-this-rule-about-overspent-flexible-spending-accounts-correctly/982385)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-understand-this-rule-about-overspent-flexible-spending-accounts-correctly/982385 "2023-04-08T19:30:14Z")
I participate in a flexible spending account for health care expenses provided through my work. I contribute the maximum and use it up every year. This year it’s probable I’ll be retiring about mid-year. To date, I’ve… --- ## [Why does this Type III PFD state "not for water skiing?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-type-iii-pfd-state-not-for-water-skiing/982323)
**Author:** [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-type-iii-pfd-state-not-for-water-skiing/982323 "2023-04-08T18:42:13Z")
Was helping a friend clean and arrange his his boating stuff for the upcoming season, and I noticed he had a “paddle sports” type lifejacket (MTI Reflex MBU). It has zipper and one buckle in front, and various other buck… --- ## [Strange occurrence with TV emergency broadcast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-occurrence-with-tv-emergency-broadcast/982280)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-occurrence-with-tv-emergency-broadcast/982280 "2023-04-08T13:51:26Z")
Just a few minutes ago, our TV had an emergency weather alert. It took a few seconds to load up and I used that time to mute it before it started that terrible noise. Nonetheless, my toddler put his hands over his ears … --- ## [Another "Relativity from the photon's viewpoint" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-relativity-from-the-photons-viewpoint-question/982344)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-relativity-from-the-photons-viewpoint-question/982344 "2023-04-08T13:25:11Z")
If from a photon’s perspective the rest of the universe is traveling at C, how does that not mean that all the objects with rest mass in the universe appear to have infinite relativistic mass? --- ## [Electronically Storing Web Links?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronically-storing-web-links/982324)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronically-storing-web-links/982324 "2023-04-08T01:46:47Z")
For work and my everyday life I am often on phones and computers that are not mine, but for which I need access to a variety of web site addresses. In the past I have stored these on a USB flash drive, on my Google Driv… --- ## [What happened to my email?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-email/982307)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-email/982307 "2023-04-07T23:26:20Z")
I have an Outlook (hotmail) account and the other day I started getting all kinds of junk mail in my in box. Like, a lot. I’m still getting junk mail in my junk mail box, as well. The appearance has changed, too. I don’t… --- ## [What is the best age to get pregnant and give birth in terms and biology and physiology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-age-to-get-pregnant-and-give-birth-in-terms-and-biology-and-physiology/982276)
**Author:** [@yarblek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yarblek)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-age-to-get-pregnant-and-give-birth-in-terms-and-biology-and-physiology/982276 "2023-04-07T16:36:43Z")
Imagine a very wealthy gay couple of two men selecting a biological mother for their single future child. They have 18 otherwise very similar healthy women who have agreed, they only differ in their ages and are from 18 … --- ## [Poured concrete slabs vs frost line, and foundation footers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poured-concrete-slabs-vs-frost-line-and-foundation-footers/982113)
**Author:** [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poured-concrete-slabs-vs-frost-line-and-foundation-footers/982113 "2023-04-07T14:54:39Z")
Why is the regional frost line considered inconsequential when pouring a concrete slab house foundation or a driveway, but of paramount importance when pouring a footer for a “conventional” building foundation? Up north,… --- ## [Flooded basement, mitigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flooded-basement-mitigation/981802)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flooded-basement-mitigation/981802 "2023-04-07T13:10:09Z")
As you may have heard, California has gotten an inordinate amount of rain this winter. Which is mostly a good thing, but it’s caused a problem for my mother: her basement fills with water, 6" - 8" deep, when it rains. … --- ## [Changing airport elevations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-airport-elevations/982096)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-airport-elevations/982096 "2023-04-07T12:04:00Z")
Airport elevations are given in MSL (Mean Sea Level). With the sea levels rising due to a warmer planet, I assume that elevations would need to be changed at some point. What is that point? A quick search says that se… --- ## [Debit cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debit-cards/981753)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2023, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debit-cards/981753 "2023-04-07T09:42:25Z")
I generally use only credit cards. Was thinking about getting a debit card. Since I carry a pretty high balance at the connected bank, am I taking a risk of losing a whole bunch of money if the card is stolen and/or I a… --- ## [Trees and gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trees-and-gravity/349817)
**Author:** [@username\_taken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/username_taken)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trees-and-gravity/349817 "2023-04-06T17:33:51Z")
I once heard someone on the radio talking about trees and wondering how it is that water is able to make its way from the roots all the way to the very top branches and leaves. The person made it sound as if the answer … --- ## [Could this memory card access technology work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-memory-card-access-technology-work/981751)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-this-memory-card-access-technology-work/981751 "2023-04-06T13:07:38Z")
I’ve seen it used on more than one science fiction movie/series. A character is standing over a horizontally-mounted touchscreen display, and tosses a small memory card down on the display. The display…uh…displays a visu… --- ## [What is a driver and why does my computer not have one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-driver-and-why-does-my-computer-not-have-one/981947)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2023, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-driver-and-why-does-my-computer-not-have-one/981947 "2023-04-06T12:56:45Z")
What is a driver and why does my computer not have one? --- ## [Does drinking alcohol with meals reduce their nutritional value?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drinking-alcohol-with-meals-reduce-their-nutritional-value/982140)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drinking-alcohol-with-meals-reduce-their-nutritional-value/982140 "2023-04-05T21:50:41Z")
I googled this and didn’t find great info. We all know that it leads to making bad food choices and more caloric intake, but I’m asking the question from a chemical perspective. Does drinking alcohol either during, or … --- ## [Excel not asking if I want to save my changes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-not-asking-if-i-want-to-save-my-changes/982156)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-not-asking-if-i-want-to-save-my-changes/982156 "2023-04-05T13:28:50Z")
Earlier today a window popped up that said I had to save my open Office applications so that the system could update Office. So I saved my files and clicked Continue. Once updated, my applications re-opened automatical… --- ## [Is this pronunciation of frontier a regional thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pronunciation-of-frontier-a-regional-thing/981910)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-pronunciation-of-frontier-a-regional-thing/981910 "2023-04-05T12:42:17Z")
I’m listening to an audiobook and the speaker pronounces frontier in a way I’ve never heard before. I’ve always heard it pronounced frun-teer. But he pronounces it frawn-teer. I believe the speaker is originally from No… --- ## [Kaiser Permanente](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaiser-permanente/982176)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaiser-permanente/982176 "2023-04-05T10:46:46Z")
Does Kaiser see non members if they pay cash? --- ## [I have an Emerson computer monitor (I can get the model # if necessary). All I want to do is turn it back on!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-emerson-computer-monitor-i-can-get-the-model-if-necessary-all-i-want-to-do-is-turn-it-back-on/982134)
**Author:** [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-emerson-computer-monitor-i-can-get-the-model-if-necessary-all-i-want-to-do-is-turn-it-back-on/982134 "2023-04-05T06:26:31Z")
I’ve had my computer monitor (an Emeson) for about a year. It has one of those “built-in” automatic shutoff circuits when after being left alone for about 30 minutes, shuts the monitor off. I left the computer monitor … --- ## [Permanently Disable Num Lock Key](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanently-disable-num-lock-key/982105)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanently-disable-num-lock-key/982105 "2023-04-05T01:27:46Z")
There is never, never, never, never going to be a situation where I want the number keys on my 10-keypad to not work. The num lock button on this Windows laptop is located such that it is far too easy to accidentally pr… --- ## [Factual Question about Women's Soccer Lawsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-womens-soccer-lawsuit/982133)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factual-question-about-womens-soccer-lawsuit/982133 "2023-04-04T23:51:52Z")
Hey everyone. I can’t find this answer online and I’m looking for a factual answer. It’s based on an argument I had with someone. In essence: Women’s soccer players sued because they are paid less than men, and won a s… --- ## [Are there any businesses that keep significant "rainy day" savings on hand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-businesses-that-keep-significant-rainy-day-savings-on-hand/981835)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-businesses-that-keep-significant-rainy-day-savings-on-hand/981835 "2023-04-04T19:40:55Z")
Households all try to keep savings on hand for rainy days. For some reason, corporations/companies seem to be exempt from needing to do that. Are there any (non-bank) companies that make a practice of stashing a lot of … --- ## [Can castrated men have sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-castrated-men-have-sex/188961)
**Author:** [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-castrated-men-have-sex/188961 "2023-04-04T19:36:40Z")
I have seen different thoughts/opinions, that castrated men cannot have sex, and thus in old days, they are made into eunuchs. But some people say that it was not effective. Then I also have heard that castrating a rapi… --- ## [Questions About When Multiple Parties Are Defendants In A Civil Suit (don't need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-when-multiple-parties-are-defendants-in-a-civil-suit-dont-need-answer-fast/982026)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-when-multiple-parties-are-defendants-in-a-civil-suit-dont-need-answer-fast/982026 "2023-04-04T19:14:41Z")
Let’s say I sue Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Yoshihiro for $20 million. If the judge/jury find in my favor, is each of them on the hook for $4 million? If Matthew wants to settle and the others do not, does Matthew j… --- ## [Diamond price question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamond-price-question/981701)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamond-price-question/981701 "2023-04-04T19:03:38Z")
There is this candle company that claims that every candle contains a real diamond (I won’t name it, but if you have Facebook you have probably seen their adverts). They sell the candles for $30 each, and I asked them w… --- ## [Steroids for inflammation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steroids-for-inflammation/981962)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steroids-for-inflammation/981962 "2023-04-02T17:58:54Z")
I’ve had an undiagnosed medical issue for 2.5 years. Mainly pain in the neck and head but also into the shoulder and eyes and ears. All on the right side of my body. I finally got some relief about ten days ago when a ne… --- ## [Looking for recent news story (2022-23) about young female athlete from Ireland or the UK, who suffered personality change before diagnosis and treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-recent-news-story-2022-23-about-young-female-athlete-from-ireland-or-the-uk-who-suffered-personality-change-before-diagnosis-and-treatment/981998)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-recent-news-story-2022-23-about-young-female-athlete-from-ireland-or-the-uk-who-suffered-personality-change-before-diagnosis-and-treatment/981998 "2023-04-02T01:11:55Z")
I’m putting this in FQ rather than Cafe Society because I’m far more interested in the neurology of her case than the fact she is an athlete. I don’t object to its being moved if the mods so decree. I read this story ma… --- ## [Arrest or Summons for Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrest-or-summons-for-trump/981907)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arrest-or-summons-for-trump/981907 "2023-04-01T22:58:01Z")
Having been indicted, could Donald Trump be issued a summons instead of being arrested? I am only seeking a factual answer to this one question. It would be a matter of New York law and I am too busy right now to look … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=149) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=151)