# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=238 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 239 --- ## [Any species of creature where the act of mating does not require a physiological change (in males)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-species-of-creature-where-the-act-of-mating-does-not-require-a-physiological-change-in-males/956058)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-species-of-creature-where-the-act-of-mating-does-not-require-a-physiological-change-in-males/956058 "2021-12-16T00:41:09Z")
In humans and other creatures I can think of, the male reproductive organ is not in a position to mate while going about ordinary non-mating activities, and undergoes a physiological change in order to enable this. But i… --- ## [Why are you supposed to give gas during revmatch downshifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-supposed-to-give-gas-during-revmatch-downshifting/955955)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-supposed-to-give-gas-during-revmatch-downshifting/955955 "2021-12-15T22:49:13Z")
I might be completely wrong, but this is how I understood what revmatch downshifting is: You press the clutch Bump the accelerator lightly change the gear down let go of the clutch Let’s say I’m driving 50km/h and I’m… --- ## [Glass that keeps pictures from fading in the sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-that-keeps-pictures-from-fading-in-the-sun/956068)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glass-that-keeps-pictures-from-fading-in-the-sun/956068 "2021-12-15T20:40:31Z")
Is there a way to tell if the glass over a painting is the UV blocking glass? Something that can be done from home without taking it to a frame shop to check? May require some specialized equipment to look at the light … --- ## [What would an ENT say about this ear wax removal tool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-ent-say-about-this-ear-wax-removal-tool/949591)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-ent-say-about-this-ear-wax-removal-tool/949591 "2021-12-15T18:30:48Z")
This Bluetooth-enabled gadget has a camera that you can monitor on your phone while you clean your ear and puncture your eardrum. J&J says not to use Q-Tips to do this, presumably for liability reasons. Is this somethin… --- ## [Please identify this telescope found at an Estate sale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-telescope-found-at-an-estate-sale/956082)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-telescope-found-at-an-estate-sale/956082 "2021-12-15T13:18:51Z")
It is about 10 inches long. Has 4 legs to level it - has a spirit level too. Looks like a copper based allow construction. Spins on its axis, and has degrees marked like a protractor. Thank you --- ## [Weird screen flicker and ghosting -- it's the monitor, not the computer, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-screen-flicker-and-ghosting-its-the-monitor-not-the-computer-right/955947)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-screen-flicker-and-ghosting-its-the-monitor-not-the-computer-right/955947 "2021-12-15T01:43:25Z")
Am I right to conclude that the problem we’ve been having with Ms. Napier’s new system is the monitor’s fault, and not the computer’s? I bought her a Mac Mini last summer, along with an LG brand 24MP88 monitor. There’s b… --- ## [What happens to economic debt between belligerent nations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-economic-debt-between-belligerent-nations/956019)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-economic-debt-between-belligerent-nations/956019 "2021-12-15T00:44:54Z")
Disclaimer: I am not a politician, nor (especially) an economist. I couldn’t tell you a GDP from a trade imbalance from a kumquat. But I do know war, and war ain’t pretty. But what happens during, or after a war, with… --- ## [Do people sweat in hot tubs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-sweat-in-hot-tubs/956056)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-sweat-in-hot-tubs/956056 "2021-12-14T23:00:21Z")
Obviously the part which is not underwater does, but I’m wondering about the part which is underwater. I see from WebMD that people do not sweat in hot tubs. And from a source called "Healthline" that they do. Unless W… --- ## [Have citizens arrests ever resulted in trials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-citizens-arrests-ever-resulted-in-trials/954650)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-citizens-arrests-ever-resulted-in-trials/954650 "2021-12-14T21:55:10Z")
I thought citizens arrest was an urban legend. Has a citizens arrest ever resulted directly in a trial? --- ## [Iran wants to ban cat ownership, but isn't that against Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-wants-to-ban-cat-ownership-but-isnt-that-against-islam/955971)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2021, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-wants-to-ban-cat-ownership-but-isnt-that-against-islam/955971 "2021-12-14T15:20:24Z")
According to recent news from Iran The law, named \[Protection of the Public’s Rights Against Animals\], was proposed by 75 hardliner legislators and introduced in November, described people living with animals as a “des… --- ## [Geometry buffs: Pls explain this "How many triangles" puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-buffs-pls-explain-this-how-many-triangles-puzzle/955860)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geometry-buffs-pls-explain-this-how-many-triangles-puzzle/955860 "2021-12-13T23:01:10Z")
I keep seeing this pop up on my FB feed. To me, I only see 4. But the answers in the comments are all over the place. So what am I missing here? --- ## [Quick XP context menu question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-xp-context-menu-question/234829)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-xp-context-menu-question/234829 "2004-03-17T11:57:40Z")
My boss installed Tweak UI on his XP machine a few days ago and has now noticed that doouble-clicking a folder in the right-hand pane of Windows Explorer doesn’t open it, but launches a search window (this appears to be … --- ## [WinXP rainbow mouse pointer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-rainbow-mouse-pointer/230168)
**Author:** [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2004, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winxp-rainbow-mouse-pointer/230168 "2004-02-20T08:35:06Z")
Sometimes in Windows XP, my mouse pointer turns into an animated rainbow (colors cascade inside the pointer shape). It’s not part of any theme I’m using, and it only lasts for a second or two. But I can’t figure out what… --- ## [Order of Color Word Appearance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-color-word-appearance/208168)
**Author:** [@Feroz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feroz)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/order-of-color-word-appearance/208168 "2021-12-13T14:39:06Z")
In one of Cecil’s columns ( http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_168b.html ) there is a discussion about the order of color words appearing in a language. The classical Greeks are said to have only had words for four… --- ## [What's this kind of multiple scatter plot called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-kind-of-multiple-scatter-plot-called/694799)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-kind-of-multiple-scatter-plot-called/694799 "2021-12-13T00:07:19Z")
What’s this called? An array of graphs to visualize relationships between all pairs of a list of variables. The same list of variables appears on the left and bottom edges, and if the list gives five variables, there wou… --- ## [Question about Prius batteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prius-batteries/954196)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-prius-batteries/954196 "2021-12-12T19:42:29Z")
I’m trying to find out of the “normal” auto battery in Mom’s Prius is slowly discharging backwards into the “battery pack”, i.e. the LiIon pack that is part of the Hybrid drive. The car is from 2003. Original battery p… --- ## [Cats stopped liking catnip?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-stopped-liking-catnip/955939)
**Author:** [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-stopped-liking-catnip/955939 "2021-12-12T19:29:13Z")
I know some cats lack the gene that makes them enjoy catnip. This isn’t about that, unless there’s some CRISPR going on at my sister’s house. She has two rescue cats, a brother and sister, a few years old. She’s had the… --- ## [What happens to a force too small to interact with anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-a-force-too-small-to-interact-with-anything/955849)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-a-force-too-small-to-interact-with-anything/955849 "2021-12-12T14:41:34Z")
Gravity’s simplified mathematical formula would seem to indicate as long as the distance between the 2 bodies is finite, there will be some force from gravity. What happens if those distances get very far apart, is ther… --- ## [Ex- president's tax fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-presidents-tax-fraud/955501)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-presidents-tax-fraud/955501 "2021-12-12T12:48:15Z")
Isn’t the gist of the tax fraud case that he claims the value of property high for loan purposes and low for tax purposes? Am I to understand, in his case, that the assessment of the value of his property was left to him… --- ## [A Simple Math Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-math-question/955809)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-math-question/955809 "2021-12-12T12:21:21Z")
ABC News is playing in the background. They are talking about vaccines and booster shots. Without the booster (or something) protection is 25 times less. Not 25% less. The graphic read 25 X less. What does this mean? … --- ## [Aircraft flying along the direction of the earth's rotation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-flying-along-the-direction-of-the-earths-rotation/955808)
**Author:** [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-flying-along-the-direction-of-the-earths-rotation/955808 "2021-12-12T00:52:46Z")
Putting it simply, if the earth were still and a flight takes 8 hrs… What are the differences in flight time along the direction of rotation and opposite the direction of rotation ? What about straight up and down long… --- ## [How can I locate this graph?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-locate-this-graph/955831)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-locate-this-graph/955831 "2021-12-12T00:10:18Z")
Not long ago, I saw a graph, maybe two side-by-side, illustrating this point: Of all the bills passed by congress the vast majority were opposed by the general public but supported by big money, i.e. donors, corporate in… --- ## [Do health insurance plans in the US cover abortion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-health-insurance-plans-in-the-us-cover-abortion/955465)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-health-insurance-plans-in-the-us-cover-abortion/955465 "2021-12-11T22:38:30Z")
Just looking for factual responses please. Is this something that is standard coverage, or do different health plans treat it differently? --- ## [What would happen to metallic hydrogen at normal atmosphere, pressure and temperature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-metallic-hydrogen-at-normal-atmosphere-pressure-and-temperature/955853)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-to-metallic-hydrogen-at-normal-atmosphere-pressure-and-temperature/955853 "2021-12-11T22:08:59Z")
Let’s say you could magically take some metallic hydrogen from Jupiter and transport it directly to the earth’s surface, say at sea level on a balmy 70 degree Fahrenheit day (or any other environment on earth if you’d li… --- ## [CPAP with Oxygen Bleed In Adapter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-with-oxygen-bleed-in-adapter/955877)
**Author:** [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-with-oxygen-bleed-in-adapter/955877 "2021-12-11T20:53:27Z")
My doctor has me using a CPAP with an oxygen bleed-in adapter like this: https://www.thecpapshop.com/o2-bleed-adapter A hose from my oxygen concentrator connects to the smaller barbed tube on the adapter. One end of t… --- ## [I just saw another vid about how rare the color blue is in nature, but](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-another-vid-about-how-rare-the-color-blue-is-in-nature-but/955748)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-another-vid-about-how-rare-the-color-blue-is-in-nature-but/955748 "2021-12-11T16:54:13Z")
they don’t seem to ever mention blue eggs. Over the years I’ve read several articles about how rare and hard it is for plants and animals to create the color blue (Here’s one for example https://www.livescience.com/why-… --- ## [How would an Iowa-class battleship fare against this kind of beating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-iowa-class-battleship-fare-against-this-kind-of-beating/594916)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-iowa-class-battleship-fare-against-this-kind-of-beating/594916 "2021-12-11T13:46:49Z")
The largest battleship ever built, the Yamato, met its fate at the hands of hundreds of carrier aircraft that attacked it relentlessly. So one-sided was this beating, I’ve read reports only something like ten american pl… --- ## [How many triangles can you see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-triangles-can-you-see/955870)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2021, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-triangles-can-you-see/955870 "2021-12-11T06:17:04Z")
The FQ thread created earlier today (Geometry buffs: Pls explain this “How many triangles” puzzle) reminded me of a mathematics competition I participated in years ago. One question was similar, and I’ll pose it here. (… --- ## [What's the deal with YouTube videos scrambling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-youtube-videos-scrambling/955288)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-youtube-videos-scrambling/955288 "2021-12-10T21:03:23Z")
Sometimes when I watch videos on YouTube they go into this scramble mode. Bunch of lines across the screen making the image illegible. Audio is still good. It’s like trying to watch a cable channel I didn’t pay for back … --- ## [Minimize cost of electrical heating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimize-cost-of-electrical-heating/955686)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimize-cost-of-electrical-heating/955686 "2021-12-10T17:39:03Z")
Electricity costs are getting really high in Norway right now and most homes are heated by electricity. Prices vary througout the day, and you are given the price curve the day before. You could the heat your home when … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=237) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=239)