# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=257 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 258 --- ## [Are there any medical guidelines for using feeding tubes on depressed patients?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-medical-guidelines-for-using-feeding-tubes-on-depressed-patients/950059)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-medical-guidelines-for-using-feeding-tubes-on-depressed-patients/950059 "2021-09-06T01:03:50Z")
I have a relative in a long term care facility. Her roommate has stopped eating and slowly starving themselves to death. She’s stopped talking, watching TV, or interacting with the staff. She’s already been assigned to h… --- ## [Probability question -](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/950030)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/950030 "2021-09-05T18:41:12Z")
I just saw this online: If you choose an answer to this question at random, what is the chance that you will be correct? A. 25% B. 0% C. 50% D. 25% --- ## [How far are we from having a device to reliably detect disease in real time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-are-we-from-having-a-device-to-reliably-detect-disease-in-real-time/950095)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-are-we-from-having-a-device-to-reliably-detect-disease-in-real-time/950095 "2021-09-05T16:27:47Z")
Something like an air monitor which which can be installed in a classroom which can detect the COVID virus (and others), and alert the teacher who can take action before it gets a chance to spread? Or perhaps another fo… --- ## [Which countries don't have a medical Hippocratic-type oath?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-dont-have-a-medical-hippocratic-type-oath/950100)
**Author:** [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-dont-have-a-medical-hippocratic-type-oath/950100 "2021-09-05T14:29:54Z")
The original Hippocratic oath is not in use broadly speaking anymore, but there are several updated version such as the Declaration of Geneva. What does your country follow? Most oaths of this nature have a provision inc… --- ## [My Amazon account is showing in Spanish. How do I change it back, and do you think I've been hacked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-amazon-account-is-showing-in-spanish-how-do-i-change-it-back-and-do-you-think-ive-been-hacked/950131)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-amazon-account-is-showing-in-spanish-how-do-i-change-it-back-and-do-you-think-ive-been-hacked/950131 "2021-09-05T13:13:43Z")
I went to Amazon to look at a streaming movie, and everything is showing in Spanish. How do I switch it back, and should I assume that someone hacked me? --- ## [Super-continents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-continents/950108)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-continents/950108 "2021-09-05T12:27:15Z")
There have been several super-continents in our earth’s history. Pangea, Gondwana, Rodinia, etc have been created and destroyed due to plate tectonics. Why is there a tendency for large scale landmass to move together?… --- ## [Can you REPEAT high school as an adult if you already have a diploma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-repeat-high-school-as-an-adult-if-you-already-have-a-diploma/591387)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-repeat-high-school-as-an-adult-if-you-already-have-a-diploma/591387 "2021-09-05T11:04:53Z")
I live in the US and have both a High School Diploma and a BS, both of them from accredited institutions (i.e., they are considered valid anywhere in the US and possibly the world). I pulled off a B average in High Scho… --- ## [Another "traveling near the speed of light, time dilation" question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traveling-near-the-speed-of-light-time-dilation-question/950048)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-traveling-near-the-speed-of-light-time-dilation-question/950048 "2021-09-04T22:17:24Z")
Most “near the speed of light” travel questions involve getting in a spaceship, approaching the speed of light, and then returning to find that everyone that didn’t make the trip is now older or dead. In my scenario, I’… --- ## [What's in my OBDII port?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-my-obdii-port/847692)
**Author:** [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-my-obdii-port/847692 "2021-09-04T19:04:46Z")
I purchased a 2013 Ford Escape a few months ago. There is something plugged into the OBDII port with a thickish cable that goes back behind the dash somewhere. Disconnecting it doesn’t seem to affect anything, except tha… --- ## [Fratricidal caterpillars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fratricidal-caterpillars/949974)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fratricidal-caterpillars/949974 "2021-09-04T18:02:56Z")
This spring we bought our daughters a kit to raise butterflies from caterpillars. The whole process went well and 9 of the 10 caterpillars successfully turned into butterflies (Painted Lady I think). The 10th formed a ch… --- ## [Where did the majority of Ida’s water come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-majority-of-ida-s-water-come-from/949975)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-the-majority-of-ida-s-water-come-from/949975 "2021-09-04T13:22:43Z")
Hurricane Ida dumped a huge amount of water on the southeastern US as it landed in LA. As the system moved northeast, it continued to produce heavy rain, and then finally dropped record-breaking rainfall amount on porti… --- ## [Humans in the hold of an aircraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-in-the-hold-of-an-aircraft/949796)
**Author:** [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-in-the-hold-of-an-aircraft/949796 "2021-09-04T02:37:20Z")
A news item in the UK has had people talking and arguing. A guy chartered a plane for himself, his colleagues and about 100 animals out of Kabul, with room for about 100 extra Afghan refugees. The 2 main viewpoints can b… --- ## [Ivermectin Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivermectin-q/950028)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ivermectin-q/950028 "2021-09-03T19:46:52Z")
I know the difference between TV and real life, but I just saw something that made me wonder. I was watching a 10-year-old episode of House (Season 7) and, while spitballing for the patient-of-the-week’s treatment, Taub … --- ## [How do foamers create foam from a liquid product?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-foamers-create-foam-from-a-liquid-product/949935)
**Author:** [@All\_About\_M3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/All_About_M3)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2021, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-foamers-create-foam-from-a-liquid-product/949935 "2021-09-03T12:49:35Z")
There are tools that take a liquid product (e.g. soap) & spray it as a foam (some of these tools use a hand-pumping action, while others use a pressure washer, or even a stream of water.) How do these products do this (… --- ## [What Brand Are These PC Gaming Headphones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-are-these-pc-gaming-headphones/950036)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2021, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-are-these-pc-gaming-headphones/950036 "2021-09-03T07:35:15Z")
I’ve had this pair of “gaming” headphones for the past 10 years and they’re legitimately the best gaming headphones I ever used, only had to recently retire them due to one of the sides finally losing all sound. I want t… --- ## [Using Nord VPN with Roku TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-nord-vpn-with-roku-tv/939480)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-nord-vpn-with-roku-tv/939480 "2021-09-02T22:35:58Z")
I won’t ask for a really detailed answer, though offer them up if you want. I just changed from a POS Android Philips TV to a Roku. I subscribe to Nord for use with Locast. The new TV has the Locast app but apparently y… --- ## [US military recruiters "permanently stationed" in High Schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-recruiters-permanently-stationed-in-high-schools/949966)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-recruiters-permanently-stationed-in-high-schools/949966 "2021-09-02T22:11:40Z")
I’ve seen people bring this up over the years but it always confused me. Supposedly some people claim that their high school had a specific office where a US military recruiter was there at all hours for people who want… --- ## [Vexing computer problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vexing-computer-problem/949900)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vexing-computer-problem/949900 "2021-09-02T18:43:38Z")
My ACER ATC-280-UR11 had been horrible slow booting, when left alone would freeze and have to be rebooted, and finally does not work at all. I can enter safe mode but even selecting with networking wifi does not work. I… --- ## [Can a SEL pilot legally be PIC of a seaplane if he only operates it from land?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sel-pilot-legally-be-pic-of-a-seaplane-if-he-only-operates-it-from-land/949797)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sel-pilot-legally-be-pic-of-a-seaplane-if-he-only-operates-it-from-land/949797 "2021-09-02T17:33:47Z")
The question is in the title. Granted, adding a Seaplane rating once you have your SEL is not complicated and many pilots do it in a weekend. But suppose a pilot gets his hands on a Republic Seabee or a Lake Amphibian.… --- ## [Does any symbolic linear algebra software exist to help me with the following problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-symbolic-linear-algebra-software-exist-to-help-me-with-the-following-problem/949485)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-symbolic-linear-algebra-software-exist-to-help-me-with-the-following-problem/949485 "2021-09-02T16:51:14Z")
I need to take a simple linear equation, and break out various pieces from it symbolically, and demonstrate that the original equation is still satisfied. For example x=a+b+c where a = \\sum\_{i=0}^N{d\_ie\_i}{} and b=... … --- ## [Parental Control Software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parental-control-software/949717)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parental-control-software/949717 "2021-09-02T03:30:32Z")
I’d like something that lets me schedule apps and web sites. I see stuff that lets me block web sites, and stuff that lets me schedule screen time, but I’m not trying to either of those things. I’d like say no games an… --- ## [Low(est) earth orbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-est-earth-orbit/949224)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-est-earth-orbit/949224 "2021-09-01T23:45:09Z")
What’ the lowest a space ship can be and still stay in orbit? I realize that there is orbital decay at virtually any height. For my question, let’s ask what’s the lowest a circular orbit can be and still be up there af… --- ## [What is the purpose of these Facebook posts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-these-facebook-posts/949653)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-these-facebook-posts/949653 "2021-09-01T18:06:55Z")
If you have a Facebook account, no doubt you’ve seen the type of posts like “One gotta go”, “You can live here but you have to give up \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ for a year”, or some sort of misleading picture math problem. These posts g… --- ## [Why does a (sufficiently) hydrophobic surface lead to many separate water beads instead of one big bead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-sufficiently-hydrophobic-surface-lead-to-many-separate-water-beads-instead-of-one-big-bead/949787)
**Author:** [@All\_About\_M3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/All_About_M3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-sufficiently-hydrophobic-surface-lead-to-many-separate-water-beads-instead-of-one-big-bead/949787 "2021-09-01T15:23:13Z")
Assume we have a very hydrophobic surface. My current understanding is that water on this surface will form distinct “beads”, as in this picture My understanding (from googling) is that this occurs because the water is … --- ## [Multiple iPhone phone contacts after Big Sur upgrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-iphone-phone-contacts-after-big-sur-upgrade/949835)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-iphone-phone-contacts-after-big-sur-upgrade/949835 "2021-09-01T13:49:28Z")
After upgrading to Big Sur, I connected my phone to my MacBook Pro; mainly to keep it charged while I played a game of Freecell on it. This morning I went to call my wife and I discovered that my phone book has multiple… --- ## [Question about patio replacement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-patio-replacement/949748)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-patio-replacement/949748 "2021-09-01T12:15:12Z")
I have a very small, poured-concrete patio (10’ x 12’.) I am getting quotes to replace/enlarge it and one company told me they could install a paver patio over (without removing) the existing concrete. They certainly sou… --- ## [What's the temp of a static charge spark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-temp-of-a-static-charge-spark/149198)
**Author:** [@Daylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylon)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-temp-of-a-static-charge-spark/149198 "2021-09-01T01:49:34Z")
You know…the little blue arc that shocks the hell outta ya and causes people to pull an orange robe buddhist at the gas station? Why doesn’t it burn ya? Too short a timeframe? I’m thinking it’s gotta be a couple thous… --- ## [Where do the CARS 4 CA$H people get those super sticky full page size labels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-cars-4-ca-h-people-get-those-super-sticky-full-page-size-labels/949589)
**Author:** [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-cars-4-ca-h-people-get-those-super-sticky-full-page-size-labels/949589 "2021-09-01T00:46:17Z")
In NYC and probably other big cities these are a real eyesore - 8 1/2 x 11-inch stickers stuck onto everything - lampposts, traffic lights, street signs, that say CARS 4 CASH and have a phone number on them. It’s physic… --- ## [Childhood vaccination records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-vaccination-records/949679)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2021, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-vaccination-records/949679 "2021-08-31T22:28:32Z")
As a child I received all of the required vaccinations: Smallpox, measles, mumps, and who-knows-what else. I know I got the shots, but I have no record of them. Are vaccination records from half a century ago available… --- ## [Can a computer crawl inside your head and tell you what to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-computer-crawl-inside-your-head-and-tell-you-what-to-do/949839)
**Author:** [@mu34tant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mu34tant)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-computer-crawl-inside-your-head-and-tell-you-what-to-do/949839 "2021-08-31T19:53:32Z")
If millions of rna computers can be injected into your body with instructions to hamper virus growth, is it possible for a computer to give audible instructions from within the skull? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=256) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=258)