# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=379 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 380 --- ## [Can disposable Medical PPE (masks, gloves, etc) be resterilized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-disposable-medical-ppe-masks-gloves-etc-be-resterilized/850310)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2020, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-disposable-medical-ppe-masks-gloves-etc-be-resterilized/850310 "2020-03-27T07:30:45Z")
I know that today’s surgical masks were designed for single use, but given the shortage, can these masks be sterilized and reused? The coronavirus on inanimate objects can be killed with Lysol, so could masks be sprayed?… --- ## [Human anatomy question: What is the function of palatal rugae?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-anatomy-question-what-is-the-function-of-palatal-rugae/850353)
**Author:** [@Apollon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-anatomy-question-what-is-the-function-of-palatal-rugae/850353 "2020-03-27T02:05:47Z")
I tried to find an answer by googling, but all (and I mean ALL) search results deal with how palatal rugae can be used to identify corpses, or to help dentists in assessing this and that treatment. But I can’t find any l… --- ## [Tuesday Trivia....Beuller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-trivia-beuller/850371)
**Author:** [@Secret\_Goldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Secret_Goldfish)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuesday-trivia-beuller/850371 "2020-03-26T23:05:15Z")
Does anybody do Tuesday Trivia by…ecch…hairball…I hate to say it because we had a Twitter War…I vowed never to promote his name. God forgive me…Ken Jennings? --- ## [OK to mix brands of laundry detergent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-to-mix-brands-of-laundry-detergent/270649)
**Author:** [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-to-mix-brands-of-laundry-detergent/270649 "2020-03-26T19:16:06Z")
Sometimes I find myself with a few drops of laundry detergent in each of a few different bottles–different brands, of course. Is there any reason not to mix a couple teaspoons of this brand, a couple of that brand? In fa… --- ## [What do they do if an astronaut dies on the ISS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-do-if-an-astronaut-dies-on-the-iss/850166)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-do-if-an-astronaut-dies-on-the-iss/850166 "2020-03-26T16:02:43Z")
I read an article this morning about astronauts on the International Space Station. Don’t worry, they’re all healthy and (apparently) covid-free. But it got me to wondering, if one of them dies up there, what do they d… --- ## [Any problems with Google today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-problems-with-google-today/850160)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-problems-with-google-today/850160 "2020-03-26T04:20:59Z")
When I click on the App list icon, nothing happens. Nothing opens. It seems to work on desktop though. Anyone else having the same problem? --- ## [Foods that can chelate heavy metals - woo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-can-chelate-heavy-metals-woo/850097)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-can-chelate-heavy-metals-woo/850097 "2020-03-26T03:50:12Z")
Every now and then, one reads of vegetables or foods that have the ability to chelate heavy metals such as lead or cadmium out of the body - is this 100% woo? I was under the impression that the only thing that can chela… --- ## ["That Famous Middle Name"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-famous-middle-name/850200)
**Author:** [@mellsworth\_denver\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mellsworth_denver_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-famous-middle-name/850200 "2020-03-26T03:44:47Z")
Does anyone have a collection of these columns or can tell me how to find one? --- ## [Please explain the math of this situation to me. (funny video inside)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-math-of-this-situation-to-me-funny-video-inside/850286)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-math-of-this-situation-to-me-funny-video-inside/850286 "2020-03-26T00:08:13Z")
Note: This is from Would I Lie To You?, a game where the celebrities read a card and the other team guesses if the statement is true or a lie. I would, for the sake of entertainment, encourage you to watch the entire vi… --- ## [What would gold be worth if it were not considered money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-gold-be-worth-if-it-were-not-considered-money/849965)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-gold-be-worth-if-it-were-not-considered-money/849965 "2020-03-25T22:39:03Z")
People often assert that gold has no inherent value. I have even seen that assertion on this message board several times. It is my opinion that gold has value to humans because of several of its physical properties. T… --- ## [Why does Jupiter NOT effect global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-jupiter-not-effect-global-warming/816038)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-jupiter-not-effect-global-warming/816038 "2020-03-25T18:28:38Z")
I was watching a documentary about astronomy. In it, the narrator claimed that Jupiter can make the sun shift by as much as 500-thousand miles. So that must mean, when Jupiter is in alignment with Earth, the sun is now … --- ## [Is this a census scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-census-scam/849874)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-census-scam/849874 "2020-03-25T17:14:38Z")
I got a letter that appears to be from the census. It gives me an ID number and tells me to go online to fill out my census information by April 1. But the online address it uses is my2020census.gov and I checked online… --- ## [Program to extract data from a graph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-to-extract-data-from-a-graph/561735)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/program-to-extract-data-from-a-graph/561735 "2020-03-25T16:43:00Z")
I find myself in possession of a printout of a graph, from which I need to reconstruct the data that was used in making the graph (unfortunately, my advisor never bothered to save the data itself). I’ve already scanned … --- ## [Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water slides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebenezer-floppen-sloppers-wonderful-water-slides/850225)
**Author:** [@Pascal666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pascal666)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebenezer-floppen-sloppers-wonderful-water-slides/850225 "2020-03-25T16:25:24Z")
Why did Ebenezer Floppen Slopper’s Wonderful Water slides close? --- ## [Explain like I'm 5: Foreign relations of the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-like-im-5-foreign-relations-of-the-us/850254)
**Author:** [@Muddibog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muddibog)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-like-im-5-foreign-relations-of-the-us/850254 "2020-03-25T15:27:56Z")
I would just like an overview on US relations–specifically with Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Syria–explained in a manner that is concise and easy to understand for ignorant people like myself. Some questions I have a… --- ## ["Smartphone batteries only meant to be recharged 730 times" - what if many more times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphone-batteries-only-meant-to-be-recharged-730-times-what-if-many-more-times/850148)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphone-batteries-only-meant-to-be-recharged-730-times-what-if-many-more-times/850148 "2020-03-25T13:41:35Z")
So, supposedly smartphone Li-On batteries are only meant to be recharged 730 times - in other words, once a day, for two years. What if someone takes it to 1,200, or 2,000, or even more recharges? What happens to the b… --- ## [Just what the heck are the additives "parfum" and "fragrance"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-the-heck-are-the-additives-parfum-and-fragrance/537593)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-the-heck-are-the-additives-parfum-and-fragrance/537593 "2020-03-25T08:37:36Z")
You know, the generic perfumy scent added to darn near everything. I didn’t want to hijack the thread on hating perfume, but I was curious just what the heck these mysterious ingredients are. I mean, if you wanted to pos… --- ## [Calories Burned - Dog vs Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-burned-dog-vs-human/850227)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calories-burned-dog-vs-human/850227 "2020-03-25T07:23:47Z")
Just took our 60 lb dog on a 4 mile walk. A human burns about 100 calories mile. Any idea how many a 60 lb dog would burn? --- ## [How has the virus impacted sales of Corona beer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-virus-impacted-sales-of-corona-beer/850212)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-the-virus-impacted-sales-of-corona-beer/850212 "2020-03-25T03:52:02Z")
More sales, fewer, neither? --- ## [Northern Ireland Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-ireland-question/850007)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-ireland-question/850007 "2020-03-24T23:26:13Z")
What was it about the 6 northern Irish counties that made them more aligned with Britain than the rest of Ireland? Did they have more economic ties with the UK than in the south? I know there was a lot of industry there … --- ## [Spying by tracking cell phones--why does my phone have 14 sensors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spying-by-tracking-cell-phones-why-does-my-phone-have-14-sensors/850196)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spying-by-tracking-cell-phones-why-does-my-phone-have-14-sensors/850196 "2020-03-24T23:13:05Z")
This article describes a company which uses phones to track an individual person very precisely. This is being used to help stop the coronavirus— if a political leader rebukes people for going to beaches and parks “it… --- ## [Didn't the "Spanish" flu originate in Kansas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-the-spanish-flu-originate-in-kansas/850088)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-the-spanish-flu-originate-in-kansas/850088 "2020-03-24T19:26:40Z")
…on a chicken farm? That’s what the author of a book I read (The Great Influenza) when it came out 15 years ago contends. --- ## [Why don't soft drink manufacturers add vitamins etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-soft-drink-manufacturers-add-vitamins-etc/842589)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-soft-drink-manufacturers-add-vitamins-etc/842589 "2019-10-30T19:19:12Z")
There are a lot of food and beverage products sold with all sorts of added vitamins and minerals etc. Breakfast cereals are what comes to mind the most, but milk and orange juice are also frequently additionally fortifie… --- ## [Aloe Vera babies, repotting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aloe-vera-babies-repotting/850191)
**Author:** [@Dwayne\_Oxford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dwayne_Oxford)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aloe-vera-babies-repotting/850191 "2020-03-24T18:24:46Z")
Got a large wide leaf that needs repotting. It has shed bottom leaves many times creating a long “neck”, has leaned to around 45 deg. Need to know if I should bury the neck. I figger it’ll just re-incline if I don’t. A… --- ## [Can a person suffocate if their diaphragm cramps up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-suffocate-if-their-diaphragm-cramps-up/850175)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-suffocate-if-their-diaphragm-cramps-up/850175 "2020-03-24T17:12:52Z")
I was watching SCTV clips of Martin Short last night, and started wondering: If a person laughs so hard that their diaphragm cramps up, and can’t flex/release or expand/contract, how would the person breathe? Are there s… --- ## [Why are gold prices falling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gold-prices-falling/849662)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gold-prices-falling/849662 "2020-03-24T16:00:43Z")
Gold is the traditional “go to” when stocks perform badly as a safe haven. People think that when the sh\*t hits the fan, gold has inherent value where the value of money is potentially an illusion. So why during this cri… --- ## [Can I tape button batteries to index card for storage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-tape-button-batteries-to-index-card-for-storage/850092)
**Author:** [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-tape-button-batteries-to-index-card-for-storage/850092 "2020-03-24T15:46:27Z")
So there’s a drawer in my house where all loose batteries go. The idea was that we would test batteries, properly store good ones, properly dispose of bad ones and generally stay on top of our battery needs. Look life … --- ## [Need help sending a MOV file](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-sending-a-mov-file/850063)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-sending-a-mov-file/850063 "2020-03-24T13:33:51Z")
I just took a 56 second video on my iPhone. It’s 108 MB. As I expected, sending it via text and/or email is a problem. Is there a way to format/reduce its size making texting/emailing possible? Thx --- ## [With a strict enough quarantine, could we eradicate the flu and the common cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-strict-enough-quarantine-could-we-eradicate-the-flu-and-the-common-cold/850099)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-strict-enough-quarantine-could-we-eradicate-the-flu-and-the-common-cold/850099 "2020-03-24T13:21:40Z")
Thinking about the current “shelter-in-place” measures and wonder what the impact will be to the spread of other diseases. Let’s say we had a worldwide 100% lockdown. Everyone stays in self-quarantine. If it went on for… --- ## [The World is shutting down.....last time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-is-shutting-down-last-time/849419)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-is-shutting-down-last-time/849419 "2020-03-24T01:56:27Z")
When was the last time the whole planet had such a massive simultaneous shutdown? Not for SARS or H1N1. What about in 1957 or 1968? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=378) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=380)