# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=39 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 40 --- ## [Black Holes and the Hubble Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-and-the-hubble-horizon/1020153)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-holes-and-the-hubble-horizon/1020153 "2025-07-01T13:17:43Z")
In this video Neil Degrasse Tyson compares the Observable Universe to a Black Hole… …and how the mass of our observable universe within the Hubble Horizon indeed equals the size of an event horizon of a black hole conta… --- ## [Blood needs during surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-needs-during-surgery/1020207)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-needs-during-surgery/1020207 "2025-07-01T04:42:54Z")
Yes, another question related to past and upcoming surgeries. I had to get my blood typed and matched right before my surgery. The pre-visit nurse tried to make me come in to the hospital the day before to get that do… --- ## [Getting on the plane even after final boarding call](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-on-the-plane-even-after-final-boarding-call/1020216)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-on-the-plane-even-after-final-boarding-call/1020216 "2025-07-01T02:08:41Z")
I was just barely in time to get on the plane today for the second leg of my US domestic trip. The gate agent was announcing “Final boarding call” as I fast-walked up to the gate, having been delayed by no fewer than th… --- ## [What causes a big light to "thunk" when power is turned on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-big-light-to-thunk-when-power-is-turned-on/1020246)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-big-light-to-thunk-when-power-is-turned-on/1020246 "2025-06-30T20:25:13Z")
I’m sure you’ve seen it in a movie-someone turns a switch, and a series of lights make a “thump” noise as they are turned on, sometimes in a sequence in a hallway. What causes that noise, or is it just a movie effect to… --- ## [What recourse does a victim('s family) have if they dont like the DAs charges/plea deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-does-a-victim-s-family-have-if-they-dont-like-the-das-charges-plea-deal/1020031)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-does-a-victim-s-family-have-if-they-dont-like-the-das-charges-plea-deal/1020031 "2025-06-30T17:56:00Z")
Does a victim (or in the case of a homicide, their family) have any recourse for justice if they don’t like the DA’s charing decisions or a plea deal they negotiate? Working towards replacing the DA at the next election… --- ## [Cases where a soldier (or civilian) deliberately sought an enemy after the war for revenge/reconciliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-where-a-soldier-or-civilian-deliberately-sought-an-enemy-after-the-war-for-revenge-reconciliation/1020276)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cases-where-a-soldier-or-civilian-deliberately-sought-an-enemy-after-the-war-for-revenge-reconciliation/1020276 "2025-06-30T17:55:52Z")
I’m aware of at least two such cases. In the first one, the specifics elide me but an Allied Guy(AG), I think he was British but he might have been American), was taken POW in WWII in Japan. One Japanese Guard (JG) was p… --- ## [Please explain stocks to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-stocks-to-me/1019932)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2025, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-stocks-to-me/1019932 "2025-06-29T07:31:17Z")
I am today years old (53) and I have only the most vague idea of how the stock market works. Let’s say I need $500k to get Homie’s Widgets up and running. So I sell one thousand shares at $5 per. In its first year of op… --- ## [How much did World War Two speed global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-world-war-two-speed-global-warming/1020211)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-world-war-two-speed-global-warming/1020211 "2025-06-28T16:56:58Z")
Vast fleets of oil-burning warships. Plus freighters to support them. Diesel powered tanks. Thousand Plane bombing missions. Carried out by multi-engined bombers, burning high test. Burning? We burned whole cities ! Th… --- ## [Modern drugs from herbalist plants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-drugs-from-herbalist-plants/1019939)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2025, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-drugs-from-herbalist-plants/1019939 "2025-06-28T09:40:12Z")
I’m looking for examples of medical drugs derived from plants that were part of traditional medicine or herbalist lore. That is, at least one traditional herbalist used a certain plant or extract of one to treat a set of… --- ## [Tiny spheres of vacuum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-spheres-of-vacuum/1020185)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2025, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiny-spheres-of-vacuum/1020185 "2025-06-28T03:51:12Z")
Continuing the discussion from ­xkcd thread: Is it possible to make a tiny glass sphere strong enough to hold a vacuum? Would it have enough buoyancy to float in water? In air? What about other materials, like titaniu… --- ## [What the heck is this (picture included)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121 "2025-06-27T23:13:44Z")
Never seen anything like it. We bought a house. 5 years old. There are three of these pipes that are not quite coming out of the wall. Two inside, one outside. Two of them are not far from a gas stove. One is outside on… --- ## [Why did some lowercase "S"s printed in the past look like a defaced "f"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-some-lowercase-s-s-printed-in-the-past-look-like-a-defaced-f/1019918)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-some-lowercase-s-s-printed-in-the-past-look-like-a-defaced-f/1019918 "2025-06-27T22:20:04Z")
Anyone familiar with printed works from the past (up to sometime in the 19th century) will surely have noticed that it used to be common, at least in works printed using Roman font, to have two kinds of lowercase “S”, on… --- ## [Why do dogs have more odor then cats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-have-more-odor-then-cats/1019814)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dogs-have-more-odor-then-cats/1019814 "2025-06-27T17:03:03Z")
Even a small dog can have that wet mutt smell but kitties are nice and odor free? --- ## [How to deal with the previous owners cheaping out (electrical)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-the-previous-owners-cheaping-out-electrical/1019601)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-the-previous-owners-cheaping-out-electrical/1019601 "2025-06-27T14:23:27Z")
The Cottage was built in 1959. At some point, the previous owners added on a bedroom, and when they did that, they moved the electrical drop and added a new breaker box with a meter: … --- ## [Is there a difference between what I see on BBC.com and on BBC.co.UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-what-i-see-on-bbc-com-and-on-bbc-co-uk/824181)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2025, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-what-i-see-on-bbc-com-and-on-bbc-co-uk/824181 "2025-06-27T07:26:29Z")
In my attempts to find non-US-centric news, one of the sites I read is the BBC. When I try to go to BBC.co.UK, I get redirected to BBC.com. So, are those two sites identical, or is the .com aimed more at a US audience? … --- ## [What are all the ways in which a physical object or substance can appear to have colour, and how do they actually work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-all-the-ways-in-which-a-physical-object-or-substance-can-appear-to-have-colour-and-how-do-they-actually-work/1020099)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-all-the-ways-in-which-a-physical-object-or-substance-can-appear-to-have-colour-and-how-do-they-actually-work/1020099 "2025-06-26T21:26:56Z")
There’s an ongoing discussion/debate of which I seem to be on the periphery, about whether or not the colour blue exists in nature. It began with me making a statement that there are no blue sunflowers, to which there w… --- ## [Expiry dates on liquid soap products](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiry-dates-on-liquid-soap-products/1020118)
**Author:** [@Carolxi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carolxi)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiry-dates-on-liquid-soap-products/1020118 "2025-06-26T14:30:23Z")
What’s the deal with no expiry dates on liquid soap in large containers? 1): Ivory Snow Stage 1: Newborn Hypoallergenic Baby Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap, 3.4 L (80 Loads) 2) Nature’s Miracle JFC Stain & Odor Remover … --- ## [Before the telephone, how did you get someone's attention if you needed them quickly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-telephone-how-did-you-get-someones-attention-if-you-needed-them-quickly/1019945)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-telephone-how-did-you-get-someones-attention-if-you-needed-them-quickly/1019945 "2025-06-26T14:12:31Z")
Let’s say it’s London, 1850, and I need to speak to Mr. Farthingsteadshaw forthwith. If I’ve learned anything from TV and movies, it behooves me to “send for” him. But what does that mean? Do I just find a street urchin,… --- ## [Why do my phone aps want me to download Royal Match so badly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-phone-aps-want-me-to-download-royal-match-so-badly/1020103)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-phone-aps-want-me-to-download-royal-match-so-badly/1020103 "2025-06-26T03:58:02Z")
Whenever I play a YouTube video or a puzzle game on my phone I get inundated with ads for Royal Match (or Royal Kingdom. Whatever the hell they call it!) The ads are long, over a minute. Usually no way to skip through i… --- ## [Which Apollo moon mission had the fewest problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-apollo-moon-mission-had-the-fewest-problems/1020141)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-apollo-moon-mission-had-the-fewest-problems/1020141 "2025-06-25T22:43:06Z")
Apollo 11 had a lot of first-to-do-it problems and had about 60 seconds of fuel left when Armstrong had to bunny hop over some boulders. Apollo 12 got struck by lightning twice and if not for John Aaron’s “Try SCE to AU… --- ## [Melamine, should we worry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melamine-should-we-worry/423707)
**Author:** [@lizziewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizziewriter)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melamine-should-we-worry/423707 "2025-06-25T20:39:37Z")
I am wondering about melamine. Great stuff. Mr. Clean Magic Sponges, that clean anything, are made of it. Some kiddie plates and flatware are made from it. All sorts of stuff. It’s also what was turning up in pet fo… --- ## [Weird phishing email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-phishing-email/1020127)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-phishing-email/1020127 "2025-06-25T16:40:26Z")
Just got an email asking me to update my credit card for my nonexistent Amazon Prime account. Mouseover reveals that it originated from some random address in the UK. So, obvious phish is obvious. The weird thing, thoug… --- ## [Drug & criminal money -- in bundles of crisp new $100's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-criminal-money-in-bundles-of-crisp-new-100s/1019723)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-criminal-money-in-bundles-of-crisp-new-100s/1019723 "2025-06-25T13:34:39Z")
This question is inspired by “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” but I think it’s more about illegal money than the shows themselves. Do (as the programs show it) the upper tiers of organized crime and, especially, the… --- ## [MS SQL Server Studio, can't import Excel any more since upgrade to Win 11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-sql-server-studio-cant-import-excel-any-more-since-upgrade-to-win-11/1020088)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-sql-server-studio-cant-import-excel-any-more-since-upgrade-to-win-11/1020088 "2025-06-25T11:52:37Z")
For the last six years it has been part of my job to import data from Excel workbooks into MS SQL Server. I would open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (it says it is version 18.12.1) and then use the Object Explo… --- ## [Casablanca - what happens to Rick if he stays in Casablanca?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-what-happens-to-rick-if-he-stays-in-casablanca/1019666)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2025, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casablanca-what-happens-to-rick-if-he-stays-in-casablanca/1019666 "2025-06-25T10:23:51Z")
I watched the film Casablanca recently and noticed that Rick (played by Humprey Bogart) mentions that it’s December 1941. Remembering that Pearl Harbor was December 7th of that year and that Germany declared war on the … --- ## [Power ball odds questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-ball-odds-questions/1017769)
**Author:** [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-ball-odds-questions/1017769 "2025-06-24T23:44:46Z")
I found this about the powerball: ‘In each drawing, five balls are drawn from a drum with 69 white balls (labeled 1 through 69) and one ball is drawn from a drum with 26 red balls (labeled 1 through 26).’ leading to a ja… --- ## ["Knocking out" someone like in movies & TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knocking-out-someone-like-in-movies-tv/1016335)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knocking-out-someone-like-in-movies-tv/1016335 "2025-06-24T22:59:31Z")
In movies and TV shows someone will occasionally “knock out” by hitting them over the head with something. The victim gets hit and then just drops, as if fainting. Is this actually possible or realistic or is this just … --- ## [Do banks standardize low-interest short term loan rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-banks-standardize-low-interest-short-term-loan-rates/1020089)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-banks-standardize-low-interest-short-term-loan-rates/1020089 "2025-06-24T20:50:49Z")
I’m on the board of a non-profit that wants to take a short-term loan. The executive director has asked us to approve taking it out, saying the bank is willing to give us a low-interest short term loan. Of course we said… --- ## [Lack of radioactive spike after bunker busting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-radioactive-spike-after-bunker-busting/1020008)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-radioactive-spike-after-bunker-busting/1020008 "2025-06-23T22:22:14Z")
I see reports about the Iranian bombings saying that there’s been no detection of an increased amount of atmospheric radiation in the area (according to the IAEA). I also see one report which claims that all the nuclear… --- ## [In any state, are cops required to tell you the reason for pulling you over before demanding ID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-any-state-are-cops-required-to-tell-you-the-reason-for-pulling-you-over-before-demanding-id/1019550)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-any-state-are-cops-required-to-tell-you-the-reason-for-pulling-you-over-before-demanding-id/1019550 "2025-06-23T16:31:50Z")
I’ve been pulled over a few times here in Missouri, and every time the cop has opened the interaction with “I’m Officer Soandso with the This Jurisdiction Police Department, the reason I pulled you over is \[whatever\]. Li… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=40)