# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=414 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 415 --- ## [Cousins marrying and having children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-marrying-and-having-children/842507)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cousins-marrying-and-having-children/842507 "2019-11-01T19:22:47Z")
First cousins having children results in offspring with genetic problems due to lack of genetic diversity. This is established in science. Does this weakness persist if the offspring then have children from a different … --- ## [Nail trimming pre-1800s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626 "2019-11-01T14:36:56Z")
Hello Everyone, Cleaning the bathroom tonight I happen to see a pair of nail clippers and thought to myself what a precision instrument. The clippers are made to some fairly tight tolerances and the same with small nai… --- ## [So many wifi networks, so few that you can actually connect to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-many-wifi-networks-so-few-that-you-can-actually-connect-to/842807)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-many-wifi-networks-so-few-that-you-can-actually-connect-to/842807 "2019-11-01T14:22:56Z")
Click on the WiFi network menu, regardless of the OS. See 15 or 20 different open, unlocked wifi networks that I can connect to. Pick the first, the wifi symbol pulses, and … no connection. Pick the second, the wifi s… --- ## [Entangled particles, for how long](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entangled-particles-for-how-long/842812)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entangled-particles-for-how-long/842812 "2019-11-01T13:08:26Z")
How long can a set of entangled particles be expected to stay entangled? Is it a half life situation or a probability? If you take care of them do they stay entangled longer? --- ## [Firefox doesn't "Grey Out" previously visited links......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-doesnt-grey-out-previously-visited-links/424530)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-doesnt-grey-out-previously-visited-links/424530 "2019-11-01T08:56:47Z")
…is there a setting for that? --- ## [Firefox - Previously visited links not greyed out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-previously-visited-links-not-greyed-out/422422)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2019, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-previously-visited-links-not-greyed-out/422422 "2019-11-01T08:54:53Z")
Is there a setting for this somewhere? 'Cause recently my previously visited URLs are looking just the same as virgin ones? Cheers. --- ## [credit card hacked. item sent to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-hacked-item-sent-to-me/842619)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-hacked-item-sent-to-me/842619 "2019-10-31T20:40:01Z")
I had my card number improperly swiped and used to make two purchases. The bank contacted me and I’m working to get the two charges reversed or whatever. I called the companies that sent the items and found out that on… --- ## [Transferring private handgun in Missouri](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-private-handgun-in-missouri/842584)
**Author:** [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-private-handgun-in-missouri/842584 "2019-10-31T17:35:44Z")
Greetings, TM! My husband (a Virginia resident) will be visiting his father (a Missouri resident, henceforth referred to as FIL) in a few weeks. FIL is in not-great health, and we suspect he is subtly “getting his affa… --- ## [Phone finder and Google Play Services](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-finder-and-google-play-services/842796)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-finder-and-google-play-services/842796 "2019-10-31T16:53:58Z")
I have an old Android and, when Google Play Services is turned on, the battery drains pretty quickly. Unless I’m mistaken, the only way to use the phone finder function is to have Google Play Services turned on. Am I co… --- ## [Absence of Adverbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absence-of-adverbs/321914)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absence-of-adverbs/321914 "2005-09-18T18:58:38Z")
OK. As a Canadian, I get real upset when I see Americans foregoing adverbs, first in speech, and now in writing. Is this a usual accepted occurrence? --- ## [Fine Print at the end of TV Commercials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-print-at-the-end-of-tv-commercials/318253)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fine-print-at-the-end-of-tv-commercials/318253 "2019-10-31T14:39:27Z")
Does anyone know what the purpose of fine print at the end of TV commercials is all about? Typically it’s new car commercials, and the fine print appears for about 2 seconds. I remember years (decades?) ago the print w… --- ## [What does "meh" mean, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-meh-mean-please/321380)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-meh-mean-please/321380 "2005-09-15T02:45:31Z")
Like the subject says? --- ## [What's up with this rock?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-this-rock/842682)
**Author:** [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-this-rock/842682 "2019-10-31T12:10:01Z")
Trypophobia sufferers beware. I’m wondering what could’ve made those pits, or if it’s a fossil. It was found in the Rochester NY area. --- ## [The origin of ISIS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-isis/842712)
**Author:** [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-origin-of-isis/842712 "2019-10-31T04:24:36Z")
In the recent raid on ISIS, the US reportedly captured a large amount of information concerning the origin of ISIS. Does anyone know why this would be significant enough to bother reporting? Is there some mystery to th… --- ## [Are inert gases less effected by changes in pressure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-inert-gases-less-effected-by-changes-in-pressure/842676)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-inert-gases-less-effected-by-changes-in-pressure/842676 "2019-10-31T01:15:00Z")
I just came across this statement and I had never heard this before. High temperatures and pressure changes have less effect on inert gases. Why is that? --- ## [Can Zuckerberg unilaterally (as CEO and founder) change Facebook advertising policy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-zuckerberg-unilaterally-as-ceo-and-founder-change-facebook-advertising-policy/842721)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-zuckerberg-unilaterally-as-ceo-and-founder-change-facebook-advertising-policy/842721 "2019-10-31T00:14:31Z")
I think this is GQ but mods please move if better placed elsewhere. Twitter will no longer accept political ads. This was announced in a rather eloquent set of tweets by Jack Dorsey, one of which contains a clear refere… --- ## [Difficulty formatting a thumb drive for Windows Vista](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difficulty-formatting-a-thumb-drive-for-windows-vista/841557)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difficulty-formatting-a-thumb-drive-for-windows-vista/841557 "2019-10-30T21:26:49Z")
I got a 1tb thumb drive, for the purpose of backing up my Itunes library, which lives on a desktop computer running Windows Vista. Try as I may, I am unable to format the thumb drive on that computer. On the other hand, … --- ## [In the 80s I owned a new Isuzu Trooper II and a new Subaru Brat...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-80s-i-owned-a-new-isuzu-trooper-ii-and-a-new-subaru-brat/842664)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-80s-i-owned-a-new-isuzu-trooper-ii-and-a-new-subaru-brat/842664 "2019-10-30T19:11:51Z")
The '86 Trooper II was imported into the U.S. with no rear seat (you could purchase one as an option) This was said to be because it would get the lower tariff rate of a truck. Now in the U.S., Brats, as you may recall,… --- ## [All that water softener salt...where does it go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-that-water-softener-salt-where-does-it-go/831582)
**Author:** [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-that-water-softener-salt-where-does-it-go/831582 "2019-10-30T16:15:40Z")
Howdy, Am living “in the country” after decades of city or suburban life. We have a well, a septic tank, and a separate “drywell” for certain types of wastewater (notably, the clothes washer). I need to put a 40 pound… --- ## [(Orthodox) Jews & the Police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orthodox-jews-the-police/842304)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orthodox-jews-the-police/842304 "2019-10-30T13:37:23Z")
I hang out on some news sites that cater to Orthodox Jews in the New York City area. It is very interesting and I am always learning new things. Their community is much like any other with little heroes of petty crooks. … --- ## [Prime numbers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-numbers/842498)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2019, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-numbers/842498 "2019-10-30T08:26:27Z")
Is there anything particularly relevant about prime numbers? They seem to get a lot of attention and I never understood why. --- ## [Are inert gases less effected by changes in pressure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-inert-gases-less-effected-by-changes-in-pressure/842677)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-inert-gases-less-effected-by-changes-in-pressure/842677 "2019-10-29T23:01:47Z")
I just came across this statement and I had never heard this before. High temperatures and pressure changes have less effect on inert gases. Why is that? --- ## [Stoplight/Walk signal question. Need answer fast-ish.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoplight-walk-signal-question-need-answer-fast-ish/841554)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoplight-walk-signal-question-need-answer-fast-ish/841554 "2019-10-29T17:57:08Z")
Here’s the situation: There’s a T intersection where a street (A) adjoining a shopping mall meets a very busy road (B). On the green light, drivers on A can only turn left or right. It’s a short light, as otherwise traff… --- ## [Getting an MP3 file from Tweet or Facebook post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-mp3-file-from-tweet-or-facebook-post/842624)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-an-mp3-file-from-tweet-or-facebook-post/842624 "2019-10-29T16:31:56Z")
Many years ago, in the days of DOS, I was pretty good at file conversions and the like. Nowadays, I pretty much suck at it. I’ve read that people are using the “Lock Him Up” chant from the World Series game as their ri… --- ## [Coolant for 2001 Jeep Cherokee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolant-for-2001-jeep-cherokee/842307)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coolant-for-2001-jeep-cherokee/842307 "2019-10-29T16:13:23Z")
No coolant in the reservior and looking down I see a little yellow fluid. Doing some research people use old green stuff which I believe also comes in yellow. BUT some people are using Xerex 05 which is yellow-orange. … --- ## [google news local \[Changing location for Google local news\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-news-local-changing-location-for-google-local-news/842557)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-news-local-changing-location-for-google-local-news/842557 "2019-10-29T14:29:28Z")
OK, for some reason, Google News is now showing me a previous location as my local news default. If I click on “Local news” it does show both, and a option to add more towns/cities. But I dont want news from the previo… --- ## [What is this military device (thin, periscope-like)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-military-device-thin-periscope-like/842601)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-military-device-thin-periscope-like/842601 "2019-10-29T13:05:33Z")
This picture (from a NYT article, but I don’t believe is paywalled) shows a Ukrainian soldier using a thin, periscope-like optical instrument. Can anyone tell me what it is? Possibly a range finder? Could it actually be … --- ## [Why no US stamps celebrating the Olympic Games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-us-stamps-celebrating-the-olympic-games/842233)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-us-stamps-celebrating-the-olympic-games/842233 "2019-10-29T08:00:44Z")
The USPS has revealed its proposed schedule of stamps to be issued in 2020. Granted it’s incomplete but I see no proposed Olympics stamp. It would seem to be a no-brainer since basically every nation typically issues on… --- ## [Why is all my junk e-mail from "newsletter@?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-all-my-junk-e-mail-from-newsletter/842595)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-all-my-junk-e-mail-from-newsletter/842595 "2019-10-29T07:08:38Z")
For the last several weeks, my junk email has all been either from “newsletter@ something.xyz” or lately “newsletter@something.us.” My question is “Why?” Is it something in my mail server? I used to get the usual spammy… --- ## [Want to guess my car’s problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-guess-my-car-s-problem/842627)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-guess-my-car-s-problem/842627 "2019-10-29T02:36:30Z")
I’m taking it to the mechanic Wednesday. Here’s the deal: I’ve had the car (2000 Honda Accord v6) about 5 years and it runs like a top. But occasionally it dies on me while driving. When I go to try and start it, it star… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=413) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=415)