# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=442 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 443 --- ## [Name for process by which body mobilizes white blood cells to fight infection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-process-by-which-body-mobilizes-white-blood-cells-to-fight-infection/837769)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-process-by-which-body-mobilizes-white-blood-cells-to-fight-infection/837769 "2019-07-29T04:01:25Z")
Is there a specific medical term for the process by which your body responds to infection by creating and dispatching many white blood cells to go get the invaders? --- ## [Help with Excel formulas.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-excel-formulas/837771)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-excel-formulas/837771 "2019-07-29T03:45:51Z")
I need help creating a tricky Excel formula. I need a cell A to display a date based on the entry in cell B. The entry in cell B is one of 12 different options contained in a drop-down menu. They’re just text entries, b… --- ## [Sagging Flooring; Who's Responsible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sagging-flooring-whos-responsible/837671)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sagging-flooring-whos-responsible/837671 "2019-07-28T21:24:15Z")
We recently moved into a new, newly-remodeled house and almost immediately noticed a sagging floor. The floor in question is tongue-and-groove “click” flooring, and is a floating floor, and is directly above a large heat… --- ## [Infinity in a bottle (Mathematical modeling)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinity-in-a-bottle-mathematical-modeling/837723)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinity-in-a-bottle-mathematical-modeling/837723 "2019-07-28T17:46:58Z")
I have a old peach schnapps bottle that’s been repurposed as a meditation bottle. It has glitter and black, white, and clear plastic balls inside. You shake it and think deep thoughts while you watch the contents swirl a… --- ## [Where do the really large women find their clothes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-really-large-women-find-their-clothes/631277)
**Author:** [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-the-really-large-women-find-their-clothes/631277 "2012-08-19T05:20:16Z")
Please, please don’t let this degenerate into a fat versus thin thread. First, off I would like to declare I am a large woman myself (size 20-22 depending on the cut), so I am well acquainted with Lane Bryant, Torrid, T… --- ## [Did JFK Provide a Deadline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jfk-provide-a-deadline/837647)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jfk-provide-a-deadline/837647 "2019-07-28T16:28:27Z")
OK, so I keep seeing all the clips of Kennedy announcing “we choose go to the moon!” But, did he give NASA a deadline? Did Apollo 11 land ahead of JFK’s schedule? Also, was there a similar, formal push to start the Merc… --- ## [Need to tape down cord on carpet so Roomba doesn't drag it, what tape should I use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-tape-down-cord-on-carpet-so-roomba-doesnt-drag-it-what-tape-should-i-use/837656)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-tape-down-cord-on-carpet-so-roomba-doesnt-drag-it-what-tape-should-i-use/837656 "2019-07-28T11:09:43Z")
Basically I have a cord I absolutely can’t relocate the goes across my carpet about 5 feet before hitting a wall and following the wall. I can’t exactly move the cord at all since it’s fixed in place at both ends so for … --- ## [Help with car speaker problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-car-speaker-problems/837459)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-car-speaker-problems/837459 "2019-07-28T03:12:59Z")
Picking up interference and I’m 94.386% sure it is a loose connection somewhere because it is intermittant from non-existent to soft to really bad and yes, bumps sometimes affect it but it is inconsistent and that has me… --- ## [Old maple tree dropping leaves.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-maple-tree-dropping-leaves/837715)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-maple-tree-dropping-leaves/837715 "2019-07-28T01:42:13Z")
We have a very old, large maple tree in front of our house. It’s like 70 or 80 years old, or more. For the past week or so it’s been dropping leaves. The leaves aren’t changing color, they’re just dropping off, not in hu… --- ## [Neanderthal MMA Fighter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neanderthal-mma-fighter/837683)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neanderthal-mma-fighter/837683 "2019-07-27T23:18:55Z")
If a neanderthal man was still alive and became an MMA fighter, would he have any advantages over a modern human male MMA fighter? --- ## [Is There a List of All Old US Draft Lottery Numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-all-old-us-draft-lottery-numbers/837337)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-all-old-us-draft-lottery-numbers/837337 "2019-07-27T18:21:29Z")
It would seem that given some person’s birthday & such a list we could determine if that person would have been drafted save for some exemption. But I have been unable to find such a list. Let me explain for you youngste… --- ## [What is this tool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool/837721)
**Author:** [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool/837721 "2019-07-27T18:12:37Z")
Image here. It has a knurled handle on right, about 5/8 inch in diameter. Rubber ‘foot’ attached to threaded shaft on left is about 1 1/4 inch in diameter. --- ## [Which letter of the alphabet is least often used as a mathematical variable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-letter-of-the-alphabet-is-least-often-used-as-a-mathematical-variable/837651)
**Author:** [@Apanthro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apanthro)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-letter-of-the-alphabet-is-least-often-used-as-a-mathematical-variable/837651 "2019-07-27T18:11:34Z")
This question struck me a couple of nights ago while I was working on some homework. Since then I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. In linear algebra we often use i and j. a b and c get come into parlance as… --- ## [Removal of nose piercing too soon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removal-of-nose-piercing-too-soon/458715)
**Author:** [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removal-of-nose-piercing-too-soon/458715 "2019-07-27T11:58:23Z")
So yesterday morning, I was cleaning my piercing, and the stud came out. I had a HELL of a time getting it back in. So there was SOME blood, and it heart like hell, but it seemed okay, just rather tender and sensitive. … --- ## [How can criminal law precedent ever be changed in the prosecutions favor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-criminal-law-precedent-ever-be-changed-in-the-prosecutions-favor/837698)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-criminal-law-precedent-ever-be-changed-in-the-prosecutions-favor/837698 "2019-07-27T09:20:14Z")
Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer which is why I’m asking this question, so it is entirely possible I am totally misunderstanding the situation. So as I understand it legal precedent gets changed by having a court case based… --- ## [Is there some way to disable the “close all tabs button” in iOS Chrome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-way-to-disable-the-close-all-tabs-button-in-ios-chrome/837700)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-way-to-disable-the-close-all-tabs-button-in-ios-chrome/837700 "2019-07-27T06:30:19Z")
Or at least move it away from the corner of my screen where my hand overlaps while I am holding my iPhone 6+? It is driving me to despair. :smack: ETA: I see I put the closed quote in the subject line in the wrong spot… --- ## [What would cause a battery in a parked car to spontaneously catch fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-cause-a-battery-in-a-parked-car-to-spontaneously-catch-fire/837562)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-cause-a-battery-in-a-parked-car-to-spontaneously-catch-fire/837562 "2019-07-27T04:20:37Z")
I was just having dinner with friends in a restaurant when the waiters stared asking around who owned a black Toyota Camry number plate such and such. Soon the P.A. system started asking and stating that the car was on f… --- ## [No water in water softener tank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-water-in-water-softener-tank/837442)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-water-in-water-softener-tank/837442 "2019-07-27T04:07:18Z")
I’ve never lived in a place with a whole house water softener. I moved into this place a few months ago and followed the directions of adding salt to the proper place and all was fine. I went to add salt yesterday and … --- ## [Most reliable car brands sold in Japan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-reliable-car-brands-sold-in-japan/837515)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-reliable-car-brands-sold-in-japan/837515 "2019-07-27T01:38:35Z")
Toyota, Honda and a few other Japanese auto manufacturers have for many years ranked very high on Consumer Reports list of most-reliable cars sold in the U.S. How about in Japan? Is there a similarly compiled list? Is it… --- ## [Infected sweat gland - permanent lump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infected-sweat-gland-permanent-lump/837608)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infected-sweat-gland-permanent-lump/837608 "2019-07-26T23:21:09Z")
So, back on the 5th of July, I had a sizeable lump in my armpit that turned out to be an infected gland (infected, annoyingly, with MRSA). In the meantime I’ve done the required treatment, and it has drained about as muc… --- ## ["The Truth Hurts" in Spanish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-hurts-in-spanish/837674)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-hurts-in-spanish/837674 "2019-07-26T16:27:31Z")
A friend and I were discussing this. Neither of us are L1 Spanish speakers, but we both have relatively-decent understandings of the language. He rendered the English phrase “The truth hurts” as “La verdad duele.” That m… --- ## [Need an app to convert text stream to PDF file on iphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-app-to-convert-text-stream-to-pdf-file-on-iphone/837570)
**Author:** [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-an-app-to-convert-text-stream-to-pdf-file-on-iphone/837570 "2019-07-26T15:09:02Z")
My wife is a real estate broker and wants to be able to convert an entire string of texts between herself and a client and/or another broker to a PDF file which she can then save and print out to go into a transaction fi… --- ## [How can one determine a tree stump is alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-determine-a-tree-stump-is-alive/837659)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-one-determine-a-tree-stump-is-alive/837659 "2019-07-26T15:06:57Z")
This story is about a couple scientists hiking in the woods and coming across a tree stump that, improbably, was still alive. The stump was not showing any greenery, so it wasn’t coppiced. I’m trying to figure out how th… --- ## [Force separation in Theory of Everything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-separation-in-theory-of-everything/837602)
**Author:** [@UtterlyLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UtterlyLost)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-separation-in-theory-of-everything/837602 "2019-07-26T14:38:44Z")
It’s my understanding that very early in the history of the universe that all 4 forces were united before things cooled down enough for gravity and the other forces to eventually separate. My question is exactly what ex… --- ## [Looking for an insecticide that is safe for honey bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-insecticide-that-is-safe-for-honey-bees/837612)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-insecticide-that-is-safe-for-honey-bees/837612 "2019-07-26T13:23:41Z")
Thread title says it all. I need to kill ants, roaches, spiders, and fleas in my home and yard. However, we have numerous bee hives and I don’t want to harm the honey bees. I have tried diatomaceous earth for the past fe… --- ## [Basic questions about protein](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-questions-about-protein/837517 "2019-07-26T03:51:22Z")
I’m not into exercising, which I guess is kind of obvious based on the title, but I did start working in a factory on several different hard jobs, carrying heavy stuff in hands, pulling heavy metal containers with a hand… --- ## [what was the worst case scenario for chernobyl](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-case-scenario-for-chernobyl/837415)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-worst-case-scenario-for-chernobyl/837415 "2019-07-26T01:34:40Z")
I’m watching parts of the HBO series on it now. They imply if Chernobyl had melted down into the groundwater it would’ve exploded, causing the other 3 cores to explode. It would’ve made Europe uninhabitable (something l… --- ## [Is a debt valid if the creditor refuses someone else's good-faith attempt to pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-debt-valid-if-the-creditor-refuses-someone-elses-good-faith-attempt-to-pay/837574)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-debt-valid-if-the-creditor-refuses-someone-elses-good-faith-attempt-to-pay/837574 "2019-07-25T22:55:43Z")
I’ll cut to the chase. This is based on a real story: CBS News source and AP source. I am not interested in the politics or morality of any of this in this thread. What I’m interested in is how debt works: If a party a… --- ## [What Will Amazon do with my Old Kindle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-amazon-do-with-my-old-kindle/837172)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-amazon-do-with-my-old-kindle/837172 "2019-07-25T21:14:21Z")
As some sort of promotion, Amazon is offering me $30 to trade in my old Kindle. I will pass. My Kindle works just fine for the little use I have for it. What would Amazon do with several hundred old $30 Kindles? --- ## [Lead exposure: how long to wait to get blood test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-exposure-how-long-to-wait-to-get-blood-test/837564)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-exposure-how-long-to-wait-to-get-blood-test/837564 "2019-07-25T21:12:30Z")
If someone has been exposed to a significant amount of lead (inhalation or ingestion over one day or week,) how long should they wait to get a blood test in order to ensure that the testing accurately reflects the total … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=441) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=443)