# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=476 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 477 --- ## [Is this bad for your car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bad-for-your-car/831947)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bad-for-your-car/831947 "2019-04-04T21:09:27Z")
--- ## [Genealogists: Can you help me find a census page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogists-can-you-help-me-find-a-census-page/832021)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogists-can-you-help-me-find-a-census-page/832021 "2019-04-04T17:18:11Z")
Having been on Ancestry.com for a couple of months now, I’ve learned some interesting things about my grandmother. Chiefly, that she was 1/2 Cherokee. She’s listed near the top of the page as Ada Fields and as a niece. … --- ## [Nominative determinism in Slovakia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominative-determinism-in-slovakia/831818)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominative-determinism-in-slovakia/831818 "2019-04-04T17:17:05Z")
Zuzana Caputova has been elected as president of Slovakia (BBC story here). I’m looking at her surname, Caputova, and I immediately see the stem word caput, and thence the Latin word caput, meaning head. Is this the corr… --- ## [Word for prejudiced person encompassing racist, sexist, homophobic, etc etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-prejudiced-person-encompassing-racist-sexist-homophobic-etc-etc/831851)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-for-prejudiced-person-encompassing-racist-sexist-homophobic-etc-etc/831851 "2019-04-04T15:32:53Z")
What’s a broad term for a person who is prejudiced and discriminates on the basis of demographic identity? This term would be more general than “racist” or “sexist” but would cover both of those terms and more. I was th… --- ## [Can a PET Scan Really Generate Positrons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pet-scan-really-generate-positrons/832017)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-pet-scan-really-generate-positrons/832017 "2019-04-04T11:53:07Z")
I thought proof of anti-matter was rare, if any proof at all. Yet, Googling about PET scans, many articles casually say the imaging is produced by positrons, like it’s no big deal. Nonetheless, I cannot readily accept P… --- ## [Perfect(ly) translucent material?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-ly-translucent-material/831977)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perfect-ly-translucent-material/831977 "2019-04-04T02:28:33Z")
I was at the house of a friend, and noticed that he had put a frosted vinyl film over his windows for privacy in his densely populated neighborhood. This film blurred the image from outside, but it was still possible to … --- ## [Can you help with an excel formula?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-with-an-excel-formula/831774)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-with-an-excel-formula/831774 "2019-04-04T02:06:37Z")
I’m trying to create a formula that would copy all the numbers from one row into another row. All I know how to do is mirror cells, but I can’t use that because the first row has other data in it besides numbers. I gues… --- ## [How can I post photos in Livejournal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-post-photos-in-livejournal/831860)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-post-photos-in-livejournal/831860 "2019-04-04T01:42:09Z")
Not links, but visible photos. Thanks in advance! --- ## [Rigorous spec for how Microsoft Word does "Combine documents"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rigorous-spec-for-how-microsoft-word-does-combine-documents/831879)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rigorous-spec-for-how-microsoft-word-does-combine-documents/831879 "2019-04-04T00:35:16Z")
I am seeing less than optimal results in trying to use Microsoft Word’s built-in “Combine documents.” The document chosen as “original” has text that was deleted in the “revision”, but is present in the combined version.… --- ## [What is the truth about Leo Szilard and his invention of the cyclotron?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-leo-szilard-and-his-invention-of-the-cyclotron/831854)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-truth-about-leo-szilard-and-his-invention-of-the-cyclotron/831854 "2019-04-03T23:12:30Z")
Hi What is the truth about Leo Szilard and his invention of the cyclotron? Does he deserve credit for an invention? I can’t find enough information on his work on the cyclotron. Ernest Lawrence is credited as being the … --- ## [Electrocution by cell phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrocution-by-cell-phone/831946)
**Author:** [@justdoit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justdoit)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrocution-by-cell-phone/831946 "2019-04-03T22:00:20Z")
I came across these news stories. The first two links are about electrocution while charging your phone and you touch it or it falls into the tub or shower. Sad but I see how that could happen. Lesson is, don’t charg… --- ## [Bypass DNS server](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bypass-dns-server/831641)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bypass-dns-server/831641 "2019-04-03T17:34:23Z")
Another forum I haunt was down due to the registration expired at the DNS registrar(?). It came back two days later. Would we have been able to get to the site typing in the IP address at that time? Would I want to tr… --- ## [What constitutes an "other event" (non quake) on the USGS site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-an-other-event-non-quake-on-the-usgs-site/831987)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-an-other-event-non-quake-on-the-usgs-site/831987 "2019-04-03T16:57:30Z")
My home page is the USGS earthquake map, set to the island of Hawaii. Lately the map has been peppered with small diamonds, indicating “other events” mostly 20-40k deep and located in the ocean around the southeast side… --- ## [shower draining question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-draining-question/831881)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-draining-question/831881 "2019-04-03T14:48:19Z")
I have a shower on the second floor of a two story house that is draining in a weird way. The shower will start to fill, then all of a sudden drains and for the rest of the shower it drains fine. I suspect there is a pa… --- ## [International export of cannabis from US states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-export-of-cannabis-from-us-states/831853)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-export-of-cannabis-from-us-states/831853 "2019-04-03T14:23:18Z")
I hadn’t appreciated just how huge was the potential for California cannabis production. It exceeds that for wine. With California producing more than enough cannabis for use within the state itself, and interstate trad… --- ## [ArcSoft photostudio 6 no longer supported, and my copy of it no longer works. Fixes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcsoft-photostudio-6-no-longer-supported-and-my-copy-of-it-no-longer-works-fixes/831872)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcsoft-photostudio-6-no-longer-supported-and-my-copy-of-it-no-longer-works-fixes/831872 "2019-04-03T13:31:32Z")
For long and long I’ve been using ArcSoft photostudio, and last upgraded with photostudio 6 back in 2012, and it did work nicely for me. But now when I open it, I get a notice asking me for my licensed email and my acti… --- ## [Airspace above the 12-mile line of territorial water = same as airspace above one's own soil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airspace-above-the-12-mile-line-of-territorial-water-same-as-airspace-above-ones-own-soil/831855)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airspace-above-the-12-mile-line-of-territorial-water-same-as-airspace-above-ones-own-soil/831855 "2019-04-03T12:14:00Z")
Suppose a hostile nation sends military aircraft flying near U.S. soil (as Russia is wont to do from time to time) - since one’s territorial waters extend 12 miles past one’s coast, does this mean the airspace above that… --- ## [SiriusXM app free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siriusxm-app-free/831857)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siriusxm-app-free/831857 "2019-04-03T12:02:36Z")
I cannot find a straight answer on the internet (probably because I’m not phrasing it right). I have subscriptions to SiriusXM radio in 3 cars. One of them is the full deal with Howard Stern’s channels. On air, they c… --- ## [Is it possible that the immune system has a limited lifetime reserve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-the-immune-system-has-a-limited-lifetime-reserve/831838)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-the-immune-system-has-a-limited-lifetime-reserve/831838 "2019-04-03T11:55:34Z")
I’ve heard the common tale many times over the internet that lots of exposure to germs builds a “stronger immune system”. I’m highly skeptical of idea for many reasons. But instead of getting into that, I want to resol… --- ## [Eminent domain question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eminent-domain-question/831736)
**Author:** [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eminent-domain-question/831736 "2019-04-03T04:27:02Z")
Another thread sparked my curiosity about this, and it turns out it’s kind of a pain to Google, so here goes. The question is a little broad and/or hazy, but I’m just wondering if anyone around here knows what sorts of … --- ## [Approximately How Much Does It Cost To Run A Radio Station If You Cut Every Corner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/approximately-how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-a-radio-station-if-you-cut-every-corner/831734)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/approximately-how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-a-radio-station-if-you-cut-every-corner/831734 "2019-04-02T19:22:17Z")
In this thread, we’re talking about weird radio stations, including some that couldn’t possibly make any money (no commercials, no requests for donations). The cost of licensing the song rights seems to be trivial, on t… --- ## [Automatic Transmissions Shifting Too Low](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-shifting-too-low/109621)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automatic-transmissions-shifting-too-low/109621 "2019-04-02T18:33:14Z")
I have recently noticed something odd about my car. I had always believed that when one floored the gas (as if one was drag racing from a stop) a car with an automatic transmission would accelerate in first gear from a … --- ## [Wordpress SQL Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wordpress-sql-problem/831906)
**Author:** [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wordpress-sql-problem/831906 "2019-04-02T16:55:40Z")
This is driving me freaking insane. I need help. I’m setting up a website for myself and I decided to go with Wordpress for the ‘creation’ aspect. I went with another company for the hosting services and picked one that’… --- ## [Number of cells in a human body](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-cells-in-a-human-body/831856)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-cells-in-a-human-body/831856 "2019-04-02T13:07:17Z")
If you Google “number of cells in a human body” the top hit is an oddly specific 37.2 trillion. Other estimates go up to 50 trillion. When I do the math, I used a volume of a body = 0.07m^3 assuming an average mass of … --- ## [How can I make a video of a map, with events happening by time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-make-a-video-of-a-map-with-events-happening-by-time/831816)
**Author:** [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-make-a-video-of-a-map-with-events-happening-by-time/831816 "2019-04-02T04:30:18Z")
I think my biggest problem here is I don’t know the lingo for what it is I want to do. I have a dataset of events with a datetime and lat/long, and I’d like to make some sort of video / animated gif / etc. of them poppi… --- ## [Does President Trump sleep in the same bedroom as President Obama did in the White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-president-trump-sleep-in-the-same-bedroom-as-president-obama-did-in-the-white-house/831790)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-president-trump-sleep-in-the-same-bedroom-as-president-obama-did-in-the-white-house/831790 "2019-04-02T04:23:59Z")
Does President Trump sleep in the same bedroom as President Obama did in the White House? And what about the bed? Furniture’s easy to move around, but what about fixed things like bath tub or toilet bowl? What about pre… --- ## [Would a professional interpreter indicate that something was said sarcastically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-professional-interpreter-indicate-that-something-was-said-sarcastically/831805)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2019, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-professional-interpreter-indicate-that-something-was-said-sarcastically/831805 "2019-04-02T01:25:45Z")
Sarcasm in English is expressed through facial expressions, vocal tone and emphasis that might not be readily recognizable to a non-English speaker. Do interpreters explain when a phrase was clearly meant to be sarcasti… --- ## [Did Officer Renko have to arrest his music idol? (Inspired by Hill Street Blues)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-officer-renko-have-to-arrest-his-music-idol-inspired-by-hill-street-blues/831702)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-officer-renko-have-to-arrest-his-music-idol-inspired-by-hill-street-blues/831702 "2019-04-01T23:29:51Z")
This has bugged me for decades. In an episode of Hill Street Blues, Officer Andy Renko wins backstage passes to meet his favorite country music idol. He is so excited about the concert that he annoys everyone around hi… --- ## [Did the Large Hadron Collider require permission from the property owners above?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-large-hadron-collider-require-permission-from-the-property-owners-above/831685)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-large-hadron-collider-require-permission-from-the-property-owners-above/831685 "2019-04-01T23:05:42Z")
Looking at a diagram of the extent of the the underground LHC tunnels (eg here), it passes underneath fields and villages well outside the CERN site. Did CERN have to get permission from and/or compensate all the owners … --- ## [How much can I improve my flexibility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-i-improve-my-flexibility/831574)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-can-i-improve-my-flexibility/831574 "2019-04-01T20:43:44Z")
I’m 55 and 6’3" and have been pretty inflexible my whole life. I get about 6 inches from the floor with a forward bend. For the past month I have been focussing on stretching. I do about 15 to 25 minutes a day about 5… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=475) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=477)