# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=519 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 520 --- ## [“Lang Pa Cha” Thai bone cremation - what is done with the flesh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lang-pa-cha-thai-bone-cremation-what-is-done-with-the-flesh/824597)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lang-pa-cha-thai-bone-cremation-what-is-done-with-the-flesh/824597 "2018-11-18T17:43:50Z")
People are spreading pics of a Thai funeral ceremony where they strip the flesh from a cadaver and falsely claiming cannibalism. The truth is they are removing the flesh because they only cremate the bones. Here’s the … --- ## [First use of "the press" as a collective reference to newspapers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-use-of-the-press-as-a-collective-reference-to-newspapers/824680)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-use-of-the-press-as-a-collective-reference-to-newspapers/824680 "2018-11-18T16:21:39Z")
Nowadays, “the press” is typically used interchangeably with “the media”. But it wasn’t that long ago (~100 years) that the only real form of mass media was newspapers. I’m trying to find the earliest example where “th… --- ## [How do we know that the speed of light is the same everywhere in the universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-know-that-the-speed-of-light-is-the-same-everywhere-in-the-universe/824698)
**Author:** [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-know-that-the-speed-of-light-is-the-same-everywhere-in-the-universe/824698 "2018-11-18T16:07:32Z")
What observations can we make that disprove that c has a different value in say GN-z11? --- ## [Is eating human flesh actually a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-eating-human-flesh-actually-a-crime/824699)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-eating-human-flesh-actually-a-crime/824699 "2018-11-18T13:59:45Z")
(Do not need answer fast. Just something I wondered about last night when I couldn’t sleep.) Suppose someone (let’s call her Jill) was in a car accident, and besides lesser damage, her left arm was torn off. It was re… --- ## [What happens to Jews in prison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-jews-in-prison/455263)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2015, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-jews-in-prison/455263 "2015-12-31T06:39:19Z")
I’m under the impression that prisons often have neo-Nazi gangs and that white prisoners join them not out of actual racism, but simply to be protected from the black gangs. I have no idea how racist these Nazi prison ga… --- ## [How to find out what the lowest temperature in the past few months has been in your area?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-what-the-lowest-temperature-in-the-past-few-months-has-been-in-your-area/824535)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-find-out-what-the-lowest-temperature-in-the-past-few-months-has-been-in-your-area/824535 "2018-11-18T06:28:39Z")
Hey all, So I’m trying to settle a question. A friend of mine insists that Portland MUST have had at least one night recently when the temperature dropped below freezing. I say no. For one thing, the Weather Channel say… --- ## [Courts bar John Hinkley's family from talking to the media.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-bar-john-hinkleys-family-from-talking-to-the-media/824670)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/courts-bar-john-hinkleys-family-from-talking-to-the-media/824670 "2018-11-18T06:16:48Z")
John Hinkley, who shot at President Reagan in 1981, is now able to move out of his mother’s house. Part of the CNN article about it says: Which made me pause. The court at some point ordered that his family was not al… --- ## [Cataract IOL Implantation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-iol-implantation/824666)
**Author:** [@MURALI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MURALI)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-iol-implantation/824666 "2018-11-18T05:04:51Z")
How to find the Focal Point ( Near / Distance / inter ) of implanted IOL. ? For example my left eye the below IOL implanted. PCIOL Baush & Lomb Asperic Hydrophobic Acrylic IOL OT . 12.5 mm OB : 6.00 mm MX60 + 22.5… --- ## [Safari on iPhone - Why a blank page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safari-on-iphone-why-a-blank-page/824664)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safari-on-iphone-why-a-blank-page/824664 "2018-11-18T01:11:49Z")
When I click on Safari on my iPhone, I get a blank page, with the empty search field at the top. But it used to come with several icons, like Google News and the webpages I visited most frequently. How do I get that ba… --- ## [Does filtered milk contain iodine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-filtered-milk-contain-iodine/824529)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-filtered-milk-contain-iodine/824529 "2018-11-18T00:21:29Z")
I drink fairlife milk which is “ultra filtered” so the lactose is removed, but milk is the main source of iodine for most people and I have been worried I am not getting enough iodine. I am wondering if the filtering pro… --- ## [What US Army MOS is a 31V1P?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-army-mos-is-a-31v1p/824711)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-us-army-mos-is-a-31v1p/824711 "2018-11-18T00:12:06Z")
Looking it up the only Google results are people claiming that was there MOS and actual MOS databases don’t seem to list it. 31V is apparently communications but I don’t know what the 1P means. --- ## [could bit coin mining actually be put to good use.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bit-coin-mining-actually-be-put-to-good-use/824472)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bit-coin-mining-actually-be-put-to-good-use/824472 "2018-11-18T00:04:59Z")
My understanding of Bit coin is well represented bythis comic But as I understand it bit coin mining is done by identifying a solution to a computationally intensive problem, whose only value is that it is computational… --- ## ["We are made of star stuff" - surely not all the particles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-made-of-star-stuff-surely-not-all-the-particles/824556)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-made-of-star-stuff-surely-not-all-the-particles/824556 "2018-11-17T19:40:15Z")
I was having an unpleasant insomnia occurrence a couple of nights ago, and this question drifted into my lack-of-sleep addled mind. Given (and is that a given?) that all atoms in existence were created by the “big bang”… --- ## [Could Project 705 Lira Liquid Metal Cooled Reactors be Used on Land for Power Generation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-project-705-lira-liquid-metal-cooled-reactors-be-used-on-land-for-power-generation/824671)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-project-705-lira-liquid-metal-cooled-reactors-be-used-on-land-for-power-generation/824671 "2018-11-17T19:25:53Z")
Alfa-class submarine These vessels utilized lead-bismuth cooled fast reactors, as opposed to the usual pressurized water reactor. As far as power on land goes, are there any significant advantages over current nuclear r… --- ## [Exams for promotion in police jobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exams-for-promotion-in-police-jobs/824479)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exams-for-promotion-in-police-jobs/824479 "2018-11-17T18:18:33Z")
From TV/movies I get the impression that in places like the NYPD if you pass the test for Sergeant,etc. it’s pretty much an automatic promotion to that rank. Is that correct or do you have to do other stuff to get … --- ## [I have one-year temporary residency in Croatia. Can I move to Hungary at the end of that year, or do](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-one-year-temporary-residency-in-croatia-can-i-move-to-hungary-at-the-end-of-that-year-or-do/824690)
**Author:** [@MorrisCody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorrisCody)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-one-year-temporary-residency-in-croatia-can-i-move-to-hungary-at-the-end-of-that-year-or-do/824690 "2018-11-17T18:16:07Z")
Croatia is an E.U. country, but it is not in the Schengen Zone. I would not be working in Hungary. If I need to leave the E.U., how long do I need to be away for? --- ## [We can get 3 sets of teeth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-get-3-sets-of-teeth/824531)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-get-3-sets-of-teeth/824531 "2018-11-17T17:54:08Z")
I came across a local newspaper article from 1922 in which it told of a resident who was cutting his third set of teeth. He was 92 years old and the new teeth were through the gum and getting larger. How common is this? … --- ## [How do they do horse falling scenes these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-do-horse-falling-scenes-these-days/824629)
**Author:** [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-do-horse-falling-scenes-these-days/824629 "2018-11-17T17:24:02Z")
In older movies they would trip horses or otherwise bring them to the ground for dramatic effect in battle scenes, but how do they do that nowawdays given the attention paid to animal welfare? AIUI you can’t do that the… --- ## [Why is the candela a SI base unit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-candela-a-si-base-unit/824628)
**Author:** [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-candela-a-si-base-unit/824628 "2018-11-17T17:14:37Z")
Well, why\* is\* the candela a base unit in SI? It’s basically a measure of how bright something looks to ‘average’ humans, and is calculated from EM radiation flux (in already-existing SI units of Watts and meters) and a… --- ## [How are wildfires named?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-wildfires-named/824570)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-wildfires-named/824570 "2018-11-17T16:05:02Z")
We keep hearing about the “Camp” fire in California. How did it get that name, and how are other fires named? There doesn’t seem to be a predetermined name list like they have for hurricanes. --- ## [Can a president or governor just blanket pardon and release everyone from prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-or-governor-just-blanket-pardon-and-release-everyone-from-prison/824662)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-or-governor-just-blanket-pardon-and-release-everyone-from-prison/824662 "2018-11-17T15:26:06Z")
Assume a governor wants to just pardon everyone in the state and let them out. Assume Bane becomes the governor and wants to create chaos, so all state criminals are released. Can the president or governor just decide t… --- ## [What factors contributed to Britain building the world's strongest navy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-contributed-to-britain-building-the-worlds-strongest-navy/823637)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-contributed-to-britain-building-the-worlds-strongest-navy/823637 "2018-11-17T15:09:45Z")
Hi What factors (and which events in particular) contributed to Britain building the world’s strongest navy until the early 20th century? I look forward to your feedback --- ## [iPhone not recognizing Bluetooth devices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-not-recognizing-bluetooth-devices/824681)
**Author:** [@hocow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hocow)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-not-recognizing-bluetooth-devices/824681 "2018-11-17T14:54:27Z")
So my phone randomly stopped recognizing bluetooth devices yesterday (iPhone 8+, iOs 12.1). I updated the iOs on Monday, but the issue didn’t appear until yesterday (Friday). I’ve tried restarting phone, forgetting devi… --- ## [What actually makes a man's face handsome, or a woman's face pretty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actually-makes-a-mans-face-handsome-or-a-womans-face-pretty/815835)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actually-makes-a-mans-face-handsome-or-a-womans-face-pretty/815835 "2018-11-17T13:54:30Z")
I assume this is a question, not a debate. For whatever reason I’m having trouble figuring this out. Supposedly there are several factors. Sexual dimorphism - a man’s face that is shaped by male sex hormones like testo… --- ## [Is Spectrum (RoadRunner) phone service in New York City Land Line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-spectrum-roadrunner-phone-service-in-new-york-city-land-line/824541)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-spectrum-roadrunner-phone-service-in-new-york-city-land-line/824541 "2018-11-17T13:40:11Z")
I use Spectrum (RoadRunner) phone service (as well as Internet and TV) in New York City.; I called Spectrum and was told that Spectrum is land line because the signal goes completely through cable. Soon after I realiz… --- ## [Adjacent countries that drive on opposite sides of road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjacent-countries-that-drive-on-opposite-sides-of-road/824563)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adjacent-countries-that-drive-on-opposite-sides-of-road/824563 "2018-11-17T13:18:00Z")
How do countries handle - that is, what traffic configuration do they implement at border crossings where two nations have different laws concerning the side of the road one drives on? --- ## [Another question about California fires (why are trees still standing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-about-california-fires-why-are-trees-still-standing/824376)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-about-california-fires-why-are-trees-still-standing/824376 "2018-11-17T07:35:26Z")
I just heard a reporter on NBC say that the white ash was the result of fires burning at “thousands of degrees” and yet trees are still standing, albeit without their leaves. How and why is that happening? I also heard… --- ## [LA Police Detective = Lieutenant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-police-detective-lieutenant/824351)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-police-detective-lieutenant/824351 "2018-11-17T00:20:38Z")
I’ve been binge-watching cop shows lately and I notice that in the ones set in Los Angeles, a huge number of homicide detectives are lieutenants (including most of the squad in Closer/Major Case), whereas in New York and… --- ## [Armed civilians fighting in a war = name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-civilians-fighting-in-a-war-name/822105)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-civilians-fighting-in-a-war-name/822105 "2018-11-16T23:36:55Z")
What is the legal/dictionary term for armed civilians who fight in a war for their country independent of a military structure? “Insurgent” carries connotations of a resistance after the war has “officially” ended - i.e… --- ## [Why does my laptop have a magnet on it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-laptop-have-a-magnet-on-it/824544)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-laptop-have-a-magnet-on-it/824544 "2018-11-16T22:12:20Z")
My work laptop is a standard Lenovo computer. Every now and then when I put it front down in my computer bag, when I take it out there’s a paper clip or two, sticking to the front. There appears to be a magnet there. W… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=518) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=520)