# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=558 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 559 --- ## [Question about Bee/Wasp vengeance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-bee-wasp-vengeance/818422)
**Author:** [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-bee-wasp-vengeance/818422 "2018-07-24T19:54:59Z")
Say I stumbled into a beehive or put my foot through some sort of wasp colony, all of a sudden swarms of bee’s appear and straight away I realise I could be in trouble. So immediately I turn and leg it. I haven’t been s… --- ## [Open Office spreadsheet morphed into Excel - WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-office-spreadsheet-morphed-into-excel-wtf/818464)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-office-spreadsheet-morphed-into-excel-wtf/818464 "2018-07-24T17:18:38Z")
I have a spreadsheet in Open Office that I’ve use for over a year, adding data to it occasionally. I started using it again today and it seems to have changed to an Excel document. I have no clue how this happened. Can a… --- ## [security clearance hangover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-clearance-hangover/818473)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-clearance-hangover/818473 "2018-07-24T17:07:26Z")
Trump may revoke security clearance of officials from former administrations: Why did they keep the security clearances after leaving the jobs that justified them? How did they access classified info? Are they walking … --- ## [Can the Trump administration revoke the security clearances of everyone in the Mueller investigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-trump-administration-revoke-the-security-clearances-of-everyone-in-the-mueller-investigation/818486)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-trump-administration-revoke-the-security-clearances-of-everyone-in-the-mueller-investigation/818486 "2018-07-24T16:19:44Z")
Now that Trump is trying to revoke security clearances of people who criticize him as a way to terrorize his critics, can he just sign an executive order eliminating the security clearances of everyone who is involved in… --- ## [Does national, sovereign ownership of something extend through regime change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-national-sovereign-ownership-of-something-extend-through-regime-change/818225)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-national-sovereign-ownership-of-something-extend-through-regime-change/818225 "2018-07-24T14:54:01Z")
Very recently a South Korean salvage team located the wreck of a Russian Imperial Navy cruiser (Dmitrii Donskoi) which was sunk in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese war. They believe the ship sank with 200 tons of gold bul… --- ## [What is up with my central cooling(AC) unit? Carrier brand.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-central-cooling-ac-unit-carrier-brand/818475)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-central-cooling-ac-unit-carrier-brand/818475 "2018-07-24T12:28:01Z")
It’s mostly fine, air is working and nice and cool. Intermittently, it’s making a high-pitch squealing noise. Goes away, comes back. Not always at start up, either. It just kind of happens. I’m literally so ignorant, I … --- ## [Was Clinton's Personal Server Hacked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-clintons-personal-server-hacked/818395)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-clintons-personal-server-hacked/818395 "2018-07-24T02:52:42Z")
Twice in recent days, I’ve seen claims on this site that Clinton’s personal server was hacked. My understanding was that it was not. This is GQ, so I’m looking for factual information. That is, verifiable, credible re… --- ## [Can you strengthen spine bone density in the way you kick and punch a punching-bag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-strengthen-spine-bone-density-in-the-way-you-kick-and-punch-a-punching-bag/818487)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-strengthen-spine-bone-density-in-the-way-you-kick-and-punch-a-punching-bag/818487 "2018-07-24T01:18:22Z")
So, apparently attacking a punching-bag actually strengthens arm and leg BONES, not just muscles. Even jumping up and down strengthens leg bone density. (Just found all this out; don’t laugh at me; I don’t know anythin… --- ## [What was this Marine supposed to eat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-marine-supposed-to-eat/818458)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-marine-supposed-to-eat/818458 "2018-07-24T00:50:45Z")
In the excellent 1957 film The D.I., Jack Webb lists all the grub fatty can’t have. The cakes. pies, and other junk I get. But he also included bread, corn, milk, beans, and potatoes. I’ve been in a crew chow line (thou… --- ## [Russian-Americans discriminated against in US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-americans-discriminated-against-in-us/818335)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-americans-discriminated-against-in-us/818335 "2018-07-24T00:34:51Z")
Hi SD, With the recent heightened attention paid to the possibility of Russian interference in US elections, and the negative sentiment towards Russia here in the US, has there been any discrimination or physical violen… --- ## [A/C unit freezes - no tech can figure it out - HELP!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-c-unit-freezes-no-tech-can-figure-it-out-help/818431)
**Author:** [@pdimasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdimasi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-c-unit-freezes-no-tech-can-figure-it-out-help/818431 "2018-07-24T00:12:31Z")
So here’s the nightmare story of a broken A/C unit, what’s wrong with it, and the story as condensed as I can make it…brace yourselves… 3 years ago my A/C broke and we had the condenser replaced. It was very old. The wo… --- ## [Food poisoning recovery - germs died or just went dormant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-poisoning-recovery-germs-died-or-just-went-dormant/818409)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-poisoning-recovery-germs-died-or-just-went-dormant/818409 "2018-07-23T22:04:37Z")
When someone is recovering from food poisoning on their own (no antibiotics involved,) did the associated germs in the GI tract actually get killed off by the immune system, or just driven into a state of dormancy where … --- ## [Can this 5-position switch be replaced with a rheostat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-5-position-switch-be-replaced-with-a-rheostat/818436)
**Author:** [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-5-position-switch-be-replaced-with-a-rheostat/818436 "2018-07-23T19:29:48Z")
A couple of our ceiling fans are controlled with these funky, 5-position, slider switches. Can they be replaced with a rheostat-type fan switch? --- ## [Can an attorney end client-attorney confidentiality, without the clients approval?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-attorney-end-client-attorney-confidentiality-without-the-clients-approval/818334)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-attorney-end-client-attorney-confidentiality-without-the-clients-approval/818334 "2018-07-23T17:51:15Z")
Inspired by, but not only about, the seizure of Michael Cohen’s files. When Cohen’s material was seized, a process was put into place to insure that nothing was given to the prosecutors that would violate attorney - cli… --- ## [Schrödinger's cat of Light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schrodingers-cat-of-light/817360)
**Author:** [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/schrodingers-cat-of-light/817360 "2018-07-23T17:25:00Z")
You may think that I know more of the subject - but sorry that is not the case. I don’t even have any background in Physics. I changed the end of the title from Photon to Light, because I’m not sure if nuclear decay is d… --- ## [Has the Kilauear eruption flow increased?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-kilauear-eruption-flow-increased/818446)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-kilauear-eruption-flow-increased/818446 "2018-07-23T16:45:32Z")
Kilauea has been in an open state of eruption since 1983, but has the site of the eruption change resulted in a flow increase, or is it more or less the same, just from a different area? --- ## [Throttle position reported by OBDII port](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throttle-position-reported-by-obdii-port/818353)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/throttle-position-reported-by-obdii-port/818353 "2018-07-23T14:56:40Z")
I sometimes take my car to the track. I use a data logging program to time my laps and monitor certain engine parameters including maximum throttle position over the course of a lap. I have noticed that the reported thro… --- ## [Horses in the desert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horses-in-the-desert/818178)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horses-in-the-desert/818178 "2018-07-23T14:49:39Z")
The plot of a Wagon Train episode I watched today is that the guy has to ride three days out into the desert to find some lost wagons and bring them to rendezvous at another place with the train. If he doesn’t find them… --- ## [Background checks at gun shows.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-checks-at-gun-shows/818396)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/background-checks-at-gun-shows/818396 "2018-07-23T14:49:34Z")
About fifteen years ago, I bought a pistol at a gun show. I handed the guy money and he handed me the gun. I went to a gun show in Arkansas Saturday, and vendors were taking ID, having the buyer fill out a form, and doin… --- ## [How to make painted drawers slide smoothly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-painted-drawers-slide-smoothly/818327)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-painted-drawers-slide-smoothly/818327 "2018-07-23T14:30:25Z")
Recently moved and the kitchen drawers are freshly painted. However, this is old cabinetry so the wooden drawers are meant to slide along the wooden “rails” they rest on. Problem is that the new paint is somewhat tacky… --- ## [Convert a PDF to jpeg or tiff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convert-a-pdf-to-jpeg-or-tiff/818343)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convert-a-pdf-to-jpeg-or-tiff/818343 "2018-07-23T13:27:07Z")
I have several documents scanned from microfilm into PDFs. They are just text but the original pages were thin and the print on the back shows through as light gray. I can readily get rid of the gray by using a color rep… --- ## [Birds/Plants/Lizards -Does camouflage extend to the ultraviolet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-plants-lizards-does-camouflage-extend-to-the-ultraviolet/818337)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-plants-lizards-does-camouflage-extend-to-the-ultraviolet/818337 "2018-07-23T13:13:55Z")
Various life forms use camouflage to hide themselves from predators. Many predators have eyesight that extend beyond the human visible spectrum colors (ultraviolet ). So does the comouflage colors extend to the ultravio… --- ## [Are the Iron Dome interceptors striking anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-iron-dome-interceptors-striking-anything/641339)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-iron-dome-interceptors-striking-anything/641339 "2018-07-23T12:42:14Z")
Here’s a clip from Tel Aviv yesterday. I believe the missiles are kinetic kill, but do they do a modified zone defense? You can get a sense of the distance the events are taking place by waiting for the sounds of the ex… --- ## [Is 'Homing Beacon' technology possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homing-beacon-technology-possible/250409)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-homing-beacon-technology-possible/250409 "2004-06-27T18:13:14Z")
In Spy Thrillers and superhero movies etc, there is often a scene where the only way the plot can progress is if the characters are following (or being followed by) a homing beacon. They slap this little magnetic device… --- ## [Ran washer cycle without pushing detergent tray in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-washer-cycle-without-pushing-detergent-tray-in/818292)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ran-washer-cycle-without-pushing-detergent-tray-in/818292 "2018-07-23T03:37:05Z")
So I ran a load of laundry but forgot to push the detergent tray in - but I see now that the detergent I poured in is disappeared from the tray. Where does the stuff go? --- ## [Simile v. Metaphor, Epidemic v. Pandemic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simile-v-metaphor-epidemic-v-pandemic/818377)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simile-v-metaphor-epidemic-v-pandemic/818377 "2018-07-22T19:02:44Z")
It’s been a while since I was in grade school. And as time passes by, some of my memories have faded. Things I do every day, like read and write, are no problem. But some stuff I just barely recall, like long division. I… --- ## [Coefficient of covariation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coefficient-of-covariation/465367)
**Author:** [@bryanmcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmcc)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coefficient-of-covariation/465367 "2018-07-22T18:22:08Z")
A statistics question I haven’t had any luck with: Is it possible (or useful) to generate a coefficient of covariation analogous to a coefficient of variation? If one forms a variance/covariance matrix from a set of dat… --- ## [Internet Explorer 10 - How do I clear the "New Tabs" page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-10-how-do-i-clear-the-new-tabs-page/817329)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-explorer-10-how-do-i-clear-the-new-tabs-page/817329 "2018-07-22T16:34:58Z")
When I click to open a new page on Internet Explorer, it opens the “New Tabs” page, showing the most frequently used eight sites. For some reason, it’s droppwed both Google and Google News from the sites it shows, even … --- ## [Numerals used in Original Old Testament/New Testament and Quran ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numerals-used-in-original-old-testament-new-testament-and-quran/818357)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/numerals-used-in-original-old-testament-new-testament-and-quran/818357 "2018-07-22T12:08:11Z")
The Hindu / Arabic Numerals (decimal system) originated around 1500-500 BC. Cite : History of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system - Wikipedia The Roman Numerals originated in Ancient Rome (753 BC–476 AD). Cite : Roman numer… --- ## [Ocular larva migrans - "larvae can live in body for years"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocular-larva-migrans-larvae-can-live-in-body-for-years/818372)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocular-larva-migrans-larvae-can-live-in-body-for-years/818372 "2018-07-22T06:12:05Z")
I read that ocular larva migrans larvae (T. canis?) can live in the human body for years before finally taking up “residence” in the eye, where they can do considerable damage. And I’m wondering what they are spending th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=557) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=559)