# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=574 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 575 --- ## [Probability question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/816147)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-question/816147 "2018-06-16T11:33:40Z")
I’m designing a test that draws 10 random questions out of a bank of 40. What is the chance I’ll get repeat draws? I need to answer this in case the project managers bring it up. There might be a way to avoid repeats, b… --- ## [LED lighting can "wreak havoc with the internal body clock of nocturnal animals." I am skeptical.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lighting-can-wreak-havoc-with-the-internal-body-clock-of-nocturnal-animals-i-am-skeptical/816142)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lighting-can-wreak-havoc-with-the-internal-body-clock-of-nocturnal-animals-i-am-skeptical/816142 "2018-06-16T10:19:28Z")
This claim is made in a new study by a researcher at the University of Southern California. And it is purportedly because “LED bulbs produce a sharp and intense light.” Huh? Incandescent and gas discharge lamps produce … --- ## [If something is on the "net" is it "copyrighted" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-something-is-on-the-net-is-it-copyrighted/816132)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-something-is-on-the-net-is-it-copyrighted/816132 "2018-06-16T04:42:07Z")
If I put a file of information on the net, is it covered? --- ## [Who owns The Weather Channel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-weather-channel/816150)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-weather-channel/816150 "2018-06-16T04:40:27Z")
The Weather Channel, cable TV and internet weather forecasting provider. On one of their “news” pages, I found this disclaimer: The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, t… --- ## [Did I receive blood donations for my surgery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-receive-blood-donations-for-my-surgery/816161)
**Author:** [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-receive-blood-donations-for-my-surgery/816161 "2018-06-16T04:03:10Z")
I know this is weird. I love donating blood and have wondered if I got some donations myself. I had temporal lobectomy, meaning they were cutting out part of my brain. Does that bleed a bunch and require more? Again,… --- ## [Hawaiian Islands geology - were the other islands once close in size to the Big Island?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaiian-islands-geology-were-the-other-islands-once-close-in-size-to-the-big-island/816173)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaiian-islands-geology-were-the-other-islands-once-close-in-size-to-the-big-island/816173 "2018-06-16T03:51:18Z")
The process of volcanoes in Hawaii intrigues me. The Big Island - 4028 square miles Maui - 727 square miles. O’ahu - 597 square miles Kaua’i - 552 square miles Moloka’i - 140 square miles I know that the Hawaiian I… --- ## [How can I improvise some form of organic gum for rolling papers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-improvise-some-form-of-organic-gum-for-rolling-papers/815975)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-improvise-some-form-of-organic-gum-for-rolling-papers/815975 "2018-06-16T03:16:29Z")
I had a large pack of Raw brand organic hemp papers. A cup of water was spilled on them. I set the pack out to dry, thinking that they might be still usable eventually after they’re dried out. The problem is that the gu… --- ## [Old West dry goods stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-west-dry-goods-stores/816176)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-west-dry-goods-stores/816176 "2018-06-16T02:39:24Z")
How did the Old West dry goods stores get their supplies? Were there wagons full of flour, sugar, cloth, etc. that delivered their contents on a regular basis? Where did they come from? --- ## [Smoked silicone - odour removal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoked-silicone-odour-removal/816012)
**Author:** [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoked-silicone-odour-removal/816012 "2018-06-16T00:37:37Z")
I got a nice glass water bottle for cheap. It has a removable silicone “cage” to protect it, and the silicone smells of cigarette smoke. I put the silicone by itself into a large pot of near-boiling water with a genero… --- ## [What's the Large Intestine Good For?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-large-intestine-good-for/816131)
**Author:** [@RichardSRussell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RichardSRussell)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-large-intestine-good-for/816131 "2018-06-15T23:50:57Z")
Why do we have a large intestine? The stomach and small intestine do most of the work of extracting nutrients from whatever we eat, leaving the (ahem) residue to be stored in the large intestine until we can find a conve… --- ## [Why are carbide tools so cheap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-carbide-tools-so-cheap/816026)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-carbide-tools-so-cheap/816026 "2018-06-15T22:04:48Z")
They used to be expensive as hell back in the day. Now they are throwaway. Yes, China, of course, but is that the whole story? --- ## [Statutes of limitation and common law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statutes-of-limitation-and-common-law/816082)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statutes-of-limitation-and-common-law/816082 "2018-06-15T21:35:10Z")
This question was prompted by the report that the DA in Los Angeles is actively reviewing an incident in 1986 involving Sylvester Stallone. I wondered why the Statute of Limitations didn’t apply so I checked out Wikipedi… --- ## [Did Niels Högel target a specific group of people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-niels-hogel-target-a-specific-group-of-people/815985)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-niels-hogel-target-a-specific-group-of-people/815985 "2018-06-15T19:58:13Z")
I remember reading about the German serial killer Niels Högel targeted only old people. But I can’t find this information any more. Is there any information regarding what kind of people he killed or attempted to kill? --- ## [Can you help me identify this item?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-identify-this-item/815986)
**Author:** [@mtomm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtomm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-identify-this-item/815986 "2018-06-15T19:22:52Z")
" It’s solid glass, the grooves on the bottom are shallow, the indentation is smaller than a finger, it looks to be plated with some sort of metal, it’s non ferro-magnetic, it does not allow the transmission of light…" h… --- ## [Nine-pound hammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-pound-hammers/815991)
**Author:** [@Dave.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave.A)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nine-pound-hammers/815991 "2018-06-15T15:13:16Z")
Why did nine-pound hammers become a standard, rather than eight- or ten-pound hammers? --- ## [Could we make permenent kittens & puppies with high doses of estrogen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-make-permenent-kittens-puppies-with-high-doses-of-estrogen/816134)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-make-permenent-kittens-puppies-with-high-doses-of-estrogen/816134 "2018-06-15T14:35:21Z")
Please note this isn’t a question of ethics, just possibility. I’m not interested in a debate about the shoulds here, just the coulds. Last night as I was trying to sleep I puzzled over “The Ashley Treatment” (growth at… --- ## [Would there be a market for moon rocks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-a-market-for-moon-rocks/419850)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-a-market-for-moon-rocks/419850 "2018-06-15T14:17:26Z")
If someone had a way to obtain a small but steady supply? Could you sell lunar rocks and dust for what it would cost to obtain them? --- ## [A simple and inexpensive video editing program for PC.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-and-inexpensive-video-editing-program-for-pc/816062)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-and-inexpensive-video-editing-program-for-pc/816062 "2018-06-15T13:00:06Z")
I have a Macbook Air with iMovie, and iMovie works fine for what I need - very basic editing and organization of video files shot with my Nikon D7000 or my iPhone. With iMovie, I can easily make the videos I need to make… --- ## [Need to find a webcam that works with Windows 10-- please help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-find-a-webcam-that-works-with-windows-10-please-help/816125)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-find-a-webcam-that-works-with-windows-10-please-help/816125 "2018-06-15T12:11:19Z")
Hey all, So I’ve just about lost my mind trying to deal with Microsoft Lifecam Studio 5000 and Windows 10. I need to find a webcam that is guaranteed to work out of the box with Windows 10-- the drivers exist, they can … --- ## [Is it possible to fake a deep space origin for a radio signal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-fake-a-deep-space-origin-for-a-radio-signal/815861)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-fake-a-deep-space-origin-for-a-radio-signal/815861 "2018-06-15T02:18:47Z")
I happened to catch the movie Contact over the weekend, and in the committee hearings after the ‘failure’ of the machine it is contended that Haddin faked the whole signal. Now when the signal was first received they had… --- ## [Chrome (web browser) question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-web-browser-question/816127)
**Author:** [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrome-web-browser-question/816127 "2018-06-15T02:17:50Z")
I have built a little home page for myself on my C drive. I have a little icon for my little home page. It works great with firefox. It does not work with chrome. For purposes of my question here is smaller page tha… --- ## [Tariffs and foreign companies in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tariffs-and-foreign-companies-in-the-us/816089)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tariffs-and-foreign-companies-in-the-us/816089 "2018-06-14T21:53:44Z")
I can’t find clear information about how the new steel/aluminum tariffs and various proposed tariffs apply to factories in the US owned by foreign countries. I thought I heard a story on the radio about a foreign-owned … --- ## [Forfeiting Your Tokens With Publishers Clearing House.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forfeiting-your-tokens-with-publishers-clearing-house/816106)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forfeiting-your-tokens-with-publishers-clearing-house/816106 "2018-06-14T20:29:56Z")
I have to tell you, I really enjoy entering the sweepstakes at Publishers Clearing House. They have big prizes. And the winning is always free. And you can enter every day, on their website. That actually is where my co… --- ## [How Do Cell Phone Networks Handle Text Messages With Images?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cell-phone-networks-handle-text-messages-with-images/816095)
**Author:** [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-cell-phone-networks-handle-text-messages-with-images/816095 "2018-06-14T19:20:58Z")
Let’s suppose I have a wireless phone with an account in California. While I am on vacation in New York, I snap a picture and send it to my friend back home via text message. Except that my friend is also in New York. … --- ## [Facebook 'like' button suddenly noisy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-like-button-suddenly-noisy/816090)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-like-button-suddenly-noisy/816090 "2018-06-14T19:19:02Z")
So, before I throw my phone at the wall… I use Chrome to access FB on my phone. As of last night, any time I tap the ‘like’ button, it makes a little noise. This… Is sub-optimal, to say the least. Everything I’ve found… --- ## [Genetic memory(?). Dad has tip of finger cut off, son has shorter finger.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-memory-dad-has-tip-of-finger-cut-off-son-has-shorter-finger/816052)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-memory-dad-has-tip-of-finger-cut-off-son-has-shorter-finger/816052 "2018-06-14T16:35:04Z")
This was posted on reddit and while I have no actual proof the situation is accurate, here is the title of his thread. “My dad’s index tip was cut off when he was 10, my index is shorter than my pinky.” Here is the pic… --- ## [What are these barriers for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-barriers-for/816041)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-these-barriers-for/816041 "2018-06-14T13:58:45Z")
While driving to Williamsburg I noticed a lot of the exits had these barriers mounted on them. I would call them turnpikes. They look like the types of barriers that you would see at railroad crossings and security gates… --- ## [Is it worth it to get an iPhone 6 battery replaced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-get-an-iphone-6-battery-replaced/815708)
**Author:** [@Ucha\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ucha_G)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-it-to-get-an-iphone-6-battery-replaced/815708 "2018-06-14T11:22:17Z")
Have mine since it came out, was wondering if it was worth it to get the battery replaced since it’s quite bad now. Third party apps show it as ~67% of it’s original capacity and I believe it. It dies in basically 4-5 ho… --- ## [Where can I find statistics on the number of citizenships each country grants per year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-statistics-on-the-number-of-citizenships-each-country-grants-per-year/816009)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-find-statistics-on-the-number-of-citizenships-each-country-grants-per-year/816009 "2018-06-14T09:56:04Z")
I’m looking for comprehensive statistics on how many citizenships each country grants per year. Actual citizenships, not permanent residency or anything less. Google doesn’t seem to throw up anything comprehensive. He… --- ## [Why are ratchet sockets smooth and slippery instead of rough and grippy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963 "2018-06-14T04:28:02Z")
When using sockets and a ratchet with nuts and bolts, it’s common to at some point just grip the socket itself with your hand and turn it that way. But that is made more difficult by the fact that the outside of the sock… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=573) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=575)