# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=596 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 597 --- ## [Blackout during thunderstrom: What electronics damages symptoms would one see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackout-during-thunderstrom-what-electronics-damages-symptoms-would-one-see/812387)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackout-during-thunderstrom-what-electronics-damages-symptoms-would-one-see/812387 "2018-04-14T21:28:55Z")
Just had a strong thunderstorm here in central Texas that knocked power out for over 3 hours. Things look back up and running, but I am curious - I have no lightning protection equipment as far as I know of, and so altho… --- ## [Sound only travels down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-only-travels-down/812409)
**Author:** [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-only-travels-down/812409 "2018-04-14T20:41:19Z")
I know that the title sounds ridiculous so let me explain. A friend lives in a ground floor condo. He complains about the noisy neighbor above him. We were trying to find a solution that would help my friend. We discuss… --- ## [Besides \[Certain Forms Of\] Christianity, Which Religions Have A Single Person As Head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-certain-forms-of-christianity-which-religions-have-a-single-person-as-head/812297)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-certain-forms-of-christianity-which-religions-have-a-single-person-as-head/812297 "2018-04-14T20:22:13Z")
Western Rite Roman Catholicism has the Pope. Eastern Orthodoxy has the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has its President. What other religions have a single person at the top… --- ## [proving the Syrian chemical attack of April 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proving-the-syrian-chemical-attack-of-april-2018/812243)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proving-the-syrian-chemical-attack-of-april-2018/812243 "2018-04-14T20:08:26Z")
I am afraid I have to specify which chemical attack I am referring to-there have been so many. :frowning: From the limited reading I have done on the latest chemical attack in Douma Syria, it appears that nerve gas was … --- ## [Can full pardons have conditions built in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-full-pardons-have-conditions-built-in/812357)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-full-pardons-have-conditions-built-in/812357 "2018-04-14T19:39:17Z")
Can a President issue a full pardon with a condition that the person being pardoned will suffer a penalty if she/he talks about certain events and/or people-A pardon with a non-disclosure agreement built in? --- ## [What is the word for this feeling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for-this-feeling/812361)
**Author:** [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-word-for-this-feeling/812361 "2018-04-14T13:05:09Z")
Doom, having long been expected, has been averted, and you’re left with the question of “Now what?”, since you kinda planned on dying and didn’t have a backup. It hit me when the Soviet Union went down, as I had been ex… --- ## [Firefox doesn't scroll right after one of the recent updates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-doesnt-scroll-right-after-one-of-the-recent-updates/812267)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-doesnt-scroll-right-after-one-of-the-recent-updates/812267 "2018-04-14T10:25:05Z")
In the last few months, Firefox’s behavior has changed in a way that I find counter-productive. Normally, I can click a random spot in the text on a webpage, then scroll up or down using the arrow keys. Lately, if I do… --- ## [What is the purpose of a "medically-induced coma"? And how is it induced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-medically-induced-coma-and-how-is-it-induced/812368)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-medically-induced-coma-and-how-is-it-induced/812368 "2018-04-14T08:58:29Z")
One of the fatalities on the Humboldt bus crash was in a medically induced coma for four days before she died of head trauma. Why do the doctors induce a coma in some cases? And how is it done? --- ## [Medicare application question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-application-question/812372)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2018, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-application-question/812372 "2018-04-14T06:24:07Z")
I’m 69. My wife is 65. She has not worked enough to qualify for MediCare on her own right, but we’ve been married for much longer than 10 years so everything I’ve read and been told means she’s eligible through me. I ap… --- ## [Recycling aluminum cans and aluminum tape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recycling-aluminum-cans-and-aluminum-tape/812325)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recycling-aluminum-cans-and-aluminum-tape/812325 "2018-04-13T22:25:30Z")
I’m building a sculpture out of aluminum cans that is stuck together with aluminum tape, the stuff you use for HVAC systems. is there any problem recycling the whole thing without taking the tape off first? --- ## [If there is a shortage of nursing aides, why do they make so little?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-a-shortage-of-nursing-aides-why-do-they-make-so-little/812284)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-a-shortage-of-nursing-aides-why-do-they-make-so-little/812284 "2018-04-13T22:24:15Z")
I keep on reading that there is a shortage of nurses at all levels, from nursing aids to registered nurses, to nurse practitioners. A quick google shows tons of stories about how we already have big shortages, as do most… --- ## [Do babies dream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-babies-dream/812289)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-babies-dream/812289 "2018-04-13T18:50:38Z")
My 6 month old grandson woke up shrieking. We thought there was something wrong-- very wet, pinched a finger, gas but when I picked him up all he wanted to do was put his arms around my neck and have me comfort him until… --- ## [What would a realistic space battle look like, given the following conditions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-realistic-space-battle-look-like-given-the-following-conditions/811959)
**Author:** [@dilaudid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dilaudid)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-realistic-space-battle-look-like-given-the-following-conditions/811959 "2018-04-13T18:12:41Z")
I am writing a realistic science fiction to be set in the year 2060-ish. Technology, then, is only what would be within the realm of possibility to-day. Ships in my continuity use atomic pulse propulsion, a la Project … --- ## [Homemade Bioweapons - legality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-bioweapons-legality/812283)
**Author:** [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homemade-bioweapons-legality/812283 "2018-04-13T17:38:24Z")
A hypothetical independently wealthy, highly skilled biologist has his own lab at home with all the equipment he wants that is legally obtainable. Due to personal curiosity and with no intention of releasing them, he de… --- ## [How do chip cards make a consumer safer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-chip-cards-make-a-consumer-safer/812239)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-chip-cards-make-a-consumer-safer/812239 "2018-04-13T17:27:31Z")
I am aware that individual transactions using the chip are safer, since it uses a unique authentication with each transaction. However, if the magnetic strips still work, and you can still make purchases with just card … --- ## [Question on the passage of state laws, and constitutional challenges (re: Guns)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-passage-of-state-laws-and-constitutional-challenges-re-guns/812352)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-the-passage-of-state-laws-and-constitutional-challenges-re-guns/812352 "2018-04-13T17:27:30Z")
So, they’re trying to pass a very wide reaching “assault weapons” ban in Delaware. This is very wide reaching and covers about 60 makes of guns, including “semi-automatic rifles and handguns”. A similar bill passed i… --- ## [How long did it take Mary Jo Kopechne to drown in the Chappaquiddick incident?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-did-it-take-mary-jo-kopechne-to-drown-in-the-chappaquiddick-incident/812103)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-did-it-take-mary-jo-kopechne-to-drown-in-the-chappaquiddick-incident/812103 "2018-04-13T16:40:19Z")
On July 18, 1969, Sen. Ted Kennedy drove a car containing Mary Jo Kopechne off a bridge in Cape Cod. Sen. Kennedy extricated himself but waited many hours before reporting the collision to authorities. By the time rescue… --- ## [What's the highest Federal Position (elected or appointed) a former 2-term POTUS could hold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-highest-federal-position-elected-or-appointed-a-former-2-term-potus-could-hold/812324)
**Author:** [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-highest-federal-position-elected-or-appointed-a-former-2-term-potus-could-hold/812324 "2018-04-13T16:15:45Z")
So, 2020 comes and President 46 wants Obama and/or Bush 2 as part of his team. As they can’t become president if 46 is incapacitated, I assume neither could be VP (vaguely remembered from early '80’s high school classes… --- ## [Excel question: Combining two tables into one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-combining-two-tables-into-one/812329)
**Author:** [@Azile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azile)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-combining-two-tables-into-one/812329 "2018-04-13T16:14:20Z")
The taxman is after the company I work for for our out-of-state purchases. I have an excel workbook that contains: \[ol\] \[li\]a list of vendors we purchased from in 2016\[/li\]\[li\]a list of vendors we purchased from in 201… --- ## [Besides Humans \[Colloquially\] And Goats, Do Any Animals Have "Kids"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-humans-colloquially-and-goats-do-any-animals-have-kids/812298)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/besides-humans-colloquially-and-goats-do-any-animals-have-kids/812298 "2018-04-13T14:47:34Z")
Are any other animals’ young referred to as “kids,” or is it just goats and humans (colloquially, of course, w/r/t humans)? --- ## ["Skull" In Mexican Spanish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skull-in-mexican-spanish/812285)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skull-in-mexican-spanish/812285 "2018-04-13T13:03:25Z")
Online translator apps and Spanish dictionaries are giving me two words for “skull.” One is “cráneo,” obviously from the same root as the English “cranium”; the other is “calavera.” My guess is that the former is used in… --- ## [Why did our prehistoric ancestors migrate out of Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-our-prehistoric-ancestors-migrate-out-of-africa/549944)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-our-prehistoric-ancestors-migrate-out-of-africa/549944 "2018-04-13T12:50:58Z")
The best I can come up with is a dual answer - a search for better living conditions, i.e. better food sources, and/or some innate drive for variety, exploration, investigation. Because not everyone did migrate from Afr… --- ## [Why does my laptop keep going to sleep? How do I make it stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-laptop-keep-going-to-sleep-how-do-i-make-it-stop/811471)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-laptop-keep-going-to-sleep-how-do-i-make-it-stop/811471 "2018-04-13T12:35:59Z")
ASUS laptop, running Windows 10. I have the power settings set so that the laptop should blank the screen after 10 minutes of inactivity and sleep after 20 minutes. However, if I get up and walk away from the laptop for … --- ## [Maths question - testing related datasets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maths-question-testing-related-datasets/812343)
**Author:** [@tigerwoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tigerwoods)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maths-question-testing-related-datasets/812343 "2018-04-13T10:21:18Z")
Hello people, I have 3 sets of XY data. In each dataset as you advance in increasing X direction the Y values are scattered above and below the X axis in what appears to be a random fashion. When you plot the 3 datasets… --- ## [Austronaut genetics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austronaut-genetics/507993)
**Author:** [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/austronaut-genetics/507993 "2018-04-13T05:04:11Z")
Unless I am wrong, the major (if not only) thing that causes our DNA to change over time is cosmic and solar radiation. Cosmic rays assault and change our DNA slightly every moment, which is why 2 people can never produc… --- ## [What are chrome reverse wheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-chrome-reverse-wheels/812248)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-chrome-reverse-wheels/812248 "2018-04-13T01:36:29Z")
I’ve been listening to some old surf/hot rod music lately and I’ve heard them mention chrome reverse wheels. I googled it but there seems to be some confusion or disagreement on the online sources. Anyone got the straig… --- ## [Banks: security vs. scam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banks-security-vs-scam/812250)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banks-security-vs-scam/812250 "2018-04-13T01:09:45Z")
I have my checking, savings, and HSA at Bank of America. The HSA is a separate department, according to BOA, and not a separate entity. On April 4th, I transferred money from my BOA checking to my HSA to cover my higher… --- ## [Attorney-Client Privilege, Taint Teams, and Crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attorney-client-privilege-taint-teams-and-crime/812311)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attorney-client-privilege-taint-teams-and-crime/812311 "2018-04-13T00:40:15Z")
A prosecutor has successfully received a warrant against an attorney and his client. The police raid the attorney’s office, pick up all of his possessions, and have them to a taint team for review. As the taint team rev… --- ## [WTF is this thing I found on Google Maps??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-thing-i-found-on-google-maps/812249)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-thing-i-found-on-google-maps/812249 "2018-04-12T23:26:31Z")
Having stumbled across the Wiki article on the Poles of Inaccessibility and having nothing better to do, I was following the coordinates of each one on Google Maps to see where they were. In North America the PoI in in … --- ## [Momentary zoom in when scrolling with mouse wheel - Windows 10 and IE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/momentary-zoom-in-when-scrolling-with-mouse-wheel-windows-10-and-ie/812318)
**Author:** [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/momentary-zoom-in-when-scrolling-with-mouse-wheel-windows-10-and-ie/812318 "2018-04-12T21:51:20Z")
My Google-fu is failing me on this. I just got a shiny new PC with Windows 10 for work, and more often than not, when scrolling through a website with the mouse wheel, the page briefly gets larger, returns to normal size… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=595) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=597)