# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=616 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 617 --- ## [A&Q? A Text Flaw, but how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-q-a-text-flaw-but-how/808765)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-q-a-text-flaw-but-how/808765 "2018-02-22T21:51:11Z")
Apparently, a recent iOS version update has a flaw where Apple SmartPhones can see texts out of order. Specifically, answers “post” before the questions! While I have found alleged fixes to this problem online (such as r… --- ## [Can you get mercury poisoning from drinking clean water you put mercury in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-mercury-poisoning-from-drinking-clean-water-you-put-mercury-in/809325)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-mercury-poisoning-from-drinking-clean-water-you-put-mercury-in/809325 "2018-02-22T19:22:52Z")
So IIRC mercury doesn’t dissolve it just sinks to the bottom (of water). My question is, does that mercury being put into the water spread any particles throughout the water that would contaminate the actual water? I’m … --- ## [How to download these videos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-download-these-videos/625870)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-download-these-videos/625870 "2012-07-15T13:34:07Z")
My friend has asked me how to download these videos: Looking at the page source, I do not see a FLV file address. Is there a Firefox plugin that will work? --- ## [How do I download videos from Vevo Accounts on YouTube?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-download-videos-from-vevo-accounts-on-youtube/674938)
**Author:** [@gracefulfatsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracefulfatsheba)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-download-videos-from-vevo-accounts-on-youtube/674938 "2013-11-28T02:57:07Z")
Up until early this year, I used to be able to use tools like Opera’s ExtendTube and Firefox’s DownloadHelper to download videos hosted on an artists’ Vevo channel on YouTube. An example of a protected video: Angela Win… --- ## [Unburied and unused cable line. Will the cable company fix it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unburied-and-unused-cable-line-will-the-cable-company-fix-it/809278)
**Author:** [@biometricks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biometricks)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unburied-and-unused-cable-line-will-the-cable-company-fix-it/809278 "2018-02-22T13:46:27Z")
I’ve been removing ivy and virginia creeper vines from my property for the past 8 years-- there was a lot of it. When I got near the property line, I pulled up some vines and underneath the leaves was the coax cable lin… --- ## [Do white blood cells eat foreign non-organic substances in the bloodstream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-blood-cells-eat-foreign-non-organic-substances-in-the-bloodstream/809201)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-blood-cells-eat-foreign-non-organic-substances-in-the-bloodstream/809201 "2018-02-22T13:15:13Z")
I read online about how white blood cells eat “foreign substances” in the bloodstream and this had me wondering if that was only for organic matter (i.e., a bacterial infection) or if it’s ANYTHING that does not belong i… --- ## [What is this thing? \[Strange grid ball\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 466\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-strange-grid-ball/646989 "2018-02-22T03:42:23Z")
I found this today in a university salvage yard, while photographing abandoned buildings. I can’t figure out what it is, but it looks like it cost a zillion dollars and is just sitting in the mud and the snow now, next t… --- ## [You enter a gigantic space habitat like Rama from the hub...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-enter-a-gigantic-space-habitat-like-rama-from-the-hub/809232)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-enter-a-gigantic-space-habitat-like-rama-from-the-hub/809232 "2018-02-22T01:33:23Z")
Rama is an alien space habitat that is basically a gigantic hollow drum. It spins, and let’s just assume that the gravity at the surface is 1 G. Say you enter the hub and are basically floating there in your suit. Pre… --- ## [A bullet can stay lodged in someone's body like forever and no problemo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bullet-can-stay-lodged-in-someones-body-like-forever-and-no-problemo/808957)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bullet-can-stay-lodged-in-someones-body-like-forever-and-no-problemo/808957 "2018-02-21T22:11:07Z")
A New York Yankee minor leaguer who lives in Venezuela, Thairo Estrada, was shot in the hip during a botched robbery attempt in his home country. According to the New York Post, the bullet remains lodged in his hip and t… --- ## [VB.net response.write question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-response-write-question/808986)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-net-response-write-question/808986 "2018-02-21T21:31:53Z")
Poster Steven Estes question- \*How many Web Sites Could There Be. \* Reminded me about how many very sharp people are on this board. I don’t have the code in front of me, but am working with jquery/AJAX javascript and VB… --- ## [Identify this bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-bird/809277)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-bird/809277 "2018-02-21T21:12:40Z")
It looks like a very large raven but has the feathered/furred legs and curved talons of a raptor. The whole body is dark. I haven’t had a good sight of the beak except that it too is dark - or rather, I did not see any f… --- ## [What are some large bear like dogs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-large-bear-like-dogs/809262)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-large-bear-like-dogs/809262 "2018-02-21T20:39:24Z")
I found about a breed called Great Pyrenees and they look kinda like polar bears due to their large and fluffy hair, so what are some other dogs that are maybe even larger and that have a similar shape? There are taller … --- ## [When I rub my eyes, how many of these little \_Demodex\_ bastards do I slay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-rub-my-eyes-how-many-of-these-little-_demodex_-bastards-do-i-slay/809226)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-rub-my-eyes-how-many-of-these-little-_demodex_-bastards-do-i-slay/809226 "2018-02-21T18:00:19Z")
These bastards: There are two mites principally involved in human demodex infestations, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. D folliculorum is found in small hair follicles, particularly the eyelashes. In both its i… --- ## [Based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-a-2-000-calorie-diet/809199)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-a-2-000-calorie-diet/809199 "2018-02-21T16:37:01Z")
This seems to be the standard on packaging displays giving you the percentage requirements of various vitamins/minerals/protein contained in the food product. The implication is that people who need more or fewer calorie… --- ## [Help me solve a math problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-solve-a-math-problem/808935)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-solve-a-math-problem/808935 "2018-02-21T16:32:17Z")
This is not homework. Pinky swear. I love to try word problems that come my way. This one simplifies to 300cos(angle) = 5sin(angle) + 3 It works out to around 88.5 degrees but I was only able to solve it by trial an… --- ## [Please help to identify this bug!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-to-identify-this-bug/809255)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-to-identify-this-bug/809255 "2018-02-21T15:34:49Z")
Some said it is bed bug but I see only slight resemblance… Found it around the house so I am concerned. --- ## [Moving in zero-g, with atmosphere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-in-zero-g-with-atmosphere/809218)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-in-zero-g-with-atmosphere/809218 "2018-02-21T14:40:33Z")
So you’re motionless in a very large zero-g space (the middle of a very large spaceship, perhaps). There is breathable atmosphere at room temperature, and you are naked (or clothed but unable/unwilling to remove anythin… --- ## [Message Boards about Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-boards-about-message-boards/809210)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-boards-about-message-boards/809210 "2018-02-21T06:10:36Z")
Are there message boards/forums for people that run/moderate message boards? --- ## [Can identical twins be male and female](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-identical-twins-be-male-and-female/809159)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-identical-twins-be-male-and-female/809159 "2018-02-21T02:59:06Z")
Anther mystery I read focused on identical twins, one male and one female. While this may seem absurd–and may in fact be–if there is sch a pair of twins I would imagine that a differing fetal environment for the geneti… --- ## [What Happens When Enter Publishers Clearing House Twice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-enter-publishers-clearing-house-twice/809217)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-when-enter-publishers-clearing-house-twice/809217 "2018-02-21T02:03:40Z")
This may sound strange to some of you. But I have this premonition that I am going to win the lottery some day. All I can tell you is, it hasn’t happened yet. But that is what I love about the Publishers Clearing House … --- ## [H.R. 367-Hearing Protection Act of 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-r-367-hearing-protection-act-of-2017/809147)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-r-367-hearing-protection-act-of-2017/809147 "2018-02-20T23:17:41Z")
Here is a link to the actual resolution. In what way do noise suppressors/silencers protect hearing better than currently available earplugs and earmuffs? --- ## [Does anyone know the origin of the idiom "Wrong-O, reindeer"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-origin-of-the-idiom-wrong-o-reindeer/809220)
**Author:** [@Dchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dchild)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-the-origin-of-the-idiom-wrong-o-reindeer/809220 "2018-02-20T22:51:15Z")
As I was writing an email to a co-worker, the phrase, “Wrong-O, reindeer” popped into my pea-sized brain. I knew I had not conjured it up from the beyond, but could not find its origin. I do see that others have used it,… --- ## [What percentage of food supply is processed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-food-supply-is-processed/808984)
**Author:** [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-food-supply-is-processed/808984 "2018-02-20T20:51:42Z")
Title --- ## [Do all security camera's have red lights you can see at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-security-cameras-have-red-lights-you-can-see-at-night/809053)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-security-cameras-have-red-lights-you-can-see-at-night/809053 "2018-02-20T20:04:28Z")
I know I know some have green lights, but are there security camera’s that work without showing a light that you can see at night? --- ## [The Flu - "I'm not contagious anymore."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-im-not-contagious-anymore/809060)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flu-im-not-contagious-anymore/809060 "2018-02-20T18:28:58Z")
Assuming one can get to this point, what exactly makes someone non-cantageous? How does one really know they’ve gotten to this point? --- ## [Why bother getting an extension for your federal income tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-bother-getting-an-extension-for-your-federal-income-tax/809112)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-bother-getting-an-extension-for-your-federal-income-tax/809112 "2018-02-20T16:34:16Z")
If I understand: “If you don’t pay your income taxes by April 17, the IRS will most likely assess a late payment penalty and interest charges which accumulate each month that your taxes go unpaid.”. This seems to mean t… --- ## [Under what circumstances can a US citizen be deprived of their right to bear arms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-us-citizen-be-deprived-of-their-right-to-bear-arms/809023)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-can-a-us-citizen-be-deprived-of-their-right-to-bear-arms/809023 "2018-02-20T15:49:03Z")
Inspired by this thread. Say you have someone legally owning one or more firearms. Under what circumstances can they be legally deprived of their right to those firearms? Assume no criminal convictions, no restraining o… --- ## [How big, in theory, could a diamond get before gravity crushed it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-in-theory-could-a-diamond-get-before-gravity-crushed-it/809117)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-in-theory-could-a-diamond-get-before-gravity-crushed-it/809117 "2018-02-20T15:30:20Z")
Ignoring where such a diamond came from, how massive could a diamond before gravity could overcome its atomic structure and crush it into a sphere. than the earth since the earth’s gravity --- ## [Evil Twin Syndrome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evil-twin-syndrome/808863)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2018, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evil-twin-syndrome/808863 "2018-02-16T03:17:57Z")
I call it evil twin syndrome. But I am sure there’s a more technical term for it. Post one if you know it:). Identical twins just sometimes seem to be polar opposites of each other. And yet they have almost identical DN… --- ## [Can eyes be corrected to better than 20/20 vision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eyes-be-corrected-to-better-than-20-20-vision/809088)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eyes-be-corrected-to-better-than-20-20-vision/809088 "2018-02-20T07:55:52Z")
On a recent visit to the eye doctor, at the end of my son’s appointment, the Doc commented to my young son that “someday” he’d be a good candidate for laser surgery to bring his eyes up to 20/20 vision. On the ride home… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=615) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=617)