# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=639 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 640 --- ## [SIM card confusion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sim-card-confusion/804913)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sim-card-confusion/804913 "2017-12-20T13:06:03Z")
The more I read the confuseder I become. Please can you fill in the bits I’m missing so I can understand the basics. I’m begging you to use small words and keep it simple. We’ve now reached Thailand and need a new SIM c… --- ## [Anything harmful that would leach out of paraffin wax into soil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-harmful-that-would-leach-out-of-paraffin-wax-into-soil/804911)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-harmful-that-would-leach-out-of-paraffin-wax-into-soil/804911 "2017-12-20T04:57:18Z")
I’m creating miniature succulent plantings, and got the idea to use candle stubs as a mini plant holder. It would be trivially easy to melt-poke some drainage holes, and would look cute. Oddly there’s not one Pinterest … --- ## [How to deal with mice behind a gas stove?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-mice-behind-a-gas-stove/683568)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-mice-behind-a-gas-stove/683568 "2017-12-20T03:26:13Z")
Hey all, So… after the mice were kicked out from under the dishwasher, they found a NEW home behind the gas stove. Not good. I’ve cleaned out everything I can reach, and they seem to be somewhere in the small gap behind… --- ## [10/20/1973 -- How deep was Nixon's bench?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-20-1973-how-deep-was-nixons-bench/804837)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-20-1973-how-deep-was-nixons-bench/804837 "2017-12-20T01:53:41Z")
On the evening in question, Nixon ordered AG Richardson to fire Archibald Cox, the Special Prosecutor investigating the Watergate break-in. Instead, Richardson resigned, making deputy AG William Ruckleshaus acting AG (mo… --- ## [Medicare part B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-part-b/804880)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-part-b/804880 "2017-12-19T23:25:23Z")
A slightly older freind of mine just got her medicare card and a bill for Part B, which was like $400 for 3 months. However, she has full medical thru Kaiser. She is thinking she doesnt need Part B, but can she opt ou… --- ## [Candlemakers: how did I create this effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candlemakers-how-did-i-create-this-effect/803185)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candlemakers-how-did-i-create-this-effect/803185 "2017-12-19T23:01:39Z")
I managed to melt a lovely, lacy openwork pattern into the side of one of my candles. Does anyone have any insights as to how this happened, and how I might recreate it? Candle was a cheapie from a big box … would wax … --- ## [Can having a naughty-looking signature get you in legal trouble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-having-a-naughty-looking-signature-get-you-in-legal-trouble/804850)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-having-a-naughty-looking-signature-get-you-in-legal-trouble/804850 "2017-12-19T22:47:41Z")
A question spun off from something that occurred to me regarding events that have been documented in our long-running WWE thread. Today’s thread relates to the case of wrestler Eric Arndt, known professionally as Enzo A… --- ## [Is retirement the normal exit for junior army officers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-retirement-the-normal-exit-for-junior-army-officers/804453)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-retirement-the-normal-exit-for-junior-army-officers/804453 "2017-12-19T21:25:22Z")
I’ve learned, from here, that retirement from the military is different than discharge. And I’m also aware that Army Officers get promoted or rotated out to reserve status: you aren’t normally allowed to just remain an … --- ## [Can I use the CRSPER gene editing tool to acquire chimp strength](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-the-crsper-gene-editing-tool-to-acquire-chimp-strength/804439)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-use-the-crsper-gene-editing-tool-to-acquire-chimp-strength/804439 "2017-12-19T21:21:29Z")
I’ve read how Chimpanzees are 4 times as strong humans, and that they literally rip a grown adult to pieces. Apparently we humans have a mutation in our genes which took away this super strength, trading it for enduran… --- ## [What's the longest word in the English language? Which "rules" apply?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-word-in-the-english-language-which-rules-apply/804802)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-word-in-the-english-language-which-rules-apply/804802 "2017-12-19T20:53:20Z")
Members of GQ-reading community, courtesy of MrDibble, have just been informed, if they didn’t know, that pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is what a doctor should check you for if you live near a volcano and… --- ## [How do I get regular backgrounds back for Facebook text posts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-regular-backgrounds-back-for-facebook-text-posts/804817)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-regular-backgrounds-back-for-facebook-text-posts/804817 "2017-12-19T20:21:57Z")
By backgrounds, I mean those colors it lets you turn your text posts. Most of them are Hanukkah related for me and the rest are super tacky. I just want the old plain color backgrounds. Anyone know how to make those co… --- ## [Linux Mint Install. ..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-mint-install/804732)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linux-mint-install/804732 "2017-12-19T19:56:39Z")
Hello teeming millions. For reasons I won’t go into at length, I’m installing Linux on my laptop. The installation seemed to go well. I evacuated files I wanted to keep, created an install drive on USB and changed the bo… --- ## [African vampires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-vampires/804876)
**Author:** [@yellow\_sausage\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellow_sausage_bandit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-vampires/804876 "2017-12-19T19:53:59Z")
I read in the newspaper today that a Belgian couple almost got lynched by a mob in Malawi who thought they were vampires, apparently a bunch of people there have been killed on the suspicion of being vampires and the gov… --- ## [Is it legal for the US government to ban words?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-the-us-government-to-ban-words/804729)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-the-us-government-to-ban-words/804729 "2017-12-19T17:58:14Z")
Recently the Trump Administration published some words that the CDC could no longer use. Words like “Transgender, Fetus” etc… Is this legal? Is it not unconstitutional? --- ## [Audio mutung for people who hear voices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-mutung-for-people-who-hear-voices/804626)
**Author:** [@Clarence01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarence01)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-mutung-for-people-who-hear-voices/804626 "2017-12-19T17:54:59Z")
I have an acquaintance who hears voices in her head. Can anyone comment of the state of research with regards to the topic of band-aiding sufferers? Specifically I’m interested in trials which perpetually play certain … --- ## [What happens to my lost bitcoins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-my-lost-bitcoins/804700)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-my-lost-bitcoins/804700 "2017-12-19T12:01:54Z")
I think it was around 2009-10 when I read about mining bitcoins on Slashdot and decided to give it a go on my home computer. I setup the software and let it run and do it’s thing, I can’t remember exactly, but I think I … --- ## [Does the car alternator charge Lead batteries in bulk & absorption stages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-car-alternator-charge-lead-batteries-in-bulk-absorption-stages/804849)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-car-alternator-charge-lead-batteries-in-bulk-absorption-stages/804849 "2017-12-19T11:32:55Z")
How do standard pre2000 & newer vehicle alternators charge? Is it constant current the whole time, the amount according on engine revs? If it tapers off the current how does it know? --- ## [Use previous hard drive as external drive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-previous-hard-drive-as-external-drive/804784)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-previous-hard-drive-as-external-drive/804784 "2017-12-19T07:09:02Z")
After I decided the motherboard on my Win 10 computer mother board died I bought an enclosure for the internal hard drive to retrieve all pictures and other files. The only machine. I have currently working used windows… --- ## [E=MC Squared , has anyone ever gone the other way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mc-squared-has-anyone-ever-gone-the-other-way/804750)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mc-squared-has-anyone-ever-gone-the-other-way/804750 "2017-12-18T23:57:41Z")
Has anyone ever aimed a Gagillion lasers (or whatever) at a point and had a bit of matter appear? --- ## [Non booting computer problem.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-booting-computer-problem/804661)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-booting-computer-problem/804661 "2017-12-18T22:57:26Z")
HP pavilion desktop. Fan comes on, power on light comes on, no Bios and no boot. HP Pavilion Desktop - 550-a114 If I remove the RAM card completely I get 5 beeps. If I reset the card in the second memory slot I get no… --- ## [Brake lights - could this have been a car problem...or a driver problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brake-lights-could-this-have-been-a-car-problem-or-a-driver-problem/804655)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brake-lights-could-this-have-been-a-car-problem-or-a-driver-problem/804655 "2017-12-18T16:21:22Z")
Last night I was two cars behind a car that’s brake lights were coming on every two to three seconds. Literally that often, I counted. This went on for the entire time I was behind him/her - close to 15 miles. Could ther… --- ## [How is it that all of the universe’s naturally occurring elements can all be found on earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-that-all-of-the-universe-s-naturally-occurring-elements-can-all-be-found-on-earth/804366)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-that-all-of-the-universe-s-naturally-occurring-elements-can-all-be-found-on-earth/804366 "2017-12-18T15:56:27Z")
If I understand correctly, besides hydrogen and helium, all of the elements on the periodic table up to Iron came into existence as a result of supernovae explosions. Elements beyond iron require a special type of binar… --- ## [Caring for criminals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caring-for-criminals/804705)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caring-for-criminals/804705 "2017-12-18T14:21:58Z")
Hi, SD. There was a person who attacked Port Authority recently with the intent to cause terror. He injured several people. He was also injured in the process. When a person like this is taken to a hospital for his… --- ## [Why are snowflakes symmetrical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-snowflakes-symmetrical/804605)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-snowflakes-symmetrical/804605 "2017-12-18T07:22:36Z")
If you look at snowflakes you’ll see that they’re usually symmetrical, or nearly so. Different snowflakes have different patterns, and some of them are pretty complex, but the patterns on each branch or arm of a flake ar… --- ## [Pharmacy filling 3 month prescription 1 month at at time.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-filling-3-month-prescription-1-month-at-at-time/804663)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacy-filling-3-month-prescription-1-month-at-at-time/804663 "2017-12-18T06:38:18Z")
So I was at the doctor’s yesterday, and he mentioned that my previous prescription was for 3 months, which was a surprise to me because the pharmacy had been filling it like it was monthly. Is this kind of thing a big … --- ## [Why Can't I Record A Certain Fox Show Tonight On SlingTV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-record-a-certain-fox-show-tonight-on-slingtv/804720)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-record-a-certain-fox-show-tonight-on-slingtv/804720 "2017-12-17T20:48:05Z")
My SlingTV subscription includes Fox. I know this because it dutifully records The Orville for me every week. Oddly, when I look at my Guide, I don’t see Fox (or NBC for that matter, even though it records all of my NBC … --- ## [What is the main way that cortisol is metabolized](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-main-way-that-cortisol-is-metabolized/804716)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-main-way-that-cortisol-is-metabolized/804716 "2017-12-17T16:03:59Z")
According to wikipedia the enzymes 11-beta HSD2, 5-alpha reductase and 5-beta reductase all play a role in the metabolism of cortisol. 11-beta HSD2 converts cortisol to cortisone, the other two enzymes convert it into f… --- ## [Is there a way to track yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-track-yourself/804577)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-track-yourself/804577 "2017-12-17T13:12:54Z")
I recently heard a story about a man charged with vandalism or similar–a witness said he’d seen the guy smashing the windows of a car, only it turned out the accused was with friends miles away and he happened to caught … --- ## [Ensuring getting credit for an invention, but giving it to the public domain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ensuring-getting-credit-for-an-invention-but-giving-it-to-the-public-domain/804611)
**Author:** [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ensuring-getting-credit-for-an-invention-but-giving-it-to-the-public-domain/804611 "2017-12-17T03:27:39Z")
I have an invention that I want to lay claim to being the inventor, but also give it to the public domain once it has been vetted as possible and useful. So I want to publish it, so others can check the math and mechani… --- ## [To make your voice louder, do you suck your abdomen in or push out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-make-your-voice-louder-do-you-suck-your-abdomen-in-or-push-out/803649)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-make-your-voice-louder-do-you-suck-your-abdomen-in-or-push-out/803649 "2017-12-17T02:58:20Z")
Its often said that your voice will carry further if you’re pushing out more air while you’re talking or singing. People call it projecting. So to project better without straining, is it better to suck the stomach in or… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=638) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=640)