# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=714 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 715 --- ## [Why haven't Band-Aids been replaced by the styptic pencil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-band-aids-been-replaced-by-the-styptic-pencil/595095)
**Author:** [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-band-aids-been-replaced-by-the-styptic-pencil/595095 "2017-06-21T02:49:05Z")
I discovered styptic pencils as a preteen when I still hadn’t got the hang of shaving and wanted to seal cuts up fast. The only reason I stopped buying them was because my local store stopped carrying them. But I’ve lo… --- ## [bananas near garlic on the counter - smelly interaction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bananas-near-garlic-on-the-counter-smelly-interaction/789483)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bananas-near-garlic-on-the-counter-smelly-interaction/789483 "2017-06-21T02:44:23Z")
I think that some plants release gases (ethelyne?) that can have a ripening effect on others. IIRC, you can put apples or tomatoes near one another and hasten their ripening. Maybe I have that wrong, but I think the con… --- ## [Vacuum cleaner repair conundrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-cleaner-repair-conundrum/789458)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vacuum-cleaner-repair-conundrum/789458 "2017-06-21T01:58:20Z")
I have a Dyson DC24. Recently I spilled a bunch of dry cat kibble on the carpet. So I vacuumed it up, but when I was done I was amazed to see that the canister was empty! Now the machine produces no suction at all. I kn… --- ## [Is this owl mature enough to survive on his own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-owl-mature-enough-to-survive-on-his-own/789053)
**Author:** [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-owl-mature-enough-to-survive-on-his-own/789053 "2017-06-21T00:09:58Z")
Photo here. This question is well suited for \*\*Colibri \*\*if he would be willing to weigh in, but any expert information is welcome. I am in the jungle of Quintana Roo, Mexico and work with federal wildlife authorities … --- ## [Impossible to play music through speakers and earphones on Android?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-to-play-music-through-speakers-and-earphones-on-android/789482)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impossible-to-play-music-through-speakers-and-earphones-on-android/789482 "2017-06-20T23:43:08Z")
I asked this on xda-developers and on Reddit but so far, no clear answer. I’d like to play music through both the speakers and earphones on my Samsung tablet for my friends. The answers I’ve gotten are that it’s not po… --- ## [Ocean to ocean canals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocean-to-ocean-canals/789230)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocean-to-ocean-canals/789230 "2017-06-20T23:27:13Z")
Are there any other ocean-to-ocean canals besides the following: \[ol\] \[li\] Suez Canal\[/li\]\[li\] Panama Canal\[/li\]\[li\] Kiel Canal\[/li\]\[li\] White Sea-Baltic Canal\[/li\]\[li\] Cape Cod Canal\[/li\]\[li\] Corinthian Canal\[/li\]\[li\]… --- ## [Walking for exercise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-for-exercise/789141)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-for-exercise/789141 "2017-06-20T22:08:44Z")
If you were to walk every aisle of the average Wal-Mart Super Center how far do you think you will walk? --- ## [Bandwidth Limiting Software Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandwidth-limiting-software-question/789454)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandwidth-limiting-software-question/789454 "2017-06-20T22:06:57Z")
Mods: This might be more suitable for IMHO. My son works in the service department of a car dealership and they offer their customers free WiFi in their waiting area. They are looking for (cheap) software that will limi… --- ## [Is the encryption on these Kingston thumb drives powerful enough to defeat the CIA, NSA, FBI etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-encryption-on-these-kingston-thumb-drives-powerful-enough-to-defeat-the-cia-nsa-fbi-etc/789296)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-encryption-on-these-kingston-thumb-drives-powerful-enough-to-defeat-the-cia-nsa-fbi-etc/789296 "2017-06-20T22:03:58Z")
Wow these things are super expensive for thumb drives! Is this encryption strong enough to frustrate the premium NSA code crackers if they wanted to get into the drives? DataTraveler Vault Privacy 3.0 Specs link here --- ## [Frogs in my backyard "pond". How did they get there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333 "2017-06-20T20:23:09Z")
So I have a tiny little pond (it’s more like a gigantic puddle tho) in my backyard garden area. I have lived here for 10 years and until recently never saw any frogs in the pond. However, this year frogs have somehow m… --- ## [Telephone scams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-scams/789366)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-scams/789366 "2017-06-20T20:03:28Z")
They all usually originate from India, Pakistan or other English speaking poorer countries. Question is, it must cost them to make millions of international calls every year. I am aware that they use VOIP. So i presume … --- ## [Coffee and liver disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-and-liver-disease/789449)
**Author:** [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-and-liver-disease/789449 "2017-06-20T19:06:27Z")
In the last few years there have been an increasing number of articles that suggest that coffee consumption can protect against various liver diseases; here is one but simply googling “coffee liver disease” will yield ma… --- ## [Could Trump be impeached, pardoned and appointed V.P?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trump-be-impeached-pardoned-and-appointed-v-p/789198)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trump-be-impeached-pardoned-and-appointed-v-p/789198 "2017-06-20T18:54:29Z")
Someone had this posted on Facebook this a.m. “Trump impeached, Pence becomes president. Pardons Trump and appoints him V.P. Pence resigns and Trump becomes President again. Liberal heads explode” Yes it’s silly, but … --- ## [Blasting Zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blasting-zone/789153)
**Author:** [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blasting-zone/789153 "2017-06-20T18:15:02Z")
So, I was driving around rural Kentucky this morning and saw a sign I hadn’t seen in years. I assume approximately zero percent of drivers followed this directive. My question, is this a danger to the people working t… --- ## [Why are ground straps (often) braided?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ground-straps-often-braided/789377)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ground-straps-often-braided/789377 "2017-06-20T18:14:12Z")
I see this on cars a lot, and sometimes on other hardware - a ground strap, which has two interesting features: #1: it’s a flat strap, rather than a simple round cable/wire. #2: it’s braided, rather than being spiral-w… --- ## [Losing a fish = farmed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-a-fish-farmed/789455)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-a-fish-farmed/789455 "2017-06-20T18:07:34Z")
I see teenagers on YouTube fishing harbors and such and when they hook a fish but lose it before they land it, one of them will often say, “You farmed that one.” I’m thinking it’s something like you’re sending the fish … --- ## [Are recent Large capacity HDD's more unreliable than smaller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-recent-large-capacity-hdds-more-unreliable-than-smaller/788843)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-recent-large-capacity-hdds-more-unreliable-than-smaller/788843 "2017-06-20T15:19:36Z")
Comparing fairly recent 8-12TB range of mechanical HDD’s to older 2-3TB of a few years ago particularly for NAS setups. Is there any real difference in reliability? Would much smaller density of data be more prone to d… --- ## [What is the Default orientation for a Android Tablet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-default-orientation-for-a-android-tablet/789283)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-default-orientation-for-a-android-tablet/789283 "2017-06-20T11:44:24Z")
I ordered my mom a Samsung Galaxy S2 Tablet with the 9.7" screen. Amazon will ship it in another week. I know my Android phone defaults to portrait. I can pull down the shade and change to auto-rotate. That’s the only … --- ## [How to prevent water drop marks forming on car windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-water-drop-marks-forming-on-car-windows/789022)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-water-drop-marks-forming-on-car-windows/789022 "2017-06-20T08:53:41Z")
When I picked up my second hand car it had very hard to remove water drop marks all over the windows. The only way I could remove these was to go over the glass a few times with a compound on a random orbital polisher. H… --- ## [squirrel removal help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squirrel-removal-help/788284)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squirrel-removal-help/788284 "2017-06-20T07:29:08Z")
Ok we have a few cute ground squirrels under our shed which hadn’t really bothered us until it was realized that they were/are eating our garden sprouts … What I need is a humane way to catch the squirrels for relocatio… --- ## [Warm, dry weather less urine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warm-dry-weather-less-urine/789407)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warm-dry-weather-less-urine/789407 "2017-06-20T07:11:41Z")
I took my ex to the urologist this morning. She has dementia so I have to attend appointments with her. He complaint is that she urinates too often every 15 min or so. Prior to the appointment I had her write down the ti… --- ## [Why do I lose internet on some devices not others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-lose-internet-on-some-devices-not-others/786660)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-lose-internet-on-some-devices-not-others/786660 "2017-06-20T06:50:46Z")
Sorry for the wall 'o text but this is the layout: DSL modem bridged into Archer C7 router with basic security. both 2.4 and 5G frequencies active with multiple hardwired desktops, gaming systems, other devices. A har… --- ## [Could fracking technology possibly be of any use to manipulate quakes and such?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-fracking-technology-possibly-be-of-any-use-to-manipulate-quakes-and-such/789345)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-fracking-technology-possibly-be-of-any-use-to-manipulate-quakes-and-such/789345 "2017-06-20T02:09:57Z")
So everyone knows the controversy over fracking causing earthquakes. That made me wonder: is it at all possible, using either current or reasonable future technology, to use the same equipment and principles to manipulat… --- ## [Rain across the U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-across-the-u-s/789398)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-across-the-u-s/789398 "2017-06-20T01:39:25Z")
I hope this question isn’t too ridiculous for GQ, but is it theoretically possible for rain to be falling on every square inch of the United States at the same time? I’m sure the answer’s probably no, but why is the ans… --- ## [Rejected Plea Bargains as Evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-plea-bargains-as-evidence/789078)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejected-plea-bargains-as-evidence/789078 "2017-06-19T22:06:30Z")
So, a guy gets charged with (for instance) first degree murder. He agrees with the prosecutor to plead guilty to a lesser charge of (for instance) second degree murder in exchange for a slap on the wrist. In order to m… --- ## [Help with Statistical Analysis - DOE or Sample size](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-statistical-analysis-doe-or-sample-size/789151)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-statistical-analysis-doe-or-sample-size/789151 "2017-06-19T21:43:22Z")
Not homework. Need help determining the best way to sample a population. So I have 1000 automobiles, each with an unique VIN number. I have the following data for each car : A\> \*\*Year of manufacture \*\*: 2012, 2013, 20… --- ## [Is liquid wood possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-liquid-wood-possible/789159)
**Author:** [@dude\_robert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dude_robert)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-liquid-wood-possible/789159 "2017-06-19T21:32:13Z")
Also, is it a feasible material? It would be so incredibly useful, so that you could put wood anywhere in any place since its liquid. It would be very flexible. If liquid wood was invented, how would this disrupt the wo… --- ## [Monitor Display Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-display-question/789384)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-display-question/789384 "2017-06-19T21:18:31Z")
I have a Dell monitor that measures 17 1/2" W x 10 1/2" H. The computer is a Dell laptop in a docking station. Normally, the display is full screen. After short period on non-use ( a few minutes but I haven’t timed it) t… --- ## [Facebook question: Batch of early birthday greetings on the first of each month?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-batch-of-early-birthday-greetings-on-the-first-of-each-month/789396)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-question-batch-of-early-birthday-greetings-on-the-first-of-each-month/789396 "2017-06-19T21:03:49Z")
“Jaspar” is a friend of mine on Facebook, and he apparently sends out early birthday greetings on the first of the month, for those who have birthdays that month. Or it’s possible he breaks it down into smaller blocks o… --- ## [Why does paper dull knives/blades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-paper-dull-knives-blades/789218)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-paper-dull-knives-blades/789218 "2017-06-19T19:23:49Z")
I have repeatedly heard that slicing paper with a knife is a sure way to dull that knife. My question is why? How? Clearly the metal of the knife is far harder than the paper. So how can paper possibly have any effec… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=713) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=715)