# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=735 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 736 --- ## [Can red and gray squirrels interbreed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-red-and-gray-squirrels-interbreed/305852)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-red-and-gray-squirrels-interbreed/305852 "2017-05-09T21:29:40Z")
I’ve spent most of my life living in wooded areas, so I can tell the difference between a red squirrel and a gray one at a glance… until this week. Something has come to eat seeds, and I’m not sure what it is. Well, it’… --- ## [Russia and the Jehovah’s Witnesses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-and-the-jehovah-s-witnesses/785470)
**Author:** [@Ztransform](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ztransform)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-and-the-jehovah-s-witnesses/785470 "2017-05-09T19:56:08Z")
Apparently, the Russian State has banned the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Why has this happened, and is it justified? --- ## [70s water shortage (?)... local? Nat'l?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/70s-water-shortage-local-natl/786157)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/70s-water-shortage-local-natl/786157 "2017-05-09T19:31:57Z")
I seem to recall that for some reason for a period in the 1970s restaurants got stingy with water and stopped automatically giving it to customers (except upon request). Anybody else recollect this? At the time I was a … --- ## [Tom Mullica's cigarette trick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-mullicas-cigarette-trick/595379)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-mullicas-cigarette-trick/595379 "2017-05-09T18:14:28Z")
As seen here. Is this an illusion, or is he really doing this? I am not asking for any secrets, just want to know if it’s a trick or skill. --- ## [Microsoft Word 2016: Easy way to customise citation styles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-2016-easy-way-to-customise-citation-styles/785944)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-word-2016-easy-way-to-customise-citation-styles/785944 "2017-05-09T18:07:29Z")
I’m working on an academic paper in law. For managing my sources I use the reference function of Word 2016. This allows me, of course, to add sources, select a category for the source, fill in the metadata details, and W… --- ## [Is STD transmission from one person to another typically 100%?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-std-transmission-from-one-person-to-another-typically-100/786092)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-std-transmission-from-one-person-to-another-typically-100/786092 "2017-05-09T17:24:28Z")
No, I don’t need an answer fast. :slight\_smile: It’s never been clear to me just how contagious are STD’s? Does it vary according to the type of STD? The type of sex? If you have sex with someone with an STD is it saf… --- ## [Seemingly contradictory phrases in MRI report...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seemingly-contradictory-phrases-in-mri-report/786158)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seemingly-contradictory-phrases-in-mri-report/786158 "2017-05-09T16:29:00Z")
We are trying to interpret an MRI scan report of the cervical spine. In some places it says “No evidence of cord compression or focal abnormal signal within the cervical spinal cord.” In other places it says “There is a … --- ## [In pre-industrial, pre-medical times, how often were people sick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-pre-industrial-pre-medical-times-how-often-were-people-sick/786170)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-pre-industrial-pre-medical-times-how-often-were-people-sick/786170 "2017-05-09T15:23:41Z")
I vaguely recall reading about Iraq when they were under sanctions, it mentioned something about how kids were sick 100+ days a year due to things like lack of sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. I guess if you … --- ## [What Animals Have No Natural Enemies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2017, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-have-no-natural-enemies/3231 "2017-05-07T11:32:10Z")
Not counting humans as enemies, AND assuming the animal is full grown and healthy I can only think of a few. Gorilla Elephant Alligator Bear (Grizzly or Polar) I was thinking lions have hyena packs that can kill a f… --- ## [Looking for scientific nomenclature for the bear anatomy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-scientific-nomenclature-for-the-bear-anatomy/785975)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-scientific-nomenclature-for-the-bear-anatomy/785975 "2017-05-09T09:54:01Z")
Hi I have looking for the scientific terms for the grizzly bear’s hump but haven’t been able to find it. I look forward to your feedback. --- ## [Can Amish vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-amish-vote/786148)
**Author:** [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-amish-vote/786148 "2017-05-09T03:27:33Z")
The Amish Rule of Order, or Ordnung, prohibits public electricity and TV. It also prohibits running for public office. Does this mean the Amish do not vote, either? --- ## [What Was a "Hieronymous" Machine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-a-hieronymous-machine/495418)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-a-hieronymous-machine/495418 "2017-05-09T02:58:01Z")
In reading some Campbell-written 1950’s Sci Fi, reference is made to a “hieronymous” machine. What did this thing actually d? has anyone ever built one?:confused: --- ## [Annual maintenance after cataract surgery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-maintenance-after-cataract-surgery/786089)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annual-maintenance-after-cataract-surgery/786089 "2017-05-09T02:07:34Z")
A friend of mine (age late 60s) had cataract surgery (both eyes) almost 10 years ago. She just told me that every year, some kind of “film” develops on her eyes or on the lenses, and she has to go in so the ophthalmologi… --- ## [Haircut Prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircut-prices/785928)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircut-prices/785928 "2017-05-09T01:03:05Z")
Most barber shops charge the same for haircuts. The customary price locally is $16 for men with $1 discount for senior citizens. However, a few charge more, and one I know of charges less. If the place calls itself a … --- ## [Yet Another Dual Citizenship Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-dual-citizenship-question/786153)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-dual-citizenship-question/786153 "2017-05-09T00:54:28Z")
I think there should be a factual answer. Let’s say I live in the US, I’m an American citizen in good standing, and for personal reasons I want to establlish dual citizenship without having to relocate to another countr… --- ## [When were first ww2 German soldiers captured?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-first-ww2-german-soldiers-captured/786085)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-were-first-ww2-german-soldiers-captured/786085 "2017-05-08T23:02:49Z")
I found a info that the Yugoslav royalist guerilla fighters, Chetniks, captured 93 German soldiers on 31. August 1941 during the battle of Loznica city, in which the royalists captured the city and that those 93 soldiers… --- ## [Do female animals experience orgasm during sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-female-animals-experience-orgasm-during-sex/785848)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-female-animals-experience-orgasm-during-sex/785848 "2017-05-08T22:16:31Z")
Hello Everyone, Since the female orrgasm isn’t necessary for reproduction, do female animals have orgasms? --- ## [Creepy Crawlers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-crawlers/786133)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-crawlers/786133 "2017-05-08T21:56:45Z")
I think most of us have seen the pictures of the tiny organisms we all have creeping around in out eyebrows, skin, etc. My question is… When you suddenly get an itchy spot somewhere on your body and you know it isn’t a… --- ## [With adequate water, how much salt could you safely consume in one day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-adequate-water-how-much-salt-could-you-safely-consume-in-one-day/785883)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-adequate-water-how-much-salt-could-you-safely-consume-in-one-day/785883 "2017-05-08T21:46:34Z")
Body mass, etc., all comes into play, so - using myself as an example, I weigh 145 pounds. Assuming I drink as much water as is needed to cope, how much sodium could my body handle in one day before kidneys fail, brain s… --- ## [Is menstrual sex common in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-menstrual-sex-common-in-the-us/785872 "2017-05-08T20:17:20Z")
Sorry, brainfart. I meant sex during a period. (Could you amend the title, mods?) I’m an old married man now so son’t have much insight into this. Of the relationships I’ve had in my life only a couple of women were up … --- ## [Moving Company Headquarters, but not main business...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-company-headquarters-but-not-main-business/786105)
**Author:** [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-company-headquarters-but-not-main-business/786105 "2017-05-08T19:17:47Z")
I really have no reason to move my company headquarters to a different state, as my state has a pretty low tax rate. According to some articles i read online, changing the headquarters state to your business is as simpl… --- ## [Apple Blossoms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-blossoms/786067)
**Author:** [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-blossoms/786067 "2017-05-08T17:49:15Z")
On Friday night, a TREMENDOUS storm (thunder, lightning, hail, sleet, Old Testament wrath-of-God type storm) blew threw the Seattle area for about 12 hours. When it was over and I went out to check for any damage, I noti… --- ## [Short Sale: at what point does the bank order the title search?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-sale-at-what-point-does-the-bank-order-the-title-search/785965)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-sale-at-what-point-does-the-bank-order-the-title-search/785965 "2017-05-08T17:36:25Z")
We are a little over a year into a short sale (we are trying to buy the house). Developments have been few and far between for a long time. But last month, our attorney let us know that she had heard from the seller’s at… --- ## [Where can I get proof of the battery rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-proof-of-the-battery-rule/786119)
**Author:** [@Long\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_D)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-proof-of-the-battery-rule/786119 "2017-05-08T17:08:17Z")
I have asked this question before but cannot find scientific papers that prove it’s theories. Please lead me to an individual with a scientific/electronic background that will let me know what rules of cell phone LI ion … --- ## [How many speeding tickets does the average American driver get in ten years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-speeding-tickets-does-the-average-american-driver-get-in-ten-years/785868)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-speeding-tickets-does-the-average-american-driver-get-in-ten-years/785868 "2017-05-08T14:50:17Z")
Hey all, So here’s the background of this question. I was having a discussion… argument… you know… with my sister about how often people normally get speeding tickets. (Much 'I’M THE ONLY PERSON ON EARTH WHO DRIVES THE … --- ## [How serious was Hitler's flirtation with Norse / Germanic paganism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-serious-was-hitlers-flirtation-with-norse-germanic-paganism/785952)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-serious-was-hitlers-flirtation-with-norse-germanic-paganism/785952 "2017-05-08T14:26:46Z")
I seem to recall reading that Hitler at least briefly flirted with the notion of reviving the worship of the Norse / Germanic pagan deities like Odin and Thor. (Perhaps I watched it on a TV show, instead – don’t really r… --- ## [How far out before some other star is brighter than the Sun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-out-before-some-other-star-is-brighter-than-the-sun/641873)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-out-before-some-other-star-is-brighter-than-the-sun/641873 "2017-05-08T14:24:07Z")
How far out do you have to go before some other star is brighter than the Sun? Which star would it be? --- ## ["It's unhealthy to lose weight too fast." Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unhealthy-to-lose-weight-too-fast-why/570995)
**Author:** [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-unhealthy-to-lose-weight-too-fast-why/570995 "2012-12-29T07:54:34Z")
I get that crash diets are unhealthy. If you’re eating nothing but grapefruit or cabbage soup for a week just so you can lose ten pounds before your frenemy’s wedding, you’re probably not doing your body any favors. But … --- ## [OTC or Rx Drugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otc-or-rx-drugs/786109)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otc-or-rx-drugs/786109 "2017-05-08T12:17:00Z")
What determines if a new drug will be over the counter (OTC) or require a prescription (Rx)? Other than something obvious like a narcotic, how does the FDA make this call? --- ## [Israel Development Bonds.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603 "2017-05-08T00:43:28Z")
I encountered an online ad, offering these. 2% per year, at the lowest class of bond, and a one year bond. Better for longer term. Does anybody know anything about these?’ Legit? Or scam? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=734) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=736)