# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=750 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 751 --- ## [Too much air freshener. Need help ASAP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-much-air-freshener-need-help-asap/783969)
**Author:** [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-much-air-freshener-need-help-asap/783969 "2017-04-07T14:02:30Z")
The house is on the market! My roommate left for work having made his bed and gone hog wild with the air freshener. The spray bottle he used “fabric refreshner - extra strength” I can’t breathe or wash the carpet before … --- ## [Do modern cars measure exhaust hydrocarbons or NOx?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-measure-exhaust-hydrocarbons-or-nox/783844)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-modern-cars-measure-exhaust-hydrocarbons-or-nox/783844 "2017-04-07T13:01:54Z")
I’ve been wondering if modern cars can actually adjust for more, or less, energy dense fuels. I understand that ‘Octane’ does not exactly measure the same thing. In the old days, if you wanted to adjust the richness of … --- ## [So how does this candle powered hot water boiling USB charger work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-this-candle-powered-hot-water-boiling-usb-charger-work/783843)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-does-this-candle-powered-hot-water-boiling-usb-charger-work/783843 "2017-04-07T12:39:50Z")
UNbox therapy review here! Amazon site here What is the technology here? How does heating hot water turn into USB charging current? --- ## [Why are mortgage loans public record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mortgage-loans-public-record/783801)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mortgage-loans-public-record/783801 "2017-04-07T12:36:00Z")
I can understand why real estate transactions are public record. But the mortgage loan are too. Any time I’ve gotten a new mortgage, I end up getting a ton of unsolicited stuff in the mail from scammers trying to make t… --- ## [As of 2017 what is the government of Myanmar best described as](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-of-2017-what-is-the-government-of-myanmar-best-described-as/783883)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-of-2017-what-is-the-government-of-myanmar-best-described-as/783883 "2017-04-07T05:24:22Z")
In the last decade they’ve had a lot of elections but were they valid elections? Are the democracy parties truly in charge or does the military still run things either openly or behind the scenes? Under the reforms in E… --- ## [Non-GFCI Breakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-gfci-breakers/783874)
**Author:** [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-gfci-breakers/783874 "2017-04-07T05:12:27Z")
Sorry for the barrage of electrical questions, need to learn enough stuff before I do my projects. Question: If there is a broken wire somewhere, lets say in a conduit or coil (MC) that touches the walls of it, is that … --- ## [Electronic paystubs (in illinois, if it matters)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-paystubs-in-illinois-if-it-matters/783866)
**Author:** [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-paystubs-in-illinois-if-it-matters/783866 "2017-04-07T01:24:24Z")
Is it unheard nowadays of to only offer paystubs (info on your weekly hours worked, hourly pay rate, withholding, etc.) only electronically and only through a system that can only be accessed at work? No paper paystubs,… --- ## [At what latitude 1% of humans are north of you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-latitude-1-of-humans-are-north-of-you/783658)
**Author:** [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-latitude-1-of-humans-are-north-of-you/783658 "2017-04-07T00:20:57Z")
How far north do you have to go for only 1% of human population (about 75M) to live north of your current location? How about on southern hemisphere, where’s the equivalent 1% line? --- ## [Rocket scientists: How long would it take to assemble/fuel an OTRAG (or Neptune-36) rocket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-scientists-how-long-would-it-take-to-assemble-fuel-an-otrag-or-neptune-36-rocket/783812)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rocket-scientists-how-long-would-it-take-to-assemble-fuel-an-otrag-or-neptune-36-rocket/783812 "2017-04-06T21:53:04Z")
Some of you might know of the OTRAG rocket, an interesting launch vehicle design from the 1970s, intended to use large numbers of relatively simple, mass-produced Common Rocket Propulsion Units (or CRPUs), fueled by a ke… --- ## [Figuring amp hour rating of batteries.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-amp-hour-rating-of-batteries/783885)
**Author:** [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-amp-hour-rating-of-batteries/783885 "2017-04-06T21:40:59Z")
I need a tempory battery back-up system, 48v, 3000Ah. The batteries being considered are 16v, 925watts/cell 15 minutes. How do I translate watts/cell into amp hours (for a layman?) Thanks in advance DESK --- ## [Substituting text string in many files at once, Windows XP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/substituting-text-string-in-many-files-at-once-windows-xp/783737)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/substituting-text-string-in-many-files-at-once-windows-xp/783737 "2017-04-06T21:30:49Z")
Need answer fast-ish. I have a bunch of files that have a particular numeric text string (an 8 digit number, essentially) in them that I need to change to a different text string (basically a different number). This is … --- ## [Lithium vs SLA duty life...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lithium-vs-sla-duty-life/783740)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lithium-vs-sla-duty-life/783740 "2017-04-06T20:21:21Z")
I’m trying to compare the total cost of 12V 3AH batteries and while the Lithiums are about five times the cost of the SLA, it is my understanding that they have a much longer service life, but I’m not finding hard number… --- ## [Could Brushing Your Teeth Actually Increase your chance of gum disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-brushing-your-teeth-actually-increase-your-chance-of-gum-disease/783794 "2017-04-06T19:38:06Z")
Think of how most skin infections start. Something breaks the skin’s barrier such as a tear, abrasian, laceration, etc. Bacteria then enters the fresh wound and starts to eat on the skin. Your gums aren’t the same as y… --- ## [What is a "Chelita" (Mex. Slang?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-chelita-mex-slang/783347)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-chelita-mex-slang/783347 "2017-04-06T19:12:25Z")
From this strip, he uses the phrase “Ay Chelita” but I can’t find anything exact that explains it. Is it a proper name, or “little fair one”, or some such thing? http://www.trino.com.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/fabula… --- ## [Is it harmful to eat eggshells?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-harmful-to-eat-eggshells/382338)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-harmful-to-eat-eggshells/382338 "2006-11-30T23:10:29Z")
sigh My toddler likes to eat eggshells. Not just a little smidgen that falls into the mixing bowl when she “helps” Mama crack the eggs, but the whole shell. This morning marks the third time I’ve found her sitting quie… --- ## [Sporting Equipment Recommendations and Liability](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sporting-equipment-recommendations-and-liability/783884)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sporting-equipment-recommendations-and-liability/783884 "2017-04-06T18:41:50Z")
I know that people are litigious and will sue anyone for anything, but that having been said… One of my fishing buddies has a website where he does reviews and offers affiliate links to fishing related products. Nothing… --- ## [meaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning/783901)
**Author:** [@bladerunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bladerunner)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning/783901 "2017-04-06T18:21:57Z")
can some one help me break this quote down to more of understanding".There was, though, a difference between obeying commands and having a purpose, a reason for being." --- ## [99 Grand Am Parking Brake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/99-grand-am-parking-brake/783846)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/99-grand-am-parking-brake/783846 "2017-04-06T17:50:28Z")
The button on the parking brake stopped working, so now I can’t apply the parking brake. I can’t really find any information online about this specific thing. How do I fix it? --- ## [Why are there holes in this rock?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-holes-in-this-rock/783690)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-holes-in-this-rock/783690 "2017-04-06T15:32:50Z")
I saw this rock while out hiking and I have no idea why it has holes in it. It’s about 7 inches long and the rough, jagged, little holes are a bit smaller than pencil-sized. --- ## [Yote (a board game) online](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yote-a-board-game-online/123915)
**Author:** [@kitarak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitarak)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yote-a-board-game-online/123915 "2002-08-14T22:57:10Z")
Does anyone know of a freeware multiplayer online version of the board game yote? I tried to find one, but the only one I could find was connected to the Zillions of Games package. As I just want the one game I didn’t re… --- ## [Liquid Paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591)
**Author:** [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-paper/276591 "2004-11-30T01:15:56Z")
There was a trivia question on tv about if Mike Nesmith’s mother invented Liquid paper. My son asked what it was, and I really don’t know. --- ## [How much does the US spend on non-violent drug crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-the-us-spend-on-non-violent-drug-crimes/782448)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-the-us-spend-on-non-violent-drug-crimes/782448 "2017-04-06T13:28:56Z")
All the talk about budget cuts has got me wondering about this. At the federal level, how much taxpayer money goes to arresting, trying, and locking up people who have only committed the crime of drug possession? What p… --- ## [Bluetooth headphones stutter when computer is working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphones-stutter-when-computer-is-working/783590)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bluetooth-headphones-stutter-when-computer-is-working/783590 "2017-04-06T12:16:33Z")
I thought that the stuttering sound was from a bad setup with the headphones, but I’ve proven now that if I turn off a download, or close some youtube tabs, the sound cleans up. Is there any way to make a better connecti… --- ## [WTF Micro$hit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-micro-hit/783583)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-micro-hit/783583 "2017-04-06T01:36:40Z")
My computer snuck in a freaking update on me, and refused to let me use my COMPUTER password, it wanted a freaking Microshit account password that I probably haven’t used in almost 2 freaking years to let me into my damn… --- ## [Stupid bread packaging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-bread-packaging/171185)
**Author:** [@bondman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bondman)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-bread-packaging/171185 "2017-04-06T01:21:15Z")
Why do certain types of bread, notably rye, pumpernickel & sourdough, for example, come packaged in crackly cellophane-like plastic which is just about impossible to reseal in any effective way, while most other breads a… --- ## [Who has authority in present day Catholicism to argue Canon law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-authority-in-present-day-catholicism-to-argue-canon-law/783421)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-authority-in-present-day-catholicism-to-argue-canon-law/783421 "2017-04-06T00:38:56Z")
Spinoff from the nteenth thread of Henry VIII’s love life, and where they are getting down to specifics of the Canon Law that the King walked away from. Who argues that kind of thing for the Pope’s side and who for the … --- ## [Why all the video buffering all of a sudden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-video-buffering-all-of-a-sudden/783739)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-video-buffering-all-of-a-sudden/783739 "2017-04-05T20:23:27Z")
In recent days I’ve noticed that I’m getting a lot of buffering on YouTube and FB videos. What might be causing this? I dumped my history to see if that makes a difference, but nope. As I type this, there is a YT video c… --- ## [Which electric heater setting provides the most consistent heating level? High or low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-electric-heater-setting-provides-the-most-consistent-heating-level-high-or-low/783735)
**Author:** [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-electric-heater-setting-provides-the-most-consistent-heating-level-high-or-low/783735 "2017-04-05T18:23:49Z")
I use electrically-heated oil radiators to provide some extra warmth in the bedrooms at night (picture the old steam radiators, but with electrical coils heating oil in a radiator). The heater’s temperature changes very… --- ## [Technical question about Mac downloads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-question-about-mac-downloads/783775)
**Author:** [@MMWW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MMWW)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-question-about-mac-downloads/783775 "2017-04-05T16:42:59Z")
Hi, I am trying to see the website I downloaded something from on my mac (OS X). I got as far as the “get info” feature but the “where from” field is missing. When I initially downloaded the file, I immediately renamed i… --- ## [Nuclear-sized conventional explosions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-sized-conventional-explosions/783657)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-sized-conventional-explosions/783657 "2017-04-05T16:22:35Z")
In The Sum of All Fears, Tom Clancy writes about an 11-kiloton nuclear weapon, and states that it is not possible to create a conventional explosion of that size. Is it because the explosion’s expanding blast wave reache… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=749) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=751)