# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=77 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 78 --- ## [Zits, pimples, boils, why is it that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zits-pimples-boils-why-is-it-that/1005629)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zits-pimples-boils-why-is-it-that/1005629 "2024-08-15T19:18:53Z")
Am i the first to ask this question. Every human being gets zits, pimples, boils etc . But why is it that they are formed only on the front side of the body and very rarely on the back side of the body. By this i mean … --- ## [What are nano particles and graphene used for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-nano-particles-and-graphene-used-for/1005750)
**Author:** [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-nano-particles-and-graphene-used-for/1005750 "2024-08-15T19:18:23Z")
What are nano particles used for? I hear they used in materials science, medicine, biology and cancer treatment and testing? I hear this new technology is about 10 to 15 years out before it becomes more mainstream. But … --- ## [Can you help me identify this plant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-identify-this-plant/1005390)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-help-me-identify-this-plant/1005390 "2024-08-15T14:29:32Z")
I have seen this plant the last years in Berlin’s surroundings, always close to the water, mostly in swamps or very close to lakes. It is about one meter high, has a single stem with a diameter of ~1 cm and relatively bi… --- ## [Biology question: Crabs and Scorpions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551)
**Author:** [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biology-question-crabs-and-scorpions/966551 "2024-08-15T13:53:08Z")
This question is prompted by a clue on last night’s episode of Jeopardy!, but I’m putting it here because it’s really a factual scientific question. The category was Zodiac signs, and the clue was something like which z… --- ## [Zooming in on web page but photos do not enlarge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zooming-in-on-web-page-but-photos-do-not-enlarge/1005731)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zooming-in-on-web-page-but-photos-do-not-enlarge/1005731 "2024-08-15T11:10:27Z")
This has bugged me for, I dunno, decades. I figured it was time to ask. It occurs only on some, not all, websites (definitely on eBay). When I see a page with several small photos, and I zoom in to get a better look, th… --- ## [Expiring grinding wheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiring-grinding-wheel/1005560)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiring-grinding-wheel/1005560 "2024-08-15T04:10:39Z")
Just one of those abrasive composite discs for cutting metal. It says on it to use by such-and-such month 2026. Why? --- ## [Would a volcano have a plume on Venus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-volcano-have-a-plume-on-venus/1005704)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-volcano-have-a-plume-on-venus/1005704 "2024-08-15T01:53:18Z")
Venus has a famously thick atmosphere, approximately 95 times thicker than Earth’s. It also has volcanos. So if a volcano erupted, would there be a plume or would everything just travel along the surface? --- ## [Taxes on backpay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes-on-backpay/1005661)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxes-on-backpay/1005661 "2024-08-14T17:36:37Z")
Hypothetical. Suppose I was underpaid from 2020 to now and I get all of my backpay this year. Because the federal income tax is progressive I take a huge tax hit which I think is unfair because that pay should have bee… --- ## [What is the geometry of prism eyeglass prescriptions? And why are they so expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-geometry-of-prism-eyeglass-prescriptions-and-why-are-they-so-expensive/1005534)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-geometry-of-prism-eyeglass-prescriptions-and-why-are-they-so-expensive/1005534 "2024-08-14T14:34:41Z")
I do not have a prism prescription, but I’m trying to understand my own prescription for astigmatism and ran across this term. The sites I’ve been able to find talk about what type of vision defects are corrected by the… --- ## [Who creates the callsigns for each military aircraft before a sortie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-creates-the-callsigns-for-each-military-aircraft-before-a-sortie/1005666)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-creates-the-callsigns-for-each-military-aircraft-before-a-sortie/1005666 "2024-08-14T13:57:06Z")
For instance, “Muscle 1, Bear 2, Basher 52, Irene 3, Spooky 43, Frank 1, Luke 1” Does some military ATC create these names on the fly or pick out of an ATC namebook? And why would there be Basher 51/52 if there wasn’t … --- ## [In their prime did any of the ancient empires/societies have a "well this city state/empires going to hell " contingent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-their-prime-did-any-of-the-ancient-empires-societies-have-a-well-this-city-state-empires-going-to-hell-contingent/1005677)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2024, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-their-prime-did-any-of-the-ancient-empires-societies-have-a-well-this-city-state-empires-going-to-hell-contingent/1005677 "2024-08-14T13:10:54Z")
Something I was reading the other day was talking about changes in modern US society from days of old like things you cant do now that you could back then and vice versa (it was a numbered slide show)and the comment… --- ## [How Many Americans Were Convicted Of War Crimes in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-were-convicted-of-war-crimes-in-wwii/1004559)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-were-convicted-of-war-crimes-in-wwii/1004559 "2024-08-14T12:58:04Z")
Google doesn’t seem to supply a ready answer, and Wiki seems to supply only an illustrative (rather than comprehensive) list. Further, what I’ve read seems to be about crimes that multiple people could have had to answer… --- ## [Youtube TV app is asking who's watching? Have I been hacked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-tv-app-is-asking-whos-watching-have-i-been-hacked/1005662)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-tv-app-is-asking-whos-watching-have-i-been-hacked/1005662 "2024-08-13T16:43:53Z")
I’ve had YouTube setup on my Vizo tv for a couple years. It started asking me (last night) Who’s Watching with my account profile and one I don’t recognize. Have I been hacked? I am temporarily in a Rehab getting PT. … --- ## ['The animal is mean, because it fights back' quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621 "2024-08-13T15:09:00Z")
I can’t remember the exact verbiage in English, but less French. What is the exact quote that says ‘The animal is mean, because it fights back’? --- ## [Bone spurs and MRI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-spurs-and-mri/1005620)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bone-spurs-and-mri/1005620 "2024-08-13T12:17:19Z")
Of course, trump. If he got an MRI at Walter Reed, would it show his bone spurs, if they’re real? Or would he have been subjected to any other kind of scan which could reveal? --- ## [Writing words like "comma" in voice-to-text](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-words-like-comma-in-voice-to-text/1005632)
**Author:** [@Billy-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy-o)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-words-like-comma-in-voice-to-text/1005632 "2024-08-13T00:53:38Z")
I put comments on student papers using Microsoft’s native voice-to-text feature – it’s a huge timesaver when grading many dozens of papers. But I frequently want to type a comment like “You need a comma after this word”… --- ## [What passenger aircraft was ice-tested after a crash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-passenger-aircraft-was-ice-tested-after-a-crash/425424)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-passenger-aircraft-was-ice-tested-after-a-crash/425424 "2024-08-12T21:25:31Z")
Several years ago a passenger aircraft crashed, killing everyone on board. It was thought that icing was the cause. Tests where made where an identical aircraft flew behind a tanker that sprayed it with water in freezi… --- ## [How are coherent fiberoptic bundles made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-coherent-fiberoptic-bundles-made/1005619)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-coherent-fiberoptic-bundles-made/1005619 "2024-08-12T20:08:21Z")
A coherent fiberoptic bundle is one in which the position of any given fiber on one end of the bundle corresponds to its position on the other end of the bundle. This is useful for transmitting images optically from one… --- ## [Can I Block Texts From Someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-block-texts-from-someone/1005533)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-block-texts-from-someone/1005533 "2024-08-12T16:20:21Z")
I keep getting junk texts from someone named 36-794. Or 36 794. Oy maybe 36794. They show up as different configurations on my iPhone (iOS 17.6.1) and my MacBook Air (Sonoma 14.5). On the phone, I can “Report Junk and D… --- ## [Olymp. pistol and rifle shooting -\> weapons? cal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olymp-pistol-and-rifle-shooting-weapons-cal/1005334)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olymp-pistol-and-rifle-shooting-weapons-cal/1005334 "2024-08-12T15:11:36Z")
there was quite a lot of pics coming from the olympics shooting contests into the meme space … which makes me wonder … what type of weapons are being shot?, what caliber of ammo?, etc… It seems that it is very small ca… --- ## [Duchy of Lancaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duchy-of-lancaster/1005256)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duchy-of-lancaster/1005256 "2024-08-12T13:24:03Z")
…maybe also Cornwall? These are estates from which the duke derives some sweet revenue. These monies may have some official purpose, but that is not the point. My question is, are there any other situations where you pe… --- ## [Was there ever an old-timey, mechanical horse-racing game like this (link to video in OP)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-an-old-timey-mechanical-horse-racing-game-like-this-link-to-video-in-op/1005572)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-an-old-timey-mechanical-horse-racing-game-like-this-link-to-video-in-op/1005572 "2024-08-12T12:31:34Z")
A scene in the 1980 movie Popeye involves Wimpy and Swee’Pea going to bet on the horses. Except, the horses are actually a mechanical contraption where a carny turns a gear. Cue lulz. Was there ever such a thing? Or was… --- ## [Did anyone advocate for a new Constitution, c. 1865 (in the US, if I wasn't clear)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-advocate-for-a-new-constitution-c-1865-in-the-us-if-i-wasnt-clear/1005510)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-advocate-for-a-new-constitution-c-1865-in-the-us-if-i-wasnt-clear/1005510 "2024-08-11T17:06:08Z")
One of the big drivers of the Constitution was the matter of preserving the balance between free and slave states, lest one faction gain more power over the other. That matter was conclusively put to rest with the Civil … --- ## [Weird Win 10 problem: Can't open list of available networks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-win-10-problem-cant-open-list-of-available-networks/1005563)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-win-10-problem-cant-open-list-of-available-networks/1005563 "2024-08-11T15:36:27Z")
I have a weird problem with Windows 10 (my hardware won’t handle Win 11 so I can’t update; my plan is to use the current machine until Win 10 support ceases and then get a new one). When I go to the Network & Internet se… --- ## [How strong a vacuum can a person produce with their chest/diaphragm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-a-vacuum-can-a-person-produce-with-their-chest-diaphragm/1005492)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2024, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-strong-a-vacuum-can-a-person-produce-with-their-chest-diaphragm/1005492 "2024-08-11T07:31:52Z")
Suppose a person has a very long straw oriented vertically, with its bottom end submerged in a bucket of water. The person puts their mouth on the top end and produces a vacuum in the straw using their chest/diaphragm (… --- ## [200m sprint track - are there better or worse lanes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/200m-sprint-track-are-there-better-or-worse-lanes/1005493)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/200m-sprint-track-are-there-better-or-worse-lanes/1005493 "2024-08-11T00:29:47Z")
On a standard running track, the 100m sprint is a straight line for all competitors - that’s about as fair as it can be. The 200m sprint includes a section of curved track. Because the outer lanes have a greater circumf… --- ## [Logic Puzzle regarding world records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-puzzle-regarding-world-records/1005449)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-puzzle-regarding-world-records/1005449 "2024-08-11T00:03:21Z")
Jim-Bob is in the Guiness Book of World Records. :wink: He has exactly one hundred records to his name… …which is in itself a record: more world records than anybody else in the world. SO… Does Guiness tally up a gr… --- ## [Google thinks I'm in a different country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-thinks-im-in-a-different-country/1005267)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-thinks-im-in-a-different-country/1005267 "2024-08-09T15:54:52Z")
Specifically, it thinks I’m in Washington DC, when I’m in fact in England. This is a new thing, last week it was fine. Anybody have a fix? I assume it’s something to do with my IP address as it’s across my laptop and pho… --- ## [King Charles II of Spain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-charles-ii-of-spain/1005362)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2024, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-charles-ii-of-spain/1005362 "2024-08-08T10:33:30Z")
\[image\] Rey\_Carlos\_II.jpg (1852×1413) (factinate.com)/\[image\] The monarch whose severe inbreeding caused deathly illness throughout his life. A modern take of his likeness: \[IMG\] add29c5a46d82b14d0bce9820171982fc319f5… --- ## [Ever heard of anyone on opiates doing this and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-heard-of-anyone-on-opiates-doing-this-and-why/601826)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-heard-of-anyone-on-opiates-doing-this-and-why/601826 "2024-08-08T03:28:13Z")
I know about the nodding off thing people do. The person in question is taking oxycontin. They’ll go to the refridgerator or stand before a cabinet for example. Then you notice eyes are closed and they start doing this … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=76) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=78)