# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=793 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 794 --- ## [What Precedent is there for this Ant Behavior?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-precedent-is-there-for-this-ant-behavior/392266)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-precedent-is-there-for-this-ant-behavior/392266 "2017-01-09T23:17:38Z")
My professor tells a story that goes as follows: Several years ago I had a house with a garage in which there were a lot of mice. I set out glue traps for them. One morning, I found something kind of amazing. A lizar… --- ## [Can the SDMB help me find a particular island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sdmb-help-me-find-a-particular-island/711659)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-sdmb-help-me-find-a-particular-island/711659 "2017-01-09T23:11:45Z")
OK, this may be a hopeless cause, but at least let me try if the Dopers can help me. Based on the barest of recollections, I want to find the identity of an island, where it is, and what nation its a part of. When I wa… --- ## [Questions regarding arrest records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-arrest-records/776702)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-regarding-arrest-records/776702 "2017-01-09T22:49:37Z")
Hi When do sealed or expunged records show up? Who has access to them? Presumably company employers can only see records that have not been sealed or expunged. Detectives investigating crimes probably can get access t… --- ## [Spectral Types (star classification)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectral-types-star-classification/776734)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spectral-types-star-classification/776734 "2017-01-09T22:45:28Z")
Oh, be a fine girl, kiss me like that. What is the logic behind OBAFGKMLT? (as opposed to ABCDEFGHI) --- ## [Why did Walmart's Self Checkout Reject this Half Dollar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-walmarts-self-checkout-reject-this-half-dollar/776767)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-walmarts-self-checkout-reject-this-half-dollar/776767 "2017-01-09T22:40:27Z")
Obverse Reverse The machine readily accepted another one from the same year on the first try, but this one in particular it wouldn’t take. Anything special about it that I’m missing? --- ## [How to de-gunk rubber handle grips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-de-gunk-rubber-handle-grips/776762)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-de-gunk-rubber-handle-grips/776762 "2017-01-09T22:22:27Z")
I have a nice pair of bright red handle grips on my bicycle. I’ve had them for awhile, and they’re still in great shape, except that they are really dark with crud, a combination of chain grease and road grime. I just tr… --- ## [Metal covers for ddr3 bare mem sticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-covers-for-ddr3-bare-mem-sticks/776759)
**Author:** [@loninappleton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loninappleton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-covers-for-ddr3-bare-mem-sticks/776759 "2017-01-09T21:19:05Z")
Is there a parts supplier of those snap-on metal shields which, such as Crucial, usually have an imprint and logo on them, which are generic and could be gotten for bare ddr3 mem sticks (which I got as a bargain)? The… --- ## [What percentage of African Americans are descendants of slaves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-african-americans-are-descendants-of-slaves/441002)
**Author:** [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-african-americans-are-descendants-of-slaves/441002 "2017-01-09T19:38:15Z")
My daughter asked me if Senator Obama was African American and I said yes, but that he was unusual in that his father was actually born in Africa, rather than just being of African descent. Then started thinking–how unu… --- ## [Is Acne a modern condition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-acne-a-modern-condition/776334)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-acne-a-modern-condition/776334 "2017-01-09T18:59:54Z")
How prevalent was acne in teenagers say 300-500 years ago in the history of mankind. Even in the 20th century was it the scourge of teenagers? Did the Mayans and Egyptions at time of pharaohs suffer from this? --- ## [What is "cut in" wind speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cut-in-wind-speed/776740)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cut-in-wind-speed/776740 "2017-01-09T18:00:55Z")
Reading about a wind turbine system. Page says, Air Breeze Wind Generator with guyed tower hardware kit (45’ pipe not included). 24 VDC, 6-1/2-mile-an-hour cut-in wind speed. What does “cut in” mean? --- ## [Question about Catholic mass gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-catholic-mass-gesture/776641)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-catholic-mass-gesture/776641 "2017-01-09T17:57:09Z")
Today at mass, there was a blessing of the children. While walking down the aisles, people stuck out their hands in a manner reminicent of the Bellamy Salute. (Well, they were supposed to salute that way but most peopl… --- ## [Plastic water bottle "air conditioner"- thermodynamics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-water-bottle-air-conditioner-thermodynamics/759719)
**Author:** [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-water-bottle-air-conditioner-thermodynamics/759719 "2017-01-09T17:48:00Z")
I’ve seen recent FB posts and internet sites for an “eco-friendly” DIY “air-conditioner” made from plastic water bottles. Basically, one drills an array of holes into a board. Into each hole is placed the neck of an… --- ## [Do all states allow firearms to be carried on flights from checked-in luggage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-states-allow-firearms-to-be-carried-on-flights-from-checked-in-luggage/776518)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-states-allow-firearms-to-be-carried-on-flights-from-checked-in-luggage/776518 "2017-01-09T16:47:15Z")
Apparently Army vet Esteban Santiago checked in his gun gun in a hard case before boarding a Delta flight from Anchorage to Minneapolis. He then got a connecting flight to Fort Lauderdale and pick them up his case at b… --- ## [Is it still probable cause if it's really, really stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-probable-cause-if-its-really-really-stupid/776548)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-probable-cause-if-its-really-really-stupid/776548 "2017-01-09T16:19:36Z")
Or, “I Choose To Not Know What That Is, Step Out Of The Vehicle” A police officer can search your car if you have what the officer believes is drug paraphernalia in plain view during a traffic stop. That is probable cau… --- ## [What is it? memes (meams?) this is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-memes-meams-this-is/776635)
**Author:** [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-memes-meams-this-is/776635 "2017-01-09T14:20:09Z")
I hear this word a lot now days and while I feel embarrassed to admit I’m about a hundred years behind the times, I’m not too embarrassed to ask anyway. What are they? and how is it spelled right? :o TIA --- ## [High Voltage Hum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-voltage-hum/776579)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-voltage-hum/776579 "2017-01-09T13:00:24Z")
I sometimes walk my dog near a local substation. As soon as I get within 50 feet of the substation I start to hear a characteristic hum. I’ve always taken it for granted that high voltage causes the wires to vibrate crea… --- ## [Is Mexican Coke non-fattening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mexican-coke-non-fattening/776378)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mexican-coke-non-fattening/776378 "2017-01-09T10:52:58Z")
More and more often, I’m seeing obesity attributed to the evils of HFCS. “Mexican Coke” isn’t made from corn syrup. Is it less fattening than American Coke? --- ## [What happened to my Firefox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-firefox/776646)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-firefox/776646 "2017-01-09T05:46:23Z")
I have been using Firefox 43.0.1 on WinXP for awhile. As of yesterday, the following sites do not work: One site I use regularly now has a giant user logo that fills the entire page, and all formatting has been lost. I… --- ## [WWII: Why did the USSR agree to divide Berlin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-why-did-the-ussr-agree-to-divide-berlin/776181)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-why-did-the-ussr-agree-to-divide-berlin/776181 "2017-01-09T01:58:39Z")
Pretty much as the title - what motivated Stalin into agreeing that the German capital, deep in the Soviet occupation zone, should be split between the USSR and the three western Allies? I know the zones of occupation w… --- ## [Flight Cancelled - rebooking another airline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-cancelled-rebooking-another-airline/776534)
**Author:** [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-cancelled-rebooking-another-airline/776534 "2017-01-09T01:44:47Z")
Used to be that if a flight was cancelled that airlines would book you on a competitor if that was your best option for getting to your destination. I just had a flight cancelled and Soutwest refused to rebook on a diffe… --- ## [Exhaust Steam on a Cold Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exhaust-steam-on-a-cold-day/776580)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exhaust-steam-on-a-cold-day/776580 "2017-01-09T01:43:29Z")
It’s -6 degrees this morning and I needed to drive about 40 minutes to our local store. I’m driving a 2015 Toyota 4Runner if that matters. As I’m driving I notice a lot of steam coming out of my tailpipe. It’s particular… --- ## [The Ultimate Fate of Conic Sections.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-fate-of-conic-sections/775730)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-fate-of-conic-sections/775730 "2017-01-09T01:06:53Z")
I have been fascinated by science–and particularly math–all my life. I am more of a novice that a professional, when it comes to the subject. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still have fun with it. Anyways, I learn about … --- ## [The spherical\* Earth conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spherical-earth-conspiracy/776226)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-spherical-earth-conspiracy/776226 "2017-01-08T23:47:03Z")
So, I don’t know how familiar you are with the baffling phenomenon of modern flat Earth societies who are slightly behind scientific understanding of the shape of the Earth by about 2500 years. The gist of their argument… --- ## [Let's say a ship mounted railgun is feasible what kind of damage could it really do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-ship-mounted-railgun-is-feasible-what-kind-of-damage-could-it-really-do/776551)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-a-ship-mounted-railgun-is-feasible-what-kind-of-damage-could-it-really-do/776551 "2017-01-08T23:32:27Z")
Railguns have a whole cartload of technical problems to overcome but let’s say with dogged persistence a ship mounted railgun is feasible in the next 20 years or so. What is the real world envelope of damage that a weapo… --- ## [Help finding a quote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-a-quote/776648)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-a-quote/776648 "2017-01-08T21:18:15Z")
My googlefu fails me so here it is as best as I can remember. “Every historical trend has three points. The first is when people who pay attention know that something’s going on. The second is when even people who don… --- ## [Help on batch copy message thread from iOS to Mac?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-on-batch-copy-message-thread-from-ios-to-mac/776640)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-on-batch-copy-message-thread-from-ios-to-mac/776640 "2017-01-08T19:02:28Z")
Hi, I have a long message thread with about two years’ worth of stuff, so I’m looking for a batch method. I’ve Googled around and found, besides a hacked-iphone solution, copytrans, which is a DOS/Windows program. I ac… --- ## [Odd news headlines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-news-headlines/776623)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-news-headlines/776623 "2017-01-08T18:52:17Z")
Now and then I see headlines like this: John Smith says sky is blue : Report Why is “report” at the end of the headline? That looks really out of place to me. --- ## [Re spy cameras on robot insect drones, how small can a lens be and still have useful resolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-spy-cameras-on-robot-insect-drones-how-small-can-a-lens-be-and-still-have-useful-resolution/776408)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-spy-cameras-on-robot-insect-drones-how-small-can-a-lens-be-and-still-have-useful-resolution/776408 "2017-01-08T18:16:53Z")
I’ve seen several articles re “in the near future” stuff about bug sized drones used as spy warfare robots. How small a lens assembly can you have and still have it be useful? Modern smart camera & lens assemblies are pr… --- ## [How would you visualize/chart this dataset?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-visualize-chart-this-dataset/776529)
**Author:** [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-visualize-chart-this-dataset/776529 "2017-01-08T16:21:45Z")
I am doing some research, non-academic and just for fun, into something where I believe the thing under consideration is being more concentrated among a population with time. This sort of feels like a Pareto Chart but I … --- ## [Fort Lauderdale Shooting Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fort-lauderdale-shooting-question/776492)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fort-lauderdale-shooting-question/776492 "2017-01-08T15:48:00Z")
Anyone heard as to where/how the shooter accessed his ammunition? While checking a handgun in luggage (not carry on) is very common, I don’t think ammunition can be in the same piece of luggage. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=792) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=794)