# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=865 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 866 --- ## [What is the evolutionary significance of unique fingerprints](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-evolutionary-significance-of-unique-fingerprints/761283)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-evolutionary-significance-of-unique-fingerprints/761283 "2016-08-04T16:59:24Z")
Most things in nature happen for a reason. So why did we develop individually unique finger print patterns. Whats the dope on it? --- ## [Exchanging data over SSL](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchanging-data-over-ssl/761258)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exchanging-data-over-ssl/761258 "2016-08-04T15:21:19Z")
I have a basic understanding of public key encryption (by generating a set of public and private keys, I can publish the public key to the world, and anyone who wants to send me an encrypted message can encode their mess… --- ## [Does this piece of provocative lingerie have a name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-piece-of-provocative-lingerie-have-a-name/761669)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-piece-of-provocative-lingerie-have-a-name/761669 "2016-08-04T14:34:32Z")
Starting centered from the back of the neck, the two ends of a long strip of cloth cover the breasts, come together to cover the pubic area, go under and back to cover the groin, then up and around to tie off in the fron… --- ## [Commercial airline pilots and depression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-airline-pilots-and-depression/761735)
**Author:** [@Cold\_Dish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cold_Dish)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-airline-pilots-and-depression/761735 "2016-08-04T13:31:35Z")
Does a diagnosis of depression automatically ground a commercial airline pilot? --- ## [What would happen if Trump withdrew from the race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-trump-withdrew-from-the-race/761593)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-trump-withdrew-from-the-race/761593 "2016-08-04T12:44:10Z")
Hypothetically… What would happen if Trump withdrew from the presidential race? Would the RNC nominate someone else? Is there a timeframe when the names on the ballot become fixed? --- ## [what does "tracking blockers" mean? Problem with acorn.tv](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-tracking-blockers-mean-problem-with-acorn-tv/761693)
**Author:** [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-tracking-blockers-mean-problem-with-acorn-tv/761693 "2016-08-04T06:12:11Z")
I’ve subscribed to acorn.tv for a couple of problem-free years. Now (after they changed their website and became an add-on for Amazon) I’m getting frequent screen freezes with the message “player\_err\_ timeout”. Sometim… --- ## [What happens to the latest degree if they find a foundational degree was a fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-latest-degree-if-they-find-a-foundational-degree-was-a-fraud/761339)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-latest-degree-if-they-find-a-foundational-degree-was-a-fraud/761339 "2016-08-04T03:52:09Z")
I assume that if you earn a Bachelor’s in something, nobody cares if your secondary-education diploma was obtained through shady means, if only because the sets of knowledge are nearly disjoint: The secondary school educ… --- ## [DIY help: Tap becomes upside down after screwed tight...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-help-tap-becomes-upside-down-after-screwed-tight/760904)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-help-tap-becomes-upside-down-after-screwed-tight/760904 "2016-08-04T00:31:08Z")
My previous tap rusted badly and had to be removed, so I bought a new one and screwed it on myself. However, after tightening it full, it ends up upside down. If I unwind it to be straight, it feels very loose. What ar… --- ## [ID this insect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-insect/761627)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-insect/761627 "2016-08-03T23:18:16Z")
I’ve been seeing a few of these things around the house this summer. They’re usually perched on the ceiling or on the wall (the one in the photo is hanging out by my bathroom light). They’re larger than a housefly, but s… --- ## [When did newsboys disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-newsboys-disappear/761441)
**Author:** [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-newsboys-disappear/761441 "2016-08-03T22:11:40Z")
In the US. --- ## [Col, Cwm and other mountainering terms...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/col-cwm-and-other-mountainering-terms/761612)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/col-cwm-and-other-mountainering-terms/761612 "2016-08-03T22:01:02Z")
What language is that? --- ## [Help me help my mum with her computer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-help-my-mum-with-her-computer/761578)
**Author:** [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-help-my-mum-with-her-computer/761578 "2016-08-03T21:57:43Z")
I get a phone call from my mum nearly every Goddamned day, frantically pleading for help with some computer problem or other. They invariably turn out to be complete fucking nothing which any half-way sentient being sho… --- ## [Why are the palm of my hands sometimes mottled pink / white?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-palm-of-my-hands-sometimes-mottled-pink-white/129464)
**Author:** [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-palm-of-my-hands-sometimes-mottled-pink-white/129464 "2016-08-03T21:54:35Z")
Hi, I’ve been wondering about this for at least 20 years… Sometimes, and for no obvious reason, the palms of my hands become mottled pink and white instead of the normal continuous pink. I just noticed it again now as… --- ## [Trump gifted a Purple Heart real one or a copy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gifted-a-purple-heart-real-one-or-a-copy/761610)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gifted-a-purple-heart-real-one-or-a-copy/761610 "2016-08-03T21:22:16Z")
Hi There seem to be many contradictory reports in the media on Trump being gifted a Purple Heart. Aside from the fact that it was no doubt a publicity stunt, was the medal real or a copy. I can’t find any concrete proof… --- ## [Fact-checking Bernie Sanders: Only 2 countries don't offer paid maternal leave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-bernie-sanders-only-2-countries-dont-offer-paid-maternal-leave/761550)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checking-bernie-sanders-only-2-countries-dont-offer-paid-maternal-leave/761550 "2016-08-03T21:19:31Z")
A July 28 post on Bernie Sanders’ Facebook page claims that there are only 2 countries in the world that don’t offer paid maternal leave - the United States and Papau New Guinea. It also then claims the USA is the only … --- ## [This Whale & Boat Encounter: Was The Whale Playing Or Are We Seeing A Near Miss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whale-boat-encounter-was-the-whale-playing-or-are-we-seeing-a-near-miss/761598)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-whale-boat-encounter-was-the-whale-playing-or-are-we-seeing-a-near-miss/761598 "2016-08-03T21:10:48Z")
In this video, a finbackwhale comes jaw-droppingly close to a vessel full of whale-watching tourists. I know nothing about whale behavior or eyesight, so I can’t tell if the whale was just having fun with the boat as pl… --- ## [How does/will China keep their created islands from being washed away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-will-china-keep-their-created-islands-from-being-washed-away/761554)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-will-china-keep-their-created-islands-from-being-washed-away/761554 "2016-08-03T18:54:58Z")
Does anyone know how China is or will keep their hand built islands in the South China Sea from being washed away from the seemingly myriad typhoons that hit the area every year? I was watching the news about the one cu… --- ## [The Secret Lives of Kelp Bass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-secret-lives-of-kelp-bass/761177)
**Author:** [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-secret-lives-of-kelp-bass/761177 "2016-08-03T18:47:42Z")
The jibber-jabber at the local fisherman’s bar goes like this… The problem is housing. Kelp bass (calico bass) are ambush preditors and as such are territorial and populations are determined by available habitat and th… --- ## [Windows 10: Why did this happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-why-did-this-happen/760129)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-why-did-this-happen/760129 "2016-08-03T16:10:42Z")
Good morning all. Early this morning, I was reading news on my Surface Pro 3. The screen went blank and told me it was restarting to configure a windows update. When the machine came back up a few minutes later, it up… --- ## [Can GPS units and smartphones share info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gps-units-and-smartphones-share-info/761608)
**Author:** [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gps-units-and-smartphones-share-info/761608 "2016-08-03T15:27:55Z")
I have a Garmin GPS unit in my car. I also (after many years of holding out) have an Android-based smartphone that has GPS capabilities that work via either wifi or data, and the wifi is generally not available when driv… --- ## [Did my computer diagnose & fix itself while shut down or was this just a glitch that went away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-computer-diagnose-fix-itself-while-shut-down-or-was-this-just-a-glitch-that-went-away/761635)
**Author:** [@Magicicada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magicicada)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-my-computer-diagnose-fix-itself-while-shut-down-or-was-this-just-a-glitch-that-went-away/761635 "2016-08-03T14:41:58Z")
I’ve got a Dell Inspirion laptop that I bought at the beginning of the year. Aside from it being disfigured by Windows 10, I hadn’t had any issues with it. Two days ago when I turned it on, there was a message from Del… --- ## [In Switzerland MS is anouncing a BIG Win10 update?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-switzerland-ms-is-anouncing-a-big-win10-update/761630)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-switzerland-ms-is-anouncing-a-big-win10-update/761630 "2016-08-03T12:52:19Z")
In this article (German), they talk about a BIG update being more or less forced on the users, I have heard numbers like 3Gb. for that update? Is there any truth in this story? Sorry I did not search for a English site… --- ## [Medical Ethics/Best Practice Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-ethics-best-practice-question/761607)
**Author:** [@Moshea81](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moshea81)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-ethics-best-practice-question/761607 "2016-08-03T10:23:47Z")
scenario: a stroke patient in critical condition in the hospital requests attending physician to consult with a GI dr about the onset of new symptoms after undergoing a feeding tube placement procedure. The attending and… --- ## [How do I calculate the amount of a drug in my body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-calculate-the-amount-of-a-drug-in-my-body/761614)
**Author:** [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-calculate-the-amount-of-a-drug-in-my-body/761614 "2016-08-03T08:22:03Z")
Let’s say that I take a drug which has a half-life of 90 hours. Let’s also stipulate that I have been taking one milligram of this substance every day for seven days. How much of this drug is in my body exactly one week … --- ## [How do I schedule album updates on Facebook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-schedule-album-updates-on-facebook/761262)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-schedule-album-updates-on-facebook/761262 "2016-08-03T05:46:44Z")
I am managing a page on facebook, and we are going to post roughly 200 photos (3 per day). I could obviously post those photos manually, but that would be too much work. I could also schedule all the posts, but the probl… --- ## [What WWII Fighter Plane Had The Best Aerodynamics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wwii-fighter-plane-had-the-best-aerodynamics/761263)
**Author:** [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wwii-fighter-plane-had-the-best-aerodynamics/761263 "2016-08-03T04:41:22Z")
I was looking for a list of all the WWII aircraft and their respective coefficients of drag. Couldn’t really find much info like you can with cars. Also I’m mainly interested in piston aircraft. Although info on early … --- ## [Question regarding the Celtic revival and the belief in fairies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-celtic-revival-and-the-belief-in-fairies/761294)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-the-celtic-revival-and-the-belief-in-fairies/761294 "2016-08-03T00:53:31Z")
Hi, I know Yeats was a believer in fairies, as was A.C. Doyle, as was J.M. Barrie. My question is about whether Oscar Wilde, given his mother’s involvement in Irish nationalism and the Celtic Revival movement was also a… --- ## [Can marble countertops melt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-marble-countertops-melt/761409)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-marble-countertops-melt/761409 "2016-08-03T00:38:33Z")
We went to an open house today that was advertised as having marble kitchen counters. While in the kitchen I noticed a melted spot on one edge. This leads me to believe that it’s not marble at all, but rather something l… --- ## [Oracle Query help-subquery or join blowing up.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oracle-query-help-subquery-or-join-blowing-up/761162)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oracle-query-help-subquery-or-join-blowing-up/761162 "2016-08-03T00:18:07Z")
So I can’t remember my password at the Oracle sites, and My email is too jacked up to get a reset, so I was hoping someone here might be able to help. To simply distill the essence of my problem, since the actual data m… --- ## [How does an allergic reaction work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-allergic-reaction-work/761547)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-an-allergic-reaction-work/761547 "2016-08-02T22:23:40Z")
I’m not asking for medical advice, I just want to understand better how allergic reactions work. Some backstory. Growing up in Northern California I never had an allergy that I was aware of. My family did, but not me. A… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=864) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=866)