# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=917 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 918 --- ## [What percentage of US residents have parasitic worms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-us-residents-have-parasitic-worms/382550)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2016, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-us-residents-have-parasitic-worms/382550 "2016-04-21T13:06:54Z")
I have a credulous friend who has been convinced by a peddler of alternative medicine that a very high percentage of people have parasitic worms. So what’s the straight dope? Educated guesses and wisecracks are of cours… --- ## [Can someone explain the plan to allow 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-plan-to-allow-9-11-victims-to-sue-the-saudi-government/752744)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-plan-to-allow-9-11-victims-to-sue-the-saudi-government/752744 "2016-04-21T11:10:51Z")
A bill to allow the victims and family members of the 9/11 stacks to sue the Saudi government is working through Congress. I have a few basic questions about this, which are probably due to my lack of in depth study of 9… --- ## [Wild question about in situ gene modification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-question-about-in-situ-gene-modification/752758)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-question-about-in-situ-gene-modification/752758 "2016-04-21T07:04:16Z")
Would it ever be possible to modify the genome in all of a person’s living cells (or just living stem cells or whatever it takes)? If you could, what would happen to that person? Suppose you were able to inject nanobot… --- ## [Stupid tax Q: Is "AMT Schedule D" a different form, of just an ordinary Schedule D using new #s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-tax-q-is-amt-schedule-d-a-different-form-of-just-an-ordinary-schedule-d-using-new-s/752400)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-tax-q-is-amt-schedule-d-a-different-form-of-just-an-ordinary-schedule-d-using-new-s/752400 "2016-04-21T03:17:51Z")
If it’s a different form, where the hell is it? If it’s the same form, where are the instructions for calculating it differently for the AMT? Pretty much all there in the title. I’ve been trying to sort this for an hour… --- ## [Dental abscesses: why does the body have a difficult time fighting them off naturally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-abscesses-why-does-the-body-have-a-difficult-time-fighting-them-off-naturally/752732)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-abscesses-why-does-the-body-have-a-difficult-time-fighting-them-off-naturally/752732 "2016-04-21T02:43:41Z")
At the moment, I am awaiting an upcoming root canal of a tooth that pretty cracked clean in half. In the meantime, I am having recurring abscesses that come on all of a sudden – one moment, the gum underneath the tooth i… --- ## [Re determination of human sexual orientation what does the latest science say re nature/nurture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-determination-of-human-sexual-orientation-what-does-the-latest-science-say-re-nature-nurture/752435)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-determination-of-human-sexual-orientation-what-does-the-latest-science-say-re-nature-nurture/752435 "2016-04-20T20:12:26Z")
I was brought up short in a discussion the other day where I opined that sexual orientation was now thought to be hugely influenced by epi-genetic factors related to hormone levels in the womb at precise fetal growth int… --- ## [Tax question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/752673)
**Author:** [@FirstLoser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FirstLoser)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question/752673 "2016-04-20T19:23:10Z")
I’m not looking for official advice regarding my taxes, and I intend to consult my company’s payroll department. I finally got around to doing my taxes this past weekend (via TurboTax) I have a Health Savings Account t… --- ## [Do people really die in their sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-die-in-their-sleep/531478)
**Author:** [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-die-in-their-sleep/531478 "2016-04-20T18:14:09Z")
Often people who pass away are said to die peacefully in their sleep. Does this really happen, or is it just what doctors tell the relatives to comfort them? I would have thought that most forms of death involve some pai… --- ## [Cancer vs Dense tissue areas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-vs-dense-tissue-areas/752736)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-vs-dense-tissue-areas/752736 "2016-04-20T17:54:44Z")
I was reading the other day that many cancers have been declassified and will no longer recieve treatment. These wre primarily areas of dense tissue or thickening tissue that would show up on MRI’s. My girlfriend has to … --- ## [White House Defense Systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-defense-systems/752580)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-defense-systems/752580 "2016-04-20T17:04:51Z")
So I just watched Olympus has Fallen and I realize it is a fictional story. Slight spoilers for that movie in this question. What type of defense systems exist for the White House from aerial and ground assault? In th… --- ## [Authority of Homeowners Association in Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-of-homeowners-association-in-florida/752694)
**Author:** [@Oddball\_92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oddball_92)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authority-of-homeowners-association-in-florida/752694 "2016-04-20T15:57:06Z")
My brother in law is in the process of buying a home on the outskirts of Orlando. There is a homeowners association in the neighborhood with dues being approx $100 per month. He is less than two weeks from closing and al… --- ## [Aside from diamonds and chocolate, what other products are ethically questionable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-diamonds-and-chocolate-what-other-products-are-ethically-questionable/751300)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-diamonds-and-chocolate-what-other-products-are-ethically-questionable/751300 "2016-04-20T15:52:29Z")
Drugs are obvious, but what are some other products that are “blood diamonds” we should be aware of that promote slavery and other evils? --- ## [Strawberry passed through me in one hour](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strawberry-passed-through-me-in-one-hour/752724)
**Author:** [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strawberry-passed-through-me-in-one-hour/752724 "2016-04-20T15:38:49Z")
I had whole grain pancakes with strawberries on top for breakfast on Saturday and they tasted pretty good. Problem is one hour later I went to the bathroom and observed several chunks of actual strawberries floating aro… --- ## [rebuilding or preventing erosion from stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuilding-or-preventing-erosion-from-stream/752667)
**Author:** [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuilding-or-preventing-erosion-from-stream/752667 "2016-04-20T14:37:52Z")
I live with a creek that runs the entire length of my property. Over the years, running water does what running water does and erodes land. Can the erosion be repaired, or at the very least can i prevent it from getting … --- ## [Could someone explain this patent to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-explain-this-patent-to-me/752700)
**Author:** [@Blazmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blazmo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-explain-this-patent-to-me/752700 "2016-04-20T14:21:39Z")
The patent in question is below. I was wondering if someone here could tell me if there’s a description of a crankshaft type mechanism in the patent and also what type of engine the patentee is describing. There appears … --- ## [Again I come to you for advice on Word: styles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-i-come-to-you-for-advice-on-word-styles/752587)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-i-come-to-you-for-advice-on-word-styles/752587 "2016-04-20T13:56:06Z")
By way of intro, I didn’t grow up with MS Word, and don’t like it as a program. I really don’t understand it. It’s not intuitive to me. That said, I have to use it. I’m doing a paper with footnotes. I want the footnote… --- ## [Ancient/Classical Cube Root Mechanism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-classical-cube-root-mechanism/752697)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ancient-classical-cube-root-mechanism/752697 "2016-04-20T03:19:19Z")
A friend of mine, whom ordinarily I trust, has said that the Ancient Greeks had a device, something with sliding rods on hinges, that let them calculate cube roots. (Not the Antikythera mechanism, apparently.) The trou… --- ## [What Cultures Don't Believe in Retribution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cultures-dont-believe-in-retribution/752629)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-cultures-dont-believe-in-retribution/752629 "2016-04-20T03:13:59Z")
As many of you may know by now, I don’t believe in retribution. I believe dangerous people should be detained, so they can do no harm. And I am not entirely opposed to the idea of accountability, under certain circumstan… --- ## [If I "Junk" a Spoofed Email, Will Outlook Filter Out Genuine Emails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-junk-a-spoofed-email-will-outlook-filter-out-genuine-emails/752674)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-junk-a-spoofed-email-will-outlook-filter-out-genuine-emails/752674 "2016-04-20T01:55:53Z")
I got an email from a relative of mine that I could see right away was not from him. I called him up to say that his account was hacked, but he says it was hacked a while ago and the guy got his email address and contact… --- ## [Dynastic battle where both claimants die](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dynastic-battle-where-both-claimants-die/752599)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dynastic-battle-where-both-claimants-die/752599 "2016-04-20T01:12:57Z")
Dynatic battles are common in European history. The old king dies, two relatives (soms, brothers, nephews, whatever) raise armies and battle for the throne. The two most famous in English history are probably the Battle … --- ## [When did different US states criminalize purchase of sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-different-us-states-criminalize-purchase-of-sex/752670)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-different-us-states-criminalize-purchase-of-sex/752670 "2016-04-20T00:22:17Z")
Does anyone have any info? Sweden – 1999 South Korea – 2004 Norway – 2009 Iceland – 2009 North Ireland – 2014 Canada – 2014 France – 2016 --- ## [What percentage of the world's poor live in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-the-worlds-poor-live-in-the-us/752671)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-the-worlds-poor-live-in-the-us/752671 "2016-04-20T00:13:30Z")
From what I recall the definition of poverty by the World Bank is something like $2/day per person. I was reading that 13% of the worlds poor, by this definition, live in China. What percentage of the world’s poor live… --- ## [Conflicts with three or more mutually hostile belligerents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflicts-with-three-or-more-mutually-hostile-belligerents/752639)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflicts-with-three-or-more-mutually-hostile-belligerents/752639 "2016-04-19T23:46:18Z")
Or the ‘free for all deathmatch’ approach to history. Reading about all the unpleasantness in Syria, you have forces fighting for the Assad government, the Syrian rebels, Kurds and ISIS who all hate each other. How man… --- ## [401k vs. 457b](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/401k-vs-457b/752668)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/401k-vs-457b/752668 "2016-04-19T22:56:03Z")
It seems the only difference is that if I have a 457b plan I can take the money out early in an emergency and not suffer the 10% penalty. So assuming my company does not match 401k contributions, why would I pick one ov… --- ## [Ocean Debris during Prehistoric/Pre-discovery times](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocean-debris-during-prehistoric-pre-discovery-times/752597)
**Author:** [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ocean-debris-during-prehistoric-pre-discovery-times/752597 "2016-04-19T22:05:26Z")
Recent news stories about debris from the Japanese tsunami washing-up in North America, and that Mexican fisherman lost at sea for a year before turning-up in Micronesia, got me thinking about the same sort of thing in h… --- ## [What "instantaneous/painless" deaths are not instantaneous/painless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-instantaneous-painless-deaths-are-not-instantaneous-painless/752063)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-instantaneous-painless-deaths-are-not-instantaneous-painless/752063 "2016-04-19T20:25:39Z")
The recent thread about Mount Saint Helens had me wondering: There often is this tendency, especially in the West, to dismiss the suffering associated with certain types of deaths and say that they were painless or inst… --- ## [swirled blue globe bulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swirled-blue-globe-bulb/740050)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swirled-blue-globe-bulb/740050 "2016-04-19T19:04:00Z")
With our house, there are globe vanity lights over the bathroom sinks. Most are standard clear. But one was a swirley blue with a little white, quite lovely. Anyone have any idea of what it’s called? --- ## [AT&T shutting down 2G - will all the country's flip phones stop working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-shutting-down-2g-will-all-the-countrys-flip-phones-stop-working/751293)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-shutting-down-2g-will-all-the-countrys-flip-phones-stop-working/751293 "2016-04-19T18:36:22Z")
My mom and I both carry a motorola v365 flip phone. phonescoop (under modes) says GSM 2g… AT&T sent us a notice in our last bill that 2g is shutting down. Are we and everybody else in this country losing access to thes… --- ## [Blu Ray not working on comp or DVD player](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blu-ray-not-working-on-comp-or-dvd-player/752647)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blu-ray-not-working-on-comp-or-dvd-player/752647 "2016-04-19T18:14:40Z")
I bought Star Wars the other day and tried to play it on the comp, but the comp doesn’t even acknowledge a Blu Ray DVD is in the drive, and it’s the same for my DVD player, however I put in Hangover Blu ray and it worked… --- ## [Service station branding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-station-branding/752542)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-station-branding/752542 "2016-04-19T17:45:45Z")
In my local area (Tacoma, WA) I have noticed Mobil service stations popping up after an absence of several years. What struck me as odd was that Mobil and Exxon are owned by the same company, and yet you still see an od… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=916) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=918)