# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=918 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 919 --- ## [A "return-to-level-flight" button for commercial airliners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-return-to-level-flight-button-for-commercial-airliners/752333)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-return-to-level-flight-button-for-commercial-airliners/752333 "2016-04-19T17:23:44Z")
I read about how the MiG-29 fighter jet has a button in the flight controls that, when pressed, returns the aircraft to straight and level flight no matter what attitude or angle of attack it was at previously. Seems lik… --- ## [Paycheck: Reimbursements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paycheck-reimbursements/752633)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paycheck-reimbursements/752633 "2016-04-19T16:56:18Z")
On your typical employer’s paycheck, there is a Total Gross and a Fed Taxable Gross. I get that the Fed Taxable Gross is reported on the W2 which is sent to the IRS. But does the Total Gross get reported or used any pla… --- ## [Where can I get the set of underwear Jamie Lee wears in True Lies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-the-set-of-underwear-jamie-lee-wears-in-true-lies/219508)
**Author:** [@bb2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb2000)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-the-set-of-underwear-jamie-lee-wears-in-true-lies/219508 "2003-12-17T14:40:15Z")
I think the title says it all really. And of course I don’t mean the set she wears - just one like it. Seriously though - I have googled and couldn’t find anything and don’t know enough about lingerie to search specific… --- ## [Suppose You're Buried Alive with a Working Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-youre-buried-alive-with-a-working-cellphone/752301)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-youre-buried-alive-with-a-working-cellphone/752301 "2016-04-19T14:11:01Z")
And you regain consciousness. Do you make it out alive? Two questions, really. \[ol\] \[li\]Does the typical coffin size (and burial process) allow you enough freedom of movement to get hold of the phone (assuming you kne… --- ## [Didn't "the hammer and sickle" on flags go out with the Commies? (2015 MayDay, Moscow)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-the-hammer-and-sickle-on-flags-go-out-with-the-commies-2015-mayday-moscow/752496)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-the-hammer-and-sickle-on-flags-go-out-with-the-commies-2015-mayday-moscow/752496 "2016-04-19T13:26:51Z")
Here’s a picture which never goes out of style: nukes being shown off in Moscow. Race for Latest Class of Nuclear Arms Threatens to Revive Cold War - The New York Times It’s not a Soviet flag, true. But what gives? --- ## [Su-24 buzzes US destroyer: how unusual are such hair-close flybys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/su-24-buzzes-us-destroyer-how-unusual-are-such-hair-close-flybys/752163)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/su-24-buzzes-us-destroyer-how-unusual-are-such-hair-close-flybys/752163 "2016-04-19T09:10:36Z")
See query: Baltic sea, April 12 and April 13. Article in Aviationist (better info, link to May 2015 Russian flyby): Russian Su-24 performs insane flyby on U.S. Destroyer during simulated attack in the Baltic Sea - The A… --- ## [Please explain how food can fix the hyperthyroidism in my cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-how-food-can-fix-the-hyperthyroidism-in-my-cats/752621)
**Author:** [@Crazier\_Catlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazier_Catlady)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-how-food-can-fix-the-hyperthyroidism-in-my-cats/752621 "2016-04-19T06:01:54Z")
I’ve got three cats with hyperthyroidism and the vet has suggested that instead of giving them pills (which got increasingly difficult) I start feeding them exclusively on a hill’s Y/D diet. It certainly seems to be work… --- ## [Electricians! Electric Range and GFCI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-electric-range-and-gfci/752456)
**Author:** [@nick26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nick26)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-electric-range-and-gfci/752456 "2016-04-19T05:34:33Z")
I’ve got a head scratcher on my hands. A few days ago, my brother, who happens to be an electrician, and I replaced my Circuit Breaker board, from the old push-o-matic’s to the standard breakers found in new homes with a… --- ## [Exercise: Is there any difference between "fat burn" and "cardio" workouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-is-there-any-difference-between-fat-burn-and-cardio-workouts/752394)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exercise-is-there-any-difference-between-fat-burn-and-cardio-workouts/752394 "2016-04-19T04:37:25Z")
I got a new heart monitor for my workouts (usu. 30 min on a stationary bike, 40% of the time spent at high torque/high intensity). It tried to sell me on a distinction between “fat burning” and “cardio strengthening” mo… --- ## [Is there a short designation for "(first \[British\]|second \[American\]) floor of a building"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-short-designation-for-first-british-second-american-floor-of-a-building/752548)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-short-designation-for-first-british-second-american-floor-of-a-building/752548 "2016-04-19T03:37:09Z")
This is a complication I encountered when writing directions for walking to our company’s office. We are in the upper storey of a two-storey building, i.e. on the first floor if you are British, on the second floor if yo… --- ## [Closed Captioning: Scrolling vs. Static Captions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-captioning-scrolling-vs-static-captions/752608)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closed-captioning-scrolling-vs-static-captions/752608 "2016-04-19T03:21:55Z")
I notice that on scripted shows (The Goldbergs, for example), the closed captions\* that appear on my TV screen are static, and even appear a fraction of a second before the characters speak. This I understand; months hav… --- ## [Run a computer with no hd with only linux on usb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/run-a-computer-with-no-hd-with-only-linux-on-usb/746905)
**Author:** [@Clothilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothilde)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/run-a-computer-with-no-hd-with-only-linux-on-usb/746905 "2016-04-19T02:47:37Z")
Hi computer-savvy dopers and thanks in advance! First off, let me apologize for typos- I’m posting from my phone. I have a laptop with a bad hd and no longer boots. While it was still under warranty, the manufacturer de… --- ## [What is the name for this conundrum, the solution is the cause of the problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this-conundrum-the-solution-is-the-cause-of-the-problem/752375)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-this-conundrum-the-solution-is-the-cause-of-the-problem/752375 "2016-04-19T00:25:00Z")
Here is an example. A government engages in human rights abuses to suppress dissent by the public. Human rights abuses piss off the population and make people sympathetic to dissenters. The government responds by increa… --- ## [Is it common for a bank to charge to re-issue a debit card?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-common-for-a-bank-to-charge-to-re-issue-a-debit-card/752520)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-common-for-a-bank-to-charge-to-re-issue-a-debit-card/752520 "2016-04-18T23:00:28Z")
My debit card was charged for an internet purchase. Because of the small amount ($7 USD), I believe it was an error. I have never used the debit for an internet purchase. I prefer using the credit card. After two wee… --- ## [Do blind people get spin dizzy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-blind-people-get-spin-dizzy/752593)
**Author:** [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-blind-people-get-spin-dizzy/752593 "2016-04-18T21:40:48Z")
Do blind people get spin dizzy? --- ## [Compressor stalls on jets: why flame out the back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressor-stalls-on-jets-why-flame-out-the-back/752298)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compressor-stalls-on-jets-why-flame-out-the-back/752298 "2016-04-18T21:27:32Z")
Entertaining training video here from Boeing, instructing pilots on how to deal with engine compressor stalls. They can be pretty violent events, and apparently pilots have been known to do the wrong thing in response, … --- ## [Why do weight loss studies use the mean and not the mode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-weight-loss-studies-use-the-mean-and-not-the-mode/752477)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-weight-loss-studies-use-the-mean-and-not-the-mode/752477 "2016-04-18T21:20:13Z")
From a Facebook conversation: So…why DON’T weight loss studies report the mode? I’ve only ever seen results written as mean. Is there a good reason for this I’m missing? \[insert standard, “I’m not sure where this shou… --- ## [Do animals "like" music? Do any "understand" it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-like-music-do-any-understand-it/752342)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-like-music-do-any-understand-it/752342 "2016-04-18T20:39:53Z")
I guess I was trying to find a way to ask a singular question but had to break it up into two. You see birds “head-banging” to heavy metal. Is the bird “head-banging” rhythmically to the music because it enjoys doing s… --- ## [Please help me understand better how the stock market works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-better-how-the-stock-market-works/752406)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-better-how-the-stock-market-works/752406 "2016-04-18T19:14:14Z")
I understand, at a basic level, that a share of stock represents a fraction of ownership in the company. Thus, if a company becomes more valuable (e.g., by announcing higher-than-expected earnings,) its stock price goes … --- ## [Zika? Toxo? maybe both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zika-toxo-maybe-both/752572)
**Author:** [@Valkyrry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valkyrry)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zika-toxo-maybe-both/752572 "2016-04-18T18:52:34Z")
Our disease du jour, it seems, is something that can make a fetus microcephalic. For decades pregnant women have been told to let hubby change the litterbox because of this exact concern - from the cat parasite Toxoplasm… --- ## [Ants at the top of the Empire State Building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-at-the-top-of-the-empire-state-building/752294)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ants-at-the-top-of-the-empire-state-building/752294 "2016-04-18T18:06:53Z")
There are ants at the top of the Empire State Building. How did they get there? Did they gradually climb up and, after many generations, reach the top? Did they get there on people’s shoes? In potted plants? Were they wi… --- ## [insurance for small businesses who vend at events](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-small-businesses-who-vend-at-events/752560)
**Author:** [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-small-businesses-who-vend-at-events/752560 "2016-04-18T17:43:05Z")
My online shop sales are pretty low so far (open 2.5 months) so I have decided to help get my name out there by taking some merchandise to local events. One that I’ve identified is a “world of pets expo” that is a huge … --- ## [Cat cold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-cold/752532)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-cold/752532 "2016-04-18T17:01:40Z")
Hello Everyone, We seem to be in the midst of a kitty cold epidemic. One cat had it, then another and now another. Poor little kitties are sneezing. It sends to last 3 or 4 days. What I’m wondering is if the dogs c… --- ## [What is so special about about Kurów, Poland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-special-about-about-kurow-poland/752559)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-special-about-about-kurow-poland/752559 "2016-04-18T16:24:08Z")
I was about to ask the following question in GQ: \*What is the subject/article on Wikipedia with the largest number of language versions? \* Turns out there already is a definitive answer to this: Question: What is so… --- ## [What is that smell when you have the flu or a cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-smell-when-you-have-the-flu-or-a-cold/47750)
**Author:** [@spluurtaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spluurtaf)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-that-smell-when-you-have-the-flu-or-a-cold/47750 "2016-04-18T14:44:11Z")
Every time I get a cold or flu, I always get this weird smell when I breathe in through my nose. Does this happen to anyone else, and what causes this? --- ## [International vs National Legalities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-vs-national-legalities/752457)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-vs-national-legalities/752457 "2016-04-18T14:42:09Z")
Say you take an illegal drug in country X, but they don’t find out. Then you go home and they saw pictures of you taking it - is it still illegal since you did it outside of the country? Which laws are international and… --- ## [Are all military pilots officers (non-NCO)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-military-pilots-officers-non-nco/751917)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-military-pilots-officers-non-nco/751917 "2016-04-18T13:33:07Z")
'Twas asked of me. I said I’ll consult my sources. --- ## [WPPSI-IV calculation from subscores (Wechsler IQ)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wppsi-iv-calculation-from-subscores-wechsler-iq/752544)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wppsi-iv-calculation-from-subscores-wechsler-iq/752544 "2016-04-18T09:18:36Z")
Wechsler is an “IQ test”. Does anyone here know… given the following set of sub-test scores, how is the total (“Full Scale”) score calculated: VCI = 103 (96-110) VSI = 82 (y5-93) FRI = 89 (83-96) WMI = 112 (103-119… --- ## [How can I find my log in password in windows 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-my-log-in-password-in-windows-10/752527)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-my-log-in-password-in-windows-10/752527 "2016-04-18T06:08:43Z")
My google is failing me right now. I have a laptop that has a fingerprint scanner, and I have used that to log onto my laptop. However I cannot remember the actual password associated with the fingerprint scan. So while… --- ## [DNS Propagation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-propagation/752422)
**Author:** [@yearofglad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yearofglad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dns-propagation/752422 "2016-04-18T05:29:22Z")
I’m switching hosts for my websites; I’ve signed up with the new host and am waiting for the DNS changes to propagate, I guess is the term. I’ll know they’ve propagated (for me) when I go to my URL and see a blank page o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=917) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=919)