# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=927 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 928 --- ## [Rating public health threats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rating-public-health-threats/750043)
**Author:** [@CJMINZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJMINZ)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rating-public-health-threats/750043 "2016-03-31T23:43:04Z")
Hi, which is worse from a public health standpoint, human feces or a freshly hocked loogie. While we’re at it, what are thoughts on doing a neti rinse in the kitchen sink? Thank you. --- ## [Was the sea-gull winged plane in Raiders of the Lost Ark a real plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-sea-gull-winged-plane-in-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-a-real-plane/750789)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-sea-gull-winged-plane-in-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-a-real-plane/750789 "2016-03-31T23:41:50Z")
Inspired by the movie, but a factual question, so here we are in GQ. When Indy and Marion are trying to escape from the archaeological dig there’s an extended sequence with them fooling around with a Nazi plane. As far… --- ## [Public library acquisitions question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-acquisitions-question/750766)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-library-acquisitions-question/750766 "2016-03-31T21:18:10Z")
I read a lot from the public library, and I particularly read ebooks. One thing that occurs semi-frequently is a long series of books will have one or two (say out of 10 or 20) that will be in different formats. Say 1-… --- ## [Human ancestors with heavy brow ridges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-ancestors-with-heavy-brow-ridges/750688)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-ancestors-with-heavy-brow-ridges/750688 "2016-03-31T20:30:26Z")
Did that feature evolve to take a punch? Were the jaws beefed up as well? --- ## [What kind of plane is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-plane-is-this/397045)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-plane-is-this/397045 "2016-03-31T19:00:13Z")
I work under the flight path of the San Jose International Airport and saw a pretty weird looking plane. It seemed to be about the size of a small 737, or maybe a little smaller. It had a long fuselage with what appear… --- ## [Do cats understand gravity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-understand-gravity/750001)
**Author:** [@TheSundial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSundial)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cats-understand-gravity/750001 "2016-03-31T18:16:13Z")
My neighbor three doors down in my apartment complex has five black cats and two whitish ones. I have seen one of the whitish ones on the roof above the door and he/she has to leap a distance from a nearby tree to get o… --- ## [Mac search- any means of "folders that contain"? Also: template searches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-search-any-means-of-folders-that-contain-also-template-searches/750572)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mac-search-any-means-of-folders-that-contain-also-template-searches/750572 "2016-03-31T17:41:48Z")
That’s it: with 3rd party or within Spotlight, is there any means of searching for, as an example, “folders that contain mp3s but do not contain PDFs or MP4s”. I am very familiar with the way to structure searches that … --- ## [Is the following simplification of the von Neuman natural number construction legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-following-simplification-of-the-von-neuman-natural-number-construction-legit/750660)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-following-simplification-of-the-von-neuman-natural-number-construction-legit/750660 "2016-03-31T16:06:07Z")
I’m giving a really brief talk about constructing math from first principals (basically I just want to give people of feel for it) and I wanted to mention how you can derive the natural numbers starting from the empty se… --- ## [Do we have any way of knowing where the Milkyway way is with respect to the Big Bang singularity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-way-of-knowing-where-the-milkyway-way-is-with-respect-to-the-big-bang-singularity/750064)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-any-way-of-knowing-where-the-milkyway-way-is-with-respect-to-the-big-bang-singularity/750064 "2016-03-31T15:27:52Z")
I hope that makes sense… Thanks for any input. --- ## [Now what's causing THIS toilet issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-whats-causing-this-toilet-issue/567309)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-whats-causing-this-toilet-issue/567309 "2016-03-31T14:50:37Z")
Here’s the scenario: I flush. All the water comes out of the tank and the toilet flushes as normal. But there’s no water going back into the tank! The intake spout doesn’t have anything coming out of it. The valve to th… --- ## [Formatting a command Statement in Win7 to reset the rearm function](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formatting-a-command-statement-in-win7-to-reset-the-rearm-function/750665)
**Author:** [@loninappleton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loninappleton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formatting-a-command-statement-in-win7-to-reset-the-rearm-function/750665 "2016-03-31T10:47:57Z")
Hello, I hope the straight dope gang can straighten me out on this. It involves resetting a Windows 7 function called Rearm Rearm can be reset three times and then a bunch of nags turn up in the form of screen message… --- ## [54 years later, train ticket leads to arrest in death of 7-year-old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/54-years-later-train-ticket-leads-to-arrest-in-death-of-7-year-old/587826)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/54-years-later-train-ticket-leads-to-arrest-in-death-of-7-year-old/587826 "2016-03-29T15:01:20Z")
This news story has me confused. It describes the arrest of a murder suspect 54 years after the crime due to the discovery of an unused train ticket - in other words, his alibi, that he was out of town, on the train, at … --- ## [At What Point Does Alcohol Cause Brain Damage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-alcohol-cause-brain-damage/750609)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-alcohol-cause-brain-damage/750609 "2016-03-31T08:53:59Z")
Actually, this question is specifically in response to something I once heard a college professor say. He said when drinking alcohol, if you feel even the slightest bit tipsy, you have already caused brain damage. I forg… --- ## [Why can't I find All Inclusives in Panama on Priceline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-find-all-inclusives-in-panama-on-priceline/750700)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-find-all-inclusives-in-panama-on-priceline/750700 "2016-03-31T05:00:17Z")
We’re making our plans for Thanksgiving week. Probably a beach vacation. Jamaica, Cancun, Cabo, Costa Rica, etc., all being considered. Right now one that tops the list is Panama. Other than going through the canal on … --- ## [Do President Oboma's daughters go on dates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-president-obomas-daughters-go-on-dates/750085)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-president-obomas-daughters-go-on-dates/750085 "2016-03-31T04:54:56Z")
It wo0uld seem that even something innocent as sharing a milkshake would be chaotic. They can’t move The Bubble around fast enough; yet they can’t run security checks to clear all possible suitors. How does it work in r… --- ## [Physics of light: what is brightness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-of-light-what-is-brightness/280868)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-of-light-what-is-brightness/280868 "2016-03-31T00:25:08Z")
Is it photon density per cubic unit of volume? Wave amplitude? Color purity? Something else? When it is said that something is ten times the brightness of the sun, what exactly is meant? Is there a formula to calculate b… --- ## [Research Proposals: Question About Academic Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-proposals-question-about-academic-honesty/750537)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-proposals-question-about-academic-honesty/750537 "2016-03-31T00:06:04Z")
Is it considered cheating for a student to get help coming up with an idea for a research project? Obviously getting help writing the proposal would probably be cheating, but what about just coming up with an idea? If a … --- ## [Need to id a plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-id-a-plane/750600)
**Author:** [@GO\_FOR\_JOE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GO_FOR_JOE)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-to-id-a-plane/750600 "2016-03-30T23:58:11Z")
Is this a c-17 globe master http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p631/GO\_FOR\_JOE/image\_zpsyxd6t56t.jpeg --- ## [Mazda 9 air conditioner problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-9-air-conditioner-problem/750576)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-9-air-conditioner-problem/750576 "2016-03-30T22:37:23Z")
Hello Everyone, We own a 2007 Mazda 9 that has recently be doing something very strange. When I shut off the car the air conditioner fan stats blowing and stays on for a few minutes. This happens regardless of the fan… --- ## [So did I just delete all my 9000 emails on Gmail by accident or not? (need answer Fastish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-i-just-delete-all-my-9000-emails-on-gmail-by-accident-or-not-need-answer-fastish/750636)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-i-just-delete-all-my-9000-emails-on-gmail-by-accident-or-not-need-answer-fastish/750636 "2016-03-30T22:04:10Z")
Happily pruning my Gmail inbox with the Mail app on OS X. My method: go to message, select all of \[sender x\]/go to selection-result panel/select-all/move-to-Trash-on-My Mac whoops. a) my trash is empty (because they’… --- ## [A chemistry question about silicates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chemistry-question-about-silicates/750595)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chemistry-question-about-silicates/750595 "2016-03-30T20:24:56Z")
Silicates are blamed for many things in the marine aquarium. I just read, “Brown algae feeds on silicates!” on a web site. Admonitions abound against using normal sand instead of sand composed of dead coral. I don’t k… --- ## [Homebuilt aircraft ban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homebuilt-aircraft-ban/750585)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homebuilt-aircraft-ban/750585 "2016-03-30T20:20:45Z")
I read this on Wikipedia while looking up performance specs for the Sorell Hiperbipe: Huh? I was not aware that experimental aircraft had ever been banned. (I know there are regulations for their operations of course… --- ## [Pagan martyrs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pagan-martyrs/750652)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pagan-martyrs/750652 "2016-03-30T18:01:50Z")
What / who are some good examples of people who died for their pagan beliefs? --- ## [Where have all the dead birds gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-all-the-dead-birds-gone/750504)
**Author:** [@Medici](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medici)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-have-all-the-dead-birds-gone/750504 "2016-03-30T17:15:17Z")
Surely hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of birds die every day - but hardly a single carcass in view. Where have all the dead birds gone? --- ## [How powerful are the cyber warfare capabilities of various governments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-are-the-cyber-warfare-capabilities-of-various-governments/750369)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-are-the-cyber-warfare-capabilities-of-various-governments/750369 "2016-03-30T12:58:17Z")
I’m going to assume the US, China, Russia, Israel all have powerful cyberwarfare divisions. but I’ve also heard North Korea has a very powerful one too. I have no idea if they are in the same league as the world powers, … --- ## [Questions about military bands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-military-bands/750532)
**Author:** [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-military-bands/750532 "2016-03-30T08:28:00Z")
I have a few questions about military bands, chiefly in the US, but I’d be interested to hear about other countries as well. Do band members use their own instruments or the does the military supply them? Before yo… --- ## [Question regarding defeated Roman generals pouring ashes on their heads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-defeated-roman-generals-pouring-ashes-on-their-heads/750479)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-defeated-roman-generals-pouring-ashes-on-their-heads/750479 "2016-03-30T06:30:12Z")
Hi I’ve been reading Simon S. Montefiore’s “Stalin The Court of the Red Tsar” p. 424 "Later, Stalin humiliatingly emptied his pipe on Khrushchev’s head: “That’s in accordance with Roman tradition,” he said. “When a Rom… --- ## [Question about highway rest stop laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-highway-rest-stop-laws/750364)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-highway-rest-stop-laws/750364 "2016-03-30T04:52:31Z")
Private businesses have not been allowed to be built on interstate rest stops since 1960. Here in maine, they are closing a rest stop on I-95 to replace one of the restaurants with a different restaurant . How can this … --- ## [How preventable is HIV/AIDS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-preventable-is-hiv-aids/750478)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-preventable-is-hiv-aids/750478 "2016-03-30T04:49:10Z")
From what I have read, HIV/AIDS is contracted largely through unprotected sex and sharing needles. Are there any other avenues through which HIV/AIDS is contracted in significant numbers? Could new cases drop to near z… --- ## [I've looked at clouds for sometime now ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-looked-at-clouds-for-sometime-now/750507)
**Author:** [@Medici](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medici)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-looked-at-clouds-for-sometime-now/750507 "2016-03-30T04:18:01Z")
Why, almost as a contradiction in terms, are some clouds hard-edged? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=926) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=928)