# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=945 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 946 --- ## [Why do batteries have a little nipple at the positive end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-batteries-have-a-little-nipple-at-the-positive-end/747189)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-batteries-have-a-little-nipple-at-the-positive-end/747189 "2016-02-27T15:07:45Z")
They make contact fine at the negative end. Why is the positive end different? The only thing I can think of is so it’s easy to identify the positive end. --- ## [If Osama Bin Laden was buried at sea...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-osama-bin-laden-was-buried-at-sea/747258)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-osama-bin-laden-was-buried-at-sea/747258 "2016-02-27T13:58:34Z")
If the US govt were to the reveal the exact coordinates where his body was dumped in the sea is there any realistic chance that any body part or skeletal remains could be recovered? --- ## [When are workplace behaviors sexual discrimination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-workplace-behaviors-sexual-discrimination/746917)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-workplace-behaviors-sexual-discrimination/746917 "2016-02-27T12:49:01Z")
This might end up in GD but I’m starting this here to see if there are legal definitions/decisions or standard personnel policies that address this. I had a boss fired for sexual discrimination because he would hang out… --- ## [Can Daddy long legs Really get rid of black widdows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-daddy-long-legs-really-get-rid-of-black-widdows/747172)
**Author:** [@JillBeatDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillBeatDown)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-daddy-long-legs-really-get-rid-of-black-widdows/747172 "2016-02-27T12:14:46Z")
i was told that its a very good thing to keep daddy long legs in your and around your house so is it true? --- ## [Windows Media Player help needed!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-media-player-help-needed/747020)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-media-player-help-needed/747020 "2016-02-27T10:48:21Z")
WMP isn’t recognizing any USB device I plug in to Sync music files. The computer reads them just fine. I’ve shut down WMP and restarted the computer as well, but no dice. I’ve gone to the Help tab and did what it says to… --- ## [help with an Access form?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-an-access-form/747229)
**Author:** [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-an-access-form/747229 "2016-02-27T04:11:36Z")
Anyone know what’s going on with this form in Access? Up until this morning, the form was working just fine. And it still is—as long as I’m the only one in the database. But today, as soon as someone else opens the da… --- ## [What is happening to Romney here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-happening-to-romney-here/747164)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-happening-to-romney-here/747164 "2016-02-27T03:46:52Z")
Not getting into politics on GQ, don’t worry. I just wondered if anyone saw this and can explain what on earth is going on here. --- ## [Help with my hydrolysis experiment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-my-hydrolysis-experiment/747248)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-my-hydrolysis-experiment/747248 "2016-02-27T02:31:20Z")
The wires in the test tubes are powered by a 9-volt battery. The negative side is gathering gas, on the left. The positive side, on the right, is turning my silvery wire black, and ge… --- ## [battle of the bulge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-the-bulge/746728)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-the-bulge/746728 "2016-02-27T01:06:21Z")
Lets say the Germans did a lot better here. What were their plans ? They would have been cut off and surrounded. Even if they captured a bunch of our supplies, they would be stuck there and it was only a matter of time … --- ## [Signing into YouTube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-into-youtube/747261)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-into-youtube/747261 "2016-02-26T23:34:49Z")
About a decade ago I got a username on YouTube. I remember the username, and I think I remember the password. The trouble is, I don’t see where you can log in with your username. I get a Google thing where I can log i… --- ## [Rotorheads: why did this helicopter crash yesterday in Hawaii?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotorheads-why-did-this-helicopter-crash-yesterday-in-hawaii/746569)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotorheads-why-did-this-helicopter-crash-yesterday-in-hawaii/746569 "2016-02-26T22:20:30Z")
Caught on video by some lucky bystanders; the heli almost came down on top of them. So what happened? The news yesterday said that “you can tell from the video” that the tail rotor had stopped, but I suspect that’s a w… --- ## [What size sphere of copper, silver, gold or platinum could you have for one million dollars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-sphere-of-copper-silver-gold-or-platinum-could-you-have-for-one-million-dollars/746752)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-sphere-of-copper-silver-gold-or-platinum-could-you-have-for-one-million-dollars/746752 "2016-02-26T22:16:54Z")
I askeda similar questionsome time ago re mounting deformation and how much you would have to spend to get a ball of gold one meter in diameter. I’m watching ESPN’s “Broke” By Billy Corben re how athletes blow all their … --- ## [How do I turn off some or all of the Waze map icons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-some-or-all-of-the-waze-map-icons/747139)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-turn-off-some-or-all-of-the-waze-map-icons/747139 "2016-02-26T20:17:46Z")
I’ve looked online, and when I find others asking the same question, they get answered by Waze fanboys outraged by the idea that anyone would WANT to turn them off. There are pothole notices, vehicles at some od road no… --- ## [Grammar question - "one of the only people who understand(s)"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-one-of-the-only-people-who-understand-s/747017)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-one-of-the-only-people-who-understand-s/747017 "2016-02-26T19:36:41Z")
Which is grammatically correct? \[ol\] \[li\]Stephen Colebourne is perhaps one of the only people on Earth who really understands dates and times.\[/li\] \[li\]Stephen Colebourne is perhaps one of the only people on Earth who… --- ## [Do basement french drains need maintenance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-basement-french-drains-need-maintenance/747088)
**Author:** [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-basement-french-drains-need-maintenance/747088 "2016-02-26T18:55:55Z")
Do basement french drain systems need any sort of regular maintenance? Such as cleaning them out? If so, how often and what needs to be done? What happens if you don’t do this maintenance? --- ## [Are US troops protecting opium fields in Afghanistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-troops-protecting-opium-fields-in-afghanistan/747163)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-troops-protecting-opium-fields-in-afghanistan/747163 "2016-02-26T18:45:44Z")
I have a buddy who believes in a lot of conspiracy theories. Whenever we talk about the drug war, he always claims US troops are “protecting and harvesting opium/heroin in Afghanistan.” I am skeptical about this. I did … --- ## [How bad is Drano?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-drano/723020)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-drano/723020 "2015-06-23T15:07:23Z")
My shower drain has gotten pretty slow, and I am moving out of this place pretty soon. I tried pouring kettles of boiling water down the shower drain to unclog it, but that didn’t help. I can’t let the drain just get wo… --- ## [Capitonyms - do they occur in other languages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitonyms-do-they-occur-in-other-languages/746984)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitonyms-do-they-occur-in-other-languages/746984 "2016-02-26T18:31:26Z")
A capitonym is a word that changes meaning (and sometimes pronunciation) based on whether the first letter is capitalized. Of course this only applies when the word is not the first in a sentence, where either usage wo… --- ## [Does Drano work on hair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drano-work-on-hair/738137)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-drano-work-on-hair/738137 "2016-02-19T00:45:08Z")
There’s a lot of hair shreds go down my bathroom sink. Beard trimmings, shaving my neck and cheekbones, clipping off the bangs after my barber ignores “I hate bangs!”, that sort of thing. I clean up the larger pieces bef… --- ## [Drano vs. Lint in a P-Trap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drano-vs-lint-in-a-p-trap/746078)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drano-vs-lint-in-a-p-trap/746078 "2016-02-14T01:33:42Z")
On a similar note regarding a similar thread on Drano: My washing machine’s drain line’s p-trap seems to be clogged with lint. Is it safe to put Drano down this? And, will Drano work? (Actually, I use something a littl… --- ## [Midair (air-to-air) passenger transfers...possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midair-air-to-air-passenger-transfers-possible/216905)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midair-air-to-air-passenger-transfers-possible/216905 "2016-02-26T17:41:47Z")
…Like was depicted in a certain Sylvester Stallone movie, is it possible to do a midair passenger transfer, from one jet aircraft to another, via a tethered line? I know this has been done in the past, by barnstormers. … --- ## [Replacing an engine myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-an-engine-myself/746501)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-an-engine-myself/746501 "2016-02-26T17:39:03Z")
So I have to replace the engine in my 1999 Denali. I can do the basic work like changing brakes, tuneup, etc. I would actually like to pull the engine myself (don’t worry, it’s a spare car) to save $1500 or more and to… --- ## [Bernie Sanders' family connections to the Holocaust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-family-connections-to-the-holocaust/747217)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-family-connections-to-the-holocaust/747217 "2016-02-26T17:16:48Z")
I see in several news site (and on Wikipedia) that Sanders’ father’s relatives were killed in the Holocaust. I’m curious about the specific connection. Surely his father’s relatives are also his relatives. But who? Aunt… --- ## [Neurotransmitters and up/downregulation of vesicles/receptors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurotransmitters-and-up-downregulation-of-vesicles-receptors/747218)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurotransmitters-and-up-downregulation-of-vesicles-receptors/747218 "2016-02-26T17:05:12Z")
I’m aware that the current base of knowledge on neurochemistry is hardly comprehensive so I’m looking for what the evidence and educated guesses suggest. I was under the impression that the antagonists of a given post-… --- ## [Any idea what this is a picture of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-what-this-is-a-picture-of/747170)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-idea-what-this-is-a-picture-of/747170 "2016-02-26T15:19:20Z")
Wife and I were going through a box of pictures we found in the attic and included in them was THIS. It’s some kind of building with lots of windows, some kind of a dome tower, and a flower clock. I can’t for the life o… --- ## [Technical IT Question: How do I troubleshoot interruption of downloads with browsers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-it-question-how-do-i-troubleshoot-interruption-of-downloads-with-browsers/747184)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technical-it-question-how-do-i-troubleshoot-interruption-of-downloads-with-browsers/747184 "2016-02-26T15:14:17Z")
In short, in a certain network, users get their downloads from cloud storage providers interrupted - it invariably hangs when using Dropbox, and downloads from other providers too. (OneDrive seems to be an exception, cur… --- ## [Happy with Win 8.1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-with-win-8-1/746639)
**Author:** [@Stinky\_Pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stinky_Pete)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-with-win-8-1/746639 "2016-02-26T14:33:20Z")
On my Win 8.1 computer I keep getting the Install Win 10 for free pop up about once a day. Is there a way to turn off that pop up? Thanks. --- ## [Field shoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/field-shoes/747136)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/field-shoes/747136 "2016-02-26T14:17:12Z")
Tovah Feldshuh’s name came up in Cafe Society. I have this ‘thing’ about translating names. For example, ‘Messerschmidt’ in English would be ‘Cutler’. So when I saw ‘Feldshuh’, I immediately thought ‘field shoe’. Giv… --- ## [How good are veterinarians at treating humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-veterinarians-at-treating-humans/745844)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-are-veterinarians-at-treating-humans/745844 "2016-02-26T14:01:01Z")
Let’s say there is a massive shortage of medical doctors (i. e. those who practise human medicine). How well would veterinarians be prepared/qualified to fill the gap? For instance, would a seasoned veterinary be able to… --- ## [How do they do things on hidden camera shows then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-do-things-on-hidden-camera-shows-then/747160)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-do-things-on-hidden-camera-shows-then/747160 "2016-02-26T13:46:28Z")
Well I always saw these things on hidden camera shows Beadle’s About in the UK a van ran off into harbour a car gets blown into hedge someone comes home to find garden dug up to intall some sewer pipes and I just wondere… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=944) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=946)