# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=197 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 198 --- ## [Can sweetness be measured chemically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sweetness-be-measured-chemically/967879)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sweetness-be-measured-chemically/967879 "2022-07-13T17:10:36Z")
Packets of artificial sweeteners typically say something like “Sweet as 2 teaspoons of sugar”. Is this something that can be quantitatively measured in a laboratory? Or is it merely the consensus of the manufacturer’s ta… --- ## [How do people wounded in mass shooting events, and the families of those killed, gain financial recompense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-wounded-in-mass-shooting-events-and-the-families-of-those-killed-gain-financial-recompense/967599)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-wounded-in-mass-shooting-events-and-the-families-of-those-killed-gain-financial-recompense/967599 "2022-07-13T16:37:45Z")
I put this in FQ because I’m seeking a factual answer to this question. How do people wounded in mass shooting events, and the families of those killed, gain financial recompense to be made a semblance of whole again? … --- ## [What is this caboose fixture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-caboose-fixture/967053)
**Author:** [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-caboose-fixture/967053 "2022-07-13T13:46:29Z")
I recently saw this on a caboose in a train museum. The guide didn’t know what this fixture was for. She said that the caboose was home to the conductors, who could climb these little ladders into a loft space with big … --- ## [Homeowners Insurance-Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-hawaii/967747)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeowners-insurance-hawaii/967747 "2022-07-13T13:40:45Z")
I was just watching Weather Channel program featuring the big island (Hawaii),the eruption of Kilauea and the destruction of homes. Can homeowners living close to volcanoes even get insurance? --- ## [Why is the keys on a keyboard labeled in lowercase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-keys-on-a-keyboard-labeled-in-lowercase/967806)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2022, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-keys-on-a-keyboard-labeled-in-lowercase/967806 "2022-07-13T11:59:48Z")
This is something that has urked me for quite some time. Aren’t the capitalized-versions of the letters easier to recognize? For what reason are they lower-case? --- ## [What Would It Sound Like Inside A Passenger Aircraft Powered By Electricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-sound-like-inside-a-passenger-aircraft-powered-by-electricity/967707)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-sound-like-inside-a-passenger-aircraft-powered-by-electricity/967707 "2022-07-12T20:50:20Z")
Electric cars are disconcertingly quiet to those of us used to the sound of the internal combustion engine. I know that we’re likely decades away from electricity-powered aircraft, if indeed we ever get there at all. But… --- ## [How does US military retirement pay work for people who retire at unusual years (i.e., after 7 years, 16 or 23?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-us-military-retirement-pay-work-for-people-who-retire-at-unusual-years-i-e-after-7-years-16-or-23/967421)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-us-military-retirement-pay-work-for-people-who-retire-at-unusual-years-i-e-after-7-years-16-or-23/967421 "2022-07-12T17:13:59Z")
As a civilian, the only basic grasp I have of retirement for US military folk is that at 10 years, they retire with quarter-pay for life, at 20 years they get half-pay, and 40 years means full pay for life. What happens… --- ## [Life Insurance and murder hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-murder-hypothetical/967169)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-insurance-and-murder-hypothetical/967169 "2022-07-12T15:13:50Z")
Say that someone has life insurance that covers death even due to homicide (called “accidental” death in the sense of non-disease causes). They’ve had the policy for several years so that’s not an issue. But then one day… --- ## [Anyone know why Twitter doesn’t recycle usernames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-why-twitter-doesn-t-recycle-usernames/967780)
**Author:** [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-why-twitter-doesn-t-recycle-usernames/967780 "2022-07-12T13:37:09Z")
I’m trying to sign up to Twitter but all the usernames I can think of are taken. Annoyingly, they’re generally not taken by people with active accounts. I’ve searched for well over a dozen usernames (to see if they’re al… --- ## [Fuel consumption from powered rocket landings, compared with coasting re-entry and parachute deployment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-consumption-from-powered-rocket-landings-compared-with-coasting-re-entry-and-parachute-deployment/967719)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-consumption-from-powered-rocket-landings-compared-with-coasting-re-entry-and-parachute-deployment/967719 "2022-07-12T05:05:38Z")
At first sight, the answer seems obvious, given that any amount of fuel used during descent is more than no fuel at all. On the other hand, with an ocean splashdown you have to send a ship out to recover the spacecraft.… --- ## [Does High Temperature Destroy the Effectiveness of Toothpaste?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-high-temperature-destroy-the-effectiveness-of-toothpaste/967723)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-high-temperature-destroy-the-effectiveness-of-toothpaste/967723 "2022-07-12T03:04:52Z")
I just discovered that a brand new tube of my prescription toothpaste decided to sneakily hide under my electric frying pan–which I then used to fry an egg. So? --- ## [How can I send money/debit card to my daughter in Italy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-send-money-debit-card-to-my-daughter-in-italy/967664)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-send-money-debit-card-to-my-daughter-in-italy/967664 "2022-07-11T22:12:36Z")
Note - this is not a scam. I’ve spoken to my daughter directly. My daughter is in Italy for the summer, and only has a debit card that is linked to her account in the USA. It’s been working OK for a month, but suddenly … --- ## [Does the term empty calories mean no energy or just no vitamins, minerals,etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-term-empty-calories-mean-no-energy-or-just-no-vitamins-minerals-etc/964833)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2022, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-term-empty-calories-mean-no-energy-or-just-no-vitamins-minerals-etc/964833 "2022-07-11T15:16:37Z")
Let’s say you want to be in a caloric surplus and you struggle to reach 2500kcal per day. You manage to eat maybe 1500 calories through healthy and diverse food and maybe even use a vitamin supplement to get all the vit… --- ## [Did I imagine this tool? weapon? for cutting weeds, or does it exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-imagine-this-tool-weapon-for-cutting-weeds-or-does-it-exist/967595)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-imagine-this-tool-weapon-for-cutting-weeds-or-does-it-exist/967595 "2022-07-11T14:07:42Z")
I do volunteer trail maintenance for the local mountain bike trails, which mostly consists of mowing and running a string trimmer and hedge trimmer every month or so. In between mowing sessions, the vines and blackberrie… --- ## [How Sound Waves Travel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-sound-waves-travel/966985)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-sound-waves-travel/966985 "2022-07-11T13:18:53Z")
I just realized an hour or so ago that I have a very poor perception of how sound waves work. How they spread out and how they react to surfaces etc. If sound waves ran into a light pole for instance, would it deflect of… --- ## [What's it called when you can't quite grieve a loss because the loss is uncertain or incomplete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-called-when-you-cant-quite-grieve-a-loss-because-the-loss-is-uncertain-or-incomplete/967686)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-it-called-when-you-cant-quite-grieve-a-loss-because-the-loss-is-uncertain-or-incomplete/967686 "2022-07-09T22:43:17Z")
I heard a term to describe the grieving process that doesn’t go properly because the loss itself isn’t resolved. For example, if you “sort of lose” a loved one because they disappeared but you don’t know if they died or … --- ## [Car Tire Pressure in the Summer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-tire-pressure-in-the-summer/967264)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-tire-pressure-in-the-summer/967264 "2022-07-09T18:14:32Z")
My car (like most nowadays, I suspect) can show me on the dashboard, the current air pressure in each of the four tires. I never bring up that screen except when I actually see that a tire seems to be low on air, and the… --- ## [How bad is it to have a criminal record in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-it-to-have-a-criminal-record-in-the-us/964342)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-is-it-to-have-a-criminal-record-in-the-us/964342 "2022-07-09T17:39:50Z")
In one of the episodes of The Ozark a big deal is made of one of the characters having a criminal record, and whether or not a judge will clear that record. So what consequences are there for having a (non sexual) crimi… --- ## [Are there any Indian reservations within New York's Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Ulster counties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-indian-reservations-within-new-yorks-sullivan-delaware-greene-and-ulster-counties/967547)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-indian-reservations-within-new-yorks-sullivan-delaware-greene-and-ulster-counties/967547 "2022-07-08T23:51:36Z")
Are there any Indian reservations within New York’s Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Ulster counties ie. Catskill Mountain region? If not which are the nearest counties to the Catskills you would have to travel to find Na… --- ## [Wait staff keeping track of what's owed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-staff-keeping-track-of-whats-owed/967497)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2022, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-staff-keeping-track-of-whats-owed/967497 "2022-07-08T21:39:57Z")
I don’t have much experience with this, so please help me here. How does the wait staff at a crowded bar (including people standing around drinking and/or dancing) keep track of who owes what? --- ## [Is clinical somatics a pseudoscience or are there benefits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinical-somatics-a-pseudoscience-or-are-there-benefits/967582)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinical-somatics-a-pseudoscience-or-are-there-benefits/967582 "2022-07-08T20:41:03Z")
A friend has offered to teach some classes during our weekly yoga. Are there some benefits or is it woo? --- ## [How much do fireplaces affect home values?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-fireplaces-affect-home-values/966162)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-fireplaces-affect-home-values/966162 "2022-07-08T19:45:54Z")
On a few subs I follow on Reddit, I see people having trouble with finding a good spot for their TV, because the fireplace is in the way. I saw one guy in Texas who was afraid to remove his fireplace because it could aff… --- ## [Best way to find an appropriate lawyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-find-an-appropriate-lawyer/967208)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2022, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-find-an-appropriate-lawyer/967208 "2022-07-08T12:31:25Z")
I have used a few lawyers before in my life but never in an ‘antagonistic’ way before. I count myself lucky. However, I am having an issue with a contractor for windows. I don’t suspect ‘evilness’ on their part… as th… --- ## [How do "abortion pills" work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-abortion-pills-work/966893)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-abortion-pills-work/966893 "2022-07-07T21:30:13Z")
I’ve heard the past few days that women can “get” abortions by taking a pill, rather than going through a whole surgical procedure. On the surface, this seems to be a good work-around of the whole political crisis, but I… --- ## [Where is the energy loss from using flowing water for power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-energy-loss-from-using-flowing-water-for-power/967467)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-energy-loss-from-using-flowing-water-for-power/967467 "2022-07-07T20:30:44Z")
A mill uses a water wheel on a river. The water flowing downhill pushes the water wheel, which then provides power to turn the milling stone. The water then continues on its merry way. I am trying to figure out where th… --- ## [How similar were WW2 tank controls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-similar-were-ww2-tank-controls/967409)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-similar-were-ww2-tank-controls/967409 "2022-07-07T11:08:09Z")
If I was an Allied or Axis tank driver who was dropped into my enemies’ tank, would I have much trouble with driving it, apart from the language? (I’m also curious about other vehicles but I’ll stick with tanks for now😄.… --- ## [Why is a cat’s tongue rougher than a dog’s tongue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-cat-s-tongue-rougher-than-a-dog-s-tongue/967483)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-cat-s-tongue-rougher-than-a-dog-s-tongue/967483 "2022-07-07T08:32:21Z")
I’ve been licked by both cats and dogs, and a dog’s tongue is much smoother than a cat’s tongue. Is there any reason for that difference, or is it just a fluke of evolution? --- ## [Mystery Email from Microssoft-Legal & Geek Dopers--help please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-email-from-microssoft-legal-geek-dopers-help-please/967395)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-email-from-microssoft-legal-geek-dopers-help-please/967395 "2022-07-07T06:28:30Z")
I went to college on an academic scholarship. I have routinely taken computer courses. I have taken Commercial Law courses at the University. I have 27 years as a Bureaucrat with State Government. I cannot grasp what t… --- ## [Georgia Guidestones: Is this some horrible joke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-guidestones-is-this-some-horrible-joke/524248)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-guidestones-is-this-some-horrible-joke/524248 "2022-07-07T05:33:52Z")
I am a proud conspiracy theorist. Not really proud, more like contentious. But that’s not the point. I started watching Jesse Ventura’s Conspiracy Theory/ies on whatever channel, and his theme was the Bilderbergs. Going … --- ## [Electronic descaler vs water softener](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-descaler-vs-water-softener/967305)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2022, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-descaler-vs-water-softener/967305 "2022-07-07T05:29:35Z")
I live in an area with seriously hard water. And my house is suffering. Our house is a manufactured home with no garage. My plumber tells me a salt unit (that most people in my town use) needs to be protected from the e… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=196) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=198)