# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=464 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 465 --- ## [How does lifespan play into evolution ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-lifespan-play-into-evolution/833965)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-lifespan-play-into-evolution/833965 "2019-05-14T21:38:09Z")
Most animals have a maximum lifespan in the 10s of years. (Maximum life span - Wikipedia). I understand there are outliers but most seems to be in 10s of years. Also understand that most animals don’t get to live to the … --- ## [Engineers being paid $15 an hour - is that true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-being-paid-15-an-hour-is-that-true/833812)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineers-being-paid-15-an-hour-is-that-true/833812 "2019-05-14T21:28:18Z")
One of my friends was laid off late last year from a long-term contract job - which was considered part-time even though it required extensive international travel - and in the meantime had sent out more than 100 resumes… --- ## [Are Chiggers a miserable nuisance everywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346 "2019-05-14T18:43:44Z")
Looked at some land yesterday evening and walked through some knee high grass. Chiggers jumped all over my legs. It’s not the first time. I soaked the clothes & socks in a weak bleach solution and showered extra well. T… --- ## [Perception in acquired blindness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perception-in-acquired-blindness/833797)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perception-in-acquired-blindness/833797 "2019-05-14T18:08:33Z")
My vision is normal. When I close my eyes or am in a dark environment, I feel as though I am looking at blackness, or have a black field in front of my eyes. Subjectively, it seems to take up about 180 degrees in front o… --- ## ["Threshold of probability" necessary for prosecution (self-incrimination vs. hearsay)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threshold-of-probability-necessary-for-prosecution-self-incrimination-vs-hearsay/833914)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threshold-of-probability-necessary-for-prosecution-self-incrimination-vs-hearsay/833914 "2019-05-14T17:13:57Z")
Suppose that John Doe one night has had one drink too many in a restaurant and begins bragging to someone, “Hey I once shot a man and buried him in the woods; the Feds will never find him” - and a district attorney happe… --- ## [Are Police K9's typically a threat to police officers at a crime scene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-police-k9s-typically-a-threat-to-police-officers-at-a-crime-scene/833806)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-police-k9s-typically-a-threat-to-police-officers-at-a-crime-scene/833806 "2019-05-14T13:28:17Z")
This local incident made me aware of a potential problem with K-9’s. They’re trained to attack people with weapons. How do officers, holding weapons, at a scene avoid becoming the K-9’s target? There’s a internal affai… --- ## [Question about people wearing surgical masks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-people-wearing-surgical-masks/833859)
**Author:** [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-people-wearing-surgical-masks/833859 "2019-05-14T08:37:36Z")
I’m spending the spring/ summer in Mexico and I see a lot of people wearing surgical masks. Mostly people working in food service and in some stores. Every single person I see has the mask covering their mouth but not th… --- ## [No distilled water in steam iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-distilled-water-in-steam-iron/290965)
**Author:** [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-distilled-water-in-steam-iron/290965 "2005-02-20T19:57:28Z")
My wife bought a new steam iron today, a T-fal, and the instructions said not to use several kinds of water that would have contaminants but also to not use distillewater or rain water. It said to use tap water only bu… --- ## [How much alcohol intake for delirium tremens to come into play? (upon withdrawal)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-alcohol-intake-for-delirium-tremens-to-come-into-play-upon-withdrawal/833562)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-alcohol-intake-for-delirium-tremens-to-come-into-play-upon-withdrawal/833562 "2019-05-14T04:53:22Z")
Ballpark figures will do, but, generally speaking, how much alcohol does a person have to be consuming (and for how long a time) for delirium tremens to be an issue (should the person quit cold turkey?) --- ## [Grocery store shenanigans - what's the scam here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-shenanigans-whats-the-scam-here/833413)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocery-store-shenanigans-whats-the-scam-here/833413 "2019-05-14T02:48:13Z")
We had a recent discussion here about weird grocery store pricing, in which some knowledgeable people came in and said ‘yeah, when the store’s selling one unit for $2 and five for $3, the point of the pricing is to try t… --- ## [Battle for Guadalcanal: Marine \_bandsman\_?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-for-guadalcanal-marine-_bandsman_/833864)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-for-guadalcanal-marine-_bandsman_/833864 "2019-05-14T02:26:52Z")
During the Battle for Henderson’s Field in the hellacious Guadalcanal campaign, Wiki has the following, describing the perimeter where 700 Marines were covering 2500 yards; Responding to the Japanese capture of part of … --- ## [How to slow grass growth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-slow-grass-growth/833538)
**Author:** [@Mcmechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mcmechanic)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-slow-grass-growth/833538 "2019-05-14T01:07:38Z")
Hello, I’m new here so please forgive me if this has been asked before. This place seems like there’s a wide range of different areas of expertise, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I hate mowing the lawn. I can think of… --- ## [Repetitive "Update Flash" pop-ups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repetitive-update-flash-pop-ups/833911)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repetitive-update-flash-pop-ups/833911 "2019-05-13T21:32:04Z")
Several times a day, I get a pop-up reminding me that my Flash needs to be updated. I’ve updated it 4 times, and I still get the pop-ups. What gives? If it matters, I’m on a vintage 2012 Mac with OS High Sierra. --- ## [What are the production costs of Zolgensma \[prescription drug\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-production-costs-of-zolgensma-prescription-drug/833816)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-production-costs-of-zolgensma-prescription-drug/833816 "2019-05-13T19:18:58Z")
IF this is too specific to answer due to there being literally no information on this, let me clarify what I’m getting at here. Someone tried arguing this life saving drug for babies was marked up to 2 million dollars du… --- ## [Was There Really A Time When A Couple Could Walk Into An Orphanage And Take Home A Kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-really-a-time-when-a-couple-could-walk-into-an-orphanage-and-take-home-a-kid/833860)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-really-a-time-when-a-couple-could-walk-into-an-orphanage-and-take-home-a-kid/833860 "2019-05-13T17:58:18Z")
This was a trope in old movies, cartoons, and shorts, and even in some (relatively) recent movies (Problem Child, for example). Did this really happen? Was there any oversight (like there was at least some attempt at ma… --- ## [Dishwasher not working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher-not-working/833876)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwasher-not-working/833876 "2019-05-13T17:22:03Z")
GE GDWF400VBB. The lights are lit and the timer counts down the hours on a continual cycle. All buttons are not responsive. I have turned off the breaker for one minute then turned on but nothing changes. It is not c… --- ## [Death Penalty and 'No Contest' Pleas.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-and-no-contest-pleas/833881)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-and-no-contest-pleas/833881 "2019-05-13T16:45:29Z")
Can they execute a person in the US if they plead ‘nolo contendere’ a/k/a no contest to first degree murder? I must say I’ve never heard of it happening. People in the know about law often say the only advantage to a N… --- ## [Can people tell commercial airliners apart by their sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-commercial-airliners-apart-by-their-sound/833845)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-commercial-airliners-apart-by-their-sound/833845 "2019-05-13T15:54:39Z")
Odd question, I know, but what else is this place for? I’ve heard that you can tell some planes apart from each other by sound - the distinctive engines of the Hornet are supposed to be distinguishable from those of Tom… --- ## [Why are 3D printers so relevant to plastic gun making?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-3d-printers-so-relevant-to-plastic-gun-making/674270)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-3d-printers-so-relevant-to-plastic-gun-making/674270 "2019-05-13T15:22:25Z")
I hear 3D printers are creating a new threat because they facilitate making plastic guns that aren’t detectible with metal detectors. I don’t get it. Ordinary guns are made using machining methods, and plastic guns coul… --- ## [Is this really a synchromesh transmission? (tractor)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-a-synchromesh-transmission-tractor/833810)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-a-synchromesh-transmission-tractor/833810 "2019-05-13T11:03:47Z")
Here’s a warning from the manual for my new tractor, about using the “shuttle shift” shift lever on the manual transmission, which is claimed to be synchromesh: \*NOTICE: Do not attempt to operate the shuttle lever while… --- ## [Road Sign Identification (Germany)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-sign-identification-germany/833890)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-sign-identification-germany/833890 "2019-05-13T10:44:17Z")
This weekend I saw a road sign that I could not identify, and I can’t find it in any of the common sign manuals. They were the standard sized circle signs, black and white, with an odd design in the middle. The signs ca… --- ## [Why can't my wife post tea to the USA any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-my-wife-post-tea-to-the-usa-any-more/833833)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-my-wife-post-tea-to-the-usa-any-more/833833 "2019-05-13T09:38:26Z")
My wife posted a gift package to her sister today (we’re in the UK), but the post clerk told her to remove the tea as it can’t be shipped to the US. This wasn’t the case before. What’s changed, and why? --- ## [What length does a dagger have to be, to become a sword?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-length-does-a-dagger-have-to-be-to-become-a-sword/64902)
**Author:** [@Chubbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chubbs)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-length-does-a-dagger-have-to-be-to-become-a-sword/64902 "2001-05-10T04:34:48Z")
I’m starting a new hobby, sword collecting. Now I have seen daggers as long as 24 inches but in my book that is more like a sword. Or daggers are not classified by length? Help… --- ## [Do the same organisation hand out the Pritzker Literary Award and and the Pritzker for Architecture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-same-organisation-hand-out-the-pritzker-literary-award-and-and-the-pritzker-for-architecture/833883)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-same-organisation-hand-out-the-pritzker-literary-award-and-and-the-pritzker-for-architecture/833883 "2019-05-13T03:30:11Z")
Hi Do the same organisation hand out the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing and the Pritzker Prize for Architecture? I couldn’t find anything online on this ma… --- ## [Astronomers - Newtonian gravity shifting stars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronomers-newtonian-gravity-shifting-stars/833850)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astronomers-newtonian-gravity-shifting-stars/833850 "2019-05-13T02:15:47Z")
Reading and article in today’s Guardian about Arthur Eddington’s confirmation of General Relativity I came across this passage: Could someone explain the mechanism by which Newton’s gravity would cause such a shift? --- ## [Best do it yourself method of indoor pest control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-do-it-yourself-method-of-indoor-pest-control/357863)
**Author:** [@AnabolicDoberman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnabolicDoberman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2015, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-do-it-yourself-method-of-indoor-pest-control/357863 "2015-06-12T07:35:07Z")
I am having a bit of a problem wit bugs this year, mainly ants and wolf spiders. My house is on a slab. I was looking at some of the products to control bugs, I saw some foggers and then some that are to spray on baseboa… --- ## [Extinction event probabilities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extinction-event-probabilities/833853)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extinction-event-probabilities/833853 "2019-05-12T22:45:47Z")
Is there a comprehensive list of the possible ways that humans could become substantially extinct, as well as estimated probabilities? Searching online leads to many, but I trust dopers to lead me to the more reliable s… --- ## [Self employment tax on someone who falls below the poverty line - can this be right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-employment-tax-on-someone-who-falls-below-the-poverty-line-can-this-be-right/717152)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-employment-tax-on-someone-who-falls-below-the-poverty-line-can-this-be-right/717152 "2019-05-12T19:56:26Z")
Let’s say a self employed person manages to scrape up $7000 in a year. They are then expected to pay back approximately 15% of it in taxes? Is this correct in that there is no sliding scale for self employment income? … --- ## [S pen with my Samsung Note 5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-pen-with-my-samsung-note-5/833852)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-pen-with-my-samsung-note-5/833852 "2019-05-12T13:39:02Z")
Hello everyone, I have a Samsung Note 5 and it comes with a small pen/ pointer thing. It can be used instead of you’re finger on the touch screen, to write and do a lot of other things I’m sure if i bothered to read t… --- ## [what are "resin" watch bands made from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-resin-watch-bands-made-from/833834)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2019, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-resin-watch-bands-made-from/833834 "2019-05-12T11:52:18Z")
What kind of plastic or material are they made from? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=463) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=465)