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An oil painting titled "The Pythia" by Camillo Miola, depicting the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece. The Pythia, a young woman in white and gold robes with a heavy gold necklace, is shown in a trance-like state, seated on a tall bronze tripod. Several priests in white tunics surround her, some holding olive branches and one taking notes on a tablet. In the foreground, two figures in ornate blue and gold robes kneel in prayer or supplication before a low stone altar. The scene is set against a deep red wall, with laurel leaves scattered across the floor and a large, dark omphalos stone visible on the left.
Archaeology

Ancient Greece’s most famous oracle was just high on gas fumes

The Oracle of Delphi, also known as the Pythia, likely inhaled ethylene to enter her famous trance.

By Andrew Coletti

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Having to pee makes you scientifically better at video games

Plus what space smells like and other weird things we learned this week.

Rachel Feltman

Rachel Feltman

Host

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

Latest Articles

students watch professor in lecture hall
AI

The greatest risk of AI in higher education isn’t cheating

It’s the erosion of learning itself.

By Nir Eisikovits, Jacob Burley / The Conversation

woman's face in front of sun and garbage
Ask Us Anything

We can’t launch our trash into the sun. But why?

Maybe think about a solution down here on Earth first.

By Popular Science Team

Screenshot of final boss from original Doom
AI

Computer run on human brain cells learned to play ‘Doom’

Cortical Labs hopes neuronal chips will do much more than shoot pixelated demons.

By Andrew Paul

Oval limestone with line etchings that likely represent a board game played in ancient Rome
Archaeology

Mystery stone is actually ancient Roman board game

AI helped determine the possible rules to ‘Ludus Coriovalli.’

By Andrew Paul

a bat hanging upside down with red backpack
Bats

Tiny recording backpacks reveal bats’ surprising hunting strategy

By Leonie Baier / The Conversation

older man uses iphone
Tech Hacks

How to make any smartphone easier to use for a senior citizen

It just takes a few minutes and a few taps.

By David Nield

A close-up photograph of two baboons sitting on a rocky ledge overlooking Cape Town, South Africa. The city and a vast coastline are visible in the background, highlighting the proximity of the primates to human habitats.
Wildlife

Baboon raiders: In Cape Town, can big primates and people coexist?

For years, baboons have roamed Cape Town suburbs, entering yards and houses in search of food. Now officials have a conservation plan aimed at reducing conflicts between the large primates and people — but like most things baboon-related here, it is sparking heated controversy.

By Adam Welz / Yale Environment 360

a horse standing in a green field with its mouth open
Animals

Horse whinnies are weirder than they sound

Scientists may have finally solved this biological mystery—thanks to some horse larynges.

By Margherita Bassi

A bright, high-key close-up photograph of a woman drinking from a clear glass filled with ice and water. The focus is on the glass and her hand, which features decorative nail art with small fruit patterns.
Food Safety

Is drinking cold water bad for you? We asked a dietitian.

They can help in sweltering temperatures, but an icy drink is not for everyone.

By Sara Kiley Watson

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Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
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