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a butterfly wing with rainbow lights following it
Wildlife

Butterfly wings create dazzling optical illusions

Their many intricate wing patterns baffle predators.

an eagle sitting on a nest as the sun rises
Birds

How to watch Jackie the bald eagle’s memorial service

The resilient eagle’s story inspired millions around the world.

a meteor shower over mountains
Space

October skygazing: Two meteor showers and two planets at full opposition

The Draconids and Orionids will light up the October sky.

A Wartburg 353 and Trabant cars parked beside the Berlin Wall while a queue of East German people wait to cross to the West after the Wall fell and travel restrictions were lifted, Berlin, December 1989. (Photo by Steve Eason/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Science

Cold War espionage added $4.6 billion to East Germany’s economy

Stolen trade secrets boosted the country’s output—to a point.

Childcare concept. Loving and caring African American father giving a hug to his newborn baby daughter at home, young black father spending time with his cute little daughter, in the living room, copy
Mental Health

Generous paternal leave policies improve maternal and newborn health

Studies show it can also help family finances and workplace equality.

a painting of two ducks with black and white feathers flying above snow-capped mountrains
Birds

Since 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has raised $1.3 billion for habitat conservation

Minnesota artist Robert Hautman has now won the annual contest four times.

a bird with a blue beak opens it wide
Birds

The world’s loudest birds squawk as loud as a jackhammer

The calls of the bare-throated bellbird and red-legged seriema can exceed 120 decibels.

Tropical analysis meteorologist Aidan Mahoney works at his station at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, on May 30, 2025. The administration of US President Donald Trump has fired hundreds of staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and deleted government websites with data on the weather and climate. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
Weather

Why haven’t we had an Atlantic hurricane yet? Thank El Niño.

The record-breaking oceanic phenomenon isn’t just raising global temperatures — it’s also canceling Atlantic tropical cyclones.

the backs of two eagles perched on a tree
Birds

Bald eagles Shadow and Kaydee share a peaceful morning, Jackie’s memorial service approaches

Mating season is drawing closer, and the pair has begun to settle into a new routine.

A downed tree blocks part of a roadway in Brooklyn's Prospect Park after a nor'easter storm swept through the area over the weekend on September 28, 2026. The storm brought high winds, rain, and flooding to coastal communities across New York City and much of the Northeast.
Wildlife

How to help wildlife after a nor’easter

Always check fallen trees for animals before chopping them up.

a four legged robot running in a race. it has a green and white race bib with the number 42004 on it
Dogs

Robot dog runs a marathon faster than the average human, all on a single charge

RAIBO2’s official marathon time was 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds.

a caribou stands among trees on a trail
Endangered Species

5 ‘trailblazing’ caribou return to Canada’s wilderness

The animals were raised in North America’s first conservation breeding program for Caribou.

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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.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.

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