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North american porcupine sitting on the ground among wild flower

How to not get pricked by a North American porcupine

Don’t panic—this spiky friend is largely harmless.

By Natalie Wallington

How Bentley took over and transformed a World War II air base
A site steeped in history is now a rough-and-tumble test track for luxury cars. By Kristen Lee/The Drive
Who gets COVID boosters? The FDA’s expert panel says it’s complicated.
An FDA advisory committee met on Friday amid an ongoing debate about the potential value of COVID booster shots. By Claire Maldarelli , Sara Chodosh
The Kinsey Scale Test and 3 other ways to find where you fall on the sexuality spectrum
Human sexuality spans too wide a scope to possibly be covered by a single test. By Sara Chodosh

Science

An extremely wide-angle photo of a red, dusty surface, with a grey rock with two holes drilled into it.

First Martian rock samples from Perseverance edge closer to settling water question

Returned Martian rock cores will aid the search for habitable environments and could finally nail down the ages of Martian features.

By Leto Sapunar

Tech

This high-tech gunsight could allow soldiers to shoot around corners, Matrix-style

This high-tech gunsight could allow soldiers to shoot around corners, Matrix-style

The system includes an AR display, and it's designed to attach to a traditional rifle, like an M4 carbine.

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Space

A bright rocket launches against a dark night sky.

SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission and launch in 9 photos

By Elana Spivack

Life Hacks

Hand holding a phone with Twitter open

Transform your Twitter timeline with these 11 features and add-ons

By David Nield

Animals

An illustration of an extinct species of giant penguins. Two penguins stand upright and one huddles down on a rocky island.

Schoolkids in New Zealand discovered a new species of giant penguin

By Hannah Seo

Health

Person with long hair looking at sun through cave

Did the pandemic give you ‘cave syndrome’?

By Lauren Vinopal/Mel Magazine

Latest

By Erin Blakemore Sep 16, 2021

Science

What’s the secret to sexiness?

You can't start a fire without a spark.

What’s the secret to sexiness?

By Charlotte Hu Sep 17, 2021

Technology

Is it ok to eat GMO foods? Scientists say ‘yes.’

Human health-wise, they’re perfectly fine.

Is it ok to eat GMO foods? Scientists say ‘yes.’

By Kelsey D. Atherton Sep 15, 2021

Technology

How North Korea’s cruise missiles could surprise its enemies

The DPRK recently tested cruise missiles, which can sneak up all too easily on a target by hugging the terrain below.

How North Korea’s cruise missiles could surprise its enemies

By Sandra Gutierrez G. Sep 15, 2021

DIY

Microsoft is letting you ditch passwords. Here’s how.

Say goodbye to Th3B3stP@ssw0rdEv3r!

Microsoft is letting you ditch passwords. Here’s how.

By Colleen Hagerty Sep 14, 2021

Technology

This smart tugboat is about to journey more than 1,000 miles, autonomously

The 35-foot-long boat will use computer vision and other tech to follow a predetermined path around Denmark.

This smart tugboat is about to journey more than 1,000 miles, autonomously

By PopSci Staff Sep 14, 2021

Science

11 views of the microscopic world in brilliant detail

Our favorites from the 2021 Nikon's Small World awards.

11 views of the microscopic world in brilliant detail

By Barnett Berry/The Conversation Sep 14, 2021

Science

Will microschools dominate post-pandemic education?

The pandemic has pushed some to consider smaller classrooms and personalized learning.

Will microschools dominate post-pandemic education?

By Hannah Seo Sep 15, 2021

Animals

A rare humpback whale ‘megapod’ was spotted snacking off the Australian coast

The gobble gathering may also be a foreboding sign of climate change.

A rare humpback whale ‘megapod’ was spotted snacking off the Australian coast

By Erin Fennessy Sep 14, 2021

Science

You have no idea how much you need these bacteria

Without nitrogen-fixing bacteria, we'd be screwed.

You have no idea how much you need these bacteria

By David Nield Sep 14, 2021

DIY

How to create and curate your watchlists on any streaming platform

Now what?

How to create and curate your watchlists on any streaming platform