Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
Why does food by the campfire taste better?
From boosted flavors to primal memories, campfire meals tap into something deep and delicious.
Could women actually be better suited to weight lifting than men are?
Plus horny fruit flies and other weird things we learned this week.
Rachel Feltman
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.
When blood hits clothes, physics takes over
Researchers fired pig’s blood at fabrics to decode the messy mechanics of crime scenes.
Mysterious ‘ship goo’ contains new life forms
No one quite knows how the tar-like substance got on a Great Lakes research vessel.
Yes, Superman’s kryptonite is (sort of) real
The mineral jadarite has the same chemical composition as Superman’s weakness. It may be a problem for humans, too.
Medieval Hungarians kept eating horse meat, despite Christianity’s influence
Analysis of over 500 equine bones show the real reason the once dietary staple declined.
How to make sure your eSIM doesn’t get hacked
New cellphone technology is more secure than the old stuff—but it’s not ironclad.
3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee
Engineering offers historians new tools to examine physical evidence.
HDMI 2.2 is coming. Do you need to upgrade?
Is it time to upgrade your HDMI ports and cables?
The oceans may contain much, much more plastic than previously thought
A new study finds there are 27 million metric tons of invisible plastic particles in the North Atlantic alone.
Popular Science Cover Art Store
Own a piece of science history.
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.
Meet the team
Our writers and editors
