Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
Why are languages spoken at different speeds?
Japanese speakers fire off syllables at lightning speed—what gives?
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
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
Ancient Andean parrot trade route stretched over 300 miles
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No one was injured at the home in Germany, but the ESA is investigating.
YouTube Premium Lite: Is it worth the $7.99/month?
There’s a new option for taking away the adverts on YouTube.
This Purple mattress helped me heal a broken collarbone
The 2025 Purple RejuvenatePremier mattress with DreamLayer offers cool, adaptive support.
3I/ATLAS comet is bursting with alcohol, surprising astronomers
The famous interstellar visitor packs some unexpected molecules.
What a cold winter means for ticks and mosquitoes
Like many of us, the bugs have been hunkered down waiting for spring to return.
Man builds functional typewriter out of Legos
The inkless device works a bit like a printing press.
These birds listen to their parents to avoid being eaten
Jackdaw chicks learn not to sweat the small stuff.
Picky eating starts in the womb—a nutritional neuroscientist explains how to expand your child’s palate
Bitter vegetables can be an acquired taste.
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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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