Science(Page 3)

Science spans our understanding of how Earth and the cosmos work. Get the biggest news on biology, physics, space, dinosaurs, and more—along with the latest episodes of the Ask Us Anything and Weirdest Thing podcasts.

Latest in Science

Cissy, a Sumatran orangutan mother, is taking a nap in her day nest.

Orangutans sacrifice sleep to socialize–but naps can help Orangutans sacrifice sleep to socialize–but naps can help

By Lauren Leffer

An artist’s view of what the area of the Zvejnieki cemetery (present-day northern Latvia) might have looked like when animal parts were processed in the cooking pits.

Stone Age humans extracted animal teeth with flames, blades, and fleshy stews Stone Age humans extracted animal teeth with flames, blades, and fleshy stews

By Laura Baisas

Newgrange burial mound on sunny day in Ireland

Incestuous ‘god-kings’ may not have ruled Stone Age Ireland after all Incestuous ‘god-kings’ may not have ruled Stone Age Ireland after all

A turtle basking with its legs outstretched on a rock. This activity is normal and beneficial to turtles.

Ask Us Anything

Why do turtles do the ‘Superman pose’? Why do turtles do the ‘Superman pose’?

By Laura Baisas

Archeologist digging in building foundation site

Archaeologists unearth cellar in America’s first school for enslaved children Archaeologists unearth cellar in America’s first school for enslaved children

Scanning electron micrograph of the number 15 grain of sample plate C0105-042 from Ryugu, in which djerfisherite was discovered.

Deep space asteroid sample contains unexpected ingredient Deep space asteroid sample contains unexpected ingredient

two orca whales come into contact with one another and a piece of kelp is between them

Orcas spotted using seaweed to groom each other Orcas spotted using seaweed to groom each other

By Laura Baisas

a close up of a sedated black bear undergoing an examination by a team of vets. the bear's mouth open, showing his teeth

This is how you give a bear a check-up This is how you give a bear a check-up

By Margherita Bassi

a yellow fungus with a white circle around it in a petri dish

Deadly ‘pharaoh’s curse fungus’ could be used to fight cancer Deadly ‘pharaoh’s curse fungus’ could be used to fight cancer

By Laura Baisas

Jupiter on a black background

Ask Us Anything

What would happen if you tried to land on a gas giant? What would happen if you tried to land on a gas giant?

By RJ Mackenzie

A portrait of a man with a large beard, wearing multiple pairs of multi-colored sunglasses. Studio shot; horizontal with copy space.

How to protect your eyes with the right sunglasses tint How to protect your eyes with the right sunglasses tint

By Alisha McDarris

hand holding Spanish 8 Maravedis coin close-up

17th century Spanish coin found in ‘Diamond Don’s RV Park’ 17th century Spanish coin found in ‘Diamond Don’s RV Park’

small fish in a net being rescued

After a devastating wildfire, rescued fish make a triumphant return to Malibu After a devastating wildfire, rescued fish make a triumphant return to Malibu

By Margherita Bassi

Overhead shot of Viking archeological dig site

Construction workers find Viking graves linked to King ‘Bluetooth’ Construction workers find Viking graves linked to King ‘Bluetooth’

Koala female with her baby at the Perth Zoo in Australia.

Secret koala population discovered near Australian city Secret koala population discovered near Australian city

By Margherita Bassi

a plastic bag and other garbage on a shoreline

Plastic bag bans work, new study shows Plastic bag bans work, new study shows

By Lauren Leffer

a woman douses herself with water from a plastic bottle on a hot, sunny day

Ask Us Anything

What is a heat dome? What is a heat dome?

By Laura Baisas

Air conditioner in house window on Summer day.

New paint ‘sweats’ to keep buildings cool New paint ‘sweats’ to keep buildings cool

Alan Turing portrait atop his papers

Saved from the shredder, Alan Turing’s papers sell for $627,000 Saved from the shredder, Alan Turing’s papers sell for $627,000

a beige and brown moth on a stone

Migrating moths can read the stars Migrating moths can read the stars

By Lauren Leffer

This image shows a detailed, thousand-colour image of the Sculptor Galaxy captured with the MUSE instrument at ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). Regions of pink light are spread throughout this whole galactic snapshot, which come from ionised hydrogen in star-forming regions. These areas have been overlaid on a map of already formed stars in Sculptor to create the mix of pinks and blues seen here.

Sculptor Galaxy shines in 1,000 spectacular colors Sculptor Galaxy shines in 1,000 spectacular colors

By Laura Baisas

Young woman lifting weights at gym

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Could women actually be better suited to weight lifting than men are? Could women actually be better suited to weight lifting than men are?

By Popular Science Team

illustration of a large lizard with a bulging head carrying a large egg

Bones of a raccoon-sized prehistoric lizard sat in a jar for 20 years Bones of a raccoon-sized prehistoric lizard sat in a jar for 20 years

By Laura Baisas

Huge wave breaking. Ocean spray is thrown into the air. World famous surf break named Jaws on the Northshore of Maui, Hawaii.

Ask Us Anything

What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’? What’s the formula for the ‘perfect wave’?

By Avery Schluyer Nunn

a long black amphibian with feathered gills called an axolotl swims in a fish tank

Axolotl mucus peptides attack breast cancer cells and MRSA Axolotl mucus peptides attack breast cancer cells and MRSA

By Laura Baisas

Nordic runes etched into stone slab illuminated by flashlight

Runes found in Canadian wilderness baffle archaeologists Runes found in Canadian wilderness baffle archaeologists

A Guatemalan tiger rump tarantula (Davus pentaloris) in a terrarium with reflections.

Tarantulas adapt their running style after losing legs Tarantulas adapt their running style after losing legs

By Laura Baisas

Fuzzy beetle on red flower

Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can

Large truck towing ANITA atmospheric survey system in Antarctica

Physicists can’t explain mysterious radio wave emissions in Antarctica Physicists can’t explain mysterious radio wave emissions in Antarctica

A great hammerhead shark swimming close to the surface in Bimini, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea.

Young hammerhead sharks love Biscayne Bay. Leave them alone, humans. Young hammerhead sharks love Biscayne Bay. Leave them alone, humans.

By Laura Baisas

Model of human brain floating over bed in dark room

Ask Us Anything

What’s the purpose of dreaming? What’s the purpose of dreaming?

By Clarissa Brincat

Fragment with portion of inscription that says Odysseus

Ancient Greek inscriptions point to the ‘Sanctuary of Odysseus’ Ancient Greek inscriptions point to the ‘Sanctuary of Odysseus’

Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park, South Carolina, showing old growth bottomland hardwood forest.

This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes

By Laura Baisas

an anaconda coiled sitting on straw

Q&A: How anacondas, chickens, and locals may be able to coexist in the Amazon Q&A: How anacondas, chickens, and locals may be able to coexist in the Amazon

Alarm clock on a blue and beige background

Scientists are redefining time itself, starting with the second Scientists are redefining time itself, starting with the second

By Mack DeGeurin

Shipwreck anchor and jugs underwater

Shipwreck over a mile deep has centuries’ old artifacts—and modern garbage Shipwreck over a mile deep has centuries’ old artifacts—and modern garbage

a weedy seadragon swimming. they have long snouts and raised backs

Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads

By Margherita Bassi

Starving bacteria (cyan) use a microscopic harpoon—called the Type VI secretion system—to stab and kill neighboring cells (magenta).

Bacteria will turn to murder if they get hungry enough Bacteria will turn to murder if they get hungry enough

a baby skunk is held by a person wearing blue latex gloves

Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song

By Margherita Bassi

yellow robot hand

Researchers create most human-like robot skin yet Researchers create most human-like robot skin yet

By Mack DeGeurin

Quantum Random Number Generator machine

Particle Physics

Here’s how to generate a truly random number with quantum physics Here’s how to generate a truly random number with quantum physics

Two archeologists surveying site in Turkey

Archaeologists uncover royal tomb tied to the real King Midas Archaeologists uncover royal tomb tied to the real King Midas

a male river otter standing on snow

Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands

By Margherita Bassi

an adult osprey looks on as the heads of three chicks pop out over a nest

Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes

By Laura Baisas

Happy smiling little boy out in the rain

Ask Us Anything

The science behind the smell of rain The science behind the smell of rain

European Gray Wolf Cubs in a Grass in a Spring Day

Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs

A loving father of African descent sits on the couch at home and reads a storybook to his preschool age daughter. The child is sitting on her father's lap and is smiling while looking at the book.

Ask Us Anything

Why do kids love reading the same book over and over? Child development experts explain. Why do kids love reading the same book over and over? Child development experts explain.

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

a small white dog standing on grey sheets looks up

The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study

By Laura Baisas

Thrush songbird

Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds

Gold coins scattered on ocean floor

Gold coins confirm ‘world’s richest shipwreck’ is 18th century Spanish galleon Gold coins confirm ‘world’s richest shipwreck’ is 18th century Spanish galleon

Examples of the pig molar teeth specimens analyzed for a study on pig domestication.

Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

$The fracture of BG1.12 is shown in various views (A–F). The skull fracture in this specimen starts at the anterior part of the frontal bone and extends diagonally to the sagittal border of the left parietal bone (G). Credit: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1002/oa.3415$

Ancient cone-shaped skull shows signs of fatal trauma Ancient cone-shaped skull shows signs of fatal trauma

clouds in a blue sky

Ask Us Anything

How do clouds get their shapes? How do clouds get their shapes?

By Clarissa Brincat

12/11/24 - BOSTON, MA. - Northeastern chair and professor of biology James Monaghan works with axolotls in his lab in the Mugar Life Sciences on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

A chemical in acne medicine can help regenerate limbs A chemical in acne medicine can help regenerate limbs

By Lauren Leffer

Viking boat grave burial near road in Norway

Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog

Darvaza (Derweze) gas crater (Door to Hell or Gates of Hell) in Turkmenistan

Earth’s fiery ‘Door to Hell’ is starting to close Earth’s fiery ‘Door to Hell’ is starting to close

Lab grown salmon on sushi rice on a plate

FDA approves lab-grown salmon FDA approves lab-grown salmon

Artist_impression_of_sarupod

Paleontologists dig through fossilized dino guts to see what’s inside Paleontologists dig through fossilized dino guts to see what’s inside

By Laura Baisas

Human brain going through translucent multi colored discs blue background

What happens when our brain goes blank What happens when our brain goes blank

By RJ Mackenzie

Sunny (top) practicing her hovering skills on May 29. She remained airborne for 3.3 seconds.

Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest

By Laura Baisas

Shipwreck in the Bay of Pigs

What to do if you find a shipwreck What to do if you find a shipwreck

Screenshot of UAP video

Particle Physics

Physicists use AI to hunt for UAPs and UFOs Physicists use AI to hunt for UAPs and UFOs

a red diamond on a dark backgorund

That’s no ruby. It’s an extremely rare red diamond. That’s no ruby. It’s an extremely rare red diamond.

By Laura Baisas

a blue fish with a pointy face in a california kelp forest

Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’

By Laura Baisas