Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 11)

A fluffy, grey British Shorthair cat wearing small, gold-rimmed round glasses sits behind an open book on a soft blue textured surface. The cat is looking down at the blank pages as if intently reading.
Ask Us Anything

Can animals read? Not in the human way.

Bonobos, dolphins, and other animals can decode complex symbols.

Dreo air purifiers, space heaters, and fans on sale at Amazon
Home

Amazon just dropped Dreo fans, air purifiers, and space heaters to clearance prices

Make your 2026 resolution to improve the air quality in your home with these discounted devices from Dreo.

a couple holding hands as the sun sets over water
Animals

Why humans live and die for love

A new book explores how humans evolved to be wired for intimacy. It can save our lives.

Edinburgh, UK - June 5, 2016: The front pages of a collection of British newspapers, featuring headlines and images taken during the career of former world heavyweight champion boxer Muhammad Ali, following his death on 3rd June 2016. --- UK newspaper front pages featuring images of Muhammad Ali, following news of his death on 3rd June 2016. All artist royalties from sales of this file and others in the lightbox linked to below are donated to Oxfam, an international charity committed to finding lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. Please click [url=http://istockpho.to/OxfamDonationLightbox]here[/url] to see the files in the Oxfam Donation lightbox. Lightbox royalties donated to 1st August 2015: GBP 1,823.56 (USD 2,850.88) Next date for donations: 1st August 2016
Psychology

What 38 million obituaries reveal about how Americans define a ‘life well lived’

Obituaries provide a window into the prevailing traditions and moral values of their time.

astronauts standing together
Science

6 science milestones turning 40 this year

In 1986, we had huge leaps forward, tragic steps back, and life-changing innovations.

pills of various sizes laid out in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink order
Diseases

Addiction is puzzling. Scientists are trying to understand why.

New book explores the philosophy of addiction.

Woman in pyjamas stretching and yawning surrounded by alarm clocks.
Health

Why do we wake up shortly before our alarm goes off? It’s not by chance.

You can't hit snooze on your brain.

Close up of microwave vacuum dried beet chips and hands reaching to grab them
Nutrition

Food scientists cook up healthier chips that don’t taste awful

Microwave Vacuum Drying, or MVD, may be a real MVP for snack foods.

several united states quarters
Science

5 new quarters commemorate 250 years of American independence

The new designs honor the Constitution, Civil War, and more.

A group of three African elephants walking through tall, dry yellow grass in a savanna. The central elephant is facing forward with its large ears fully fanned out, flanked by two others with visible tusks.
Ask Us Anything

Why do elephants have such big ears? There’s not one answer.

The multi-use appendages are kind of like their superpower.

A young Asian man heading to a clothes shelf in a store before taking a closer look at a t-shirt.
Pollution

What your cheap clothes cost the planet

A global supply chain built for speed is leaving behind waste, toxins, and a trail of environmental wreckage.

Stanley cooler and tumbler on a space background
Fitness Gear

Amazon is clearing out Stanley tumblers, water bottles, food containers and more during this limited sale

Stay hydrated and keep all of your drinks cold all year with these drinkware deals from Stanley.

bug spray held by woman's hand over water
Best of What's New

5 cool innovations in sports and outdoors in 2025

From the most effective brain-protective helmet to a new type of insect repellent.

a yellow flag with a coiled rattle snake and the words "dont tread on me"Gadsden Flag, Vikkram, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0.
Land

How the timber rattlesnake became a symbol of American independence

The very real reptile warned enemies ‘Dont tread on me,’ and urged the colonies to ‘Join, or die.'

Close up of yellow banana slug
Wildlife

An ode to slugs, the mascots of post-holiday laziness

They’ve got 500 million years of evolution on their side, after all.

A colorful, cartoon-style illustration of three stylized robots standing together, surrounded by a chaotic tangle of multicolored wires against a purple background.
AI

Slop, vibe coding and glazing: AI dominates 2025’s words of the year

Cambridge Dictionary, Dictionary.com, and Oxford University Press all select words connected to artificial intelligence.

hand in glove holding a chip
Best of What's New

5 remarkable engineering innovations of 2025

From an autonomous drone system to wood that's stronger than steel and 6 times lighter.

A peaceful landscape photograph of a cemetery at sunset, with numerous simple stone headstones scattered across a lush green lawn. Tall pine trees are silhouetted against a bright, warm sun that is filtering through the forest.
Technology

Cremation or casket? Here’s the most eco-friendly burial option.

The greenest choice turns out to be the simplest one.

solar flares on the sun
Environment

26 Popular Science stories you loved in 2025

From radioactive water to $25 vintage airplanes to a WWII shipwreck mystery.

a full moon rises over a snowy mountain
Moons

January stargazing: A supermoon, asteroid, and one very large planet

The Wolf Moon rises on January 3.