Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 11)

30 July 2026, Schleswig-Holstein, Wacken: Fans celebrate during a concert by the band H-Blockx in front of the "Louder" stage at Wacken Open Air (W:O:A). W:O:A is considered the world's largest heavy metal festival. Photo: Frank Molter/dpa (Photo by Frank Molter/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Mental Health

Heavy metal fans may handle pain better than others

Or 'ride the lightning,' as Metallica says.

an eagle sitting on a nest tilts her head to the side
Birds

Bald eagle Kaydee inspects camera, helps Shadow arrange sticks

Sticks are serious business in Big Bear.

Hand holding 3D-printed cookie made from ingredients derived from plastic
Biology

Engineers 3D-printed edible cookies from plastic

Reprogrammed yeast makes fats, proteins, and acids from problematic pollution.

a marmot stands on sticks
Wildlife

Vote for your favorite chonky rodent during Fat Marmot Week

While humans are on the beach, yellow-bellied marmots are eating for their lives.

train on tracks
Vehicles

All aboard Amtrak’s sleeker, cleaner new trains

The $8-billion Airo fleet promises cleaner, more reliable service as passenger rail enjoys record ridership — and faces an uncertain future in Washington.

bright strands of DNA
Engineering

Lab-made DNA can store memory like a flash drive

The new device combines synthetic DNA and a semiconductor to create an efficient memory resistor, or 'memristor.'

a man in a blue jacket leans up against an exhibit showing the planets jupiter and saturn
Space

First Iranian-American man to travel to space tells his story

Cardiologist Eiman Jahangir, MD’s new book chronicles his unconventional career journey.

WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: A used Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle is displayed on the sales lot at Plug-In Auto on March 30, 2026, in West Covina, California. As gas prices surge amid the war in Iran, online automotive resource Edmunds reported a 22% increase in searches for electric vehicles during the week of March 2, as motorists look for ways to avoid high fuel costs. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Electric Vehicles

The market for used EVs ‘is so hot’ right now

Used EV sales continued their surge in July, according to the latest data.

the profile view of a a baby boy smiling and looking up as his feet are tickled
Psychology

Researchers make a ticklishness body map

Ticklish spots are the same no matter what culture we come from.

Beautiful blue/green hummingbird flies near bright pink flowers on blurry green background.
Birds

Why do hummingbirds buzz? Tiny tornadoes.

They're basically mini air wizards.

kermit cup with toothbrush in it on pink sink
Health

How gross is it to leave a toothbrush exposed in the bathroom?

Toilet plumes are real, but your toothbrush is probably fine.

Paper Craft of a Suspicious Malicious Mail Hiding a Snake on Purple Background Directly Above View.
Psychology

The sucker’s dilemma

In a world filled with scams, being wary makes perfect sense. But health, trust and decision-making can suffer when the fear of getting conned goes too far.

a large male bear stands in a river
Bears

New Fat Bear Week children’s book turns Katmai’s famous bears into wrestlers

A Q&A with Alaskan author Brooke Hartman on salmon, writing challenges, and why people love these bears.

A hand holding an Android smartphone and touching its screen
Tech Hacks

5 tricks you can do on Android but not iOS

Apple and Google’s mobile operating systems are more similar than ever, but differences remain. Here are some tricks exclusive to Android.

Close up of hand holding one of the obsidian arrowheads
Archaeology

Oddly etched Neolithic arrowheads baffle archaeologists in Turkey

No two obsidian weapon tips are alike.

a man sitting on a couch reading a book and wearing a neck fan
Engineering

Neck fans might look goofy, but tests show they work surprisingly well

The wearable might just do the trick in stuffy offices.

RAF WWII mine submerged in Danube River
Air Force

Fisherman finds live WWII mine at bottom of Danube River in Slovakia

Don't worry. The 1,500 pound weapon's detonation was captured on camera.

raccoons wrestling one another at night
Wildlife

Baby raccoon wrestling shenanigans caught on wildlife center camera

Rescued animals get plenty of fun and important enrichment in outdoor enclosures.

Garmin Smart Watch and GPS communicator on sale at Amazon in front of grass
Wearables

Amazon just dropped our favorite Garmin running watches and fitness trackers to their lowest prices ever

If you're in the market for a serious running watch or robust fitness tracker, there has never been a better time to jump into the Garmin ecosystem.

a homemade DIY sports car
Vehicles

British man spends $7,000 building a street-legal sports car in his shed

The lightweight Gasolini AR1 is a motorcycle, meets 'Blade Runner,' meets vintage European race car.