Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 12)

A postcard titled "Call to arms - American Revolution" with the message "Wishing you a joyful Independence Day", United States, circa 1950s. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Health

How did it feel to be an American colonist in 1776? Probably itchy, achy, and slightly nauseated.

Chronic bodily states of indigestion, itchy skin, flatulence and slow-healing wounds were common.

Collage showing a red submersible partly underwater.
NASA

Before the moon race, explorers wanted to conquer the ocean

From Jules Verne-inspired submarines to NASA-backed underwater habitats, the dream of an undersea civilization came closer than most people realize.

a parrot with an orange beak, red eye, and blue, yellow, green, and orange feathers
Land

Colorful songbirds face higher risk of extinction

While prized as pets in some places, the pet trade is not entirely to blame.

Collage of personal audio on sale at Crutchfield on a grass background
Audio

Crutchfield’s Fourth of July headphone and earbud sale is all fireworks no fizzle

Crutchfield’s July 4 sale slashes Bose, Sennheiser, JBL, Marshall, and more—grab headphone and earbud deals before they vanish.

X-59 supersonic plane flying
Aviation

After 53 years, the FAA wants to bring back civilian supersonic flight

The first in a series of new rule proposals will establish sonic boom regulations.

Close-up of the cyborg insect and the new diving suit, which has tubes that connect to the breathing holes of the insect and contains an oxygen generator at the back.
Robots

World’s first cockroach diving suit actually works

A cyborg cockroach survived up to three hours underwater with an experimental new oxygen tank.

Photo of a stream and forest covered in thin layer of snow at Yellowstone in June
Climate Change

It snowed in Yellowstone this week

The higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature.

Artists impression of exoplanet WD 1856 b transiting its ‘dead’ host star,
Sun

The sun’s violent death could look like this

A white dwarf and an unusual exoplanet hint that 'stellar death is not the end.'

Library of Congress, Washington DC, America The Library of Congress is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Yes, there really is cocaine in the Library of Congress  

Plus fallout shelter fads and other weird things we learned this week.

a pangolin walking on grass. the small mammals have long noses, four legs with long claws on their feet, and a long tail
Endangered Species

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal. A nearly 200-year-old specimen could help.

Their overlapping scales are believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Images of skeletal remains recovered from Iberian Iron Age graves
Archaeology

Decapitation, dismemberment, and deer antlers come together in one brutal Iron Age gravesite

Buried outside of an ancient Iberian fortification, the two men had a gnarly day.

Exterior photograph of DEEP's Vanguard underwater installation surrounded by fish in the Florida Keys
Ocean

Underwater research lab installed in the Florida Keys

Vanguard is the first facility of its kind in the U.S. in 40 years.

a water canon sprays water while several tall ships sail into new york harbor
Science

The largest peacetime maritime gathering in U.S. history comes to New York City

Sail4th 250's International Parade of Sail features 48 tall ships from all over the world.

13 October 2025, Italy, Alberobello: Tourists stand among the trulli of Alberobello, the whitewashed limestone houses with the typical conical roofs. Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa (Photo by Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Climate Change

Italians are beating the scorching heat inside ingenious medieval homes

The pointy ‘trullo’ is making a comeback thanks to its clever cooling attributes.

a meteor falls over a desert
Moons

July Stargazing: Meteors, more meteors, Pluto, and even more meteors

The night sky is lighting up with more than just Fourth of July fireworks.

REI 4th of July sale
Outdoor Gear

REI is blowing out some of its most popular outdoor gear during its July 4th Outlet sale: Osprey, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, and more

If you're planning to spend any time outside this summer, go grab deeply discounted gear from our favorite brands during REI's limited outlet sale.

Game Boy Camera attached to Mount Wilson Observatory telescope eyepiece
Space Telescope

Man uses a Game Boy Camera to photograph Jupiter

With a big boost from Mount Wilson Observatory’s powerful Hooker Telescope.

several beetle and butterfly species on a blue background
Land

New estimate: Earth has 14 to 20 million insect species

For 40 years, we thought Earth was home to six million insect species. Turns out, it could be three times that.

an eagle stretches his wings on top of a nest
Birds

Luna the eagle takes a ‘leap of faith’

The 13-week-old eaglet flew to another tree, where his dad Shadow was waiting.

Mounted biomimic robot that resembles a kestrel
Drones

Tiny Australian falcons may help aircraft withstand worsening turbulence

Biomimicry at its finest.