Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 124)

a hand touching grass
Land

What happens to our bodies when we touch grass

a vintage blue VW van parked at a lake
Tech Hacks

How to plan the perfect road trip in Google Maps

Before you hit the road, make a plan so you don't miss cool things along the way.

twisted trees create a perfect reflection in still water
Environment

13 jaw-dropping International Landscape Photographer of the Year images

The beauty of Earth—from Namibia to Canada.

Nietzsche's productivity changed during his career because of his adoption of a new writing technology.
Technology

How typing transformed Nietzsche’s consciousness

The Malling-Hansen writing ball, with its potential and limitations, redefined Nietzsche’s philosophical and creative expression.

a slice of jelly toast faced down on the floor
Food Safety

Is the five-second rule true? Don’t push your luck.

The scientific research on floor food has a clear answer.

San Miguel pyramid excavation near highway in Hidalgo, Mexico
Archaeology

Ancient pyramid uncovered during highway construction

‘Deeper studies are essential to uncover the cultural context of this significant find.’

Germanic warrior taking stimulants imagined by Stanislav(Stanisław) Kontny, especially for the Praehistorische Zeitschrift. Credit: Stanisław Kontny for Praehistorische Zeitschrift
Archaeology

Roman-era Barbarians snorted stimulants in battle, tiny spoons suggest

Over 200 small tools found across Europe hint at previously unknown drug use in Germanic tribes.

A couple walking with their child by the river in Tokyo
Health

Tokyo rolling out four-day work week in bid to boost birth rates

Japan has the world's oldest population—with an estimated 10 percent of people over 80 years old.

dog kissing human licking face
Ask Us Anything

Why do dogs lick humans? It could be a sign of affection.

Scientists have theories about slobbery canine kisses.

The Holcim cement plant in Lägerdorf, Germany.
Environment

Greening concrete: A Major emitter inches toward carbon neutrality

Concrete is the most ubiquitous man-made building material on the planet, but making it generates massive amounts of CO2 emissions. Companies are experimenting with ways to green the process, from slashing the use of limestone to capturing the carbon generated when it’s burned.

Bashlemi inscription tablet with mystery language on black background
Archaeology

Mystery language on ancient stone tablet stumps archeologists

The Bashplemi inscription possibly shares similarities with over 20 other alphabets.

An oil rig in Oklahoma.
AI

‘A needle in a haystack:’ How AI is helping uncover abandoned oil wells

The model was trained on about one hundred maps, and was used to sort through topographical maps spanning 45 years.

an SUV sitting on pavement in from of trees
Vehicles

2025 Volvo XC90 is more efficient with a twist on 1950s engineering

The new SUV harnesses the Miller Cycle and Frequency Selective Damping technology.

An illustration of an Early Cretaceous floodplain in southeastern England, 135 million years ago: a spinosaur (center) takes over the carcass of an ornithopod, much to the annoyance of the smaller tyrannosaurs (left) and dromaeosaurids (bottom right).
Dinosaurs

Retired quarryman uncovers fossilized tyrannosaur teeth

The carnivores stalked their prey in southern England 135 million years ago.

Frozen surface of Lake Enigma
Environment

Life discovered lurking under Antarctica’s frozen Lake Enigma

Once thought to be empty, the water hosts a unique, tiny ecosystem.

Scientists are drawn to coral because its surface resembles the spongy structure of human bones.
Science

3D-printed, coral-inspired material can heal bones

The implanted grafting material helped new bones grow in four weeks and dissolved between 6-12 months.

Elderly woman alone
Health

Homebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracks

'It’s hard to be by myself so much of the time.'

two twisted bowstrings uncovered from a cave
Archaeology

Europe’s oldest known bowstrings found in a cave in Spain

Prehistoric humans appear to have created archery tools with a high degree of expertise.

Two views of a slingshot spider (Theridiosoma gemmosum) web. The right image shows the web’s cone shape with a spider at the tip.
Spiders

Watch a slingshot spider deploy a perfectly-timed trap

To prepare for action, this arachnid pays close attention to the sound of its prey.

Photo of Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein
Particle Physics

Albert Einstein’s love letters are headed to auction

Einstein sent the 43 letters to his first wife and 'collaborator,' Mileva Marić.