Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 136)

A reconstruction of the oldest known gorgonopsian in life.
Wildlife

This dog-like predator is the oldest known mammal ancestor

The 280-million-year-old bones of this saber-toothed predator were uncovered in Spain.

'The role of the fungal communities residing in the upper airways … is practically unknown.'
Health

People with allergies have different nasal fungi

'The role of the fungal communities residing in the upper airways … is practically unknown.'

a small blue-colored penguin called a little penguin swims in the ocean
Ocean

Turtles and penguins have a swimming sweet spot that reduces drag

Traveling at the surface just comes with too much pressure

A digital license plate made by Bay Area company Reviver Auto is displayed at Reviver Auto headquarters on May 30, 2018 in Foster City, California.
Vehicles

Researchers hack digital license plates, demonstrating way to evade tolls and cops

They claim a popular digital license plate can be jailbroken.

a red van parked
Electric Vehicles

The future-retro VW microbus is finally here—quirks and all

It took nearly eight years to get the polarizing Volkswagen's 2025 ID.BUZZ to the US market.

person using phone on road
Tech Hacks

How to avoid car sickness when using your iPhone

iOS 18 introduces Vehicle Motion Cues—here's how to use it.

As this illustration of the Apollo VIII command module reentering Earth shows, heat shields protect the crew capsule from high temperatures
NASA

Why NASA’s crew capsule had heat shield issues during Artemis I

An aerospace expert on these critical spacecraft components.

four human bones that show evidence of being chewed on by other humans
Archaeology

Bronze Age butchery and cannibalism unearthed in England

'It paints a considerably darker picture of the period than many would have expected.'

a group of people walking on a large glacier
Science

Don’t even think about hiking on a glacier without a guide

Hidden hazards lurk under the ice.

Short sleepers are genetically wired to require less shut-eye.
Science

The genetics of people who need little sleep

Short sleepers cruise by on four to six hours a night and don’t seem to suffer ill effects. Turns out they’re genetically built to require less sleep than the rest of us.

A dramatic blue-grey sky highlights the soft greys of a Weddell seal as it rests on an ice floe.
Wildlife

25 enchanting images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice awards

A brave gecko, a playful polar bear cub, and a 'graceful' primate mating session.

An injector pen containing the GLP-1 drug semaglutide.
Health

Are weight-loss drugs contributing to a fall in the obesity rate?

Results from a recent survey have prompted questions about the influence of GLP-1s on the obesity rate of U.S. adults.

sleep mode
Tech Hacks

How to set up iPhone Sleep Focus mode for some peace and quiet

Your smartphone can help you improve the quality of your slumber.

an orange cat with green eyes with its tongue out
Cats

Why do some cats have orange fur? New hue clues in an old mystery.

The genetic reason of their fur color has baffled scientists for decades.

An orvis sweatshirt, instax camera, rocketbook, and leatherman tool
Gear

Procrastinator’s gift guide: Great products you can still get in time for the holidays

You put off buying gifts, and that's OK. There are still several awesome options you can get shipped to you before it's time to open presents.

lab mouse
Psychology

Past experiences strongly affect empathy in mice 

The ability to recognize and react to others’ emotions is not confined to humans.

ISS with lines pointing to docked Starliner spacecraft
International Space Station

Photographer catches impressive glimpse of Starliner docked to ISS

Starliner’s passengers are still aboard the station, but Boeing’s vehicle returned to Earth in September.

Two SpaceX Starship rockets at Starbase in Texas
Space X

Elon Musk claims Starbase will become its own city

But it's far from a done deal.

a close up of the eyes of an older dog. it has black fur with touches of grey
Dogs

Is my dog ‘old’? Vets finally have the answers

Seven dog years equaling one human year is a myth.

a bird opens it mouth to eat a bug.
Sharks

9 fascinating images from the Royal Society Publishing Photography Prize

A stunning moment between predator and prey took top honors.