Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 161)

A powerful laser shines into a jet of gas, creating a bright plasma and generating ultraviolet light. The light leaves a visible white line as it interacts with leftover gas in the vacuum chamber. This process helps scientists precisely measure the energy needed to excite the thorium-229 nucleus, which is the core of a future nuclear clock.
Technology

Move over, atomic clocks: Nuclear clocks are on the way

Physicists demonstrated the underlying principles. Next up is the prototype.

The best mobile game controller of 2024 on a plain white background.
Gaming

The best mobile game controllers, tested and reviewed

Upgrade your smartphone into a dedicated handheld console with this essential accessory.

Sunset behind the IceCube Lab
Space

Astronomers really like the South Pole, but why?

It's a hotspot for telescopes.

several loaves of golden rustic looking bread on a table
Agriculture

How farming helped humans evolve to get more energy from carbs

Some human populations gained extra genes to help break down starch in only 12,000 years.

horses in a field
Animals

Where and when were horses domesticated?

New science sheds light on this history and horses' huge impact on human society.

Steaming pipes at Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant. This image is shot using a drone.
AI

‘The world is not prepared:’ How AI energy thirst might tap into geothermal power

With fracking-inspired tech, geothermal plants no longer need to be near hot geysers and volcanoes.

Illustration of Sasayamagnomus saegusai
Evolution

Tiny triceratops ancestor named after gnomes

Sasayamagnomus measured barely three-feet-long.

a northern elephant seal with wide eyes looks into a camera next to an underwater acoustic monitoring device
Wildlife

Northern elephant seals know a ‘dinner bell’ when they hear one

Eight sub-adult male seals were seen on camera over 2,000 feet deep, near an underwater lab.

a woman scratches several red mosquito bites on her shoulder
Medicine

‘Ancient, funny’ cells are to blame for itchy mosquito bites

Scientists found a molecular pathway that triggers allergic itching from pollen, dust mites, and more.

Peach blossom jellyfish
Wildlife

Invasive jellyfish ‘clones’ are spreading into Canada

A single sighting implies thousands of peach blossom jellyfish.

telegram logo
Social Media

The Accelerationists’ app: How Telegram became the ‘center of gravity’ for a new breed of domestic terrorists

From attempting to incite racially motivated violence to encouraging attacks on critical infrastructure, the alleged crimes planned and advertised by extremists on Telegram go far beyond the charges facing CEO Pavel Durov.

Starliner docked with ISS with Earth in background
International Space Station

NASA can explain Starliner’s spooky, pulsing sounds

'There’s a strange noise coming through...'

Spend more time with your dog and less time cleaning up with one of the best vacuums for pet hair.
Appliances

The best robot vacuums for pet hair

We sniffed out the best robot vacuums for fetching fur and fluff from floors.

Titanic bow wreckage underwater
Archaeology

The famous railing from ‘Titanic’ has broken off from Titanic

A 20-day subaquatic exploration relocated once-lost artifacts and documented ongoing decay.

remnants of a sunken village in a very dry reservoir
Global Warming

Drought reveals a sunken village in Greece

Almost 80 homes were ‘sacrificed’ in the late 1970s to supply water to Athens.

The communities of soil microbes known as biocrusts are common in arid ecosystems.
Science

The dirt on biocrusts: Why scientists are working to save Earth’s living skin

Think twice before stepping on that crunchy top layer of soil. It may be a vital ecosystem—one that you can help protect.

a pregnant porbeagle shark swims under water with two tags. one is on her dorsal fin and the other is on her back
Sharks

Who ate the pregnant porbeagle shark?

An excreted satellite tag helped scientists document the large fish being preyed upon for the first time.

couple in bed
Ask Us Anything

Do aphrodisiacs work? What the science says.

Strawberries? Oysters? The perfect aphrodisiac remains elusive.

Osprey backpacks in a line for Labor Day sale
Outdoor Gear

Our editors love these Osprey hiking backpacks, and they’re up to 40% off during Amazon’s Labor Day sale

Save more than $50 on some of Osprey's most popular outdoor backpacks for both men and women.

food made out of garbage using fungus
Science

Chefs are using fungus to transform food garbage into fancy, fully edible dishes

This one tastes like cheesy toast.