Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 168)

A person holding their smartphone in front of their face to take a selfie
Photography

Selfies have changed our perception of what we look like. Here’s why.

Perspective distortion makes you look different when you take a selfie.

frozen lake
Weather

What happens under water in winter?

New research into under-ice conditions is challenging what limnologists thought they understood about lakes’ winter behavior.

cartoon hands on a laptop from above
Tech Hacks

Windows has a hidden tool that makes installing apps much quicker

You don't have to stick to the usual routes for installing software.

The best productivity presents for home and office
Smart Home

The best productivity presents for home and office in 2025

Help family and friends improve efficiency and aesthetics with these thoughtful home + office accessories.

a shepherd dog shakes water off its head on a black background
Dogs

19 charming winners from the Dog Photography Awards

Dogs dream and hold memories. They're also incredibly cute to look at.

An earwig with eggs.
Science

The elaborate courtship, devoted parenthood, and occasional cannibalism of earwigs

Meet the scientists who dig into their hidden, underground world.

An image of the Sun from June 20, 2013, at 11:15 p.m. EDT.
Ask Us Anything

Why can’t we just launch all of Earth’s garbage into the sun?

Earth is messy. Can’t we just send our junk somewhere else?

The best kitchen gifts on a plain white background.
Gift Guides

The best kitchen upgrades for the everyday cook in 2025

Someone got gift cards and not sure what to do with them? These accessories will help elevate the kitchen and cooking of anyone moving beyond the basics.

a molting penguin with a mixture of feathers
Birds

Famously extra large penguin Pesto is molting

He ‘looks like he is wearing a brown feather boa over a white tuxedo shirt.'

An AI-generated rendition of the "Daisy" AI bores a scammer with descriptions of her fictional cat.
AI

This AI-generated grandma thwarts scammers with long stories about her cat

'I've got all the time in the world.'

a female mountain lion walks at night with some kittens behind her
Land

Mountain lions in Los Angeles become night owls to avoid humans

These predators must coexist with over 18 million people.

screenshot of a waterfall photo open in preview
Tech Hacks

The hidden Mac tool for converting annoying HEIC images

Switch your photos to JPEG, PNG, or HEIF with a few clicks.

Severe irritability in children is a chief symptom of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), a condition that can affect children’s friendships, family relationships and school performance.
Mental Health

Severe irritability in children and teens: A new understanding

Kids with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder have explosive outbursts well past toddler age. Scientists are trying to work out the causes and what treatments help.

a hand throws X logo in the trash
Tech Hacks

How to leave Twitter for Bluesky

If you're ready to make the switch, here's how. Bye bye, Elon.

a small bird with black, gray, and white, plumage solves a puzzle in a lab
Birds

Immigrating great tits learn from their new neighbors

A puzzle box experiment shows that the birds learn new tricks when changing environments.

Ripe tomatoes on green garden.
Science

They CRISPR’ed tomatoes to make them sweet and large

Blocking just two genes resulted in tastier 'mutant' tomatoes.

Lafayette-Meteorite
Mars

Meteorite found in a drawer in 1929 contains ancient evidence of liquid water on Mars

The 742-million-year-old rock was ejected into space by an asteroid impact.

A diver from National Geographic Pristine Seas measures the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.
Ocean

World’s largest coral discovered and it’s longer than a blue whale

This colossal Pavona clavus coral is at least 300 years old and can be seen from space.

a fire burns in the woods
Internet

Navigation app uses government data to help off-roaders avoid wildfire areas

Active wildfire layer alerts outdoor enthusiasts of hotspots in real time on onX.

older woman alone
Mental Health

Older Americans living alone often rely on neighbors or others willing to help

Often, they simply go without, leaving them vulnerable to isolation, depression, and deteriorating health.