Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 173)

Red sprite timelapse seen over Himalayan mountains
Weather

Astrophotographers help crack mystery of ‘sprite fireworks’

A remarkable thunderstorm provided an opportunity to better understand the vibrant phenomena.

A mouse sniffing the air
Science

Messing with mouse brains during sex leads to unexpected discovery

Yeah, sex is cool, but have you ever discovered how the interaction of two neurotransmitters makes sex work?

Sliced and diced product image header for best pillows
Home

The best pillows in 2025 for every type of sleeper

After sleeping on the perfect picks, we’re confident that at least one of the options on our list will meet your needs.

UNSPECIFIED - NOVEMBER 05: Conophytum notabile, Aizoaceae.
Agriculture

A craze for tiny plants is driving a poaching crisis in South Africa

South Africa’s Succulent Karoo is the most biodiverse arid region on the planet, with thousands of plants found nowhere else. But to meet a demand fueled by social media, criminal networks have been poaching these colorful succulents by the millions and smuggling them overseas.

Close up of hand wearing SpellRing device on thumb
Engineering

Wearable ring translates sign language into text

SpellRing is trained on 20,000 words in American Sign Language.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphones in a row on-sale with trade-in
Earbuds

Samsung is offering enhanced trade-in deals up to $1,000 toward new S25 smartphones, Galaxy tablets, and earbuds

Even if you have an old iPhone X hanging around from 2017, Samsung will give you some cash for it toward a new device.

Four people on their stomachs plaster casting a mammoth tusk
Science

Texas hunter’s ‘old stump’ find was actually a rare mammoth tusk

‘When they confirmed what they had uncovered, I couldn’t believe it.’

The 2025 Acura ADX is the brand’s newest gas-powered SUV.
Vehicles

Acura’s newest SUV focuses on sustainability with Bang & Olufsen sound system

The ADX sounds great. Literally.

Tornado from a tornadic supercell approaches from the south, west of York Nebraska June 20, 2011.
Weather

Why forecasting where tornadoes will hit is still hard to do

...even though storm predictions are improving.

A 3D-printed resin miniature on a workbench.
Peripherals

It’s the last week to save hundreds on Anycubic’s best 3D printers

Can't get your fill of filament? Want to 3D print but you're not printing money? Save up to $300 on a 3D printer.

Woman's hand reaching out from bed to turn off alarm on Amazon Echo Dot
AI

Alexa is about to send everything you tell it to Amazon

Even if you don’t enroll in Alexa+.

a green iguana sitting at the base of a palm tree
Endangered Species

After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record

Fiji's 'outlier' iguana population made it there within the last 34 million years.

An Apollo 12 high-oblique view of the lunar nearside looking northeast toward the crater Copernicus (in center near horizon), as photographed from lunar orbit.
Moons

A startup wants to mine the moon for helium

Helium-3 is needed for nuclear reactors, quantum computers, and more.

Front view of broken heart-shaped lollipop on a yellow colored background
Food Safety

Scientist whose work led FDA to ban food dye says agency overstated risk

'I have no problem with my family — my kids and grandkids — consuming Red 3.'

Conceptual image of a stack of old analog TV sets with blank screens against a white wall
Psychology

Why new tech only feels good for a short time

Spend more time appreciating what you have.

The misfortune of some brings happiness to others, and for these polar bears, the death of a whale in east Greenland heralded a royal feast. Attracted by the smell, more than sixty bears were recorded in the area. However, their behaviour was almost benevolent, possibly due to the abundance of food.
Wildlife

11 fascinating wildlife images from the Sony World Photography Awards

A photo documenting a group of polar bears feasting on a dead whale captivated the judges.

chatgpt on a computer
Tech Hacks

How to use ChatGPT as a personal AI research assistant

You can now do some Deep Research from right inside the chatbot.

two baby eagles
Birds

Live cam bald eagles lost 1 of 3 chicks after snowstorm

'We are sad to let everyone know that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not make it through the severe winter storm.'

an illustration of a laptop with "google" and an anonymous password
Tech Hacks

How to use the Google Password Manager

Google can remember all of your passwords, across all of your devices.

satellites around earth
Space

Earth’s orbit is filling up with junk. Greenhouse gases are making the problem worse.

By the end of the century, a shrinking atmosphere could create a minefield for satellites.