Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 18)

Scans of severed skull fragments from Iberian Peninsula
Archaeology

Severed head rituals were more widespread in Iron Age Iberia than we thought

Researchers now think at least two more groups joined the macabre custom.

a new species of lady bug. it is black and the size of a grain of sand
Insects

New ladybug species is the size of a grain of sand

Luck by a lady (bug).

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Environment

The world’s only dark sky airport sits inside a national park

Visitors at Jackson Hole Airport can spot the Milky Way from the parking lot.

A young lynx playfully throws a rodent into the air before killing and devouring it.
Bears

16 astonishing images from the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards

Playful bear cubs and a swirling superpod of dolphins compete for People's Choice honors.

A dramatic Renaissance-era painting shows an ancient city in chaos, likely Troy, as fires and smoke fill the sky. In the foreground, people flee along canals and bridges, some dragging belongings or carrying others to safety. Boats crowd the water, while buildings burn in the distance. At center-right, a large wooden horse stands ominously in a public square, as flames and destruction spread across the city.
Archaeology

Rethinking Troy: how years of careful peace, not epic war, shaped this bronze age city

The city at the heart of Homer's Iliad had a long history before war engulfed it.

a sea turtle swimming with a boat in the distance
Endangered Species

The world’s smallest sea turtle lives in a noisy ocean

Noisy ships and industry are impacting critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. But how much?

A colorized historical photograph showing a group of men in traditional Middle Eastern attire, including robes and turbans, gathered at an outdoor coffee house. On the left, a man in a white robe stands behind a counter featuring a large, ornate metal coffee urn. To the right, several other men are seated around a small table, engaged in conversation, reflecting the long history of coffee as a social staple.
Nutrition

4 times drinking coffee was illegal—or even punishable by death

Rulers once closed cafés, burned beans, and even executed someone—all for a cup of coffee.

Directly avobe view of many wooden ecological cotton swabs on a blue colored background
Health

Stop cleaning your ears wrong

Warning: This advice may cause you to rethink your pharmacy purchases.

An artistic, surreal digital illustration exploring the concept of "recreating history's smells." On the left, a large, close-up profile of a human nose and mouth is shown in a classical, textured painting style. A faint purple vapor drifts from the right toward the nose, carrying floating 3D molecular structures. The background features a dark, ornate historical building with arched windows. In the foreground, a cluttered pile of old, thick books with leather bindings and parchment pages sits below two Egyptian sarcophagi. The overall mood is mysterious and scholarly, blending ancient history with modern chemistry.
Science

Recreating the smells of history

Using chemistry, archival records and AI, scientists are reviving the aromas of old libraries, mummies and battlefields.

fake images of wild horses standing on a beach wrapped in pink mattress-like insulation material
Social Media

No, North Carolina’s wild horses were not wrapped in insulation

AI-generated images spread fast ahead of a record-breaking winter storm, fooling plenty of people along the way.

google logo
Tech Hacks

How to clear space in your Google for free

Make full use of the 15GB you get in Gmail, Photos, and Drive for free.

a cold-stunned green iguana likes on its back on the ground in florida
Wildlife

Florida euthanizes 5,195 frozen iguanas

First introduced during the 1960, the invasive reptiles were ‘cold-stunned’ during a record-breaking cold snap.

Sleep number mattresses on sale for Presidents' Day
Home

Sleep Number just dropped prices on pretty much all of its beds during this surprise early Presidents’ Day sale

If you're going to invest in a new bed for better sleep, make it adjustable so you can get exactly what you want.

A person bundled in heavy winter gear, including a frost-covered knit hat and a black face mask, with ice clinging to their eyelashes and the fabric. The background shows a dim, icy landscape at dusk with a soft glow from a distant light.
Ask Us Anything

The toddler who survived a 54-degree body temperature

Humans aren't built for the cold, but have survived frigid temperatures in some amazing cases.

a tatoo-like image of the mona lisa printed on synthetic skin
Engineering

Synthetic skin reveals hidden ‘Mona Lisa’ when exposed to heat

The octopus-inspired material could lead to better camouflage technology for the military and beyond.

Antique film camera on stack of black and white pictures
Science

$13 thrift store camera hid 70-year-old undeveloped film

No one knows who is in the photos—yet.

a whale fluke with hills in the distance
Endangered Species

The lobstermen teaming up with scientists to save endangered whales

In a game of scientific telephone, if you find the food, you find the whales—and sound the alarm.

A selection of premium Sennheiser headphones and earphones on a purple nebula background
Audio

Sennheiser’s New Year, New Gear premium headphones sale lets you elevate your listening for less

Save big on Sennheiser audiophile headphones, earphones, and more. Grab these limited-time deals before they disappear and enjoy superior sound!

A close-up photograph of a young child in a sunlit garden, biting into a large, freshly harvested carrot. The child is shirtless, and the carrot still has its long, vibrant green leafy tops attached. The background is a soft-focus view of a lush garden under a bright, clear sky.
Nutrition

Yes, eating carrots can help your eyesight. But it’s not a cure-all.

The World War II propaganda that touted the veggie wasn’t totally wrong, but carrots still won't give you night vision.

a man holds a light blue torch and a flame
Science

MIT professor designs 2026 Winter Olympics torch

Officially named ‘Essential,’ the torch was designed by Carlo Ratti and weighs only 2.5 pounds.