Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 193)

Nose closeup
Science

What’s that smell—and how’d you know?

It’s clear that genes, receptors and neurons all play a role in detecting odors. But much of how we make sense of what we sniff remains mysterious. A neuroscientist explains.

the google tasks interface on a cell phone
Tech Hacks

Google Tasks is the best Google tool you’re not using

One of Google's simplest and most useful apps.

an illustration of a striped tasmanian tiger with sharp teeth eating the body of a wombat-like creature
Wildlife

New bone-crushing Tasmanian tiger species dug up by paleontologists

Badjcinus timfaulkneri is among three new species of the extinct marsupial discovered in Australia.

A black and white image shows a silvery sheet of material toward the bottom
Sun

NASA releases first photo of 860-square-foot solar sail in orbit

The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System could pave the way for new, ultrafast forms of space travel.

Turns out, micro and nano plastics degrade differently.
Science

Scientists finally get a 3D view of degrading microplastics

Researchers can now see all sides of micro and nano plastic particles.

a sedan sitting in front of concrete structures
Electric Vehicles

Lucid reinvents the electric motor by thinking small. Really small.

The carmaker is blazing a fresh trail on the EV path forward. 

Human ear closeup
Ask Us Anything

Why do we have earlobes? They make no evolutionary sense.

Our ears are complex wonders. Our earlobes? They're extra.

Samsung OLED TV with Blade Runner on the screen in a room.
Televisions

The best Samsung TVs, as chosen by experts

Samsung makes a TV for just about any space and viewing habit.

seaplane
Technology

How do you keep pilots and passengers of sea planes safe?

Floatplanes are ubiquitous on the coast and indispensable for remote communities, but they don’t need to follow the same regulations and reporting as commercial airlines.

a pterosaur speices flaps its wings to fly, while another uses them to soar
Evolution

‘Remarkable’ fossils offer clues to perplexing pterosaur question

Did these winged giants soar or flap across prehistoric skies?

Spotify mobile icon app on screen smartphone iPhone closeup
AI

Man with AI song catalog ‘defrauds’ streaming services of $10 million

The DOJ indicted the alleged scammer after his bot army amassed billions of plays over seven years.

This squishy robot uses electrical signals processed from King Oyster mushroom mycelia to scoot back and forth.
Robots

This robot is being controlled by a King oyster mushroom

Researchers created a biohybrid robot that uses electrical signals in mycelium to move around.

A container of Yellow #5 dye.
Science

The dye in Doritos can make mice transparent

'It’s not magic, but it’s still very powerful.'

Meteorite impacts and volcanic eruption producing glass beads on the Moon.
Moons

Volcanoes may have existed on the moon far more recently than we thought

Beads of volcanic glass collected by Chang’e-5 are only 120 million years old.

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.