Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 204)

Nautilus captured on video
Ocean

After 15 years, a vessel named ‘Nautilus’ actually saw a nautilus

The ancient sea creatures are rarely photographed, much less filmed.

a woman leading a dance rehearsal in the a studio
Physics

How the Rockettes use math to make holiday magic

Patterns and puzzles come together in the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

New Jersey skyline at night
Drones

Mysterious SUV-sized drones may have blocked medical helicopter

Locals and police continue to report unidentified aerial vehicles across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

A composite image galaxy cluster collisions known as the Abell 2744 system, known as the Pandora's Cluster. In blue is a map showing the total mass concentration (mostly dark matter) based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the Subaru telescope.
Space Telescope

‘Funny dark matter:’ Something is wrong about our theory of the expanding universe

Our model says one thing; our observations say another.

Desmophyllum dianthus thrives in total darkness and near-freezing temperatures, at depths of up to 2,000 meters.
Ocean

The secret sex lives of deep, dark corals

A unique fjord in Chilean Patagonia gives scientists a chance to unlock the reproductive secrets of cold-water corals that typically live thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface.

a variety of products on a banner reading 'best of what's new 2024'
Best of What's New

The 50 greatest innovations of 2024

The 37th annual Best of What's New awards.

kid wearing sunglasses-type product
Technology

The ’90s ‘mind-control glasses’ that ended in lawsuits

The SuperMind system claimed to help you communicate with whales, meditate, and mirror a near-death experience.

Lots of restaurants and food manufacturers offer plant-based meat alternatives.
Nutrition

How plant-based meat alternatives mimic the real thing

Meat has a distinct taste, texture, and aroma.

a hand touching grass
Land

What happens to our bodies when we touch grass

a vintage blue VW van parked at a lake
Tech Hacks

How to plan the perfect road trip in Google Maps

Before you hit the road, make a plan so you don't miss cool things along the way.

twisted trees create a perfect reflection in still water
Environment

13 jaw-dropping International Landscape Photographer of the Year images

The beauty of Earth—from Namibia to Canada.

Nietzsche's productivity changed during his career because of his adoption of a new writing technology.
Technology

How typing transformed Nietzsche’s consciousness

The Malling-Hansen writing ball, with its potential and limitations, redefined Nietzsche’s philosophical and creative expression.

a slice of jelly toast faced down on the floor
Food Safety

Is the five-second rule true? Don’t push your luck.

The scientific research on floor food has a clear answer.

San Miguel pyramid excavation near highway in Hidalgo, Mexico
Archaeology

Ancient pyramid uncovered during highway construction

‘Deeper studies are essential to uncover the cultural context of this significant find.’

Germanic warrior taking stimulants imagined by Stanislav(Stanisław) Kontny, especially for the Praehistorische Zeitschrift. Credit: Stanisław Kontny for Praehistorische Zeitschrift
Archaeology

Roman-era Barbarians snorted stimulants in battle, tiny spoons suggest

Over 200 small tools found across Europe hint at previously unknown drug use in Germanic tribes.

A couple walking with their child by the river in Tokyo
Health

Tokyo rolling out four-day work week in bid to boost birth rates

Japan has the world's oldest population—with an estimated 10 percent of people over 80 years old.

dog kissing human licking face
Ask Us Anything

Why do dogs lick humans? It could be a sign of affection.

Scientists have theories about slobbery canine kisses.

The Holcim cement plant in Lägerdorf, Germany.
Environment

Greening concrete: A Major emitter inches toward carbon neutrality

Concrete is the most ubiquitous man-made building material on the planet, but making it generates massive amounts of CO2 emissions. Companies are experimenting with ways to green the process, from slashing the use of limestone to capturing the carbon generated when it’s burned.

Bashlemi inscription tablet with mystery language on black background
Archaeology

Mystery language on ancient stone tablet stumps archeologists

The Bashplemi inscription possibly shares similarities with over 20 other alphabets.

An oil rig in Oklahoma.
AI

‘A needle in a haystack:’ How AI is helping uncover abandoned oil wells

The model was trained on about one hundred maps, and was used to sort through topographical maps spanning 45 years.