Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 214)

Concept art of lunar base with floating train path alongside astronauts
Engineering

Wild NASA proposal envisions magnetic hover trains on the moon

NASA thinks the ‘Flexible Levitation on a Track’ (FLOAT) idea has potential, and wants to see more.

little baby
Science

Making babies may take 10 times more energy than we thought

The indirect energetic costs of reproduction across the animal kingdom have been underestimated, a new analysis finds.

Nature can’t run without parasites. What happens when they start to disappear?
Animals

Nature can’t run without parasites. What happens when they start to disappear?

Scientists are starting to think about parasites as forces for good.

The untold story of the first U.S.-based nuclear spy, and how he got away with it
Technology

The untold story of the first U.S.-based nuclear spy, and how he got away with it

The saga of Clarence Hiskey, a chemist employed by the Manhattan Project, and Arthur Adams, a spy-runner, has largely fallen down a memory hole.

toilet seat on wooden bench with bucket of saw dust, toilet brush, and toilet paper
Sustainability

How does a composting toilet work? Ditch the flush.

Everything you need to know about the flush-free alternative.

Three 3D printed polypills
Diseases

One 3D-printed ‘polypill’ could fit an entire day’s medications

‘The future of prescribed medication lies in a personalized approach.’

an in-production car on the assembly line
Electric Vehicles

How Rolls-Royce built its first EV, the Spectre

The 18-foot-long coupe brings an ethereal magic carpet ride smoothness.

Unitree G1 humanoid robot bending limbs while sitting on couch
AI

Worryingly bendy humanoid robot can crush nuts, slice Coke bottles

Unitree’s unsettling ‘G1 Humanoid Agent’ can be yours for just $16,000. But the nightmare fuel is free.

An illustration of what exoplanet WASP-39 b could look like. It is also a hot and puffy gas giant like exoplanet WASP 193b.
Exoplanets

A massive cotton candy-like exoplanet stumps astronomers

‘The planet is basically super fluffy.’

Apple iPad Pro M4 with the Apple Pencil Pro
Computers

Apple iPad Pro (2024) review: So pretty and full of potential

With a new processor and a clever OLED display, the newest flagship iPad promises lots of AI-powered wizardry in the future.

Shark AW302 HydroVac Deal tiled on a plain white background.
Home

Streamline spring cleaning by saving $160 on Shark’s stick vacuum-mop combo

This limited-time deal brings the device back down to its lowest price ever.

an orangutan sits in the forest with its mouth open wide, showing its teeth
Wildlife

Orangutans’ distinct yells decoded with help from AI

These long and booming vocalizations are very individualized.

wasp uses viruses
Insects

The wasps that turned viruses into tiny biological weapons

To protect and rear their young, some insects have tamed viruses.

Editing micorosoft office excel file on screen macro close up view
Tech Hacks

How to use Microsoft Word and Excel for free

You don't have to pay for the famous office apps.

Drone spraying over graffiti
Drones

Washington state deploys $30,000 drone to combat graffiti

The drone will shoot paint out a modified nozzle to cover vandalism.

two mantis shrimp punching one another
Wildlife

Bullet-fast mantis shrimp punches caught by super-speed cameras

Ocean oddity mantis shrimp show up ready to fight with a built-in shield.

Chicken looking at camera against black background
Renewables

Chicken fat supercapacitors could store green energy of the future

Researchers tested a surprising new way to recycle the biowaste.

rock art depicting a human hunting various animals
Evolution

How sweat and stamina helped make humans exceptional runners–and hunters

Endurance running for hunting likely began to evolve about 2.6 million years ago.

Amazon storage totes arranged in a pattern on a plain background for the deal
Home

Get storage bins and totes for ridiculously cheap prices during Amazon’s spring cleaning sale

Amazon is blowing out some of its storage bins and totes for super-cheap prices. Some are up to 70 percent off.

How Viking-age hunters took down the biggest animal on Earth
Animals

How Viking-age hunters took down the biggest animal on Earth

New research suggests that medieval Icelanders were scavenging and likely even hunting blue whales long before industrial whaling technology.