Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 235)

Spinach rows in farm field
Science

Your recycled pee may be better for crops than synthetic fertilizer

New research further supports the benefits of swapping out artificial additives for human urine.

Mount Thielsen with a base of rocks and trees around its side
Science

Extinct volcanoes could hold rare earth elements

Their iron-rich magma might hold some of the 17 elements needed to make smartphones, wind turbines, and more.

Scientists observed two bowhead whales synchronizing dive schedules whenever they were within earshot of each other.
Ocean

Whales may be communicating across vast distances

Researchers have long suspected that bowhead whales keep in touch from far away. New evidence of synchronized diving between two whales 100 kilometers apart supports the theory.

This artist concept illustrates the frenzied activity at the core of our Milky Way galaxy. The galactic center hosts a supermassive black hole in the region known as Sagittarius A*, or Sgr A*, with a mass of about four million times that of our sun.
Ask Us Anything

Can the black hole in the center of our galaxy expand to our solar system? 

We're not dealing with a 'cosmic vacuum cleaner' situation.

A lineup of the best leaf vacuums on a white background
Home

The 4 best leaf vacuums

Keeping your property clean doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult with these handy tools.

Z Machine operating at Sandia National Laboratories
Deep Space

Could nukes deflect an asteroid? ‘X-ray scissors’ offer scientists clues.

The new tool requires using the world’s strongest pulse-powered machine.

three species of crane stand in tall grass. the first has grey, black and white plumage and is the tallest. the second has mostly white plumage. the last one is small with gray plumage.
Land

Cranes can migrate 4,000 miles, but that’s not the hard part

Some species of these wading birds face several make-or-break decisions along the way.

Video still of Deep Blue Aerospace's Nebula-1 rocket attempting to reland
Private Space Flight

Drone captures Chinese reusable test rocket’s fiery end

Deep Blue Aerospace’s Nebula-1 just barely missed its landing, but still exploded.

Caption: An octopus cyanea hunting with a blacktip grouper on one side and a gold-saddle goatfish (‘blue goatfish’) on the other.
Science

Octopus and fish join forces to hunt together

Teamwork makes the dream work, even across species divides.

A lineup of four of the best high frequency wands on a plain background
Gear

The best high frequency wands, tested and reviewed

High frequency wands are the workhorse of skin care devices. Say goodbye to acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation.

This editor-approved DeWalt drill bundle is $80 cheaper than usual
Home

This editor-approved DeWalt drill bundle is $80 cheaper than usual

Get ready for those autumn and winter DIY projects, or pick up an early holiday gift for your handy friend.

Micro plastic.
Pollution

What scientists have learned from 20 years of microplastics research

The particles are everywhere, and they may harm human health.

2024 EV9 dashboard screen and infotainment system
Electric Vehicles

The iPhone-ification of cars unlocks a new world of options

How over-the-air software updates change the way cars are sold.

training tech for cops
Technology

The dangerous fantasy of cybernetic cops

Augmented and virtual reality technologies are deepening the militarization of police forces and infiltrating everyday life.

Using the microwave oven to heat food. Woman's hand puts plastic container with broccoli and buckwheat in the microwave
Ask Us Anything

Seriously, stop microwaving your food in plastic

'We’re exposed to a chemical soup.'

A Joshua tree on Eureka Peak in Joshua Tree National Park.
Environment

With hotter, drier weather, California’s Joshua Trees are in trouble

In the Mojave Desert, rising temperatures, less rainfall, and more intense wildfires are killing off Joshua trees. California officials are working on a plan to protect the distinctive yucca tree and its desert ecosystem by establishing refuges and controlling development.

an iPad, desktop, and laptop with sequoia open
Tech Hacks

7 cool macOS 15 Sequoia tricks that you couldn’t do before

Apple has revamped its desktop software and it's worth the upgrade.

Cross section of nautilus shell
Science

Mathematicians define a new shape—and you’ve probably seen it

Soft cells can be found in nautilus shells, onions, and even famous architectural designs.

child with fever
Health

Why do we have fevers? It’s more complicated than ‘heat kills bugs.’

'A little bit of fever is good, but a lot of fever is bad.'

The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours March 28, 2011 in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
Energy

Massive AI energy demand is bringing Three Mile Island back from the dead

Microsoft will be the sole purchaser of energy generated from the refurbished site.