Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 32)

Glowing blue algae arranged in different shapes
Sustainability

Glowing algae could power the lamps of the future

The bioluminescent plants are a potential alternative to electrical light and batteries.

Gold sword scabbard from 6th century Norway
Archaeology

Hiker stumbles on 6th century gold sword scabbard under fallen tree

‘The odds of finding something like this are minimal.’

Black and white photo of Curiosity rover's robotic arm drill lifting a stone off the ground on Mars.
Mars

For 6 days, NASA’s Mars rover battled a rock

Curiosity appears unscathed. The giant stone? Not so much.

children on playground
Health

Denmark’s ‘hands‑off’ approach to parenting could offer a blueprint for raising more resilient, self‑reliant kids

Letting kids take the lead can work well, but sometimes they can’t see or anticipate certain risks.

A photo of a tornado forming above a rural road and there's a headlight.
Ask Us Anything

The real storm chasers of the Great Plains

A veteran chaser separates Hollywood magic from the real, on-the-ground excitement of tornado season.

reMarkable Paper Pure with handwriting examplel
Tablets

reMarkable Paper Pure writing tablet review: A true digital notebook replacement

If you're a hardcore handwriting enthusiast, reMarkable's new distraction-fighting tablet provides the best paper-like experience available.

a wasp's head
Insects

Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday present is… a parasitic wasp

Meet ‘Attenboroughnculus tau.’

shiny crystals found inside of a bone
Evolution

An extinct human species made surprisingly creative butchery tools

Our cousins ‘Homo juluensis’ knew how to adapt in the face of an ice age.

Close up of magic mushrooms in the palm of someone's hand
Science

Magic mushrooms make mean fish lazier and more chill

Psilocybin may selectively lower aggressive behavior in the the notoriously nasty mangrove rivulus.

Close up of oyster shells
Engineering

Want stronger concrete? Just add oysters.

The biomimetic material is based on shellfish bonds.

a warning sign in front of a building for explosions
Engineering

The world’s largest explosion lab is ready for big booms. And yes, it’s in Texas.

‘Something on this scale with this type of energy, you can’t help but be nervous.’

Woman crying while watching TV
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Movies use this one musical trick to make you feel miserable 

Plus a roller coaster ‘thoosie’ and other weird things we learned this week.

Jaw bone exhibiting gold wire dental ligature around bottom teeth
Archaeology

A medieval Scot rocked a 20-carat gold dental bridge

It probably looked as cool as you think.

five sled dog puppies
Dogs

Denali’s adorable Sled Dog Puppy Cam is back for 2026

This year’s five freight-style Alaskan husky puppies carry on a 104-year-old tradition at Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve.

Close up of electric radiator in living room
Energy

American homes need heat pumps, not space heaters

The ultraefficient appliances don't just have to supplant gas furnaces, but space heaters as well.

Grad gift guide header 2026
Gear

Graduation gift guide: Perfect presents for recent graduates of all ages

No matter what kind of graduation your gifting for, we have a collection of perfect presents to make their day.

An atmospheric photograph shows a silhouette of a person interacting with a dramatic play of light and shadow. The person’s face and hands are partially illuminated by a bright, warm light source that cuts through a hazy, purple-tinted atmosphere filled with smoke or mist. The composition is abstract and moody, emphasizing the sensory and ethereal nature of light and color.
Evolution

Color doesn’t exist—at least not how you think

That's why it's impossible to describe the color red.

a landslide over a fjord
Climate Change

A 1,578-foot tsunami struck a popular Alaskan cruise destination. Now we know why.

The Tracy Arm fjord tsunami was bigger than the Eiffel Tower.

Man sitting next to C-3PO replica head
AI

Man 3D prints a chatty C-3PO head powered by AI

It may not be a fully-fledged protocol droid yet, but Luke Skywalker would be impressed.

Photo of the Pope Leo moth with dark orange wings broken up by white bands
Land

New moth species named for Pope Leo

‘Pyralis papaleonei’ reflects his strong stance on environmental conservation.