Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 320)

Concept art of lunar solar power station in orbit
Technology

This giant solar power station could beam energy to lunar bases

The butterfly-inspired Greater Earth Lunar Power Station could be made with materials found on the moon.

In this artist’s rendering from 2020, the small white orb represents the white dwarf (a remnant of a long-dead sun-like star), while the purple foreground object is the newly discovered brown dwarf companion, confirmed by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. This faint brown dwarf was previously overlooked until being spotted by citizen scientists working with Backyard Worlds: Planet 9, a NASA-funded citizen science project.
Solar System

A Jupiter-sized dwarf star burns half as hot as a campfire

The 'ultracool' star is possibly around 44 times as dense as our solar system's largest member.

Hands typing on a laptop.
Tech Hacks

Find any file on your computer

Search and you shall find.

Med school students during a white coat ceremony at the University of Minnesota in 2022, before the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in admissions
Health

The Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action will make US doctors less diverse

Affirmative action affects anyone who needs healthcare in America.

A protester stands next to a digital display of an unofficial heat reading at Furnace Creek Visitor Center during a heat wave in Death Valley National Park in Death Valley, California, on July 16, 2023. The signs read “this is the climate emergency,” and “happy death day.”
Global Warming

Extreme heat warning extends to more than 100 million people in the US

A large heat dome has settled over the West and Southwest, breaking temperature records and sending people to the hospital.

Ford Bronco
Vehicles

I learned stick shift from the pros—here’s how it went

No PRNDLs here.

Bull elk in the wilderness
Birds

Like whales and bats, elk have regional dialects

Using spectrograms, a visual representation of sound frequencies, researchers can see the details of each signature bugle.

WhatsApp's new Privacy Checkup Menu allows you block calls from unknown numbers.
Tech Hacks

Blocking unknown callers and other WhatsApp privacy features you should turn on right now

You can now access the app's security and privacy tools more easily.

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children
Health

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

Removing lead from homes, schools, and daycare centers could be a ‘gigantic leap forward’ for public health.

Silver radio telescopes with mountains in the background.
Space

How scientists decide if they’ve actually found signals of alien life

When searching for extraterrestrial intelligence, being certain can be tricky business.

A pair of hands holds three homemade bath bombs over a bath tub full of water.
Projects

How to make your own bath bombs

Making your own bath blasts might be just as fun as soaking in them.

Vintage robots
Robots

An electric cow, a robot mailman, and other automatons we overestimated

A look back at some robotic inventions that didn't quite get there.

Student at desk doing math homework during COVID-19 lockdown.
Mental Health

US schools aren’t ready for another pandemic

The pandemic suggested clear lessons on the value—and limitations—of online learning. Are educators listening?

Two people sitting in mycocrete dome structure
Engineering

Fungi spores and knitting combine to make a durable and sustainable building material

The knitted 3D structures can be created with 'no seams and no waste,' according to researchers.

The Microsoft Rewards dashboard shows how many points you've earned.
Tech Hacks

How Microsoft Rewards can help you benefit from being chronically online

Start turning your web searches into prizes.

An artist’s illustration of Alligator munensis, which is skimming the water with its eye out and surrounded by lush green trees. The large tooth sockets towards the back of its mouth suggest this extinct gator could crush shells and may have snacked on hard-shelled prey like snails.
Wildlife

Extinct snub-nosed gator had big teeth for crushing snails

The recently-discovered reptile likely lived in present-day Thailand roughly 230,000 years ago.

a military model of an embassy and a hummer
DARPA

Why US intelligence wants a new way to make virtual, 3D models

The idea is to take two-dimensional imagery and create a realistic three-dimensional simulation for soldiers or first responders to use.

Multiple boxes of Diet Coke on a store shelf.
Food Safety

WHO categorizes aspartame as a possible carcinogen—but don’t panic

The statement advises a bit of moderation in consuming your favorite diet soda.

Ocean waves crashing.
Ocean

How climate change is pushing oxygen out of the world’s oceans

Species like tuna and sharks are especially vulnerable to these changes.

The best monitor stands
Peripherals

The best monitor stands

Whether you want to save desktop real estate or improve your posture, a properly positioned monitor stand, shelf, or arm can help.