Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 323)

A green and blue aurora borealis glows above a body of water and mountains.
Sun

Updated forecast shows northern lights won’t be visible in most US states this week

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center updated their aurora forecast, dimming chances for some states to see the northern lights this week.

The 👍 emoji counts as a contract agreement, Canadian court rules
Internet

The 👍 emoji counts as a contract agreement, Canadian court rules

The ‘floodgates' could be open on what your favorite emoji means in legal contexts.

The giant Douglas firs in British Columbia forests are examples of so-called mother trees
Land

Are ‘mother trees’ real?

Some scientists say that ancient trees act as forest guardians. But evidence of this fairy tale-like effect is sparse.

Jars of animal and plant specimen.
Biology

Why preserving museum specimens is so vital for science

According to sources familiar with the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, many specimens are deteriorating.

A lineup of the best headlamps for hiking on a white background
Outdoor Gear

The best headlamps for hiking

Keep your hands free for essentials and your path illuminated for safety during your next hike.

VIPER moon rover coming down a ramp during a test at the NASA Ames Research Center
Moons

NASA’s quirky new lunar rover will be the first to cruise the moon’s south pole

Four wheels are better than six for off-roading in craters.

hand holding a smartphone showing an internet speed test to check any home wifi congestion.
Tech Hacks

Speed up a slow home connection by checking for WiFi-guzzling apps

Speed up your home network by cutting off data-hogging apps.

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked
AI

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked

Experts say the current hype ignores how AI contributes to emissions, misinformation, and fossil fuel production.

A person wearing a gold sweater and working on a laptop, possibly searching Google Drive and trying to find a lost file.
Tech Hacks

Use Google Drive’s Search Chips and never lose a file again

The Big G wants to make sure you find what you're looking for every time you search Google Drive.

Mitosis
Biology

Cells have some clever tricks for copying DNA

As cells divide, they must copy all of their chromosomes once and only once, or chaos would ensue. How do they do it?

Charles Chee Surya holding perovskite/silicon solar cell.
Renewables

Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite

Two ingredients is better than one when it comes to PV technology.

A gray storm cloud approaches green palm trees and a sandy shore.
Weather

AI forecasts could help us plan for a world with more extreme weather

One tool predicted global patterns 10,000 times faster than traditional methods without sacrificing accuracy.

A doctor points to multiple MRI's of the brain. A newly approved drug targets beta-amyloid, a brain protein that has long been believed by scientists to be one of the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Diseases

Alzheimer’s-slowing drug Leqembi gains full FDA approval

The medication should be widely covered by Medicare.

Phone showing a GIF on the Threads apps
Tech Hacks

How to add GIFs to Threads

Meta’s new Twitter-like platform supports the format but can really make you work for it.

A four-legged spider mite sits on a plant.
Spiders

Before spider mites mate, one of them gets their skin removed

These tiny arachnids face fierce competition in reproduction.

a marine fires a stinger missile
Weapons

Raytheon asks retirees for help making new Stinger anti-air missiles

Stingers are venerable missiles that date to the early 1980s. Because of their use in Ukraine, stockpiles have dwindled.

A family plays a board game.
Psychology

Kids pick up math skills while playing certain board games

Board games based on numbers can help three to nine year-olds improve their addition and counting.

Uranus captured by Voyager 2 in true color and false color. Uranus got its name from Greek mythology.
Moons

Uranus got its name from a very serious authority

From kings to Shakespearian sprites, Uranus captures the imagination that goes into naming objects in space.

hiking in the mountains
Land

Human noises make animals in the woods nervous

New study uses trail cameras and speakers to isolate what human sounds do to animals.

The Ultium platform is the foundation of GM’s EV strategy, including the battery cells, modules and pack, plus drive units containing electric motors and integrated power electronics
Electric Vehicles

General Motors wants to predict when battery fires might happen

Through a new acquisition, GM now has software that can identify anomalies in EV cells.