Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 344)

Large termite mound in the African Savannah
Engineering

Termite mounds may one day inspire ‘living, breathing’ architecture

Termites can be a nuisance to humans, but their homes may teach us a thing or two about sustainability.

A sloth hangs in a tree in Costa Rica. The mammals have the slowest digestive system of any animal on Earth. It can take sloths two weeks to digest an entire meal, and they sleep about 20 hours a day to conserve energy.
Wildlife

Sloth schedules are surprisingly flexible

These cryptic critters use lack of activity to their advantage.

Recycling bins with symbol
Pollution

Why the recycling symbol is part of a ‘misinformation campaign’

The recognizable chasing arrows icon could be doing more harm than good—so the EPA wants to toss it.

Tesla supercharging station.
Electric Vehicles

Ford EVs can soon be charged at Tesla stations

Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit customers can start using adapters to plug into superchargers.

Scientists and Indigenous people team up to build a kelp seed bank
Global Warming

Scientists and Indigenous people team up to build a kelp seed bank

In Washington State, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s new preservation facility offers a back-up plan for an uncertain future.

An elderly person with short gray hair, wearing a pink shirt and jeans, with their hands on the shoulders of a kid they're teaching how to ride a bike. The child is wearing a red helmet and using a balance bike on a park path.
Life Skills

Pro tips for teaching a kid how to ride a bike

This advice should make learning to ride a bike easier for you and your fledgling rider.

Gasoline use isn’t falling fast enough. Targeting ‘superusers’ could help.
Fossil Fuels

Gasoline use isn’t falling fast enough. Targeting ‘superusers’ could help.

America may have hit 'peak gasoline,' but the fossil fuel’s decline is still too slow to meet climate goals.

Person in a suit and tie sitting outside in front of their computer, looking frustrated.
Tech Hacks

How to get rid of the giant ads blocking your favorite websites

You'll never have to look for that elusive "X" again.

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas
Global Warming

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas

How one group in Rio de Janeiro teamed up with researchers to adapt green roof technology for their community.

Elon Musk in meeting wearing suit
Technology

Neuralink human brain-computer implant trials finally get FDA approval

The FDA previously rebuffed Neuralink's initial application.

Young gorilla eating plant leaves in tree
Technology

Zoo’s bird-feeder-like device encourages gorillas to forage for snacks

An affordable, open-source device spreads the apes' meals across their enclosure to promote a more natural foraging environment.

The weevil Anchylorhynchus trapezicollis is the main pollinator of South American palm Syagrus coronata. Here, the weevil is seen on a female flower, touching the receptive parts and leaving pollen grains in the process.
Insects

Move over, bees: The lowly weevil is a power pollinator

The long-snouted beetle deserves more buzz for their pollination skills.

Ioniq 6 EV
Electric Vehicles

Electric cars are better for the environment, no matter the power source

Experts say that across the board, EVs are a win compared to similar gas-powered vehicles.

These are our picks for the best inflatable hot tubs on Amazon.
Home

The best inflatable hot tubs

Sit back and relax in an inflatable hot tub that gives you the comforts of a permanent model without the financial or space commitment.

A sign that reads "Protect Our Waters" outside of the US Supreme Court before a rally to call for protection of the Clean Water Act on October 3, 2022. As the term began, the court was hearing arguments in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pollution

Wetlands lose some environmental protections in new Supreme Court ruling

The 5-to-4 decision is a huge setback for the EPA and the Clean Water Act.

M101, also known as the Pinwheel galaxy, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Deep Space

An amateur astronomer spotted a new supernova remarkably close to Earth

A backyard telescope is all you need to spot this nearby exploding star.

Senior man and woman in wheelchair
Health

How to get through to your aging parents without arguing

Empathy and a respect for autonomy are needed to care for older loved ones.

angry kitten weapon
Air Force

The Air Force’s ‘Angry Kitten’ has been jamming with drones and jets

The military has tested the "Angry Kitten" electronic warfare system on a variety of airborne platforms, including a Reaper drone. Here's why.

Robot arm encased in smart sweater material
Robots

Cozy knit sweaters could help robots ‘feel’ contact

The snuggly garb is used to teach robots how to sense possible collisions in advance.

The Tungurahua volcano eruption.
Biology

Mixing volcanic ash with meteorites may have jump-started life on Earth

To search for organisms in space, it's helpful to know the recipe for living things on our planet.