Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 36)

In 3D the kissing number is 12, as illustrated by basketballs. Illustration: Kira Vesikko / Aalto University
Science

Human outsmarts Google DeepMind AI, solving centuries-old ‘kissing problem’

How many spheres can be arranged so that every one 'kisses' a single rounded shape in the center?

a rattlesnake with an open mouth bearing its fangs
Wildlife

How snake bites really work

Vipers can strike within 100 milliseconds of launching at their prey.

A close-up, head-on portrait of a Dalmatian dog with striking bright blue eyes. The dog has a white face with black spots covering its head and ears, and is wearing a brown leather collar. The background is a simple, blurred gray surface.
Dogs

Can dogs sense ghosts?

With senses far sharper than ours, dogs detect what we can’t—perhaps more than we realize.

Reconstructed image of the compact, fast-rotating asymmetric disc around β CMi. The white scale bar at the bottom right marks 1 milliarcsecond — equivalent to a 6 feet scale at the distance of the moon.
Deep Space

Astronomers’ telescope ‘hack’ uncovered a lopsided star

The rapidly spinning star beta Canis Minoris is about 162 light-years away from Earth.

Butter is slowly melting in a frying pan
Science

New recycling method turns Teflon into toothpaste fluoride

The approach converts the toxic nonstick coating into harmless ingredients.

pinworm under microscope
Diseases

Ancient poop from Mexico’s ‘Cave of the Dead Children’ teems with parasites

Pinworm, bacterial E.coli, Blastocystis, and more.

Close up of bearded dragon against black background
Evolution

Reptile ‘pee crystals’ might help treat kidney stones and gout

Researchers studied urate solids from over 20 snake and lizard species.

a flamingo in water
Wildlife

Flamingos are making a home in Florida again after 100 years

An ecologist explains why they may be returning for good.

A nighttime photograph shows a suburban house transformed into a dramatic haunted house display, illuminated by intense purple and blue lighting. The front lawn is covered with numerous Halloween decorations, including glowing ghosts, demonic gargoyles flanking a sign that reads "THE VENEZIALE MANOR," skeletons, and lighted pumpkin figures. A bright moon or spotlight shines in the upper right.
Projects

Teen turns his suburban home into elaborate haunted house every October

This year, 16-year-old Joe Veneziale created a terrifying Old Hollywood hotel.

Group of people speaking in conference room, out of focus image
Biology

Men speak with a vocal fry just as much as women

Linguists bust another gender myth.

A red cusk-eel burrowed in among tubeworms at a methane seep off the coast of El Quisco in central Chile. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Ocean

Tiny spider crabs snack on parasites from Chile’s favorite fish

The highly popular Chilean cusk-eels hang out around methane seeps.

a kakapo
Birds

World’s only flightless parrot doing okay against ‘crusty bum’ disease

New Zealand’s critically endangered kākāpō are not showing signs of antibiotic resistance. Yet.

Bambu Lab A1 3D printer deal header
Gear

The Bambu Lab A1 is the best multi-color 3D printer for beginners and it’s up to $260 off at Amazon

Bambu Lab 3D printers rarely go on-sale, but Amazon has every version of the auto-leveling A1 deeply discounted right now.

French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum, on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on October 19, 2025. Robbers broke in to the Louvre and fled with jewellery on October 19, 2025 morning, a source close to the case said, adding that its value was still being evaluated. A police source said an unknown number of thieves arrived on a scooter armed with small chainsaws and used a goods lift to reach the room they were targeting. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Security

Why the Louvre heist doesn’t surprise museum security experts

It's often more 'smash and grab' than 'Mission: Impossible.'

visual intelligence examples on iphone
Tech Hacks

How to use Visual Intelligence on your iPhone with iOS 26

Your Apple phone has some new AI powers with iOS 26 and Visual Intelligence.

A photograph of a young couple sitting close together in a dark movie theater, looking scared or startled during a film. The man on the left has his hands covering part of his face, grimacing, while the woman next to him is covering her face with one hand. They are sharing a large bucket of popcorn.
Psychology

Is fear contagious?

Fear isn’t just personal—it spreads through sight, smell, and even subconsciously.

A 50 cent coin from 1817 (left) and an 1846 Liberty head one-cent coin (right) are just two of the numerous objects uncovered in a dig in Troy, Ohio.
Archaeology

Rare 19th-century coins found after fire at historic tavern

Last December, flames engulfed Ohio’s Overfield Tavern Museum. Now archaeologists get to dig beneath the floorboards.

Kidney transplant in container
Diseases

Donor organ’s blood type altered for the first time

Scientists removed the blood's antigens to make a kidney the universal type-O.

A 3D model of the ancient Roman water basin uncovered about 11 miles east of Rome.
Archaeology

Forgotten rival of Ancient Rome featured an impressive water basin

Gabii was a once powerful city, but was largely abandoned by 50 CE.

Big bison in the National Park on the shore of a lake or river
Land

This national park uses helicopters for bison round-up duty

About 400 bison will be dispersed to tribal lands amid ongoing conservation efforts.