Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 398)

The Earth's atmosphere from the ISS, with the moon in the background, showing clearly defined layers between the planet and space, where the Karman line separates the two.
Solar System

Where does Earth end and space begin? The Karman line is only one answer.

It's anything but simple to assign a value to the atmosphere's boundary.

Three fishers fish for salmon in Alaska.
Climate Change

Biden’s recent climate decisions will close mines, protect salmon, and may permit drilling in Alaska

More land is being protected, but more fossil fuels could also be on the horizon.

Letting your favorite things gather dust is unsustainable—use them
Sustainability

Letting your favorite things gather dust is unsustainable—use them

A behavior called product attachment can explain why we avoid using what we care too much about.

Close up of medicine jar tipped over with pills spread on glass table
Security

GoodRx fined $1.5 million for allegedly selling users’ health data

The company allegedly promised to keep users' medical info private, but instead sold it to third-party advertisers.

A fossilized fish brain alongside of a penny for size comparison.
Evolution

Scientists find 319-million-year-old fossilized fish brain

Brains don't fossilize easily—so finding a preserved vertebrate cranium from this era is rare.

art photograph of a tiny plastic person sweeping what appears to be toothpaste out of a giant tube that says "your data".
Tech Hacks

The Opt Out: The case against editing your ad settings

The illusion of control is still an illusion.

A DIY computer desk made out of a wooden door and some metal legs, with a dual-monitor computer and other devices on top of it.
Projects

Build your own desk with custom features like USB ports and biometrics

A surprisingly easy step-by-step guide for an impressive DIY computer desk.

The best way to save forests? Legally recognize Indigenous lands.
Land

The best way to save forests? Legally recognize Indigenous lands.

A new report says the key to saving Brazil’s Atlantic Forest is recognizing Indigenous territory.

Russia’s robot tanklet is being pitched as an anti-armor tool
Weapons

Russia’s robot tanklet is being pitched as an anti-armor tool

The experimental bot in question is called the Marker UGV.

Infrared heat comparison photo of vine robot moving towards heat source
Robots

This heat-seeking robot looks and moves like a vine

The tubular robot could one day help extinguish the hard-to-find remnants of wildfires.

migrating birds above body of water
Animals

No one can predict exactly where birds go, but this mathematical model gets close

When in doubt, go with the BirdFlow.

Old batteries in a rectangle formation waiting to be recycled.
DIY

It’s time to recycle all those dead batteries

Safely recycle those ancient AAs in your junk drawer or the old car battery gathering dust in your garage.

a colorful illustration of ancient egyptians wearing robes embalming a dead body with wrappings and chemicals
Archaeology

This is the best look yet into ancient Egyptians’ mummy-making chemicals

The ancient Egyptians were masters at embalming the dead, a practice that required chemistry and global cooperation.

System Security Specialist Working at System Control Center
AI

The DOJ is investigating an AI tool that could be hurting families in Pennsylvania

Critics—and potentially the DOJ—are worried about the Allegheny Family Screening Tool's approach to mental health and disabled communities.

Keep your watches, remotes, and cameras ready to go with the best coin batteries.
Smartwatches

The best coin batteries

Keep your cameras, watches, remotes, and more powered up.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz holds up a piece of legislation, surrounded by supporters of the PRO Act.
Health

Minnesota just became the first post-Roe state to make abortion a right

The PRO Act also includes protections for contraception access and fertility services.

Two translucent Golden-line Barbell fish, also known as Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus, swim in a tank at Taipei, Taiwan on June 2, 2005.
Fish

Unicorns do exist—as a cave fish in China

Some of these eccentric creatures even have a forked horn.

tube sponges in a coral reef
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

A sea sponge’s sneeze lasts a very, very long time

Plus other fun facts from The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

Two giant, circular ground telescopes with an overlay of a starry night sky.
Deep Space

Cosmic cartographers release a more accurate map of the universe’s matter

It’s another step in understanding our 13 billion year-old universe.

Close up to a stack of AA batteries
Life Skills

How to turn AAA batteries into AAs

A truly A+ hack.