Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 4)

Canary Guano fertilizer, The Chemical Union Limited, Ipswich, c.1900. (Photo by History of Advertising Trust/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Agriculture

Bird droppings were a foundation of modern agriculture and American empire

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, fertilizer companies shipped millions of tons of dried bird excrement.

a side by side of vets holding a baby giraffe
Wildlife

Premature baby giraffe keeps beating the odds after emergency C-section

Milani is hitting major milestones including, standing and pooping on her own.

Person taking a photo with an iphone at Check Point Charlie in Berlin, Germany
Projects

Make a plan for your digital photos after you die

Consider adding a Digital Executor to your will so your memories aren't lost forever.

Ants help biting green leaf to build nest.
Science

Plants and their ants: When flora and fauna team up

Mutualistic partnerships between species abound across nature—but it’s a tricky dance to make sure both parties keep pulling their weight.

a large jellyfish with several long tentacles and a red and white center
Wildlife

World’s largest jellyfish spotted near Cape Cod

Its tentacles can be twice the size of a city bus.

Green garbage trucks lined up together.
Ask Us Anything

How do garbage trucks work?

Behind every trash day is a powerful, sophisticated machine.

Woman's fingers touching the capacitive sensor surface of some wireless headphones on her head
Tech Hacks

This free AI music detector will scan through your playlists for audio slop

Make sure you're only listening to music crafted by flesh and blood humans.

Close up of researcher holding small pieces of micro plastics on finger tips.
Land

What do we actually know about the microplastics inside us?

Pervasive plastic contamination and unreliable methods have clouded the science on microplastics in the human body. In an interview, Australian scientist Cassandra Rauert, who built a plastics-free lab to study human exposure, explores the challenges for researchers.

a turtle wearing a telemetry device on its shell walks into the ocean
Ocean

Bon voyage, Papyrus! 5 rescued sea turtles named after fonts released in Cape Cod

The endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were found in December 2025.

Brown free range chicken looking at camera walking around in a chicken coop in a backyard farm with other chickens
Projects

How to get started raising backyard chickens

Egg prices got you down? You might be able to set up your own supply of fresh pre-omelets.

a tiger in water near mangroves
Wildlife

18 stunning wildlife images from the Mangrove Photography Awards

Tigers, mudskippers, and turtles can all be found amongst the mangroves.

two bald eagles and their chicks
Birds

Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow raise $10 million to save habitat

The fundraiser hit its goal after a $5.5M donation from an OpenAI co-founder.

Two images of a DIY train station departure board displaying information on LED screens
Engineering

Man builds DIY train station departure board

That’s one way to keep track of delays.

a car dashboard with several smart features
Security

2 million cars at risk of sneaky Bluetooth hack that unlocks doors

Models from major car brands including Honda, Toyota, and Jeep are at risk.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 12: People walk by a Hot Dog sculpture at Times Square on June 12, 2024 in New York City. At 65 feet long, Times Squares latest major public art installation, Hot Dog in the City, tops the record for the World's Largest Hot Dog Sculpture. (Photo by Liao Pan/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
Science

How many hot dogs could fit inside the world’s largest hot dog sculpture? We did the math.

At 65-feet-long, the installation on display in Times Square has plenty of room.

A graphic rendering of a containership that is powered by small modular nuclear reactors.
Engineering

Nuclear molten salt could power future cargo ships

These experimental ship designs rely on smaller and potentially safer molten salt nuclear reactors.

Photo of Alan Turing overlaid over blurred images of his short story pages
Science

Long-lost love story by Alan Turing rediscovered in archive

'Pryce's Buoy' is an unfinished romance tale between two men.

A titanium grey Heybike Venus e-bike sitting in front of red tulips at the Lady Bird Johnson Memorial
Outdoor Gear

Riding this comfortable e-bike won’t drain your energy or your wallet

The relaxed, practical Heybike Venus e-bike combines beginner-friendly comfort with commuter-ready features, making it a strong option for casual rides and everyday travel.

two young eagles with dark feathers stand on a tree limb
Birds

Why Jackie and Shadow’s home is the place to be for young eagles

As their mom recovers, Sandy and Luna are becoming more independent.

Aerial photo of passenger cruise ship at blue sea.
Ask Us Anything

No, cruise ships aren’t floating petri dishes

But don't go licking the railings.