Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 42)

a message in invisible ink that reads UCSD with a man wielding a trident
Engineering

Breathing on this chip reveals a secret message

The hidden image only becomes visible when humidity levels surpass 60 percent.

Samsonite suitcases on a space background during the summer sale
Gear

Samsonite is blowing out its most popular rolling bags and luggage for up to 43% off during this summer clearance sale

Whether you need a single carry-on bag or a whole set of luggage for traveling, you can save hundreds during Samsonite's seasonal clearance.

a graphic that reads moon joy june
NASA

How you can help NASA (even if you failed math)

The agency is calling for poets, songwriters, and more who are inspired by space. And the ‘moon joy’ will keep on rolling.

a woman in a blue baseball cap holds a turtle on the beach
Ocean

Rare hybrid sea turtle released back into the ocean after rescue

Earl grey is the offspring of two different species.

a full moon against a black and slightly blue sky
Moons

Look up for a blue moon on May 31

Turns out, 'once in a blue moon' is right now.

Woman rubs her eyes from fatigue. Poor vision, dry eyes. Hormonal imbalances in the female body, stress, poor sleep, allergy.; Shutterstock ID 2605950821; purchase_order: PopSci; job: ; client: ; other:
Health

Is rubbing your eyes bad for you?

Two eye specialists explain what’s behind the urge to rub and what to do about it.

Happy laughing little girl slides down on a pink water slide in outdoor swimming pool on a hot summer day. She's wearing goggles and a orange bikini.
Ask Us Anything

What’s the safest swimsuit color? Skip blue and black.

Let traffic cones inspire your next bathing suit purchase.

a woman sits in a high-tech rowboat in the ocean
Science

Kelsey Pfendler is trying to become the youngest woman to row solo from California to Hawaii

Pfendler has already faced blisters, brutal winds, and lost freshwater in the first week of her over 2,400 mile journey.

a pigeon with grey, green, black, and purple feathers
Birds

Pigeons use their livers to sense Earth’s magnetic field

Special immune cells may be one piece of their internal compass.

the POV of a remote controlled aircraft flying above an estate
Aviation

The world’s largest RC Boeing 777-9X takes flight

Filmmaker Tyler Perry piloted the remote-controlled behemoth, which weighs 630 pounds with a 33-foot wingspan.

a mosquito biting human skin
Insects

Mosquitoes can learn that DEET means dinner is served

But don’t throw away the bug spray just yet.

1979 postage stamp showing a futuristic hovertrain along a rail with a fan on the end on a yellowish background.
Aviation

The world’s first ‘hovertrain’ could reach speeds of 270 mph in the 1960s

But the futuristic Aérotrain never saw the light of day.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 01: The national shirt of England on May 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sustainability

Nike’s recycled World Cup uniforms reveal the limits of ‘circular’ fashion

Will chemical recycling revolutionize the fashion industry, or is it just “an excuse to keep producing plastic clothes”?

Artist’s rendering of a MoonFall drone operating near the lunar South Pole.
Moons

Four drones will go where no astronaut have landed—yet

NASA's MoonFall mission plans to send drones to the moon's South Pole sometime in 2028.

a small horse galloping
Endangered Species

Rare Przewalski’s horse born in New York

The endangered wild horse species was brought back from near extinction.

the sun aligned with new york city's grid. it is shining above a main street in between buildings
Engineering

Manhattanhenge isn’t just for New Yorkers. Find a ‘henge’ near you.

Chicago, Baltimore, Toronto, and other cities see the same effect at different times of year.

two human doctors holding a baby gorilla
Endangered Species

Doctors perform rare emergency C-section on a gorilla

While Olympia recovers, another postpartum gorilla mom will care for both newborns.

middle age old woman sit at sofa home feel hot flash fever use fan waving
Life Skills

Fans don’t cool rooms and 3 other myths about home energy conservation

Step away from the thermostat.

Hamster running on a yellow wheel against pink background
Wildlife

Hamsters run on wheels for a surprisingly joyful reason

Even wild animals enjoy a good wheel.

space
Space

Could aliens ever visit Earth? An aerospace scientist unpacks the challenges of interstellar spaceflight.

The universe is vast and teeming with stars – but if intelligent life exists, it may not be able to visit Earth.