Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 435)

Why plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles are worth a look right now
Electric Vehicles

Why plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles are worth a look right now

Positioned between regular vehicles and pure EVs, PHEVs solve several problems.

Close up of chess player with head in hand playing game
AI

A simple rule variation could move chess out of a stalemate

Chess960 is meant to keep the game's creativity—and curb computers' edge.

After years of delays, SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket
Military

After years of delays, SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket

The US Space Force mission is largely classified.

The Mars Express just got up close and personal with Phobos
Mars

The Mars Express just got up close and personal with Phobos

Flying closely can give scientists clues to the history of the Red Planet's largest moon.

protein structure 3D
AI

Meta’s AI could shake up how we study protein structures

It is using language learning models to predict how proteins fold.

Tiger sharks helped scientists map a vast underwater meadow in the Bahamas
Sharks

Tiger sharks helped scientists map a vast underwater meadow in the Bahamas

The seagrass meadow could help sequester loads of ocean-bound carbon dioxide.

Vine could be next on the list for Musk to remake
Social Media

Vine could be next on the list for Musk to remake

Former designers warn that rebuilding the video-sharing platform won’t be easy.

inflated balloon ready to launch
Climate Change

Alien-looking balloons might be the next weapon in the fight against wildfires

A Colorado startup floats the idea of using heat-seeking microballoons to track threatening blazes.

collage of images from different stories
Announcements

PopSci’s High Issue is for all the big dreamers out there

Our newest issue looks at what we can achieve with high hopes and lofty ambitions.

This newly named owl from Príncipe Island calls like an insect
Birds

This newly named owl from Príncipe Island calls like an insect

Locals suggest that the owl could possibly be traced all the way back to 1928.

Europe’s big new Digital Markets Act could help hold tech giants accountable
Internet

Europe’s big new Digital Markets Act could help hold tech giants accountable

The DMA introduces a series of new rules that "gatekeepers in the online platform economy” will have to comply with if they want to operate in the EU.

A skyscraper-sized asteroid will zoom within 1.43 million miles of Earth tonight
Space

A skyscraper-sized asteroid will zoom within 1.43 million miles of Earth tonight

Asteroid 2022 RM4 will come within 1.43 million miles of the Earth.

Swiss train crossing bridge in Alps
Engineering

Switzerland sets world record for longest passenger train—and it’s electric

The real life 'Snowpiercer' celebrates the 175th anniversary of trains in Switzerland.

Ocean plastic ‘vacuums’ are sucking up marine life along with trash
Ocean

Ocean plastic ‘vacuums’ are sucking up marine life along with trash

A new study shows that for every 3.6 pieces of litter caught by a Seabin, one marine animal is also trapped.

Instagram is down for some users—here’s what we know so far
Social Media

Instagram is down for some users—here’s what we know so far

Another day, another case of social media chaos.

NASA sun spots image
Sun

Just in time for Halloween, the sun looks like a jack-o’-lantern

While it is fun to look at, the smiley image might spell a little trouble for Earth.

A jaybird snacks
Birds

Eurasian jays show masterful intelligence in human psychology test

An especially bright bird waited five-and-a-half minutes for the superior snack.

The epic flights of two speedy ducks reveals secrets of global bird migration
Birds

The epic flights of two speedy ducks reveals secrets of global bird migration

The two pintail hens made a voyage of 10,000 miles over 10 months.

What it’s like to fire Raytheon’s powerful anti-drone laser
Weapons

What it’s like to fire Raytheon’s powerful anti-drone laser

PopSci exclusively tested out a laser weapon in the high desert of New Mexico. Here's how it works, and what it does.

Tiny conifer plants growing out of the Sheenjek River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Fossil Fuels

The 2022 midterm elections could shake the course of environmental action in the US

Oil and gas leases, public lands, carbon emissions, and wildfire management are all on the ballot (figuratively).